GMC Jacke's van

keep the old coil on it,,,,,,,see what the light does when it dies,,,,,,then we will have an idea of where to look instead of just throwing parts at it,,,,,,,,I need evidence,,,,,,,,,,or you will never be able to trust it,,,,,,you dont want it to break down in the middle of the Freeway,,,,,,,you would end up on the evening news,,,,,,,,,and the van sure would not be pretty anymore,,,,,,,

donivan65 wrote:keep the old coil on it,,,,,,,see what the light does when it dies,,,,,,then we will have an idea of where to look instead of just throwing parts at it,,,,,,,,I need evidence,,,,,,,,,,or you will never be able to trust it,,,,,,you dont want it to break down in the middle of the Freeway,,,,,,,you would end up on the evening news,,,,,,,,,and the van sure would not be pretty anymore,,,,,,,

Nope not gonna put the new one on UNTIL we find out A-B-C... but when ready, I have it in the wings.
One step forward at a time.

I did not want to cut any holes in my van, but man that V-8 puts off some heat in the summer.
So I saw the Cooler Fan idea on the web... I made one that will fit behind the driver seat out of the way. I will see how it keeps the air cooled soon. It blows nice and I put two ports that can be adjusted up/down and around. LOL It was fun!
Here is a picture of the fan on top and the cooler

JackeFriend wrote:
I did not want to cut any holes in my van, but man that V-8 puts off some heat in the summer.
So I saw the Cooler Fan idea on the web... I made one that will fit behind the driver seat out of the way. I will see how it keeps the air cooled soon. It blows nice and I put two ports that can be adjusted up/down and around. LOL It was fun!
Here is a picture of the fan on top and the cooler

Cool, pun intended, seen many vids on youtube on how to make these....several say to use frozen gallon water bottles for the "ice" lasts all day.....good for overnight camping in sweltering high humidity....

I've wondered how those cooler things would work too. I guess we'll find out!

I say, add a couple more pipe ports and paint the whole thing yellow with red trim!!

Frozen gallon of water will last maybe an hour and a half here

Got the 12v battery and the cooler-air going here is a picture of the breeze it creates! Really happy with it...
Today, I am going to see what the HELL is going on with my van. I am really anxious to get my van back!!! It's like my foot is missing and each time I try to walk I notice it! VERY OFTEN LOL

So, is the cooler to keep passengers cool or the engine cool? Will the air be blown into the doghouse or into the cab? Or both?

vanny wrote:So, is the cooler to keep passengers cool or the engine cool? Will the air be blown into the doghouse or into the cab? Or both?

Mostly the driver & passengers. But, it can be a dual purpose, I thought about having a hose blowing into the doghouse... hopefully my new 4 core will keep the engine good and cool, and of coarse, I have the belly fan for traffic snarls that gives a good blast. It is a 14" fan, so it works good at moving some air about. But, I am just speculating because I have not gotten the van back and I have only driven it three miles before... it died on my way to the paint shop. But, Don gave me a tester for the darn thing, soon as I get it back from the painter, I have to figure that problem out. I want to attend the Fiesta Island event and the show in late June... I have faith in the VAN GOD's!

Sounds like you've got a good plan in place! Can't wait to see how the paint job turns out!

So, I went down to the paint shop today... unfortunately.
Yes indeed they are behind by two weeks. Just the inside sanded, mind you there is no dents! Just a ding here and there... I am sad I really had high hopes.
They have had the van for three weeks... now starting to work since my visit today, LOL
I will not be taking the van to the Fiesta Island event on the 17th... but I will attend to see all the vans that can make it!

So I received my license plates back from Brushworx by Buzz. Fabulous job! The plates from 1963
are now like brand spankin' new. No cracks or dents he did a bit of repair and you cannot even see anything on inspection! Harley Satin Black B/g looks sooo great!! That is one really good thing that happened. I am trying to feel better about the delay of the van paint job.
I have heard other stories about paint jobs that went on and on... I assume all paint shops are flakey!

PLEASE-Tell me your stories to make me feel better and not so alone in my dilemma!

Hey,,,,,Earl ripped me off when I first got my van and wanted one of his 29.95 paint jobs that he kept bragging about,,,,,,,,,,,,,tells me red is extra and that the the price is for CARS ONLY,,,,,,,,

PERFECT!!! Now I feel worse!
I paid slightly more...LOL

Well Lady,,,,,,,you wanted to know about other sad paint job stories,,,,,this was mine,,,,,,,,,,,

How about Rich's story on his 2 year wait...although, I think I remember someone not being able to decide on a color...just saying...

I wonder how that van is doing after all these years?            

Yea it is a Dodge but this is what $5,200 will get you, van had no major body damage, so basically all dents, ladder & roof rack holes welded, minor filling and first sanding done, there were five small rust spots of which they got three cut out and fixed, there is two coats of Z-Chrome primer. Pulled the van out early for the hot rod shop doing the work had two big jobs coming in, my hourly rate was $40 per hour plus material, the jobs coming in were at a higher hourly rate, did not want my van rolled into a corner for six months or a year, they have a side job vehicle at the shop now that has been there three years, in primer for two and still no schedule to paint it. Saving a few bucks at a pro hot rod shop does have pitfalls.

,,,,thats the kind of answers we need,,,,,,,,,,how things REALLY are and how they turn out,,,,,,

Busman,
Who did you use? I am not far away and will be looking into paint eventually.
Thanks,
Jim

It was a hot rod shop in OKC, notice the was, the owner retired last December. The work they did was three years prior, since then I have been doing all the mechanical work, sorry.

donivan65 wrote:I wonder how that van  is doing after all these years?            

Wow I recognize that area! I believe the interior is on it's way to completion. Production Jacke was over and got some beautiful wall panels out of hiding, cleaned and installed!You know how I love a production line! I can't help it, from years of making missiles. You get a roll going and want to continue to completion. I helped get it going took about 4 hours to clean replace all the interior panels. Looked very nice and all original correct color!

busman78 wrote:Yea it is a Dodge but this is what $5,200 will get you, van had no major body damage, so basically all dents, ladder & roof rack holes welded, minor filling and first sanding done, there were five small rust spots of which they got three cut out and fixed, there is two coats of Z-Chrome primer. Pulled the van out early for the hot rod shop doing the work had two big jobs coming in, my hourly rate was $40 per hour plus material, the jobs coming in were at a higher hourly rate, did not want my van rolled into a corner for six months or a year, they have a side job vehicle at the shop now that has been there three years, in primer for two and still no schedule to paint it. Saving a few bucks at a pro hot rod shop does have pitfalls.

Sounds like my van was that one rolled into that corner for sure! But, not my choice!! I went by to see what was going on a day after my VISIT... Hmmm funny, half the work was completed! So maybe it will be done before the end of time?
I guess a mean bitchy woman ragging your ass works! I am that mean woman - when I have too be.

donivan65 wrote:Well Lady,,,,,,,you wanted to know about other sad paint job stories,,,,,this  was mine,,,,,,,,,,,

I sure wish prices were like the old days! But, that is a long time ago, it seems!

I did a lot of electrical work for that shop, mechanical to, so my reduced rate was revenue till other projects came in, I knew better than to leave it there, known the shop for thirty plus years and my van was not going to be a storage shed dust collector till fuel was no longer available.