Chevy & GMC Vans

I hold no allegiance to any particular brand (they are all crooks) so I think Frankenvans are cool. Not a big fan of the low pinion pumpkin though.

What will the kids look like??!


I love it.

timelessbeing wrote:I hold no allegiance to any particular brand (they are all crooks) so I think Frankenvans are cool. Not a big fan of the low pinion pumpkin though.

The pinion angle is the same as the old housing was. Perhaps an optical allusion.

I meant where the driveshaft enters the axle looks likes it's hanging low.

WoodButcher wrote:What will the kids look like??!


I love it.

The kids turned out just fine. Next I'm going to put a 409 Chevy into a '58 Corvette.

I think the distributor is located in the wrong end Seriously though, great out of the box swap. That would definitely confuse the heck outa people at the car shows, and the 9" looks good too.

Hey I was wondering how you drilled your axles. Just wanting to do my axle and haven't gotten to it yet. Did you have a mill/late, jig, or just free drilled it?

Mr_Roboto wrote:Hey I was wondering how you drilled your axles. Just wanting to do my axle and haven't gotten to it yet. Did you have a mill/late, jig, or just free drilled it?

I used a lathe. Very accurate. Free handed the Ford brake drums, easy to do.

Can you post engine mounts details? Thanks.

I bet this van surprises the heck out of a lot of mustang owners eh ?? Lol
Real nice, and ya, engine mount details would be awesome...

Ltd ii drums fit a 5x5 pattern in 78 and 79. Shame you werent closer i would pay to get axles converted.

Mr_Roboto wrote:Ltd ii drums fit a 5x5 pattern in 78 and 79. Shame you werent closer i would pay to get axles converted.

Some of the Lincolns of that era had 5x5 also.
BTW, there must be a pro-machinist in you area.

Yeah need to focus on minor details first......like having it run.

I absolutely LOVE your 302 Astro! The front dizzy and narrow V of the Windsor make it ideal for the small engine compartment. I know a Ford engine in Chevy is "wrong" to some, ha ha, but inches is inches, and a 302 is capable of good mpg as well as good power.

I have an 88 Safari with a bad 4.3. I had planned to use my Jeep 304 engine, and its attached Doug Nash five speed - an easy fit. But I got a 50 dollar deal on a running Chevy 267 V8 - using a Monza five speed behind it. It's a very easy swap! Stock drive shaft and yoke works. Cross member works, and engine mounts will work with minor mods. It should be very good mpg. Gas is expensive.

Great job on your Ford/Chevy Astro!
JT

cool swap, shows ingenuity, but the reason you see many small block chevys in fords is simply because you can get much more useable horsepower from a small block chevy then you can from a ferd for much less money. this is a simple case of money. and of course the history shows there were many more chevy small blocks built then any other engine in the world (or at least in America) I have to agree with the guys on the ford in the bow tie does not look good. However it is yours and do as you wish to suit you. I too love the 9 inch swap. but my vortec 5.7 puts out close to 300 hp and never had a problem with the stock rear end but I will put your notes in with my notes if you don't mind.