Samvans '66 handibus

by VANagain Tue Sep 11, 2018 11:48 pm

VANagain: Number of posts : 1048
Location : San Diego, CA
Age : 63
Registration date : 2008-05-16

Post n°151

Re: Samvans '66 handibus

Post by VANagain Tue Sep 11, 2018 11:48 pm

Hey Sam! Very nice work you're doing on your Sportvan!

I've always loved the Chevy rally wheels but thought they might look too "busy" on our vans. But your use of the simpler hub caps does the trick! I really wanted white walls on mine and, just like my first van, I had to go with the simple baby moons!

by samsvan Wed Sep 12, 2018 1:39 pm

samsvan

samsvan: Number of posts : 672
Location : Sarasota, Fl.
Age : 61
Registration date : 2014-09-04

Post n°152

Re: Samvans '66 handibus

Post by samsvan Wed Sep 12, 2018 1:39 pm

Thanks, guys. I got the center caps and trim rings from Davids Rally Wheels.

by samsvan Sat Nov 03, 2018 1:11 pm

samsvan

samsvan: Number of posts : 672
Location : Sarasota, Fl.
Age : 61
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Post n°153

Re: Samvans '66 handibus

Post by samsvan Sat Nov 03, 2018 1:11 pm

I switched over to a new Sanden 508 AC compressor. Way quieter and cooler than the old pancake style that was on it before. I'm going to drive over to Daytona for the Turkey Van Run on the 17th so I should be able to see how everything works. It would be nice to see some of you guys if anyone can make it.

by JackeFriend Sat Nov 03, 2018 2:19 pm

JackeFriend

JackeFriend: Number of posts : 940
Location : Soap Lake WA
Age : 66
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Post n°154

Re: Samvans '66 handibus

Post by JackeFriend Sat Nov 03, 2018 2:19 pm

Looks great! Not only cool on the outside... but inside as well. I would bet you that NO other GMC will be there that is half as great as yours. I really wish I had either more money or more talent with mechanics. I would love disc brakes and air conditioning.

Have a really fun time! Wish I could just push a button and appear on the other side! POOF!! What a Face

by samsvan Sat Nov 03, 2018 4:32 pm

samsvan

samsvan: Number of posts : 672
Location : Sarasota, Fl.
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Post n°155

Re: Samvans '66 handibus

Post by samsvan Sat Nov 03, 2018 4:32 pm

Thank you Jacke. Hey-it's only 2500 miles coast to coast!

by OutofSight Sun Dec 23, 2018 3:06 pm

OutofSight

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Post n°156

Re: Samvans '66 handibus

Post by OutofSight Sun Dec 23, 2018 3:06 pm

Looks like a tight squeeze.

by VatoVan66 Wed Jan 09, 2019 5:58 pm

VatoVan66

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Post n°157

Awesome

Post by VatoVan66 Wed Jan 09, 2019 5:58 pm

Your van is bitchin homie .. great job

by samsvan Fri Jan 11, 2019 4:48 pm

samsvan

samsvan: Number of posts : 672
Location : Sarasota, Fl.
Age : 61
Registration date : 2014-09-04

Post n°158

Re: Samvans '66 handibus

Post by samsvan Fri Jan 11, 2019 4:48 pm

Thanks T.

by samsvan Mon Jan 21, 2019 2:33 pm

samsvan

samsvan: Number of posts : 672
Location : Sarasota, Fl.
Age : 61
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Post n°159

Re: Samvans '66 handibus

Post by samsvan Mon Jan 21, 2019 2:33 pm

I had a child labor sweat shop going at the house Sunday. My daughter got me some fabric for Christmas to make curtains so we got down to it. The wife jumped in too so that eliminated the need for me! cheers

by **vanny** Mon Jan 21, 2019 5:12 pm

vanny

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Post n°160

Re: Samvans '66 handibus

Post by vanny Mon Jan 21, 2019 5:12 pm

That’s Love ❤️ right there!

_________________
“The future will soon be a thing of the past."

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by JackeFriend Mon Jan 21, 2019 6:58 pm

JackeFriend

JackeFriend: Number of posts : 940
Location : Soap Lake WA
Age : 66
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Post n°161

Re: Samvans '66 handibus

Post by JackeFriend Mon Jan 21, 2019 6:58 pm

Love it! That is girl power... she is planning on driving that van one day. cheers

by samsvan Fri May 10, 2019 12:32 pm

samsvan

samsvan: Number of posts : 672
Location : Sarasota, Fl.
Age : 61
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Post n°162

Re: Samvans '66 handibus

Post by samsvan Fri May 10, 2019 12:32 pm

It's funny... I read through my whole thread here and I must have said "The van is running great now!" about 50 times. The fact is, the motor is a hunk of - you know. So I bit the bullet and here's what I got.

https://www.jegs.com/i/Chevrolet-Performance/809/12681432/10002/-1

The TBI I had spun a bearing and I couldn't see putting more money into that boat anchor. It had a Vortec intake on it already so I'm just switching everything over to the new long block. Hopefully this solves all my problems. At least the ones with my van.

by **vanny** Sat May 11, 2019 3:24 pm

vanny

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Post n°163

Re: Samvans '66 handibus

Post by vanny Sat May 11, 2019 3:24 pm

Hope all goes well with the switch for you! Please keep us posted! Good luck with the install! cheers

_________________
“The future will soon be a thing of the past."

http://public.fotki.com/Vintage-Vans/vintage-vans-es/ruff-diamond-1/?cmd=fs_slideshow

by samsvan Sat Jul 20, 2019 11:05 am

samsvan

samsvan: Number of posts : 672
Location : Sarasota, Fl.
Age : 61
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Post n°164

Re: Samvans '66 handibus

Post by samsvan Sat Jul 20, 2019 11:05 am

Just like usual, it took a lot longer and of course more parts to do the motor swap than we thought it would. What I ended up with is the brand new GM Performance Vortec 350 long block with a 12 month - 12,000 mile warranty. Other new parts include a new intake, an adapter for the TBI, new fuel pump, rebuilt injectors, motor mounts, gaskets and other miscellaneous small parts.
I had to replace the torque converter. Don't know if the old motor coming apart marred up the pump bushing or what.
I'm still running the break in oil for another 300 miles or so but I can tell it runs smoother through the RPM's. There's also a noise that I don't hear anymore. I used to think my rear diff was about to blow up but no more. Must have been coming from the trans.

So anyway, the first $30,000 takes it.

by JackeFriend Sat Jul 20, 2019 2:23 pm

JackeFriend

JackeFriend: Number of posts : 940
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Post n°165

Re: Samvans '66 handibus

Post by JackeFriend Sat Jul 20, 2019 2:23 pm

NICE TO HAVE A NEW ENGINE. Cool

by **vanny** Sat Jul 20, 2019 2:42 pm

vanny

vanny: Moderator; Number of posts : 14778
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Post n°166

Re: Samvans '66 handibus

Post by vanny Sat Jul 20, 2019 2:42 pm

Congrats Sam! Now you can get back to solving Mysteries!!!

_________________
“The future will soon be a thing of the past."

http://public.fotki.com/Vintage-Vans/vintage-vans-es/ruff-diamond-1/?cmd=fs_slideshow

by jrdunn96 Sun Jul 21, 2019 7:16 pm

jrdunn96

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Post n°167

Re: Samvans '66 handibus

Post by jrdunn96 Sun Jul 21, 2019 7:16 pm

Sweet engine Sam!!!! That Vortec 350 is a great engine, I had a '99 pickup with one.

by samsvan Wed Jul 24, 2019 4:10 pm

samsvan

samsvan: Number of posts : 672
Location : Sarasota, Fl.
Age : 61
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Post n°168

Re: Samvans '66 handibus

Post by samsvan Wed Jul 24, 2019 4:10 pm

Definitely a few more hosses under the hood - er lid...

by caleboh Thu Dec 12, 2019 7:12 pm

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Post n°169

Re: Samvans '66 handibus

Post by caleboh Thu Dec 12, 2019 7:12 pm

Good choice! That's a solid engine.

by samsvan Sat Aug 01, 2020 12:56 pm

samsvan

samsvan: Number of posts : 672
Location : Sarasota, Fl.
Age : 61
Registration date : 2014-09-04

Post n°170

Re: Samvans '66 handibus

Post by samsvan Sat Aug 01, 2020 12:56 pm

Well folks, I kind of feel guilty saying it but... A guy made me an offer on my van that I couldn't refuse. I really appreciate all the helpful posts, parts and complements that people on this site have shared. Thank you, Sam

by **vanny** Sun Aug 02, 2020 6:26 am

vanny

vanny: Moderator; Number of posts : 14778
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Age : 65
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Post n°171

Re: Samvans '66 handibus

Post by vanny Sun Aug 02, 2020 6:26 am

Thanks for all the pictures and posts over time here. Please visit and let us know when the next one comes along... Wink

After all, how can you live in the Sunshine State and not have a vintage van to cruise around with??? LOL

_________________
“The future will soon be a thing of the past."

http://public.fotki.com/Vintage-Vans/vintage-vans-es/ruff-diamond-1/?cmd=fs_slideshow

savage and jrdunn96 like this post

by JackeFriend Mon Aug 03, 2020 9:22 am

JackeFriend

JackeFriend: Number of posts : 940
Location : Soap Lake WA
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Post n°172

Re: Samvans '66 handibus

Post by JackeFriend Mon Aug 03, 2020 9:22 am

Sam sorry to see you & your beautiful van go. You inspired me to get the upgrades to my van! Thanks for the chrome goodies too. Hope you are very happy with your sale.