Noob in NorCal

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Cast Iron Philosopher

Active Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2022
Messages
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Location
Healdsburg, CA
Hey... quick intro,

My name is Ryan MacNeil. I'm 46, and a Mechanic by trade. I recently fetched a 1965 Dodge A100 Camper Van from the desert, so it's rust-free and original paint—stoked! Of course it needs some help before it can hit the road. It's sporting a 225 Slant, A727, and 8-3/4 rear. It was originally "camper-converted" by Bradley Controls Inc. in Van Nuys, CA when new. They dubbed it the "Van De Camper" and it has the original badge to match.

If you want to get a feel for me go check me out on Instagram: @castironphilosopher
I just finished my 1949 Chevrolet 3100 pickup after 13 years. Now I'm getting ready to share my van build with everyone. My garage is known as "The Projects". This will be my first vintage Mopar build.

Unfortunately I didn't realize these things were unicorns until AFTER I bought one. No regrets though. Fortunately it was pretty complete. I'm gearing up to upgrade the master cylinder to a later-model dual chamber, add a factory sway bar, rebuild the engine, transmission, and the rear end, and generally turn this bug-eyed beauty into the coolest camper van in Northern California.

Currently:
-The 225's head gasket is blown or the head is cracked. I've got coolant in the #5 cylinder after a cooling system pressure test, and the radiator erupts with combustion gasses once it gets warm and the thermostat opens. Great compression and vacuum though. I know, kinda strange.
-Park Lock cable is broken. (new cables in hand)
-Rear end is leaking everywhere and was backed into something, so there's a nice dent in the back of the housing.

I've got lots of questions, mostly around parts sourcing. I've already spent a grip on a mountain of parts.

I didn't see a dedicated A100 Forum, so my first question is: Where can I post general A100 questions without lighting anyone's fuse?

Alright... that wasn't as quick as I thought it would be.

Thanks for having me.

Ryan
 
VanDeCamper.JPG
 
Welcome to the site! Love the Van! Happy to give you your first two "likes" ~!~
  • I'd just list in the forum that pertains to the part of the van you are working on at the time (engine in the /6's, etc). IF you want to do a resto thread on the van as a whole, there is a restoration forum here too!
 
Welcome to the forum, here’s mine.
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Vintagevans.com is a great resource… see you there.
 
Oh man, I love the headlights on those. I'm in NorCal also, San Lorenzo to be exact.
 
Welcome to FABO! There’s guy on Instagram, @a100rescue.

Located a couple hours south of you. Might be a good resource for parts and/or information.
 
Welcome to FABO! There’s guy on Instagram, @a100rescue.

Located a couple hours south of you. Might be a good resource for parts and/or information.

Thanks! I've already found him. It appears the A100 world is small. I scooped a bench seat for my van from him on my way home from picking my van up. Super nice dude.
 
Gawd that thing is cool. Welcome aboard, Ryan. I'm a retired, wore out, POS mechanic myself. lol Do you plan on keeping it a slant 6?
 
Gawd that thing is cool. Welcome aboard, Ryan. I'm a retired, wore out, POS mechanic myself. lol Do you plan on keeping it a slant 6?
Thanks! The Slant is one of the reasons I love this van so much–I'm definitely keeping it. I love inline engine configurations. My`49 Chevy pickup has a 261 straight six. My Dodge Ram has a Cummins 5.9, and my wife's Jeep Liberty has 4 cylinder diesel as well.
 
Thanks! The Slant is one of the reasons I love this van so much–I'm definitely keeping it. I love inline engine configurations. My`49 Chevy pickup has a 261 straight six. My Dodge Ram has a Cummins 5.9, and my wife's Jeep Liberty has 4 cylinder diesel as well.
That's great. I think the 225 is just right for trucks and vans because it has that off idle grunt.
 
Thanks for the warm welcome, everyone.

Well, I just pulled my 225 slant six and tore it down—she's a boat anchor. The coolant leak in the #5 cylinder turned out to be a crack in the cylinder wall. The #4 cylinder is about to spring a leak in the same area as well. It's only bored 0.040" over but the water jacket is really rusty and full of scale. I'm on the hunt for a new engine now. That's how these things go. I should've known buying a van near Vegas was a gamble. Fortunately I still feel like a winner.
 
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