I mentioned this in another thread, and instead of hijacking that thread I'm starting this one. I'll be documenting my progress for both an engine swap and some frame repair.

 

 

Wow. That's some rust.... Are the frame rails replaceable??? Or are they part of the unibody??

 

good looking welds

 

The frame rails up front had the worst of it. The welder did a great job of fixing them, by cutting out the old metal and replacing it with new. He spent 13 hours here and only charged me $800 for labor and materials, I did all of the disassembling for him. Fortunately, the engine throwing a rod meant I had to disassemble the front end anyway. The main function of the rails up there was bumper, radiator, and sway bar support. There was a lot more damage on the driver's side. I believe that was the result of a brake line blowing some years back, the brake fluid and cleaner likely destroyed the paint on that side.

 

Yeah, brake fluid does tend to do a number on paint.... (makes great paint stripper..... don't ask how I know.)

Gonna do any 'improvements' on the motor? Or just a stock rebuild/replacement?

 

Stock boneyard motor. I'm going to pick it up later today, only 55K on it. My steering has been wandering the past few years, so I did order a brand-new steering gear box. I mean, how could I not, it is right there out in the open making it about a 10-minute swap, if that. New starter too, the original 25-year-old one was stuck onto the bottom mounting stud and it took and air hammer to get it off.

 

You were able to find a NEW box?????

 

Yes, at rockauto $336+tx and shipping. It was obviously more money than a remanufactured one, but for me it wasn't worth the risk that a reman unit would be nothing more than a cleaned up used one with new seals.

Here's the link to it.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...ring+gear,7416

 

Wow....

I would be very interested in your impressions of it, once you have the van back on the road......