1986 Dodge B-250 extended bubble-top van for an unconventional guy

[NeedAnEscape]

Also, your range on 35 gallons is terrible, my van with 4x4 and a big block V8 does better, and that's mostly with 20 mile or less trips. Hopefully your transmission replacement will help with that. If not, you need to figure out if there is anything else wrong with the van.

 

[GotSmart]

Not a clue, and refusing to even think, much less listen.

Priorities messed up.  

Hello Walls~~~    :s

 

[highdesertranger]

a few thoughts here, have you looked into larger fuel tank to replace your stock tank? much safer than a bunch of cans. also there is no need to siphon gas. you have an electronic fuel pump in your tank, install a manual tee valve in your fuel line and a switch to turn your fuel pump on without the van running. presto instant fueling station. highdesertranger

 

[Gary68]

and just think,when i was young i would toss a foam pad,blankets,pillow,water,sandwich makins in the back of whatever and take off

you might be overthinking this,jmho

 

[Gary68]

PILLOW!!

Guy

actually 2,yea i'm a wuss,man card handed over

 

[SoulRaven]

My 1986 Dodge Maxi Van w/318 engine came with a mechanical fuel pump...

How many hours of run time do you get with that generator? With my home made generator, I get about 8 hours per gallon of gas.

My 5 gallon extra gas can is a metal jerry can with a screw on lid. I purchased a second lid, and mounted both a siphoning hose, and a tire valve to it. If I need to move gas to a higher point from the gas can sitting on the ground, I simply switch lids, and hook up my 12v compressor to add pressure to the jerry can, to power the gas coming out. It will empty that 5 gallon gas can almost as quickly as if you were pouring it through the spout.

 

[debit.servus]

... Hopefully your transmission replacement will help with that. If not, you need to figure out if there is anything else wrong with the van.

The engine compression is messed, the carb is set ultra-rich, the timing belt/chain is out of time, the wheel bearings and axles are of unknown condition; as well.

Not a clue, and refusing to even think, much less listen.
...

I thought hard and listened, before ordering those items. I acknologed the fact that a microwave, bucket washer, fuel pump, gas cans won't get me to CANADA. I was tired of deliberating and ruminating over buying those items, and decided to check those items on my list so I didn't have to deliberate and ruminate over not having them anymore. Now it's time to acquire some paying work to replenish my money supply.

This is the first time that I remember Woodgas being described as an option for this trip. I'd say that gas is more likely. Welcome back to the 99%.
...
Sounds like a start in the right direction, keep us informed. Should think of replacing "hundred" with thousand.

I never left the 99%. I still NEED a cheap energy solution to travel thousands of miles on my income.

Seeing as I haven't met "Pull a few hundreds from paid work in a month" yet, I will keep the bar there.

a few thoughts here,  have you looked into  larger fuel tank to replace your stock tank?  much safer than a bunch of cans.  also there is no need to siphon gas.  you have an electronic fuel pump in your tank,  install a manual tee valve in your fuel line and a switch to turn your fuel pump on without the van running.  presto instant fueling station.  highdesertranger

Have looked into adding a second tank to the stock tank, as 35 gallons is the max size 1986 dodge vans come with. Can't afford and don't want an auxillary fuel tank. The fuel pump on the van is a mechanical fuel pump, would need to add an electric fuel pump inline and a tee with tubing/rubber hose to divert the fuel out of the gas tank. Would definitely make it easy to fill the scooter and genset.

 

[highdesertranger]

ah I see an older van. I forgot you had an older van. don't get me wrong I prefer older vehicles. how many miles on this van? why do you say the timing chain is out of time? you know with a chain that this is virtually impossible. if you have bad wheel bearings don't drive the van, you could major damage over a 10 buck part. highdesertranger

 

[debit.servus]

ah I see an older van.  I forgot you had an older van.  don't get me wrong I prefer older vehicles.  how many miles on this van?  why do you say the timing chain is out of time?  you know with a chain that this is virtually impossible.  if you have bad wheel bearings don't drive the van,  you could major damage over a 10 buck part.  ...

Same here, older cars can be worked on without hyperspecialized tools and parts. The odometer reads about 81,000 miles (five digit odometer). Is there a timing belt or chain inside the engine? Now that I have 3 ton jack and jack stands it is possible for my to check the condition of the wheel bearings myself. Good to know that new wheel bearings cost $10.

 

[highdesertranger]

you have a timing chain. so unless the chain jumped a tooth(virtually impossible), it's in time. however if the chain is worn so much that there is a lot play(slack) you could have the timing moving around a little. if your timing chain is worn out, so is the rest of your motor. the important question is why do you think your timing chain is bad? highdesertranger

 

[Ballenxj]

The engine compression is messed, the carb is set ultra-rich, the timing belt/chain is out of time, the wheel bearings and axles are of unknown condition; as well.

A jumped or slipped timing chain usually means you need to tear down the front and replace the timing chain and gear set. A bad timing chain will create other symptoms like compression issues. Do you have any mechanic friends that can look at it for you?

 

[Ballenxj]

you have a timing chain.  so unless the chain jumped a tooth(virtually impossible),  it's in time.  

Actually, I have seen timing chains jump a tooth if the plastic or nylon that they coat the cam gear is disintegrated, and they will with age, this will allow enough slop for the chain to jump a gear.
My experience is mostly with GM cars, but I would think Chrysler used the plastic coating as well.

 

[highdesertranger]

basically if you have a plastic coated timing gear and the plastic disintegrates, the vehicle becomes un-drivable. if not immediately then very soon. highdesertranger

 

[debit.servus]

Didn't know that about the van, having a timing chain. Need to look into the matter.

Acquired the 6 gas cans I planned to buy, now I'll never have to buy a gas can again in my life (unless these get lost/stolen/broken or want more gas cans)!!! Feels great to have over 30 gallons of fuel stored outside of the gas tank, that's enough gas to run the 3200w genset at near full load for nearly a week!

 

[GotSmart]

Meanwhile it has a badly working motor and a dead transmission.

Not a clue as to priorities.

 

[debit.servus]

Meanwhile it has a badly working motor and a dead transmission.
...

2015-MAR-10 Update:
Started the van in the driveway, warmed up and engine; disengaged the ebrake and went forward and reverse up and down the driveway. The trans was transmitting power in forward and reverse, like it did before the incident in San Francisco. Perhaps the transmission intercooler is bad, which caused the fluid to boil and catch fire. This is still great news as the trans is alive, and if it turns out to be an intercooler problem the van can still get across town with stops to cool the transmission down.

Going to be trained as a pedicab operator tomorrow, hopefully I land this and it becomes a part-time JOB to pull MONEY and lose pounds; making this boi a slimmer and sexier boi.

 

[SoulRaven]

2015-MAR-10 Update:
Started the van in the driveway, warmed up and engine; disengaged the ebrake and went forward and reverse up and down the driveway. The trans was transmitting power in forward and reverse, like it did before the incident in San Francisco. Perhaps the transmission intercooler is bad, which caused the fluid to boil and catch fire. This is still great news as the trans is alive, and if it turns out to be an intercooler problem the van can still get across town with stops to cool the transmission down.

Going to be trained as a pedicab operator tomorrow, hopefully I land this and it becomes a part-time JOB to pull MONEY and lose pounds; making this boi a slimmer and sexier boi.

An intercooler is an intake air cooling device used commonly on turbocharged and supercharged engines.

I'll assume you're talking about a transmission cooler...  First and foremost check your transmission fluid.  Check the level, the color, and the smell.

Check your transmission cooler and lines to make sure they aren't plugged or kinked.

By your description, you are pulling a LOT of weight.  An electric fan on both your radiator, and your transmission cooler could do wonders for you.

So glad to hear about your job!!!!  Can you parlay it into full time?  Now you're starting to get with the program, CONGRATS!

 

[highdesertranger]

what is a transmission intercooler? never heard that one before. do you mean transmission cooler? if you think the trans got so hot it caused this, and somehow now it's ok you are fooling yourself. put it under a load and see what happens. highdesertranger

 

[ascii_man]

The pedicab thing is encouraging.

 

[GotSmart]

Pull the transmission dipstick and smell the fluid.  Does it smell burned?  

Congratulations on the job.  That will get you in shape.  I spent one summer installing irrigation pipes in Sonoma.  Hard work, but I was in great shape after.