What manual?

I bought my van recently, now I need the manu(s) to be successful in making it my daily driver. Recommendations anyone? Novice mechanic!
Thnx in advance,
EdD
1266 230ci? 3 speed

Hi Ed

Welcome!

I've had mine since last November and hope to have it on the road this week. I'm based in the UK and have one of these: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/143085694946 no doubt there will be a more straightforward route for you but this could be a fall-back.

Hope you enjoy your van.

Ian

GM Manual
https://www.ebay.com/i/361984602620?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=361984602620&targetid=593772240933&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=1016367&poi=&campaignid=2086169716&mkgroupid=76147899766&rlsatarget=aud-298628318826:pla-593772240933&abcId=1141016&merchantid=6304244&gclid=CjwKCAjw-7LrBRB6EiwAhh1yX5tP8SkTWaKI-fb0VqizmWlC0WXC_sLzk4sBvdbQ5mLeDaxroDhugRoCOioQAvD_BwE

I bought my first van at age 19, a 66 chevy sportvan. I had a haynes manual and it was very helpful.

Thanks guys, good ideas... I ordered mine today.
EdD
1266 230? 3 on the tree

That ST 36 is just a 1963 supplement to the 1963 ST 22 Truck Shop  manual,,,,,,,my ST 36 does not have an engine or transmission section in it,,,,,,,,(maybe the newer reprint does),,, the ST 75 is a more complete manual for a 66,,,,
To get you a little more familiar with what you got,,,,,,you call your van a 1266,,,,its more commonly known as a 1966 G10 Chevy Sportvan,,,,,,,and those came in 3 versions,,,,plain old Sportvan,,,,,Sportvan Custom and the ultra fancy, Sportvan Deluxe,,,,,,,do you have pop out windows, chrome strips, fancy horn button or a step that slides out when you open the side doors,,,,,,

Yes, I figured that out, so I bought a more comprehensive selection. I called my van a 1266 as that is the id on the vin. I assume it it is the SportVan midrange (custom?) as it doesn’t have the chrome trim on the rear lights nor the custom horn ring. It does have the popout windows and the step though.

Let me get VanAgain over here,,,,,he loves those Sportvans and can explain the differences,,,,,,

Hi Eddie. Welcome to the club! Your Sportvan looks to be in good shape. Have you posted photos anywhere?

I am a Sportvan fan! Back in the day, we wanted a van with as few windows as possible but nowadays the window vans are catching on.

Don summed it up the three versions of Sportvans pretty good. That step is the reason your battery is inside the van rather than underneath where it’s more out of the way. I think pop-out windows were an option available to all three models. If yours doesn’t say Custom or Deluxe under the Sportvan emblem, then it’s probably a regular Sportvan. The main indicator of a Custom is it came with painted “chipboard” interior panels.

You can find the lengthy story of my Sportvan Deluxe here:

https://vintage-vans.forumotion.com/t1038-back-to-vanagains-newest-65-chevy-sportvan-deluxe

Hey VANagain,  I had gone to Portland from Seattle on my motorcycle last month to buy a ‘79 gypsy van. After I drove it I changed my mind, I then drove another 300 miles looking at a few others but to no avail. Coming home tired and frustrated, I saw this SportVan for sale along the road. I turned around and stopped. I realized then, what I didn’t like with all the other vans I had looked at was the lack of windows. Long story short and having never seen a SportVan before, I bought it on the spot.
It has a little rust in the typical spots and leaks a little oil but otherwise sound. I am am awaiting a new carburetor now but expect to be driving it daily starting this weekend.
PS; I am loving following your restoration! Thank you!

There is more to his SportVannin,,,,,,the green and white one is his 3rd SportVan,,,,,,the 1st was a tan one called Storage Van,,,,,,the 2nd one, here, is the shiney  Blue New York van,,,,which at the time was called his NEW 65 SportVan Deluxe,,,,,our old Forum was shut down in about 2008, so 2 years of posts are missing from the site,,,,,,,however,,,,,I sure got pictures of what a fine New York van looked like,,,,,


https://vintage-vans.forumotion.com/t2234-back-to-vanagains-new-65-sportvan-deluxe

Here was his 1st van,,,,,Storage Van,,,,,,thats where we got it from,,,,,little guy did not have a happy ending,,,,,,

Wow! I am intimidated now! I hadn’t planned on rebuilding anything. Been there done that! I have a 1940 Harley ULH, I restored and it is my daily rider, weather permitting. I just want to preserve this van but after looking at VANagain’s storybook. I am nervous if I don’t tear it down. We will see. What is the best way to stop the areas of rust from getting worse?

,,,,if you got some rust,,,,,at least put on some rust converter to neutralize the rust,,,,,until you can grind it off and cut it out and weld in new metal,,,,,,,

Recommended brand of rust converter? Best method to apply it? Most of my areas of rust are surface at this point and if I can keep them from growing I might be able to live with it.
EdD

You need something that seals the rust like this stuff,,,,,,not primer,,,,,,,,we sure would like to see some pictures of your van,,,,,,,,,

EdddieMello wrote:Recommended brand of rust converter? Best method to apply it? Most of my areas of rust are surface at this point and if I can keep them from growing I might be able to live with it.
EdD

POR15 is the way to go, but it can't be sprayed on. On areas you don't care because they don't get seen it's fine. But you can use it to stop other rusty areas until you have time to cut out the rust and replace with new metal.

I used the spray can Rustoleum converter on the surface rust on the top of my van, then sprayed a matching color on top of that. That was 5-6 years ago and the rust is surfacing again so I'll be doing it over soon. I am not ready for a VanAgain restoration.