We bought a van.. Well kinda

[highdesertranger]

does that still have the 16.5 rims. I have a set of 6 16" chrome rims, they are yours for free if you want them. highdesertranger

 

[VintageVan]

Yes, they are original 16.5 rims. That is a very generous offer. I have been looking at 16's due to tire cost and availability but have not decided on how I want it to look like in the end. What style are they?

 

[highdesertranger]

they are factory steel rims that have been chromed. highdesertranger

 

[highdesertranger]

here's a pic,



highdesertranger

 

[LowTech]

HDR, those are dually wheels, would they fit that van? Seems like the offset would be way wrong.

www.DirtTrackTravelers.com

 

[highdesertranger]

oops I got this confused with the another. the "Fat Van" I believe. never mind, carry on. good catch wolf. highdesertranger

 

[Ballenxj]

as a side note,  if anybody cares.  notice the huge difference in the bore sizes.  this is how a 4bbl carb can get better fuel economy then a 2bbl.  if you can stay out of those huge secondary's you will get better fuel economy then a 2bbl.  highdesertranger

I've been a Quadrajet guy for many years now. Yup, they are the cats meow.  I did manage 18 mpg with a high performance 455 cruising at around 75 mph on the highway.

 

[VintageVan]

My gaskets came a day early tonight.
Completely rebuilt and running great.

 

[VintageVan]

Also just picked up lower and upper radiator hoses. Those are next along with a flush. It looks good inside but the age and knowing it spent more time in the back of a city storage unit I'm not chancing it. I did change out both heater hoses already. Its coming along fine.

 

[highdesertranger]

that's Purdy, mechanical porn. highdesertranger

 

[ArtW]

*wolf whistle*
dat quadrajet!

 

[Gary68]

nice job,you got a killer deal,this thing is unbelievably clean

 

[Ballenxj]

that's Purdy,  mechanical porn.  highdesertranger

And I'll second that. That's the way I prefer to see an engine, bare with nothing in the way.

 

[VintageVan]

Thanks friends. I have been looking for another van for a couple years. Never thought it would be an old ambulance but no worries. It will not look like one by next summer. It's been fun so far. Just not used to all the crazy wiring and heavy duty parts this machine has in it.
The pcv valve is the only factory emissions installed on her. I will be adding a newer a/c up front later on.

 

[jimindenver]

Nice job on the Carb

 

[highdesertranger]

thumbs up, keep those pics coming. highdesertranger

 

[djkeev]

I don't know your engine specifically but there are most often more coolant hoses than the obvious ones you see.....

Check the water pump area, check the intake manifold area, etc.
often they are only a inch or two long and small diameters.

Just take a good look, in addition......... post your engine specs, there are probably people here familiar with your engine and it's odd little cooling bits. (If any)

Dave

 

[VintageVan]

I am familiar with the sbc. Its a 350. 113 family. Extreme duty.
It had a water heater connected to the heater hoses that was down on the frame rail. I ended up removing about 12ft of un-necessary hoses and just simplified the cooling. By doing that it took lots of hose off the engine itself, making it a cleaner look and function. All the hoses are original and the old clamps were just old. Removing all that stuff gives us a better chance of not sitting on the side of a road out in the middle of nowhere.

 

[VintageVan]

I picked up a factory drivers side battery tray on my way home today. I am going to be removing the passenger side battery as I only need one starting battery. That will free up that spot to move the siren off the top of the van. Oh yea, we are keeping the sirens and pa system. Just don't want it on top. 

I also got my aluminum diamond plate today to make covers on the hightop to rid the van of its red flashing lights. As much fun as it is to drive around in a working ambulance these things have to go. Not to stealthy when everyone wants to talk to you about it lol.