“New” 65 SuperVan

Hello everyone!

I spontaneously purchased a 1965 Econoline SuperVan while on vacation in Oregon. Looking to do some minor restoration and maintenance/upgrades. However, this is my first project and could use some advice from fellow van owners. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks!

It looks super clean.  I guess I'd do regular maintenance on it to verify it runs as good as it looks, make sure you can set the timing without its wandering, check the kingpins and brake lines & hoses, and lube everything.  I'd also check the inside bottoms of the doors and the rockers to make sure the drain holes are clear.  Lastly I'd check inside the rear corners to make sure they aren't packed with dirt that will trap water against the metal.

Congrats!

Nice van. I have a '65 Falcon Club Wagon, so your van minus 18" of length.

Depending on how much this one's been driven, I'd change all the fluids, probably proactively rebuild the carb to make sure it's good and clean, possibly drop the tank and clean out anything there. I also always replace all of the rubber fuel lines (especially those upstream of the pump) as they rot internally and can suck shut under suction, starving you for fuel.

Best upgrade I ever did was to convert the points ignition to a used Duraspark II electronic ignition, which took about an hour. Huge spark, starts instantly, much more power and better fuel mileage.

Congrats! Great base to start with and plenty of room inside!

I would get rid of that rubber hose on top of the exhaust manifold and use some metal brake tubing instead.

"...convert the points ignition to... Duraspark II electronic ignition..."
X2 (not sure the dizzy bottom goes in a '64 & earlier, so do it!).  Plus advance timing
2 - 4* past oem. (all for PROFORMNCE = pep AND MPGs).
Do the 1,000 mi maintainence: change all fluids, ck safety, breaks, etc, etc.

Last (may B 1st) I'd ck all components for ID. I do this w/any older rig.  4 this'un, after 60 yrs life, who nos how many owners swaped out which prts? Is it actually a '65 motor (so can do the DSII swap?), what chunk (gear knowledge), carb, etc, etc...

https://www.vintageinlines.com/product-page/the-ford-falcon-six-cylinder-performance-handbook
for a few bucks. While waiting 4 delivery:
https://fordsix.com/ci/Tech.html
esp "Engine ID" as they (the 4-out-of-6 "Small block" [a misnomer] ThriftPwer motors) can look alike. I have the 'odd ball' 250 in mine. Shoulda gone '96 300/4.9 efi ! (36 yrs of 'amazingness' ! ).

On the pre-65 versions, those came with either the 170 or 144 (maybe the 200?). The later 200CI duraspark will drop right into the earlier engines (I've done 170's twice).

And second the comment on the rubber line above the manifold. That'll cause vapor lock every danged time.

It's a 240 "Big Six" van, should have 9" rear end. Nice Van. The 240 is the same block as the venerable 300.

Thank you all for the suggestions! Definitely going to change all fluids and have a local shop look over everything and offer any additional recommendations.

For the interior, has anybody had any success mounting seats in the back? I picked up a front seat from a 1963 Econoline truck that will be rear facing behind the driver seat. I also got a rear bench seat from a 1993 Econoline that folds out into a bed. Next step is trying to figure out how to safely install them!

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