Is this a good buy?

[SoulRaven]

Anything that old from the northeast is worth maybe twice scrap value or about $1000.

 

[ccbreder]

That is one old ford for that much money. I bet it has over 200K on the miles.
(*) There is a difference in the thermostat housing as a way to id a Cleveland engine, I don't remember the detail, try google.

 

[Patrick46]

Ahhhhh...it's 86,500 miles on the ad, and I find this very plausible, as a lot of RV's don't get driving all that much.


Why be so darn negative??

 

[AutumnLark]

I got curious and looked this up...

Ford did NOT offer the 351 Cleveland in their 3rd generation van series, only the 351 Windsor.

I'm betting this has a Windsor, and that the owner simply doesn't know the difference. (Same thing with the Big Block statement...which this is not)
It's original Windsor 'could' have been swapped out at some time...but why bother???

I'd prefer a Windsor. These are great engines, My last Ford van had one, and I never should have sold it!!!!

Also, YES, hot-rodders do love Clevelands, and they fetch a good price out in these parts.

As for the van itself...I'm sure it's gonna have 'some' rust on it, but I can't see much from the poor quality pics in the ad. (so I don't know where these other folks see any)

Go check it out, and DEFINATELY, bring it to a knowledgeable Ford mechanic. It may be a decent rig.

Good Luck!!

Wow, so much knowledge here!  So glad I posted.  Thank you I will have a mechanic check it out...after I've checked it myself, keeping in mind what you recommended above!