Thoughts?

[Cajunwolf]

I'm not into something that's going to require a lot of rebuilding to get on the road, I want to get to the conversion, but this is tempting. Except for a little damage to the driver door where someone had it open while backing up, she's clean as can be for an 06. I'm thinking a typo because Ford didn't put a 6-cylinder in a 2006 1-ton van, but if the blocks good, you can do an inframe overhaul on these vans super easy. That means you don't have to pull the engine to overhaul, though it would be the best and most correct way, but it really depends on what is actually wrong with it. A lot of things can cause a knock, and I'm thinking of a wrist pin if it's high up in the engine. I'm going to give it a look. He's not going to sell it fast, I'm in no hurry, and the longer it sits, the lower I can get a cash price. Hell, at that price, you could have Ford do it and still come out on top.

https://houston.craigslist.org/cto/d/2006-ford-350/6986788408.html

 

[Cajunwolf]

Just heard back:
"The engine size is V8 5.4L
It gives a knocking sound as it is running. If you want to know more about it you can come and look at it."

If it can't be inframed, I checked on a used 5.4L and can get one with low miles and was running for $500. If I went all the way and overhauled it would be $1200 in parts and machine shop work, I have all the tools and can do the labor myself that's under $2k even with a few additional costs. Since I'll already have the tranny out, I can go ahead and overhaul it too, a heavy-duty kit doesn't cost much, and mechanically, I'd have a new 2006 1-ton ford van in good shape for less than $3500 if I gave them the $1800, which I wouldn't. I'll offer $1200 and see what they counter. It's a thought, right? They've had it on the market two weeks with hardly a bite; I might take a look this weekend.

 

[highdesertranger]

yeah no 6 banger in '06 it also says FWD(Front Wheel Drive). also that grill and headlights look like a 1996 not a '06. '96 also had a 6 banger option but that doesn't explain the FWD.

something is funny with that ad proceed with caution.

highdesertranger

 

[Cajunwolf]

They're typos; you see the fwd instead of rwd all the time because 99% of folks putting up their ads have no idea what any of that means. They just called (sounded excited, chuckle). And yes, it's a 2006. It seems this just started about two months ago, and from the way he describes it, I'm still thinking of a wrist pin. The 5.4s were bad for that even if it's a rod bearing, no big deal if it didn't hurt the crank pin. If it did then R&R the engine and transmission while I'm at it, for the price, it would be worth it. I could build it back heavy duty and with more power and efficiency to haul and tow. A 5.4 will do better on gas than a V10, though I like that V10, they're tough engines and will pull a brick wall down. That thing would pull a decent little travel trailer as I still have to think of my daughter.

 

[BinDerSmokDat]

The grill is actually correct for a 2006 E350.
My thought is that the engine knocking and needing replacement at 156K means it's been neglected/abused.
That makes me think, "What else could be wrong with it?"

Also I don't like passenger vans because of all of the extra glass.
It's a lot easier to insulate, panel, runn wiring, mount stuff in a cargo body than with all of that glass.
I know some have visions of Pinterest-vanning, with panoramic scenic vistas, but the reality is you can always open the double or side doors for more view.
What you can do is drill a cabinet to glass or glue insulation over a window without it looking crappy.

Keep looking for a runner and be patient; a perfect van will come along.

 

[Cajunwolf]

@BinDerSmokDat


Points well taken, it is 2006, there is no doubt there, he has the clean title in hand, and I didn't fall off of the turnip truck yesterday. I'm a professional mechanic, done it all my life. Talking with the owner, he's never had a problem other than this, everything else is top-notch, and as I mentioned, I would only buy this one if I got it cheap enough. It would be worth my while because I have the necessary skills to where overhauling an engine and transmission is a walk in the park. I enjoy it, follow? I just completed a full restore of a 2k Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4.

The windows don't bother me, big woof, and I don't do Pinterest, chuckle. If I want to get rid of them, I'm really good at paint and bodywork too. Gas weld in some plate metal, seal with lead, grind, finish, fill, and paint. I like to travel and enjoy the view. I have a disabled daughter who travels with me; she loves the view. I'll most likely tow a small neet travel trailer for her. I haven't decided yet.

If this one doesn't make muster when I look it over, I walk away, but if on the other hand, all else is good, and he accepts my firm offer, we might have a deal. I look at it this way. If I do go with this one, overhauling engine and transmission, to me that is long term peace of mind, those are the primary and most expensive problems you can have with your rig. The rest is just simple petty stuff, to be honest.

 

[highdesertranger]

a cracked flex plate also sounds like a rod/wrist pin knock.

so the 1 tons kept the old style headlights? and the 1/2 and 3/4 tons got the new style?

highdesertranger

 

[Cajunwolf]

highdesertranger,

Yeah, but there is a distinct difference in sound between a flex plate and a rod or wrist pin bearing. A rod bearing will knock down low, consistently. You can hear it well from the oil pan. A wrist pin, on the other hand, will be heard best from the top or side and not consistent. If you rev the engine and let the throttle off quickly, a bad wrist pin will rattle. A flexplate is a constant pinging sound.

 

[Cajunwolf]

It looks like 2006 to me.

The one I'm looking at:

An example of a 2006from a Google search:

So is everyone satisfied?

 

[highdesertranger]

sorry look closer those are 2 totally different types of headlights. first pic are regular old rectangular sealed beams second pic is newer style composite headlights. they are not even the same shape. that's what I did, I did an image search and noticed the difference in what was in the ad and what came up for a 06.

yeah you can tell the difference in the knock but they guy trying to sell it probably can't and that was my point.

highdesertranger

 

[Cajunwolf]

Give me a break! It's a freaking 2006 Ford E350 Van that the original owner has the original clear title proving as much. You know highdesertranger, I snatched a picture of one of the hundreds on a google search, and no, it's not the exact model or color as the one in the picture, big woof.

 

[tx2sturgis]

so the 1 tons kept the old style headlights?  and the 1/2 and 3/4 tons got the new style?

The 'aero' style headlights (in the more recent vans) were related to trim level, not year model or weight rating.  I actually prefer the 7" fleet style sealed-beam headlights....much easier to replace, or upgrade, and..they will not 'craze' or 'haze'...they are real glass and can be replaced for $20 if you just need one to get you by.

 

[Cajunwolf]

Great point!

 

[highdesertranger]

ah see someone answered my question. I knew something was up. highdesertranger

 

[Cajunwolf]

That's what's great about a forum, post your query, and sooner or later, someone comes along with an answer, right?

 

[jasper]

I have witnessed the ungodly knocking sound when the plastic plate attached underneath the passenger's side valve cover on a 5.4 became literally unglued. Hopefully the seller above had a proper investigation.

Post #57 in this thread for finding it:

https://www.f150online.com/forums/v8-engines/380974-knocking-noise-v8-5-4l-triton-4.html

 

[Cajunwolf]

I went and checked it out; it's a bad connecting rod bearing. Other than that, the van is clean as a whistle. If someone mechanically inclined wanted to replace the engine, it would make a nice van. I'm going with a class C, and Houston is so full of RV's for sale they are dirt cheap. I looked at a 2007 Thor 31-foot, I think it was, for $12,500 with only 48K miles on the V10. It was immaculate. Too bad I don't have $12k, darn, but as I said, they are everywhere around here.