I only occasionally lurk over there now; a few members are perversely useless, and a big percentage just dash on, ask a simple question that has been answered 20 times, then dash off. I poured real effort into some of my posts and many of the 'community' couldn't be bothered to read. After too many "what tires fit?" posts and a certain member's baiting queries, I bailed... I found that the number of posts per week that actually interest me over there is around 2. Lots of good info in the old posts, but you have to dig through too many "I bought a 60s van, how can I make it as safe as a modern Honda?" I-D-10-T-S. While updating the amp gauge, go with the electronic regulator that matches a later, higher amp alternator or (gasp) an internal regulated alt. The old school points type regulators can be made to function well, but it's a dying art and not equal to higher output charging systems.
On my last couple of Mopar engines I used a mid 80s GM alternator and a mid 80s GM HEI ignition module with the Mopar electronic distributor. Works great, cheap, and you eliminate both the voltage regulator and the ballast resistor.
I had a few days off so I cleaned up several more things and bolted them on the engine, primered the back doors, and cleaned up all the pieces of the doghouse and painted them. I was going to use bedliner on the floor but decided to go with a full rubber floor mat so I just painted the floor. I hope to get all the guide coat sanded off the back doors this weekend. Attached Images
I would suggest coating the floor and especially the wall/floor corners with more than paint before laying a rubber mat over it. These things are killed by rust and having a rubber mat will allow moisture to collect and settle under it. Add a little dirt and the movement of the mat and you sand off the paint and allow the water to sit directly on bare metal. Spray undercoat, body schutz, or the bedliner you were thinking about would all be better than just a coat of paint.
i think it will be OK; i've got two heavy coats of epoxy primer and I used some tractor paint I had over that.
Lol! They are a strange looking engine. The Mopar engine designers must have been on an acid trip the day they drew these up.
Finished sanding the back doors today, got all my shift linkage rebuilt with new grommets and put in, and put the heater together and back in. Should be starting on the wiring pretty soon.
I shot the rest of the doors with Slicksand today; now I need to sand them, shoot the whole van with 2k, wet sand, and it’s ready for color. I’m glad, I’m getting burned out on bodywork. Also started wiring the engine and the dash.
Lots of ways to go with paint https://www.vinvanco.com/paint-job-gallery.html But a fresh solid color is great looking . I did a solid color then added a large decal graphic. It got lots of thumbs ups, a couple trophies and was used in one event's advertising a couple years later.
Very cool!! If I didn’t have all the windows I’d probably do something different but since it does I’m going stock. Yours looks fantastic!
With windows, you can highlight the upper inset around the windows (White or Light Blue) or merge (Black with tinted windows). Easier to paint... or come up with a nice stripe design Decal is easier
You can also get the decal stuff that's perforated so you can see out the windows, like they use on bus ads. Example: https://www.tagsports.net/Perforated-Car-Window-Decals-Stickers-p/perferated-cwd.htm It can be color matched to your paint. Solid and window at the same time. If you decided on School Bus Yellow, you could have a bunch of people 'mooning' out each window and S'Cool Bus lettering and stripes...
Lookin' good! Since you are going all out and doing such a nice job, I'd humbly suggest fitting at least the headlight rings, if not any other trim. Your door gaps are nice, and the rest (grille, turn signals, tail lights) is pretty much as it bolts on. Those pie pans have no welting and can vary and twist so the gap can be funky. They built these for commercial use on a budget, so they weren't 'tight' when new. Of course, anyone who has got this far this fast knows that....
Thanks! You're right; the fit and finish wasn't too great on these from the factory. Door gaps are OK but you can see the imperfections up close. I didn't want to get too crazy since its just getting some budget priced single stage enamel and going to be a fun cruiser.
Thank you, Jesus! Sanding is done and I put the sealer in the drip rails today. My buddy Kyle is going to shoot the color for me next week.
Slick as snot...and a great shade, too! It'll look even better with the final rolling stock, gl***, and trim.
Thanks! Now is where it starts nickel and diming me to death. All that little finishing stuff adds up in a hurry.
The Jalopy Journal
