Russell's '66 Sportvan Deluxe

I just received the Deluxe from Fresno, I took a lot of pictures, here are a few.

Congrats on the van...looks like a good project!

I stopped by Russ's to check out his new van. Another Sportvan Deluxe being rescued! I wanted to look it over before he gets it all taken apart (which I know he'll do very quickly!). It is in very much the same condition as mine was when I got it. Solid, very complete, a few small dents here and there, and a lot of surface rust. But all that can be taken care of.

I'll post some photos later.

I spent 2 days cleaning out the Van and filled 2 large trash cans, I vacuumed 30 pounds of dirt, nails, mouse turds and 1 mouse.


I cut away all of the rotted material from the seats, doghouse and floors, cleaned up oil spills and removed the big wooden box in the rear.
I still have lots to do but glad the dirty stuff is out.

I have 3 bad areas, the front drivers side, the rear door and the front floor.

Nice Score!

I took all the door locks and ign. switch to the Locksmith Donivan recommended today and he found the key code on 1 of the locks. He made a key and it fits them all. $12 bucks for 2 keys. My other Van cost me $80 to re key the 4 locks to the ign. key I had.
I was also able to free up all the door mechanisms, rods and lock plates with some WD 40 and some working them loose, everything is working smooth now.

Looks like a fun project. Congrats!

Under the driver's side carpet and 1" of dirt etc. I found a bank pouch, inside is a badly rotted 50 dollar bill.

Oh too bad it's so far gone...can you see any details? Series or Year?

Take it as is to the bank, they will probably issue you a new replacement bill for free.

I was able to get some work done on the Van, I bought a new master cyl. wheel cylinders, brake hoses and shoes, I had to evict a few spiders, also pulled the parking brake cables and got them freed up, working and lubed again.

Progress!

Ew, yuck! Many generations of spiders oozing out of there! You did say it sat a long time.

Good seeing you today.

I needed to move the Van down the driveway to work on another car. I put it in 3rd gear so it wouldn't roll away to fast. I noticed the fan turning and no weird noises coming from the engine, I wondered if it would start?
I broke the starter bolt when I removed the battery and cables, I borrowed a starter from a friend, hooked a electric fuel pump to the carb running from a gas can and a jumper wire from the starter to the coil. I also have a remote starter button.



The last time it was registered was '86. (30 years)
I was really surprised it fired right up, the engine reved up really fast and the linkage wouldn't move. I pulled the hot lead and unhooked the linkage and added a spring, it fired right up, idled well and has no knocks etc. sounds good?
I had to pull the accelerator pedal and free up the arm under the floor that was rusted stuck.
After installing the linkage, I was able to drive it into the street, back it up and drive it up the driveway with no brakes, I pulled the hot wire and let the clutch out to make it stop at the garage.
I think I'll try changing the oil and ad a radiator for now just to see how it runs?

Nice van... cannot wait to see it restored!!

Nice job Russell. I was working on my 64 Chevy but then I injured myself again.
PM me if you need anything from my GMC I am going to eventually scrap. The front floor is in good shape as well as the front nose.

The GMC is the white one? When and WHY would you cut it up?

I might need the back drivers side door and a couple other things.
Thanks for the offer.

Rust...Rust....Rust. the white one is the GMC. I have another set of rear window doors, a front passenger door, a whole section of front roof, both top door pillars, and a drivers side rocker I got from VanAgain. As for cutting it up it would have to be after I get out of the sling, 4-6 weeks, I am in no hurry to get rid of the GMC, I still have to pull the engine, rear bumper and whatever else is salvageable before it goes.

I pulled the cover off of the panel rear end today to check the gearing, the numbers on the ring gear are 3790628 11-37 GM 3 66 2 on the other side it has a T 1-4.
I assume these are highway gears and probably what I want in my '66?
I still need to pull the cover off of the '66 to see what's in there.
I'm pretty sure it's not a Posi like this one.

Well, I just had to know. It looks like I have the same gearing in the '66 but not a posi, now I have to decide how bad I want the posi rear end?

It's been awhile since I posted an update, I pulled the tank, new sending unit lines etc. I also got all the lights working and was able to drive it down to the DMV and get it registered.
DMV gave me new plates and said I have to pay for YOM registration to keep my original plates, what Bull$$$t.
I did drive it to the El Cajon show featuring Vans last week, I wasn't sure I would make it home????


The Van on the left is my old '65 I sold to Frank. The Van on the right is my '66.
I found a 283 on Craig'slist I'm planning on buying tomorrow.

Yesterday I made a glovebox. https://vintage-vans.forumotion.com/t52727-glovebox-for-g10#240873

any of y"all 1st Gen Sportvan guys got any extra parts . I/ve been looking for a fiberglas interior window window panel (the pass side rear rectangle), and poss the 2 corner lower interior panels (vinyl doesn't have to be real nice ) . call anytime , dan 502 432 3684

ditdater wrote:any of y"all 1st Gen Sportvan guys got any extra parts . I/ve been looking for a fiberglas interior window window panel (the pass side rear rectangle), and poss the 2 corner lower interior panels (vinyl doesn't have to be real nice ) .   call anytime ,  dan 502 432 3684

No extra pieces here, I need the fiberglass piece that goes over the rear doors?
I made my corner panels from luan available at home depot and covered them with vinyl.