Paid $150 for the truck had a full tank of gas had a dash fire might use the steering column and brake pedal brackets but the 3.9 engine is burnt and the wiring is fried but hthe rest is all I need got it cut apart and ready for cleaning and now it's time to start fitting it to the panel. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
The 3.9 is nothing more than a short 5.2 so the A550 will bolt up ok, the problem will be the converter balance. Be sure to read this this: http://www.transmissioncenter.net/SwapInformation.htm The Volare is now 'old'. A much better swap is the Gen 1 Dakota 2wd. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=742584 Check this project: http://fordodgetrucksonly.forumotion.com/t66-50-panel-van-build .
Got the frame all ready , gutted the cab got the steering column , brake and gas pedal ***embly ,e brake ***embly cut the fire wall out of the Dakota might weld it into the panel might be an easy way to attach brake booster and column .anyone use aftermarket wiring harness I need suggestions . Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
73RR I checked out that 50 panel link wow that is one nice build . Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Yeah, some nice work...the dash is way cool IMHO. I just wish he would get back to posting some progress info.... .
Looks like another good day to work in the shop on the panel , , that is - 36f. Or -38c with out the wind Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Got the engine out of the donor 1972 van only 66,000 km , might use the buckets seats , van has ARA brand AC after market system might transfer it over , might start looking for intake fuel EFI system ?? Anyone have suggestions that would be great . Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Got the body removed from the frame today and cut the old front frame section from the back half got the Dakota frame front portion welded up and ready for the body brackets that I removed from the old frame , it's going together good , next time I will cut the frame longer on the 52 and take apart the Dakota frame where it is welded to the rear C section. But what I did will work . Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Pictures of the frame section the before and the after tomorrow job is cut the old rear axle mounts off and put the Dakota axle ***embly onto the frame . Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Got the body back on the new frame definitely dropped the ride height here is a before and after and here is an after going to swap out the rear axle ***embly next . Was takin a closer look at my engine that I removed from my donor van and the casting numbers says its a 360 not a 318 like the hood decal said WTF I guess it's a win win Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
My son had a 56 Dodge panel as a high school ride, we put a 360/727 in it too (it was even a 2bbl carb version). I can tell you without reservations that his rear tires didn't last very long. He beat (I mean drove ) that thing hard all through school, then sent it away for a different project. A small cam in a 360 can make them real fun. Gene
I want to freshen the engine gaskets ,maybe stick in the police issue cam , find a nice intake and headers , I want this to still be a daily driver and haul a vintage camper to the odd weekend car shows. I am using my 52 pickup but its all original and the flat 6cylinder engine ,3 in the tree transmission is just not cutting it at highway speeds. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Nice looking PH. The 360 should get the job done without much effort. I have used the 69-340 cam in several 360 and it is a very good improvement. The original Mopar profile may be available in other brands, not sure. .
Hell yeah! Congrates! I could never knowingly stick a 318 in something, knowing there is something so much better/faster and is just as abundant and cheap would bug the **** out of me. Now you dont have to worry about it, unless you want more power and go big block… but a 360 is perfect for a DD got one in my DD 57 Dodge. Its funny now looking at the pictures of the 360 you have on the ground a page back, you can tell its a 360.
Got the Dakota rear axle ***embly in , had to widen the axle perch one inch per side ,transferred the Dakota springs and brackets over it was relatively easy got the body back on had to modify the front cab mounts because of the different frame , the new ride height will work out nice . Next job will be the rad support and front bumper brackets and the running board brackets . got my youngest to remove the old transmission from the 360 , cheap labour . Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
It looks like I need an aftermarket flex plate so the externally balanced engine will mate up to the A500 transmission , noticed B&M make one but not quite sure there is this one and this one i don't know which one will work on my torque converter I have to get ahold of them and confirm unless I balance the torque converter but all the info I read on the web it's not that great an idea it seems a little by chance or by luck method . Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
It's still cold haven't found any shop time or space to get project back into the shop ,found a cool toy thought I had to add it to my collection . . It's easier and cheaper to buy these Dodge trucks . Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
I think I like that. Maybe not that much of a chop, but yeah. Sent from my MB886 using H.A.M.B. mobile app
Looks good, havin a hard time convincing the wife it's going to be her daily driver . Maybe she will warm up to it . she likes the two tone colour look ??? Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Man I would really love to get my hands on a panel. I hope you aren't going to chop it, that thing is in nice shape. I chopped a cab I had here just for a look see and it was definitely not worth it, a panel truck would be 500x more work
I think chopping it is way over my patience and skill level so it will be left untouched . Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Got the brake pedal ***embly and the steering column cut into the firewall took the Dakota firewall out and used it as a template , I debated welding the Dakota firewall into the panel truck but chose to just use it as a template , put the steering column in but might try to shorten the length about six /eight inches any one ever shorten the whole ***embly . Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
got the engine and transmission coupled together and in position , lowered the cab back on after the third time had to keep t******* the fire wall till I had the correct fit today's job is make some engine and transmission mounts Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Looking good Fargo. Can the engine be moved forward or are you going to cut more of the firewall out? It looks like it would **** to change a dizzy cap. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Engine oil pan only has about an inch of clearance I thought that's as close as I want it to the frame was really not wanting to cut that much but had to for the clearance , we have a lot of Vans in our work and I like how the engine interior cover comes off ,I might try to incorporate that idea for easier access to the back of the engine , its sitting low , that's a 2x4 on its upright might have to change the front springs to the 318 Dakota ones , this front end had a V6 . Considering I don't have rad ,bumper ,hood ***embly or interior weight it might ride lower ,to low ??? Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Have you looked at a Dakota v8 oil pan? They have a smaller rear sump for they can be moved forward. I'm just asking because I got the Dakota front clip welded on my frame and I didn't want to cut that much of the firewall. I was hoping a dak v8 pan would help me. But I haven't sat the cab back on there yet.
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