315 replies to this topic

[Tom Snyder]

Did you replace the condenser?

[Xplorer man]

Did you replace the condenser?

Yes I did. Plus the intense fear of dropping those little screws is overwhelming I tell you. I put them in a safe place so i thought then somehow I knocked them off the floor board. One stopped on the tranny, then another to the ground. That's what I did to my van that day. Later...

[Bryce]

Greased the steering gear box. She seemed pretty dry as far as I could tell and took about 9-10oz of the 14oz container. Pretty easy procedure, just used the XG1C stuff from a Ford dealer. Muuuuch smoother steering now!

[NortheastGuy1970E300]

Removed surface rust underside of hood....
Some before pics -

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[NortheastGuy1970E300]

.....Then I rattle canned with 93% Zinc Rich Rustoleum.. Awesome stuff.....dries fast and stays on..... One of my favorite paints.

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[Xplorer man]

Cleaned, tuned and polished the relic. Then entered it in Motorama. We had about 10 vans from local clubs there in Harrisburgh Pa. There were a few other vans in the show which had some spectacular displays. I wanted to represent the forum because the info available to the Mids. Later...

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[Xplorer man]

This display was located next to our vans. It is called the Dragon Slayer. This Camaro build was built and dedicated to all the people who suffer from Cancer. The Dragon wants to slay the Cancer. Nice...

MOTORAMA...

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[Marlon]

She shines up nicely, well done!

[Roger]

Sweet!.. Nice pics.

[old_van_man]

I put new mirrors on it!

[old_van_man]

new mirrors! not a perfect fit but a little silicon seal will help fill in the gap

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[n2ri]

my 73 shorty Qvan has been needing gas fill hose replaced for long time also wanted to swap out the standard tank somebody put back in it for the 45gal Hickey in my 74 doner Qvan. My bro inlaw helped me this week and we desided to go ahead with the swap as it was not as hard as we had thought.
I now have both tanks out but plan to take pics and measurements of the 45gal tank and have in recoated inside and painted outside b4 installing. this way others can try to have 1 welded up by a profesional since they are no longer made and it is a very strong steel tank well designed with thick 10 gage steel it seems and in very good condition inside and out besides a few dings from low ground objects hitting it over the 40 plus years of use. I will post pics and dimentions soon, as I know several have wanted this info b4.

Mitch

[n2ri]

tank bottom view


tank front


tank left


tank rear


tank right


tank top


The Hickey 45gal gas tank dimensions are as follows;
(All locations refer to tank as if it were mounted under the van, and to center of holes)
Over all size less fittings, hardware and spacers (tank only OD) 32.5”Wx25”Lx14”D(9”at rear)
Bottom of tank tapers up at rear starting 15” from front of tank to 9” high at rear making slope 11” long
Tank is made up of 5 sheets of aprox 10 gage steel with 2 being folded to make a top/front and a Bottom/rear then 2 sides, plus an internal baffle running lengthwise upright in center of tank 1” off bottom and 3” from top making it aprox 32.25”x10”.
See the 6 picture views of all sides to know how it should look when done.
There are 4 spacers welded on top for clearance alignment when mounting. Each is made of 1” square steel tube 3” long placed lengthwise with tank 1” from each corner.
Fill hose neck is 2”OD 1 5/8” long placed on left side 1 1/8” from top to center of tube and 2” from rear to center of tube.
Vent tube is ½” dia same length as fill centered 1 1/8” from top and 4” from rear on left side.
There are 2 carbon filter/fuel return line connection tubes on top of tank in center both are 5/16”OD and 1 is 4” from front, other is center of tank top both are close fit elbows about 3” long.
Fuel supply outlet is at bottom front 6” from left side and is also 5/16”OD again an elbow.
Also the left side at bottom front corner has a ¼” NPT plugged cleanout drain steel fitting.
Sending unit for fuel gage is standard size with 6 screws and a float sized for tank and is located on top 9.75”from left to center of hole and 5” from front to center of hole.
The 2 holding straps are aprox 42” total length bent to fit tank angles with apox 1.3” tabs with bolt holes for mounting, 2 hook bolts 8”L and 2 4.5”L standard size as original tank threads just longer on front mainly.
Note: (I saw on left side near fill neck 6 dots spot welded maybe for assm ID)
This should get welder enough info to layout and assemble the tank.
Best of luck, Mitch ;^)

[mik]

shiny westerns.
..

[agbull]

my 73 shorty Qvan has been needing gas fill hose replaced for long time also wanted to swap out the standard tank somebody put back in it for the 45gal Hickey in my 74 doner Qvan. My bro inlaw helped me this week and we desided to go ahead with the swap as it was not as hard as we had thought.
I now have both tanks out but plan to take pics and measurements of the 45gal tank and have in recoated inside and painted outside b4 installing. this way others can try to have 1 welded up by a profesional since they are no longer made and it is a very strong steel tank well designed with thick 10 gage steel it seems and in very good condition inside and out besides a few dings from low ground objects hitting it over the 40 plus years of use. I will post pics and dimentions soon, as I know several have wanted this info b4.

Mitch

Hi Mitch,

As you already know, the 73 had one of those big gas tanks when I got it in 1974. There was a problem with the vent. The tube stuck down into the tank and when the tank was filled, it would start a syphon and gas would run out from under than van. This is not a good thing. I was told to drop the tank, pull the tube, and cut it off even with the tank. However, if the tank was over filled, this could still happen.
If it we me, I would not put that big tank in. As you said about your 74, the tank hangs down to low and gets hit off road. I got the 73 hung up on a rock because that tank hung down so low. There was a big dent but no leak.
I recently saw a 74 qvan long with saddle type tanks totaling 70 gallons. The tanks were high enough not to bottom out. If you want a lot of gas, this is the better way.
Unless you are planning some long trips in areas were gas stations are far apart, or long trips off road, there is no need for that much gas. That is about $150 to fill er up. I reccomend you stick with the stock tank.

Were you able to find a replacement fill tube?

Bill Cobb