Russells 65 Chevy SportVan Deluxe

Nice. Let the fun begin

great job - love the colors

At first I thought painting an engine white was a terrible idea, like white carpeting—it's going to show all the dirt. But, seeing it in person, with the black accents and chrome, and it is antique white, it looks very unique and classy. Plus, Russ says it makes it easier to see where any leaks are.

Russ stopped by my house today to pick up a few parts he was looking for. I had a spare set of shackles and bolts for his leaf springs,
Plus a few other goodies.

Here's an update,Last week I received the windshield rubber from Steele rubber products, http://www.steelerubber.com/windshield-gasket-70-1702-50 and had a windshield cut by allstar glass in El Cajon, when me and a friend tried to install the new windshield I broke it.
It seemed to me the rubber was loose around the glass before trying to install it.
I took the Van out to allstar Glass today and had them install it for me, the installer told me he cut 2 inches out of the rubber and re-glued it together. most likely why I couldn't get it to fit into the hole.

The windshield is in and looks great, also I re-covered the dash pad and installed the vents i got from Vanagain.
I'll let you know what kind of responce I get from Steele rubber after I talk to them about the rubber being cut too long.
Also today I installed the timer switch for my "Hamburger fan".

Works great.

Making great strides, Russell. Nice team effort out there in Van Diego by you Left Coasters!!!

Engine Compartment turned out Spectacular!!!

One of these days, I'll be putting my windshield in with the same Steele Rubber gasket. I thought they were cut long so when they shrink, they wouldn't get a gap.

If they had to cut 2" out of it, that gasket was too big,,,,,,,Precision WBL 653 is a 64-66 Chevy pick up gasket,,,,,,,maybe Steele got a new source for those gaskets and they aint quite the right size anymore,,,,,,you might as well buy your gasket here instead of Steele if you might have to cut it anyways and save some money,,,,,,Russ sorta kinda likes to use a bigger hammer to make things fit,,,,,,but that windshield did not like it,,,,,,,,,,and Russ, I also got  lots of  hammers ,,,,,,,to get things done,,,,,


http://precisionrestorationparts.com/i-8705157-1964-1966-chevrolet-pickup-windshield-weatherstrip.html

The placement of your burger fan timer is pretty funny! Kept you from having to cut any holes in your dash! I found a timer that's kind of funny. Gotta find a place to mount it.

That is too bad about your windshield and the bad gasket. I know I bought a cheap one that gave my glass installer trouble. Ended up getting one from Don that I believe was from Steele. But I think it was the Chevy truck one that had a couple extra bends in it but they straightened out, and we didn't have to cut out any excess length.

Now I see what you meant about painting the black while the windshield was out. I thought you meant you painted the dash black and just the lip where the rubber goes.

Drew has a Sportvan Deluxe that's been modified a bit. The beltline trim was removed and the rest of the trim painted black. Goes good with the gold paint job.

I have been getting some stuff done on the Van. I took out the leaf springs and added one all around with new bushings, I liked the lowered look but I think it was too weak, a previous owner had taken out 2 or 3 leafs before I got it. also got new shocks all around, drives nice and no more crunching noises over dips.(bushings were gone,metal on metal noises)
Also rebuilt heater box with a new core for a truck, my box was rusted out so it already had room for the difference in tube difference.



I plan to make a cover around the tubes to the floor later, works real well, my wife loves a good heater, also new shut of valve installed.

Yesterday I finished up the passenger seat box, I needed a frame and wanted someplace to store things like oil, tools etc. also made a speaker box out of the front under the seat. The driver side is smaller, no storage but supports the seat, speaker box and has amp installed inside.(I need to cover it still)

Looks great. What did your cup holder come out of?

samsvan wrote:Looks great. What did your cup holder come out of?

I think I found that at Walmart? I had to trim just a little to the shape where the choke cable mounts.

I bought some new tires/wheels today, I think they are too big. 15x8 in front, 15x9.5 in back.
I could go with some lower profile tires but I think I'll put the 8's in the back and look for some 6 or 7 wide for the front.


No more lowrider look.

Love the New Shoes ... Looks Great !!!!!!!

That's how a van is suppose to look . I say keep them on there. Gives it a nice stance.

Big W wrote:That's how a van is suppose to look . I say keep them on there. Gives it a nice stance.

I agree 100%. Leave them as is.

It's Amazing what a Great Look a van gets when someone puts shiny new wheels on it!!! Love the stance also! Looks Bitchin to me!!!

I got something new today in the mail, can you tell?





The Lug Nut King Ebay,  $23.95 for 20, free shipping

Nice finishing touch!

I bought some 15x7's with tires, Not as aggressive as the others but shouldn't rub when loaded like the others would. Also tinted the windows. (Not easy!)

I took the Dog down to Dog's Beach today, The Van drove nice and is running well. It was running hot when I got home and puked some water out of the overflow?


I like the look and ride of the new 7" wheels with 225 60's on front and 235 60's on the rear.

I found a few things at the Big 3 swap, I got a inspection cover for my Powerglide, a 15x6 wheel for a spare, a couple armrest from a Nova, trim rings for my tail lights, a trailer hitch and a couple of plate frames, etc.

I went to the metal mart and bought a 6' length of 4" alum, channel and made a rear bumper to support the hitch I bought. I think it will work well for towing. I'm thinking I can shape the ends to match the original shape and polish afterward. If it comes out nice like I think, I'll make another for the front.

Nice work Russell! Especially like the trim rings!!!

How strong is that aluminum channel? Does it feel as strong as the original bumper?