69 A-108 Custom sportsman help needed

[mpfjr]

I was just given one of these vans because I was owed a favor by the owner. So I love the style and lines on this van and would love to really fix it up for a driver and would like some advice on the issue.

It has a V8 318 3spd auto in it now. I would like to upgrade this to a later model with fuel injection/electronic ignition. I could settle for just electronic ignition but would prefer to go all the way. I also have a budget so I can't get anything too expensive. What options do I have?

Also the brakes I would like to upgrade. Power disc would be my preference of course. I am not really trying to restore this van to original exterior looks so I am going to try to put vented disc brakes on it and some nice wheels and tires.

The interior will be custom. I am going to strip it all down and really go through it and re-design the interior to be more modern. Complete with touch screen computer navigation system and dvd players etc. I have done this already with my 05 sedan so this part is not a big deal.

I really just need ideas and connections on where to get parts for this van and also which year/model vehicle can I get an engine from. The current engine smokes a little on warm-up so I am assuming that it is getting close to needing a rebuild anyways but that is about 1500.00 around here. I would rather just spend the money on a complete engine and trans.

Please help

Thanks

-Mike

[RAM MAN]

first off

WELCOME TO THE FORUM

sounds like an interesting project

I dont have the answers you are looking for, but I bet someone here has some ideas

Keep us posted on the progress !

[mpfjr]

Thanks for the welcome!!

Yah, this is going to be a fun project! If things start getting out of control with estimated costs, I'll probably just default back to a original restore and not do any upgrades. It really depends on what the experts on these forums can come up with. I have already called a bunch of places but mostly they tell me to swap it out for an LS1 complete and do the front end from a ford roadster kit. ah, that'll run me so much money!!

I will be posting pictures of the Van as I progress. This will be a summer project for me. I also have located another A-100 that has clean doors that I can get. These doors are all very rusty along the bottom. The passenger side is even worse! So I'll need to change those out.

-Mike

[Dodgevanman]

Mike...this is right up my alley. I've had several A-100's. First off...don't you dare put a Chevy engine in that van LOL!!!

If your on a budget..adding fuel injection will blow your budget right away so may I make a suggestion? Add dual exhaust first and foremost...then trash that wheezy 2bbl. getup and go with Edelbrock's Performer dual plane intake manifold and a 500 cfm 4bbl. carb. w/electric choke. Going with an electric choke will allow you to eliminate the manifold heat riser in the right side exhaust manifold (these things are known to seize shut). Edelbrock makes a mild cam for the 318 as well, but I would suggest swapping to a set of 360 heads and the 600 cfm carb. if you go this route. Mopar Performance makes an electronic ignition kit for Mopar smallblocks. All this stuff can be had at Summit Racing. www.summitracing.com

As for disc brakes...kits are available for A-100's. Visit AAJ Brakes and contact them via the website. www.aajbrakes.com

Just to add to the fuel injection question. It is feasible of course. If you get the reman. engine, Edelbrock does make a TBI kit for Chrysler smallblocks, but it is pricey. Any pre-92 318 with fuel injection will work, but you'll need to grab the complete wiring harness and computer from the donor vehicle and other considerations as well such as adding an electric fuel pump. As far as transmissions go, you sorta limited because of the special way the A-100 transmission mounts. Just have that one rebuilt and you'll be fine.

Boy...I just keep adding to this. Bottom line is this and this is just my opinion...go with a reman. long block and rebuild your transmission and do the Edlebrock 4bbl. thing I mention above. I think you'll be happy with the results.



Good Luck!!

[hurricane2]

I'd keep my eyes open for a later model (post 92) van in a junkyard or for sale cheap, snag it, and strip the engine, harness, and tank out of it. But that's just how I do things. It sounds like you know your way around wiring a bit, so hooking up the harness shouldn't scare you. If new-style is what you want (and it sounds like it is), I think that'd be the best way to go.

[mpfjr]

I have contacted that company up on Portland about the brake kits. I think that may be the best way to go. I also have found another a-100 that may have some good doors on it so I won't have to worry about the excessive rust mine has. The only thing I haven't found is an engine yet. I may work on that this weekend.

Thanks for the ideas everyone Keep 'em coming! I could use all the advice in the world!

-Mike

[mpfjr]

Update: I am considering the Holley Pro-jection system. Holley(.)com has them available but they can be a little pricey. It still may be the easiest way out since I don't have to play with a million wires trying to figure out what is what.

Thoughts? comments?

P.S. why am I not able to post url's when I see others are? :WHT:

[Dodgevanman]

You won't be able to post any URL's until your reach 10 posts.

The holley pro-jection system sounds like a great idea, but I wouldn't put it on that worn out 318. Weren't you looking into a new short block?


Let me know if and when you plan on replacing any weatherstripping...I have a contact that has all new stuff.

BTW, Custom Sportsmans also had stainless moulding along the drip rails and I see yours is missing. That stinks.

[mpfjr]

The guy that gave me the van knows where an a-100 is and it is supposed to have no rust on the doors. I assume that the two front doors are the same? So at least I can swap them out. The two side doors are in horrible condition so I may end up rebuilding them if I can't find new doors. I am also hoping that the molding that I am missing is available somewhere.

Thanks for the contact with the rubbers, I do need to replace them all. Also bushings because this van sqeeks a lot!

Yes, I am still looking for a new engine to swap out but if I can find a low mile naturally aspirated engine I could still go with the holley FI to save me a lot of headaches. I will just have to see how my luck goes hunting for a new engine.

[Dodgevanman]

Doors are the same physically but the doors changed in '68 to what you have now with the inside fiberglass door panel. The inside door handle, and window crank also changed for '68. '64-'67 doors will fit, but won't be correct for your year van.

[RAM MAN]

keep us posted !

[mpfjr]

I just got a 64-67 towed in today for parts. The doors are all rust free etc so I can use them on my 69. The engine is a slant six that someone had taken apart.

Anyways, I am looking at the van and I really like the shorter wheel base look a lot better. I am considering changing my mind and swapping out the 6 for the 318 that runs from my a-108 and just fixing up the parts van.

Which is worth more money? Which is the more sought after model? Should I fix up the 64-67 A-100 sportsman or the a-108 custom sportsman? I am not sure which year it is yet because it was so full of spiderwebs and crud that I couldn't get to that part yet.

Also my a-108 is missing the chrome moldings along the sides which this a-100 doesn't even have them so I am still missing moldings. If someone has a contact for replacing them please let me know.

-Mike

Posting pictures tomorrow.

[RAM MAN]

If it were my project, I'd go with the V8 ;)

[hurricane2]

In the van world, shorties are almost always more desirable.

[Dodgevanman]

The '69 Custom Sportsman is worth more money in the long run and the longer wheelbase gives a better ride. But if you like the shorter van, then go for it. However look over the van real well as far as body condition goes.

Post the VIN on the parts van and I'll decode it for you. The VIN plate is on the left wheelwheel when you open the door.

[mpfjr]

The 1965 A-100 Sportsman that was the parts van is now the restore van and the 1969 A-108 Custom sportsman is now the parts van. I am going to take the best from both and combine them into one van for a fun weekend Home Depot runner.

The 65 has NO RUST anywhere. I am totally amazed. even under the wood flooring there was none. However the slant 6 is dead completely and not worth saving so it is going into the scrap pile. The running 318 from the other van will in fact fit with very little modification in the 65. We already measured out all the motor mount placement and trans placement. The only thing I can forsee a problem with is the length of the drive shaft which can be easily customized.

I decided to take the advice from this thread and instead of going with a fuel injection system (way too costly) I am going to get some used 360 heads and a edlebrock 600cfm carb for it. Also of course a new intake manifold. Also the Mopar electronic ignition kit is not that bad of a price at just under $200.00.

I'll be searching for a replacement radiator (going with aluminum) and of course replacing the fan system with an electric fan. Summit racing has a replacement alternator that puts out more juice which is what I'll need with my computer system I'll be adding.

Things are going well so far. I have the body work started and the color scheme picked out. Going with a light colored metalic green (close to the original color) and of course the white stripe. I will be using the stock wheels and whitewall tires since I just think it looks so nice. However I have two different types of hub caps on it now. The rears are more of a rounded smooth type and the front looks like.. well I can't think of a object it looks like but the center of them stick out further and I don't like those. I would like to get a set of replacements if anyone knows where to look.

Attached is a picture of how the van looked when it was towed in.

[Dodgevanman]

That shorty does look good body wise. Acutally you won't have to modify any engine mounts...the the engine mount frame brackets from the '69 will bolt right into the '65. Then the V8 will drop right in. Use the transmission from your '69 as well.

Prior to '67 A-100s has single circuit master cylinders, I stongly suggest swapping in a dual circuit master cylinder like your '69 has. If you go to disc brakes this definitley a requirement.

[leakyd]

I've been restoring a 65 Custom Sportsman and have run into a problem with the electric fan. Seems the 17 amp draw is too much for the old alternator and the charging system isn't working correctly. I'm not a whiz with electricity and am wondering if it's OK to just slap on an alternator with higher output and if so, what is recommended?

[Dodgevanman]

It's okay but don't go too crazy. I wouldn't go any larger than a 65 amp alt. without enlarging the wires.

If your feeling brave enough I could give the instructions on swapping over to the later solid state (flat pack) regulator and the '72-up alternator.

[leakyd]

today i replaced the old alternator with a similar one of same amperage. A friend said the 60 amp alternator should have no problem with the 17 amp electric fan. You mentioned a fan in your motorhome before- did you run into this problem? It seems like the rebuilt alternator is charging the battery again so maybe the problem is solved.

[Dodgevanman]

Oh I'm just running the mechanical fan at this time. I don't have the Xplorer on the road yet, but if it gets hot, I'm going to add a scoop and may an electric fan.