The Wam Bam Thank You Van Econoline is on the road!

I started this project 2-3 years ago. Between then and now I got married, had identical twin girls, moved, sold a car and bought another one.

It started as a '65 Econoline with a 170ci, 3 speed trans and 7" rear end (yes, 7"). It's still a '65 Econoline but now it has:
'89 Lincoln 5.0L HO v8
ceramic coated Mustang headers
'65 Econoline 240/HD 3 spd trans
'62 Galaxie 9" rear with new 3.50 posi gears
aluminum radiator
Spal puller fan
D&D disk brake kit
Mustang clutch & clutch cable
Edelbrock Performer carb & intake
Rebel Wire wiring kit
'50 Pontiac taillights (I copied Church)
65 Mustang gas tank
Cragar G/T copies
Maverick dual MC and bracket by FredC
New upholstery by OldCarMike!!

It made it's first real trip with the new heart from Chicago to Decatur for the 9th Hunnert Car Pileup (2.5-3 hour drive). Dropped a front u-joint on the interstate not too long into the trip. Overheated the coil in Decatur after the cruise. Fried the module at the gates of Progress City... 5 seconds before snapping a clutch linkage bolt, but I got that fixed with some help from some Vagabonds. Other than that, it ran great and is freaking BEAST.

The Rebel Wire kit worked GREAT. I used their new rear-mount kit and installed it behind the passenger seat so I can open the barn doors, sit down, and change a fuse.

I asked JamesD to photoshop an Econoline in Watson-style. Not an easy job on a big, flat brick, but he pulled it off and I copied his work.

Django designed the Hunnert Car Heads-Up (our drag race event) and Old SignBob printed the vinyl decals. I installed them (which explains the wrinkles and bubbles )

OldCarMike did a FANTASTIC job on the upholstery. The pix do not do them justice. In fact, you can't even tell that the centers are metalflake. I still need to install the rear buckets (front buckets installed in the rear).

There is still a lot to do before it's presentable, but damn is it fun to drive!









My lovely wife surprised me with the upholstery for my 40th birthday last month. It was exceptionally awesome since she had already gotten me this tattoo - inspired by old Wall of Death thrill shows and old Indy racing. Turning 40 wasn't so bad... I should do it more often.

 

Cool beans Joe.

 

Thats awesome!!! Congratulations!!

 

Here are some build pics. I'm going write up a detailed article on everything you need to know about swapping motors in an Econoline soon



My first attempt at building an exhaust





MC. Complicated under there, isn't it?



Where I put the fuse box






another tattoo I got while working on this. Same artist: Jason Vaughn



This says "OH NO!" not "On Ho!"



Clutch cable bracket I made (HotRodChassis welded it up for me)





Original Econoline rear accessory heater

 

For once my stuff didnt break on the way to the show, but somehow still ended up on the side of the road with a wrench in my hand.


Seats are awesome! Comfy too.

 

D&D Disk brake kit


I painted this on the pumpkin for fun. It glows in the dark.



Original 170


Mocking up the motor using Chris50's plastic 302



Kevin (HotRodChassis) and Chad (Django) helping me pull the 6.




What I started with



this is what snapped

 

Doo00ooD !
Red sharpies fade fast, always use black !!

Really tho'.... an olde Econoline is my dream vehicle currently......
This post made my day !

Thank you.

 

Yeah, you Vagabonds saved my ass. Thanks Cool57, DaTinman, and HalfCockedCustoms!

I should also mention that there's no way I could have gotten this far without 1LowTrk and TigerMark spearheading the wiring effort. The Rebel Wire kit was super easy to use, great tech support, and instructions... but I'm an idiot. LowPunk, Kansas, and FoMoCoPower helped a lot with that, too... and Jim (FoMoCoPower) helped me a TON with working out bugs, solving problems, and even helped me fix a bunch of stuff before the show when my back was a wreck and I couldn't move. Thanks guys.

I also have to thank my wife for all her support... and the seats!

 

great to see it rolling these days as the build sure brought back memories!

 

cool van... man.. bet that thing is fun with a v8...

 

I dig your van. I can see that alot of effort and engineering went into it. The paint and lettering is cool, too!

 

That thing is sweet. Do a wheelie!

 

Saw the van for the first time 2 weeks ago. It looks great. I missed looking at the interior.

 

I only got the seats 2 days before the show!

 

Congrats! Been watching your trials and tribulations the whole way!

 

I saw it at the Pileup and it looked great! Nice job!

Oh, and x2 on the wheelie!!

 

I don't think it will pull a wheelie with only a 302, and in the stock position, but come out to the Heads-Up in June and I'll see what I can pull off.

 

That is one cool parts hauler........how does that exhaust sound with those side pipes? We need a YouTube video ASAP.

 

It looks rad! I spotted it in the HCPU photos. It makes me miss mine

 

Umm... loud! Nice and loud I tried to do a video before, but it was too big to upload. I'll have to try again this weekend.

 

here's a better pic of it from the Pileup

 

Your welcome Joe,glad to see it on the road. I want one of those sooo bad.

 

I really like it ! How hot does that engine cover get? Looks to be really close your leg when driving.

 

Yeah, the cable worked out great. I still need to do some adjustments, but it did its job. Thanks for all the advice!

Right now the dogbox is not insulated. I pulled it all out when I was working on it, but I think the PO just glued in some yellow home insulation. Parts of it get hot and parts don't. It's nice and cool on the highway, but it gets hot pretty quick sitting in traffic. The ceramic headers and side extensions help a little. Once I get it sealed up properly and insulated it will be a lot cooler. I may insulate it inside and out, and then upholster the box. The part by my leg doesn't get hot though. OTOH, the 170 had a blown exhaust manifold gasket so it was shooting flames a little. My wife claimed the box was hot enough to cinge her jeans.

 

Speaking of the dogbox, too bad you have two kids instead of one. I grew up riding on the dog box of vans and delivery trucks, always the best place to ride! I got to relive some of those memories with my 5 year old nephew enjoying the same 'royal' seat when I had mine! Kids love it!

 

But mommies don't!

 

man thats a cool ole van , and nice tats also , that old 170 6 cyl would make a cool mill for a lakester roadster lol

 

it was no trouble to help out. I have had the same done for me and am just passing on the favor.

Glad you got it on the road and can finally enjoy it!

 

Very cool project, glad you got it together and finally on the road. Would Love to get a Econoline pickup and do a V-8 project.

Michael

 

Glad we could help,,,,good thing I carry all that crap with me