Van build update: Engine work begins.

Finished all the available course videos (14+ hrs). I plan to swap the motor and transmission with crate/new models. Until then, I'm going to pull this one, fix it, and put it back together so I can handle most maintenance and repairs on the road.

Until I bought the course, I knew very little about cars. Now, I feel confident that I can rebuild one. Highly recommend (check it out below). Wish me luck.

Under the hood:

Some of this stuff—like the new radiator—isn't even bolted down. This is what you get when you buy a '97 step van for $2,200. It's got great bones (GMC with a P32 chassis), and it's a perfect restoration project. I will have learned much by the time I finish.

In the cab:

Pulled the carpet and floor liner when I removed the steel cargo gate. There's a rusted out spot that needs fixing on the passenger side floorboard, but I'll get to that later when I swap the seats.

The course:

nostr:nevent1qqspe6ekh7qcdev5m38uawx9ww7kvt89vzcgrc39hwflpfdjp7wthxqpr4mhxue69uhkummnw3ezucnfw33k76twv4ezuum0vd5kzmp0qgsyawyrzrttfmv4cmtx5w2m85702kdct7hv3amfrkhagpdf9cz46mgrqsqqqqqpl85tyk

#IKITAO #AvasBuild #MysticNomad #VanLife #DigitalNomad #RubberTramp

Reply to this note

Please Login to reply.

Discussion

This is cool, right up my alley. If you have any questions about details of sheet metal work feel free to reach out. Is this a camper-van-style build?

Thank you. I'm sure I will. I am grateful for the offer. I'm getting her ready to go full-time. She broke down when I was driving her home. I think it's probably a cracked head or a blown head gasket—I'll know for certain very soon. By the time I'm finished, there will be a shower, workstation, compost toilet, bed, diesel heater, kitchen, solar, etc., but there is much to do before then. Trying to do this as right as I can within the time frame and budget.

nostr:nevent1qqsgvsvhl3eceyfsjg9ju5ea6uwasuufygljd6ts0ju2gmjap54kpnqpz3mhxw309ucnydewxqhrqt338g6rsd3e9upzqn4csvgddd8djhrdv63etv7nea2ehp06aj8hdyw6l4q94yhq2htdqvzqqqqqqy937v9y

nostr:nevent1qqs8td6ku66u50jdgntf7nhpf0zv74ppt3pdmccrkcf4zq7cfqn2zzqpz4mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumn0wd68ytnzvuhsygzwhzp3p445ak2ud4n289dn6084txu9ltkg7a53mt75qk5jup2ad5psgqqqqqqs3e2ers

nostr:nevent1qqswlnh4sxz0a0ydcq5m9dv8puu0d7c79qnt087s60kprhx2f6g0scspr4mhxue69uhkummnw3ezucnfw33k76twv4ezuum0vd5kzmp0qgsyawyrzrttfmv4cmtx5w2m85702kdct7hv3amfrkhagpdf9cz46mgrqsqqqqqphkm80x

I’m all for do it yourself mechanics, and have worked on my cars for a couple decades. That said I always pay pros for diagnostics of my issues now. Saves a lot of time and money. Pay them to tell you what needs doing, then dig in and do it. I imagine you have already, but if I was starting on that thing, that would be my first move. Good luck!

Thank you. This is good advice. The fact that I will be replacing the motor and transmission with crate/new models (to ensure reliability and better gas mileage) after tearing this down and rebuilding it to get a hands-on education, and then doing the same for electrical and HVAC before I rewire everything and install solar, gives me a wonderful opportunity to see what I can do before I need to seek out a specialist.

Plan checks out, as we say around here, bonne chance. You are certainly gonna learn a lot.

💯🙏🏻💜

I find this very attractive

just sayin

Ordered some new GEARWRENCH tools to rebuild the V6 Vortec in my '97 P32 Step Van and keep it running until the engine swap.

GEARWRENCH 4 Piece 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" Drive 120XP Full Polish Flex Handle Teardrop Ratchet Set | 81230XP

GEARWRENCH 7 Pc. 3/8" Drive X-Core™ 6 Pt. Pinless Universal Impact Socket Set, SAE - 84974

XP and X-Core all the way moving forward.

#IKITAO #AvasBuild #MysticNomad #VanLife #DigitalNomad #RubberTramp

nostr:nevent1qqs9ek9xmmkchvqvn3kcrcz42lzs4x4urxezxqkfzerxzfam6unerecpz9mhxue69uhkummnw3ezuamfdejj7q3qf6ugxyxkknket3kkdgu4k0fu74vmshawermkj8d06sz6jts9t4ksxpqqqqqqzv8ljnf