310 replies to this topic

[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

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

the new fuels are harder on old style rubber than the arid dessert so bought all new hoses from automotive parts shop.
the vent prob is due to the charcol canister being low so i dont hook that vent anymore, just use the vent to vented lockin fill cap and the return line after fuel pump. and I am going to have an aditional LP gas saddle tank for 15-20 more gal since shortys dont have room for 30.
due to the rual areas having LP gas avail. not doing much off road in rocky areas so only thing to hit tank would be saplings. creeks and such I go in are wet crossings and tank slopes up towards bumper so dont think I will have any probs. also I looked inside tank with mirror and the 2 tubes on top are flush at top. only thing sticking inside is the center baffle to slow waves and the float for gauge. only design flaw I saw is the line out is at front left of tank so it wont get gas if low on fuel and that corner is uphill when running. I plan on doing most off roading using LP gas and reg for on road travel. the tank the guy in Iowa put on seemed to leak near fill but never found where. just swapped tanks in my vans while replacing hoses. also saw fill vent hose had loose splice. Missouri has more gas stations than dessert areas but not out in the woods and such and big differance in prices and operating hours from one to the next so at aprox 11MPG I want at least 300 miles worth and the stock 23gal tanks wont cut it. only thing is Ill need lots more octain boost and sea foam to keep gas from turning to water when not using lol.
Mitch

[mik]

Replaced mine and got a new hose from NAPA

[96792]

Succefully installed hedman shorty hedders HED-88400 with little trouble.
Had to notch a little on the passenger side of the floor where doghouse sits, but fairly painless.
...and a little tweaking with the dipstick

[69econo]

I just installed my NOS Ford front HD shocks. I can tell you they are valved completely different than the aftermarket monroes and gabriels are.(obviously the way they were designed by ford so they work right) so i will have to give an update on how they work out

[mik]

Sub-floor and bench in the van finally...

[Cloudy]

HI Vanners, just cleaning a old VAN.

Some U TUBE Fun.

[twday77]

Well, lets see. Finally had some time to see if this old van would run after 16 years in storage. The fuel pump was toast so I rigged up an IV to feed the fuel into the carb. Got it started with no issues. It idles better than my 1976. Smoked a bit until the oil in the cylinders burned off. Put it in gear and the tranny still works. Going to change the thermostat tomorrow and flush the cooling system. Drain the oil and change the filter. Brakes are history.

I'll give an update later.

Thom

[oggy bleacher]

Grew tired of the exhaust gaskets/donuts thumping and finally found some time to get under there. The tool I needed was an 11/16 ratcheting wrench because a socket will not fit on there and there's no room with the starter and frame and exhaust getting in the way. Without the wrench it is a nightmare of moving the nut 1/6 turn and then spinning the wrench around and using a cheater pipe. grueling. It's only one nut that has no room. The others are easy to reach with extensions and deep sockets. Found some pinhole rust spots in the exhaust and put some exhaust cement on them. With those things fixed now I still hear a thumping from the header gasket area. I can't find it but in 5 years I've never touched the headers so I'm sure they leak. One day I will put new headers on there along with new exhaust pipe but until then I'll live with a sound like a Harley Davidson. Runs great, set timing, cleaned cap, changed oil.
the exhaust gaskets only last a year or so. does anyone get them to last longer?

[scjeff05]

April 2013
1. Had seats reupholstered.
2. Installed new flooring.
3. Removed windshield, cleaned and painted channel, Installed new windshield rubber.

[dragonfirecustoms]

scjeff05, love the flooring,, all I have done to mine for the last 6 months is gather parts for this summer activities, hoping to get a new motor and windshield for mine this year

Side note::: Does anyone have an old rusty dented up front door ,drivers or pass. I am looking for the section that the vent windows fits in. want it cut behind and below the vent window, just need that corner for an idea.

[scjeff05]

Thanks, here is a picture from the back that you requested. The floor is high end vinyl plank, I went with that because its water proof. It has the original plywood subfloor with the vinyl planks installed on top. Very easy to install, they can be cut with a razor knife and glued down.
I still need to install some vinyl base trim along the cabinets (where the old was removed).