1961 Ford Econoline window van

Here's a video, there were others on the sidebar, too.
I said it's in the ON position, it's really 180 from that. Note the hole location.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvHA6Q7xopU

 

I've removed the lock cylinders before....with the key. No problem.
For some reason I had thought the switch would come out without doing that.
In the meantime I got the new radiator installed today

 

This thing is about ready to fire up. It's too cold right now, I don't wanna open the doors up to let out exhaust gases etc......so I'll hold off a bit. Plenty of other work to do, I think I'll start on the body work. What fun!

 

Have you gone through all the pedal and shift linkages? The pedal pivots? You will find wear!
Made sure the wiring isn't full of smoke, ready to be released?

 

Cool project. Keeping the air moving through the doghouse is always the main issue on the early vans.

 

I've got the mechanical side pretty well sorted, I hope. After it's running I'm sure I'll find more....
The wiring under the dash is a rat's nest, but every thing seems to work. Charging system is an unknown yet.

 

I saw this nice little '62 Falcon window van last summer. Only detail that spoils it are the rear & side door handles oriented the wrong direction.

 

I dug into one of the front wheel arches.
Gonna have to fabricate both inner and outer pieces

 

Good progress on the project so far! Keep up the good work. I'm sure there have to be other build threads on here to reference and give you motivation

 

I fired up the engine today. Seems to run fine, but only ran it a few minutes as the water pump is leaking. Also the "GEN" light stays on, so I need to dig into that. May switch to alternator if the genny is bad.
Meanwhile, bodywork continues. Pics later

 

Did it get above idle? It's not as common as the self exciting alt situation, but some generators don't charge great at idle. I'd also clean each connection and check output at the gen and battery with a voltmeter before calling the parts store.

 

I finally got the wheel arch welded up. Kinda a complicated shape so I had to make it in several pieces. Should outlast me.
Will try to get the water pump on this weekend. Weather here has been a****** lately.... Kinda slows everything down

 

The next rusty area to tackle. This is the worst one.

Some previous attempts that failed. All secrets are revealed...

 

Test fitting the repair panel I made.

 

Following your thread. Wish I had your Body work skills! Back in the Mid 70's when I got my Econo for $3oo it was only about 10 years old. Very rusted out rear lower corners and hinge. Salt Belt. Used to be something called Shot Panels here in N.Y. and that is what I used to make them corner repairs. That, Pop rivets and mud made a nice looking repair. Anyway I could Kick myself for selling it off for a Pickup. I'll be following, Envious.

 

Ok I'm done welding on this for a while. Going on the back burner for a while....
Will work on as I have time.

 

Looks great, wish I could do bodywork like that, good job!!

 

Messing with this again as time allows...
Swapped an alternator in for the non functioning generator.

 

Decided to dig into the last rusted area.....
Driver side front wheel arch.

 

It always ends up being more difficult than first glance. Keep cutting til you find solid metal. I'll leave the wheel lip edge to use as a guide while I start making patches

 

Rocker-panel repair patches are well executed,what gauge steel did you use?

 

It's 20 ga sheet metal. Some like to use 18ga, but I prefer 20 to shape, it's much easier to work with

 

Do you think that automotive sheet metal was heavier in the 50s?

 

19 ga was the industry standard up thru the 70's at least. Some structural parts were heavier

 

Yes due to the curves it would split in the die if it was too thin

 

Like a 56;Ford truck hood!