Frank Frazetta - H.G. the BarbariVan

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Saturday I got the new gas tank in. It came with a 33 gal tank but I ordered the smaller 22 gal tank. I didn't compare measurements which was a mistake. I figured it would be shallower like the suburban tanks are but no, it's shorter front to back. I also ordered the newer style tank for an EFI application in case I do an in tank pump some day. But the other difference on the tank is the filler tube is larger than original. So the money I saved on the smaller tank was spent on fuel filler hose. Oh well. I managed to get it all in and working by adding some short pieces of chains on the tank straps. I still need to hook up the vent line that parallels the filler hose.

It's all in and even the gauge still works. I put some gas in the carb and it started right up, then died after a bit. Still didn't get gas from the tank. One more time and it was fine and running off clean new gas.

I also had to repair the left rear brake. The brake line was sticking up high, I moved it back down by the axle tube and the end where it goes into the wheel cylinder started dripping. Crap. Of course it's all rusty so I ended up buying new shoes, cylinder, hardware and line for it. But then I couldn't bleed it. No flow from the master cylinder. It's half shot. By that I mean it is a double diaphragm and I think one part works, but the pedal only goes halfway to the floor.

I did manage to get it off the trailer and drive it a bit but the tranny didn't want to engage. I had checked the fluid when it wasn't running and it was high. After a nights sleep I figured I better check it again while running and sure enough it was very low. I added about 3 quarts and that did the trick. Tranny works! The problem now is the right front brake is dragging BAD. It's been raining so everything is wet. No traction to push the stuck wheel without a lot of tire spinning so I parked it in the grass where it stopped moving.

This morning I dragged it up by the garage and that stuck wheel would roll some then slide then roll then slide, etc. I took off the wheel to inspect it and it has new pads on it but the old caliper, which was rusty and dirty and probably not backing off enough. I broke the bleeder trying to coax it open. No surprise there.

So I just ordered the rest of the brake system and maybe I'll get that all done this weekend. Oh I did drive it though. The wheel rolled enough that I decided to just send it. My driveway is 1/4 mile long and I went down to the T intersection another 1/8 mile away to turn around. I did that twice and that rotor got hot but I was able to drive it and go through the gears. The only non-brake issue was some backfiring under load. I think there's a vacuum leak and the timing might be off a bit. Not too concerned, it really starts and runs pretty good.

Cleaned up the dash a bit. All the gauges work, radio lights up but I don't think there is a speaker connected, no sound. No cracks on the dash, must have been stored inside. I don't think the windshield leaks. It's been out in the rain for days. The more I get into it the better I like it. Definitely not a waste of $400. I spent a couple hundred on wheels, couple hundred on the fuel tank stuff and a couple hundred on brake parts and $80 for a battery. All in for around $1250 but still need the right tires and the wheels I'm planning to use need work.

Oh and check out the keychain that it came with.

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All the brake parts were delivered except for the front left hose. Got the rotors turned down and new wheel seals. Replaced the front brakes and master cylinder and guess which caliper wouldn't Bleed fluid. That hose is blocked up and won't be delivered until Monday. I just ordered the rear hose too. Still need to do the right rear brake too. I ordered some cheap Monroe shocks. That should take care of most of the underside wear items until the U joints fail.

I did take it for a drive anyway. Just a mile down the gravel road. It drove great, very smooth and steady. So, finish the brakes, replace the shocks and then figure out why the power steering doesn't seem to work. Fluid level is good, the pump doesn't sound bad.

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Stripped a bunch of parts off an 87 chevy based RV this morning. Already put the doors and wipers on the 79. Still waiting for 1 brake hose to be delivered so the rest of the brake job can be completed. I just learned that the fenders are welded onto these things. Going to be a PITA to get those off the RV but worth it. I saw one fender for sale and the guy was asking $400. I can't find a seller for full replacement ones. Just patch panels.

I really need to get the rest of the old carpet out to help get rid of the old musty smell. I pulled the headliner carpet out and what remained on the walls.

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I also mounted an old 275/60-15 tires onto one of the slot rims to see how it would fit on the front. It's huge haha. But I drove it around and turned tight both ways and no rubbing. So I'll be searching for a deal on a full set of those.

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Brake jobs, gotta love 'em. The other front brake hose was finally delivered. Replacing it went pretty well. Took the master cylinder cover off to add fluid and bleed the fronts and noticed the rear reservoir was low. Take a look around and found a puddle a couple feet fwd of the rear axle. It's dripping bad. Great! Got a vice grips on it to slow down the leak so I don't have to rebleed the master cylinder.

Another trip to the parts store for brake lines. BTW, the closest parts store is 10 miles away.

Time to go through the other rear brake, which means getting the drum off. This one was a struggle. Heat, spray lube, hammer, crowbars, and repeat. The shoes were not that worn, had to have been replaced because the drum was grooved BAD. To worn to have turned down, so a new drum is on order.

But I still need to get that brake line fixed so I worked at getting the line off the wheel cylinder. It broke but I was able to unthread it. Unfortunately the line I got for that section was too short. So I took a piece of the old line, found another nut and made a short piece but then I need a union, so another trip to the parts store. Now I can put the new line on the axle to wheel cylinder. Unfortunately the brake line has the wrong thread. Why is there a metric thread line for a 3/16 inverted flare brake line? So another trip to the parts store for a line with the correct threads.

After all the running around I finally get the rear brake lines all replaced and the leak is fixed. I even managed to get the bleeder to open and not break off the old wheel cylinder! And finally (there's that word again) I have brake fluid going to all 4 corners and NOT leaking. Still need to replace the right rear but it's functional.

Time for a REAL test drive! I'd like to say it was flawless but you know that's not likely. I have done nothing to the engine other than check the oil level. It starts great, idles great and it is driveable. It sputters/backfires under acceleration. Gotta take it easy on the throttle but eventually it gets up to speed. It rides good on the bald tires and worn shocks. It drove straight, stopped well and no weird noises!

If this was one of those will it run and drive videos I would have lost viewers with how long a simple brake job was taking. Be sure to like and subscribe!

I went to the local junkyard to see if I could find some better seats. No luck there. So I have an excuse to start trawling the other yards in the area. It's been awhile. The 2 seat mounts that I have are both swivels, so that's nice.

So what's next? I don't want to get too deep into this project yet. I have to get back to the cobra. I'll look for tires, seats, flares, better grill, etc. It needs a tune up, oil change, tranny filter change, shocks ( I have those), a little more rust repair, finish pulling old carpet and insulation to get the stink out, get a speaker connected to the radio and see if it works.