Neil and Tom's Arizona Adventure...part two!

Okay, earlier in the summer I travelled to Phoenix from Ottawa, Ontario to get my Dodge A100. You can read about that here -> https://vintage-vans.forumotion.com/vintage-vans-general-discussion-f1/neil-and-tom-s-arizona-adventure-t413.htm?highlight=neil

As you may know, we were supposed to get two vans, but only got one. Well we've been thinking about the van we left behind all summer!

Finally, Tom convinced me we have to go get it. Different scenarios were rattling around like shipping the van here, flying back and swapping the motor, etc. Finally we decided to buy a vehicle with a good slant six, drive it there, swap the motor, scrap the vehicle, then drive the van home.

Sound like a good plan? No, I didn't think you'd think so! I think we're a little nuts too.....anyhow, yesterday we bought this 65,000 mile '78 Volare Wagon and we're going!! $300...not bad eh?

We spent the day today fixing her up a bit....some quickie body work, tinted the rear windows, fixed a bad brake line, new fuel line etc......and we're leaving probably on Monday or Tuesday!

4000+ miles to Phoenix...swap the motor into the A100, 4000+ miles home! yes, we're certifiably nuts!

No, I don't think your nuts. I'm just wondering what someone might be able to hide under those rockers.

Any word on the radiator. Nate found one for a Ford that might work. I'm thinking pull the wagon's radiator and do the Radiator Van thing.

You have the time and motivation. If you can get a rust free van cheap, go for it.

the leaning tower of power will make it no problem!!!!!! drove one for a couple weeks with one connecting rod nockin like a fool. dvap.com desert valley auto parts will no doubt take whats left. its a trip i would do if i had the time and disposable cash. sounds like a real hoot..... by the way----whats that lurking in the garage behind the snow blower????coronet?????

That's a '69 Valiant 2-door post that I found in a field and sold to Tom. We put new frame rails, all new floor pans, new rockers...major project. Tom painted it but it all blistered on him so he's had to wet sand it and now it's going to go to someone else for final paint. It's got a 360, and the rear from my parts A100 that Tom is having shortened!

We're doing a bit of bodywork just to keep the cops off our ass...don't need anyone pulling us off the road for driving an unsafe car, ya know? We're going shotgun too, no valid plates. Shh..don't tell anyone!

Oh ya, not to mention the fumes coming into the back of the wagon..we're going to be sleeping in there (one guy sleeps, the other drives) so we wanted to plug the holes so we don't die!! Trust me, we didn't do nice bodywork....patch, bondo, sand and paint in one day kinda job.

You guys may want to make a detour to this place for lunch while out that way



http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,251500.0.html

When you get back from your adventure, hopefully victorious and in one piece, you MUST give me a little bio info and pics so I can get a page made about the infamous Neil and Tom for our Meet the Members section...

AWESOME!!! some people thinked i was nuts for driving my 65a100 window van 3000 miles home-it was only a shed for 20 years,i have more faith in an old mopar than any new car on the market today- a valore wagon sweet! always wanted to have one!happy trails south eyeballing all the vintage tin out west, wish i was ridein shotgun. shit im ready to say the hell with everything in newengland and head back west.

Yes man, I forgot about that....we'll do that!

chebby wrote:When you get back from your adventure, hopefully victorious and in one piece, you MUST give me a little bio info and pics so I can get a page made about the infamous Neil and Tom for our Meet the Members section...

itruns wrote:You guys may want to make a detour to this place for lunch while out that way

http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,251500.0.html

Oh ya baby! My kinda place!

Neil and Tom's Excellent A100 Adventures! Man, I've gotta drive to Ottawa to meet you one day! Wish it was Arizona tomorrow! Good luck!

Great idea Chebby! I think Leadfoot should do a story in VanIn mag too!

Here's the slant six, I hope it gets us down there and back!

Here's the wagon, ready to roll. New rear brake line, new fuel line, new fuel filter, oil, etc. Extra leaf added to one side on rear, some quick body work, tinted windows...it's looking like a real pimped ride...but don't be fooled, the frame is rotted and this will be its last journey before heaven.

Is that a super six in the wagon? I'm not very informed on the Dodges, but I have an A-100 pickup here that has a super six in it, and I was told that the 2 barrel carb. has the throttle shaft turned 90 degrees to the standard "fallen over six" so my linkage has been altered?? Any Dodge folks know if this is true? Good luck with your adventure, I can't wait to hear about it.

thats the difference between the standard slant six and the "super" six a two barrell carb. and as far as i know the throttle would be turned 90 degrees. some of the six cylinder vans had a cable i do belive. nate would know for sure i think. the only van i had with a six had some aftermarket cable gizmo in a box on the floor up under the pedal and i am quite sure was not a factory piece.
the wagon looks freakin awsome and the trip is even wilder.
hmmmmmm i could leave pei and be in ottawa in about 12 hours...............

Im dieing to hear more, these last 2 days are killing me.Its like a movie cliffhanger whats going to happen with Chewie is Han really ok in the carbonite, is their new hyper drive going to get the falcon running ok sorry geeken out

I am imagining a guy from a Volare Wagon enthusiasts web site googling "Volare" to find a link to our site then drooling over the above image of the motor donor and wondering how one could sacrifice such a fine vehicle for a VAN! If only they knew.

Well the Volare is really rusty underneath, frame is scary!

Well we made it to Phoenix! The Volare ran like a Queen the whole way. The only problem we had was a flat tire.

We got the neighbours engine lift, worked hard and got the motor out of the van, and the Volare motor partially ready to come out. Hopefully today we'll get 'er done!

Good to hear you made it there safe. Hope the rest of your project goes well.

Great to hear you made it safe, and with little problems..

So, are you going to cart the old engine back, or does it stay in AZ?

The post just don't come fast enough...


PICS PICS PICS PICS PICS PICS PICS PICS PICS PICS PICS PICS

I wish I could post photos, but not sure how on this computer (the sellers computer..he's a great guy, lets us use his computer and shower and everything)

We just got the motor out of the Volare, all looks well. I was worried about the center diameter of the crank but they look the same...so the new motor should just drop in. Lots of smog stuff to plug though...

When Mike gets home later, I'll see if we can hook my camera up to his computer and post some photos.. Thanks for all the support!

The Volare will be sold as scrap to a local...I've got a couple of phone numbers of guys that will haul it away for $100 or whatever.