My 1965 Econoline Panel

I have been lurking a while, especially reading the Members Showcase.  Lots of great projects.  Total inspiration.

I picked up a 65 Econo panel w/ 170ci I6 motor about a month ago.  Its been stuck in the desert in Adelanto, Ca for many, many years.  I have been trying for the past 7 years to get this thing...its finally happening.

Im looking to get it on the road soon, but in the meantime its going through the vitals to ensure reliability.  More to Come.







DASH - The big red light flashes with the turn signal.  It had a huge cassette player under dash.

Cargo Area

Side Logos - Modes Laundry and Dry Cleaning

Close UP

First thing was check the engine.  I tried to turn it over by hand and it moved.  So, I squirted some Marvel in the cylinders and hooked up a battery.  She turned over about 1 turn then stopped.  I couldn't move the engine either way.  No matter what I did.  So, through the process of elimination, I checked the clutch, stuck brake, trans (pulled it), then pulled timing cover to see if chain was binding....NOTHING.

So I finally bit the bullet and pulled the head.  To my dismay, #4 cylinder was full of some sticky/oily stuff.  It was holding the piston in place.  I cleaned it out, felt a few minor pits.   I ran a quick hone on it....and walla - she was free.

I figured since I was that far, the trans was out to pull the engine.

Notice the filled cylinder - Marvel Mystery Oil

#4 Cylinder junk

Cleaned it out.

I was a bit bummed and figured the engine needed a rebuild, but...I chanced it and decided to move forward.   I inspected the engine further, cleaned the piston tops and found the engine was .040 on the pistons & you could still see cross hatch marks on the cylinder walls.   Definitely freshened up at one time.  That was great inspiration.

So I pulled the engine and decided to throw a new complete gasket kit on it.  New Head Gasket, new front and rear main seals, oil pan gasket; the works.  As for the head, I cleaned all the carbon out of each cylinder, put new valve seals in and did a quick lap on the seats.  The guides were pretty tight...what the heck...it was already out.  While the engine was out, I also pulled every plug, replace every freeze plug and flushed out the water jackets....it was CAKED with yuck and rust flakes that resembled corn flakes for breakfast.

I even yanked the cam since I took the timing chain off earlier and checked the lifters.  I numbered each one and put them back in their place with some fresh assembly lube.



Then a quick wire wheel and paint job.  I know its not the factory blue, but it was what I had on hand.





Rebuilt the Carb:


A quick note:  Put the head on before install or you risk jolting a lifter out of its hole like I had.  I had to fish the lifter with a magnet and move it over 2 spots back into its hole.   What a pain!!!

While poking around in the cargo area, I found this...I was happy.  Cool Dome light...probably an add on.... Just like new!



I got the motor back in....here it is running!  I know, the last thing I need to do is adjust the valves.  Sounds like a little diesel engine!  No smoke either out the tail pipe!  I was real concerned that 4th cylinder was going to give me problems.  The can run forever!

(Click to hear motor run)


One issue I'm having is the accelerator pump on the carb.  its real tight.  any idea on how to make it more responsive?  I notice the rod slides on the selector plate on the linkage so its not a 'direct' push like the early carbs.  Suggestions?  It causes a delay in the accelerator leaning out the engine when you stomp on the gas.

When I got the van, i was given two other Econolines.  One 1965 Truck and an early HD Econo Van.  The van 'Old Blue' was unfortunately hit hard in the rear, poorly repaired.  the side doors were touching at the top and the back doors were off in the gaps.  The upper structure above the doors were buckled real bad and pulled with a slide hammer.  Unfortunately, its going to be my parts van for the others.  I hate to do it, but, to many structural areas were bent up and rust was real bad.  No motor, no trans...I hate to part out vehicles   , but to save 2 others, is a good trade off for me. (lll be parting it out so if you need something, PM me.)

Ole Blue!




The 1965 Econoline Truck (More to come, starting another thread on this one)   

Notice the lack of rear bumper holes on the back.  (click on photo for full image)





She had been in this spot with flat tires for so long, her rims were 8" in the dirt!

I like the mirrors on the van so I decided to restore them.  I pulled them apart using a little heat and sandblasted the parts.  New mirror glass will be cut for them.  

Nice work so far, good save on that motor Looks like you've got some work cut for you

I tend to go overboard sometimes with my vehicles. I like to show that care is taken on any rebuild.

Front backing plates and hardware has been removed, painted and re-assembled. All brake lines were rusty so I re-bent new ones back to factory place.

I even pulled the rear out to scrape clean, repaint and re-install. New outer seals and gaskets for axles and axle housings.

Rear breaks have been completely removed and R&R'd clean with new hardware as well.

Ill have more photos tonight.   

You're definitely going about it the right way! Thanks for saving these. It's good to see them coming back to life again after all those years of sitting. Nice work!

I wish I had the time to save the blue one, but with the other 2 and the parts they need...the parts have to come from somewhere anyways. If I can, Ill find a 4th truck or van and piece it together to make 3 good vehicles.

hate to see them disappear!

Just keep that attitude and momentum and nothing can stop you!!! It's inspiring for those of us who think they're having issues just trying to bring back one to life again! Thanks!

Nice work. You might want to recheck the numbers though. As far as I know, in 65 the heater was moved from the floor to under the dash.

dan nachel wrote:Nice work. You might want to recheck the numbers though. As far as I know, in 65 the heater was moved from the floor to under the dash.

That is real weird as the rest of the van looks 65:  HD Bumpers, License plate on rear door, transmission hump at the rear of the doghouse.

The blue van looks pre-65.

You should post a picture of your data plate here.

Or you can use this site.

Vintage Metal wrote:I wish I had the time to save the blue one, but with the other 2 and the parts they need...the parts have to come from somewhere anyways.  If I can, Ill find a 4th truck or van and piece it together to make 3 good vehicles.

hate to see them disappear!

Now hold on there, save some for us newbies! Don't buy em all up!
Seriously though, lookin good so far. Keep up the good work.

Looking good Vintage Metal. Keep it fun and keep those pics coming as you move forward.

1 data plate

Thanks!!!

So If I read that right...It's a HD with 3/4 ton payload, and this has the small rear axle? I always thought that HD came with a 9 inch rear.

Lots of weird things going on with this van for sure!   

Just because it is a 3/4 ton doesn't make it a Heavy Duty. Two separate vehicles. The tires are what changed the payload. 4 ply got a 1/2 ton payload, 6 ply got a 3/4 ton payload and 8 ply got a one ton pay load. All of them used the same springs and axles.

As for the heater. I would think that this being a desert truck it was probably ordered heater delete. Later someone decided it needed a heater and put this floor heater in. Look through the grill and see how the floor was cut open. Ford did it when the metal was stamped leaving a nice clean cut. I'm betting your floor was hand cut.

Duane in Tennessee

I have the heater out, Ill post a picture of the hole.

Here is the photo of the hole in the floor, it does look like someone cut the old style heater in.  What is odd, its painted like the rest of the van (gold/brown color) and all the connections and hoses were factory.   There are no additional holes in the dash (3 switches for firewall mounted heater)  Maybe an early 65 build from the factory?  Using up all their old parts.....

More work done to the Econo.

Pulled the rear end, bent new brake lines, rebuild of the rear brakes, new seals and gaskets and fresh gear oil!










The list of parts I used - straight over the counter!

More updates...Got the rear end and front axle back in.  Cleaned up the springs and a light coat of paint.  Im going to bend a new main brake line to the rear end this weekend which should put the braking system 100% new.  

Making Great Progress! Nice work.

Love this shot!




***hate when it cuts off parts of the photos...