I finally got around to swapping in the allegedly good 318 that came as part of the deal for my ’66 Dodge Sportsman Custom van, and whaddya know— it is a good engine!
Sorry about the horrible cellphone video, but I was so eager to hear it run that I didn’t want to waste time to find a real camera. Of course, the fuel tank is full of 10-year-old bad gas and the lines are clogged (it’s getting fed from a super-safe gas can rig at the moment— hey, I’ve got the pin pulled on a close-at-hand fire extinguisher; what could possibly go wrong?), the throttle linkage is wonky, the seats have butt-jabbing springs sticking out, the out-of-state registration is 10 years expired, and nothing electrical works except the ignition and the AM radio, but who cares? Good engine! Hooray!
It Lives! Project Van Hell A100 Roars To Life With “New” Engine
October 20th, 2010
October 20th, 2010 - 12:47 am
Time for a road trip!
October 20th, 2010 - 12:49 am
Ah, the defining moment in a build, the 1st engine fire. Brings back memories.
October 20th, 2010 - 12:58 am
wow! watch your elbows with that radiator placement!
October 20th, 2010 - 12:59 am
I trust the seller, but he got the engine from another guy and hadn’t heard it run himself.
October 20th, 2010 - 1:16 am
Only 8 months to BABE rally, you can have it ready 😉
October 20th, 2010 - 1:32 am
Shoot… I haven’t even changed my spark plugs yet. 🙁
October 20th, 2010 - 2:37 am
Wow, even held an idle toward the end there. Excellent!
October 20th, 2010 - 3:41 am
What’s up the Washington plates? You were in Alameda, relocated to Colorado someplace… there must be a good story behind the van’s provenance. I’ll have to return to the [redacted] & see if I missed it.
October 20th, 2010 - 3:47 am
Van came to Colorado from Washington, developed a rod knock in 1999, has been sitting ever since. Pretty much rust-free, but needs a thorough going-over before it can drive.
October 20th, 2010 - 4:20 am
I brought home my own Project Dodge Hell yesterday; a Ramcharger. It came home under its own power, but definitely needs some repairs before it gets more street use. I hope it cleans up as nicely as this A100.
October 20th, 2010 - 6:10 am
I <3 the 318. i dunno what it is about it but i feel like it has more heart that a 302 or 305.
October 20th, 2010 - 8:06 am
Sweet! I trust that since you pulled the pin anyway, you didn’t let that fire extinguisher go to waste? I never seem to have a cold beer when I need one…
Or maybe it was this ‘fire extinguisher’ http://www.popgive.com/2008/10/fire-extinguisher-beer.html? Be sure to wait the requisite 20 minutes before fighting any fires.
October 20th, 2010 - 12:25 pm
i love when a project starts for the first time.
Good job Phil, but please tell me you plan on something slightly bigger than that carb?
October 20th, 2010 - 1:20 pm
That thing gives me flashbacks of traveling cross-country in a similar ’66 Ford Econoline window van. Ours was a straight 6/three-on-the-tree work van, with one rear facing seat, and then just floor space. As at least 6 of the eventual nine kids were on board with my parents, that meant the unlucky three would get floor space only. Ahh, the memories of trying to sleep on that cold metal floor… *shudders*
Looks like a heckuva van, Phil. Nice work.
October 20th, 2010 - 4:24 pm
Nice work, mr. admin. I just dragged home a ’79 Mercedes 300D parts car last night. 500 clams, and its got a straight, rust free body that’s covered in moss. The tranny is being donated to my ’78 300D, and the rest will find a home in my own personal junkyard, to be picked over slowly as needs dictate. Heck, the chassis would be a nice start to a LeMons project…
Fellow tunachucker Rob bought a ’64 MG Midget (or ‘Spridget’) last night. Neither of us knew the other was also buying a car. We are a bunch of sick people.
October 20th, 2010 - 9:20 pm
Sweet. Time to add shag.
October 23rd, 2010 - 2:30 am
Well that’s that build complete.
October 23rd, 2010 - 9:13 pm
How awesome it must have been to sit in the driver’s seat, crank the ignition, and look over your right shoulder to see and hear your engine fire for the first time.
November 5th, 2010 - 9:14 pm
OA5599, I too have a project Ram Charger! What motor are you working with? here’s a link to me trying to get the damn thing going-http://radioflyer1.blogspot.com/2010/09/bringing-not-so-sexy-back.html
Also, we miss you, Murilee. Keep up the good work. BTW, does my star get to be transfered over here? I mean, you gave it to me…
PS-sorry it took me so damn long to get over here. I’ve been working on a secret project with a couple other familiar cohorts. I’ll be sure to get it too you when things are finally set in stone. I think you’ll like it.