Fixing up the Mystery Machine

The story of my van really begins here -> https://vintage-vans.forumotion.com/vintage-vans-general-discussion-f1/neil-and-tom-s-arizona-adventure-t413.htm

Now that the van is home, there's a million things to do. First we replaced the motor, read about that here -> https://vintage-vans.forumotion.com/between-the-seats-a-f16/replacing-the-6-in-the-mystery-machine-t589.htm

I call it the Mystery Machine because someone had previously painted it up like that, and I hope to do the same one day.

I started removing the wood floor someone had glued in...what a pain! I wish I could have a word with the guy that did it.....

The last little bit behind the doghouse must be melted in there from heat or something, I can't get it out. I think I'll have to use a hammer and chisel.





The good thing is, there's very little rust under the wood. More than I had hoped for, but very little. The worse rust is on the roof in the back corner, I'll deal with that later.

[b][i]One of the hardest things about restoring these vans is fixing 40 years of hack work. Hang in there enbro!!!

Personally, I'd be thankful they used an adhesive instead of "swiss cheesing" the floor with screws to rust away hidden under the wood! I'm playing with the idea of using an adhesive like for tub surrounds to hold the subfloor down... I guess I don't have to run a bead along the full length of every floor rib to get the floor to stay put though!

Ya, screw holes might have been worse. It's just the wood in general, I don't like it.

Dots of glue usually works well on anything like panelling or tiles or whatever (in a household application) so in a van I'm sure the same rule applies.

My next project is the remove the fugly side window and the roof anchors.....

Well, the side window is gone, see -> https://vintage-vans.forumotion.com/between-the-seats-a-f16/side-window-be-gone-t681.htm

Just have to seal it up permanently now.

I'm in the process of selling my '72 Ford Econoline, which is a major step in the right direction because it allows me some room, time, money and ambition to work on the Dodge now!

Next is to replace the electronic ignition wiring with a new one I bought and relocate the module to under the firewall. Putting it under the doghouse was a bad idea, too hot under there.

I finished replacing the electronic wiring harness and timing the new motor and took it for a test spin. It hasn't been on the road for a couple of months! It ran great, but the brakes seem to grab a lot.

So today I took the front wheels off. Two really bad studs on the drivers side...good time to upgrade to right hand thread...so I've got a set of those coming tommorrow. All seems well with the front brakes. Greased all the kingpins and linkages while the wheels were off.

I can't believe I drove this van back to here from Phoenix! The motor blew (bad valve) so we replaced the motor with this 18,000 mile granny motor from a Demon. Then I messed up the wiring so it's been sitting for 2 months because I've been busy. Now the brakes are seized or something.

So anyway, my point is, this is such a good van I can't believe I've let it sit. It's so rust free underneath, you could eat off it!

I'm hoping to get it plated and back on the road by the 27th for a Cruise someone is planning.

hey enbro, are you looking for some bench seats i have 2 that have been reupholstered and there turquise like your van- i dont think im going to use them any time soon i cand send you a picture or two if interested. they came out of my 65 from sierra vista arizona. your sooo right it was a blast to work on something rust free!

Absolutely! I'm definitely interested in one bench seat. Will you separate? Is it a short one or long one? A picture would be awsome.

yes i will separate. i have one long and one short ill get some pix for you this weekend. im in Ct, but were having a family reunion in South Dakota some time in may-june were still ironing out the details but i can bring it with me.

Benwah, would love to see a couple of photos.

So I changed out the lugs on the front, turns out someone had already changed the rear ones but didn't pull them into the axle plate, so I finished that.



Found the sticky brake problem...some dirt or grease on one shoe. I cleaned it all off with a nylon brush and brake cleaner and everything is great!

Here's a couple of shots of that super clean underside....I'm a lucky guy!

whats up with the big piece of angle iron bolted to the clutch pivot bracket???

I don't know. I saw that too but haven't investigated, I didn't really give it a lot of thought until you mentioned it. I guess it's not supposed to be there? I see some welding there too..maybe something broke? I'm gonna have to investigate...thanks for pointing it out.

Man that is clean under there! Driving to AZ to get it sounds more brilliant every day (just for the rust-free body)!

it is nice down there lots of vintage tin i drool from west texas all the way to my parents in arizona when i drive down to visit.

I own a '65 Barracuda too, it was from California. It's the same thing....when you go to remove a bolt, it just comes apart like it was put together yesterday.

Now compare that to some 100% Ontario cars I've worked on. When you go to remove a bolt, it either breaks off or it's so crusty you have to clean it up before you can put it back. Oh ya, that's if there's any car left worth working on....if it's seen winter then it's probably rusty in places you don't want to know.

I hear ya guys, my truck was originally from Arizona and there is alot to be said about starting a project with a rust free piece. However I really give the guys credit who start with a rust bucket and turn it into a prize show piece.

yah it takes a lot to bring one back" from the dead" . im amazed and amused when i go to the parts store out in arizona they have a shelf full of wd-40 hahaha they dont know what rust is. all though everything has dents. i have a 68 scout there for 4 wheeling in the moutains. ill take hardened wires and dried up or gone wether seals before a rusty hulk.

Well my buddy and I dragged a '69 Valiant 2-door post from a field and spent a winter putting in a new frame, all new rockers and new floor pans front to back. What an experience! I learned a lot. It's his now, it'll be his cruiser.

Yes, it was a ton of work but the rewards are great. The car is absolutely beautiful now (just needs paint) and there's a feeling of accomplishment like no other; to see this rusty hulk destined for scrap turned back into something beautiful.

You are so lucky to have such "Rust-Free" chassis's out there!
Good Luck with your endeavors!!
B.W.

So winter is coming, the van must be put away.

I managed to do a few things this year, but I strive to do more next year.

I've decided I don't want my van to be yet another Mystery Machine. Instead, I want to go with a Tiki-Wiki "Campy" theme like you would find in Scooby-Doo, but without the flowers and without being a look-a-like of the Mystery Machine. Maybe a mural of Scooby-Doo riding a surfboard or Shaggy being chased by a Tiki-masked monster.

I found this picture, it about sums it up:

That looks real cool! I would avoid the Scooby-Doo thing myself, personally... your work will be compared against every other "Mystery Machine" if you keep the Scooby reference. But a mural like this gives the van (and your work, mechanical and body) a unique personality.

Thanks Sasktrini! Everything you said is exactly what I was thinking...I don't want to be compared to others and I don't really like all the flowers and shit.

So I want more like a Scooby theme....and I always think of the Scooby doo movies with the Tiki and hawaiin stuff, I like that.

How's your 100 Acre Woods van coming?

My attention has been on the Ford... engine got a new timing chain set and crank pulley... fired right up and smooth, set the timing right finally. swapped window doors on the side, fixed up linkage, and prepared inside for rust work now. For the Fargo, I have an alt that I was cleaning up, hoping it was the last of the wiring issues, and it will fire... maybe this weekend... Thanks!