New guy from Central Texas. San Antonio I found this site through vintage-vans.com which I am a member of. I have been around cl***ic cars my whole life. My dad is more of a Chevy guy but I seem to roll what ever I think is cool. I have limited mechanical skills which im always trying to learn and pick up new skills as I go. I have had a 1962 VW Split Window Bus, 1983 Chevy k-10 and now I have a 1964 Ford Econoline Panel. I tend to like the more unusual autos. Example- snub nose vans/trucks, El Caminos etc. My 64 ford van has been a learning exp to say the least. I've never owned a Straight six or a vehicle with a "Dog House" Motor between the seats. 1st vehicle that had a generator instead of a Alternator. Little about the 64 Ford. Panel Van, 1965 200 ci Inline Six, Originally from San Francisco CA, I bought it from a lady in Menlo Park, Rust free except some surface rust in the interior from all the damn carpet that was in there. Carpet has been removed. 14" ford wheels, Mostly original. Someone put in a sun roof, replaced one of the panel doors with a window door, Motor was swapped for a 200ci sometime in its life. Was originally a 170ci. My plans are to make a daily cruiser for whatever. Daily grind, shows, camping. What i have done and will be doing. Have replaced the Gen with a 100amp 1 wire alt Have replaced the fuel pump Have replaced the starter solenoid Removed 30+ year old carpet from floors and walls. ****ED! Dropped and cleaned gas tank and replaced fuel lines and vent hose. Rebuilt the carb Bought seats for the rear. Bought a dual master cylinder and brackets for front disc break conversion. Plan on adding performance headers, probably cliffords. New instake manifold and carb. New Aluminum radiator 3 or 4 row. Eventually want to rebuild and Machine the motor (longblock). Finishing the disc brake conversion. Por 15 the interior floor, Paint/body work, lowering a few inches. All this take time and $$$ and I moving at a turtles pace which ****s but I will get there. Sorry for the long 1st post, but I figure its easier to get it all out on the 1st post.
Thanks Larry for the welcome. I know most of you have pre 60s cars so im a little out side the box, but I am always looking for something older though. 1949 Merc or a 40s ford rat could be in my future. Hell im in my late 20s, plenty of time left.
I had a couple of vans like yours and there cool. There is a lot you can do with them and there fun to drive . Good luck on your project and welcome to Texas and the HAMB.
Welcome from Aggieland! a little suggestion is that you wont be able to replace the intake on your 200. Its cast into the head and breaths like trying to catch a breath through a straw. My dad and I are replacing the head on his 66 200 with a prototype coming out of California. It allows you to put a bigger carb and get it flowing better. good luck on the van. This is definitely the place to learn all the info you need
Thanks guys, Good to know on the intake, wasnt sure about that. Not a whole lot of parts out there for these old Inlines. What i have found is usually at specialty stores which drives up the cost.
No post in a while, but I have been Busy! My motor which I thought was a 200ci turned out to be a tired old 170ci. I have pulled the 170 and purchased a 1965 200ci motor with low original miles which came out of a 65 Falcon. I have yet to put then new motor in because I am working on the interior of the van which i have completely gutted. Going to POR 15 the entire floor and walls, possibly the roof as well. On the newer motor, the rods have been replaced. I put on New water pump, freeze plugs, 1 wire alternator, gaskets etc and painted Ford Blue. Looks good. Have not decided on leaving the stock exhaust man or replacing with Headers. Will be getting a new valve cover also. I also purchased a 3row aluminum mustang radiator that will be going in. Looks great and will cool this van nicely. I have also converted the front drums to disc from a kit I bought from a econoline spe******t dddiscbrakes.com. The looks nice! Yesterday I removed the original master cylinder and have put in a new dual master cylinder. New brake lines will be installed shortly. Transmission will be getting a new clutch and new gear ring. The 9" rear axel i am going to remove the 4.11 gears and replace with a 3.50 ratio which will allow me to go a bit faster on the highway By the times Im done this van will mostly be completely over hauled with new parts. Some pics of progress Old 170 out of there! 200ci motor going in. Old drums NEW Disc New dual Master Cylinder
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