Brent's Van (uante)

That sucks. I'd be tempted to slot that channel down a bit with a die grinder and the right cylinder shaped carbide bit or a rough round file, square off the backside and use a thick washer and bolt. The manifold bolt holes are oversized a bit so there's some play.

Seth G wrote:That sucks. I'd be tempted to slot that channel down a bit with a die grinder and the right cylinder shaped carbide bit or a rough round file, square off the backside and use a thick washer and bolt. The manifold bolt holes are oversized a bit so there's some play.

That is what a couple of friends and I came up with almost exactly. Going to square off the back side and then fit a bolt or stud in there with a square head or nut and then drill through it into the head just a little and then tap that out and install a counter sunk 6-32 bolt down through it to hold it in place. Should be good enough to hold that side of the port secure until one day get a better fix or new head.

6-32 is pretty small, but better than nothing for sure. Id try to go at least #10 if there's enough meat or room. I think you want to keep this van original but it would be a great time to go to a DS1 distributor(looks the same) and a 69 or later head and carb. It would need milled quite a bit to keep the C/R up to 8.7-9:1 or so. You can get a remanufactured 77-79 or 80-84 head on on amazon when they're in stock for around $320 shipped if you have prime. They used to be a bit cheaper on there. Search 2F31 or 2F66, will need shaved though for sure.

Finished the broken lug "repair".  Isn't the greatest but should hold. Seemed pretty sturdy with the screw going through it and into the head.





So the doghouse is insulated and installed along with the battery box and rear windows. Just have to put the choke cable back in and the doghouse lid on and then on to other fun steps! lol

I can honestly say that your fix was genius! It made me think that maybe a steel block bolted like the bolt was and drill and tap it? If it would work it would be pretty stealth

Now I see why a #6! I didn't get how it was to be used. Ingenious! Hope it holds and doesn't leak for you.

I was putting my front bumper brackets back on and remembered this piece but can't remember where it goes. Does it go on the inside of the "frame" or under the bracket on the "outside"? And the big hole hangs down right? Thanks

Mine are on the inside of the frame, big hole down

Great work! I was wondering what did you go back with between the bottom of the doghouse and the floor? I think it's a soft tar-like material?

Thanks for the response Carl...I was figuring that was the most likely location. Of course one of the few things I didn't take a picture of.

I didn't want to use the gooey seal between the dog house and the floor. I just got a roll of 3/8 wide thin high density foam and stuck it on there to provide some sort of seal.

Since the floor has been coated and the house powder coated I didn't want to mess with a gooey seal because I'm sure I'll be taking it off again for engine work etc.

Took my van to it's first show today! It got a lot of interest even though the inside is not complete except for the dash, floor and doghouse. Can't wait to panel it inside and give it a finished look!

Congrats Brent!!! You should be proud, it looks Fantastic!

Thanks Vanny...still hesitant to put those windows in the doors. It's going to trickier than getting them out I'm afraid lol

Your van looks awesome. Congrats

HELP!!!  Goofy Kids took over MY Van!!!!

Fun! Good memories for all

Give them 20-30 years and they'll be posting these pictures back on this site bragging about their dad's old van

Abitibi wrote:Give them 20-30 years and they'll be posting these pictures back on this site bragging about their dad's old van

lol!
I wish I was a younger age so these could be my kids, but actually they are my girlfriend's grandchildren.
But you never know...one might inherit the Van. They all seem to like it and call it "The Bus"

Those pics are "Priceless"...another generation of Early Vanners!!!

Spent a good part of Sunday painting, with the help of my girlfriend Amy, the inside of my van. It would have been a lot easier if I would have done it before all the other stuff, but I was thinking since I was going to put paneling up, why bother?

Well paneling is taking longer than expected and there were several areas that had exposed surfaces needing paint, I decided to paint to make it look nicer at shows and such.

This was done with a 5" foam roller and an angled paint brush using a rust preventative paint that was available in a Tan color. Pretty happy the way it turned out.

Also this weekend installed the door locks including snagging the key pins from the old drivers door lock and putting them into one with a flapper door and finishing up the door panels.

That looks great Brent

Thanks Seth...just have the bottom edge to do and it'll be finished. I've been watching several threads about paneling and will be researching some materials for something that will fit my project ideas and budget.
I'm looking at doing a full roof and cargo area with a removable cab divider and instrument station.

Very nice Brent, look very clean right now! I'm interested what you will be using for paneling. Going for insulation as well?

I was thinking about doing a removable cab divider to for the winter time

Looking good as always Brent.