1962 Grumman Olson Project

[UPNADM]

Well I have 3/4 of the rear half done in the van. Now I started on the front half to finish up the inside...

Removed a few things from the cab. Definetly will not be putting in this heater box. Removed the gauge cluster for not. Not sure of the direction I will be going with this, but am thinking updated to a modern cluster.

[UPNADM]

Here is the heater box...

[UPNADM]

Started stripping the last two sections of the cabin. Looking forward to getting all of this done.

Paint stripper definitely helps this go a little faster...

[pdxhall]

Wow! What a project. I just caught up with this thread and you're paint stripping machine. I've always liked the old box vans but never had the guts to own one. I'm looking forward to seeing this progress. Awesome

[mrolds88]

Also Chevrolet did use a bolt in motor mount that used a setup like this. Olds did too. And from the looks of the pipes, it could have been either one. I would figure that it had a small block chevy in it.

[UPNADM]

Originally Posted by mrolds88

Also Chevrolet did use a bolt in motor mount that used a setup like this. Olds did too. And from the looks of the pipes, it could have been either one. I would figure that it had a small block chevy in it.

I am thinking I can run a similar engine mount similar to what I have in my C50.

It is a horseshoe shaped motor mount that attaches to the front of the engine and sits on a cross member with rubber bushings. I then can build a cross member for the tail of the transmission.

[mrolds88]

That may work, but I'm thinkin that the holes are too far apart and too far back. If your C50 has the front trans crossmember, measure from the bolt hole to the bolt hole in the u bracket on it and measure from the trans crossmember to the center of the three sidemount bolt holes on the side of the block. That will tell you if the van had a front mount or side mount. I think you may have side mounts. Here is a link to the side mounts that I'm thinking of. http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Ca...108_0434791927

[Captainfab]

You're making some major progress.

Looking at the motor mount crossmember and bellhousing crossmember, I would say that a small block was in there utilizing the motor mounts linked to above, with the '73+ exhaust manifolds.

Personally I would change the differential to either a 14 bolt or Dana 70 with 4.10 gears. I would still go with a 4L80E. However if you are planning on some tall tires a 4.56 gear may be better.

[UPNADM]

Well I finally got the inside of the van stripped this week. I just need some warmer weather so i can get it outside and give it a major wash.

Started working on the chassis today. Removed some cross members and brake/clutch pedals then stated wire wheeling the frame.

I hope to have this done and painted in the near future. Then it is engine time...

[UPNADM]

I think the frame cleaned up pretty good given its age.

[UPNADM]

I am sure this is nothing special, but I have never seen this before (or at least something old like this). Coil over shocks at all four corners of this van.

[old Rusty C10]

the coil overs could be masking weak springs that's what they did with my wife's mustang.. Youre making some great progress.. That truck is going to be way cool when youre done

[dragnframe]

Monroe makes them, they are called load adjusters

[McMurphy]

I have the Monroe Load Carrier series shocks on the back of both my 66 Pontiac, and my wife's 72 Pontiac.
I liked them so much I got them for all 4 corners of my build.... They carry them thru Amazon, believe it or not...

[UPNADM]

I decided to ditch the Eaton diff after I found out the ratio was 5:13.

Picked this up yesterday.

And my motor finally showed up.

Going to get these cleaned up and painted.

[FrankyV8]

Mega cool Van, I'm in. totally dig thes old square Vans!
By looks of things your gonna make this one cool ride.

[UPNADM]

So I went at the engine and got it ready to start some paint work. In the past I have disassembled the engine (intake, valve covers, oil pan and timing chain cover), but this engine was pretty clean.

It had some broken heat tubes on the intake, I got one bolt out, but I think I put a little too much heat to it and it cracked on me... I have one to replace it thankfully.

With that in mind, part store is closed and I thought I would keep on.

Tried out a engine primer for the first time... Seemed to go on ok, if anything it assists with the top coating.

Here are some pics, need to put the water pump & harmonic balancer on now then get the alternator brackets and pulley blasted and painted.

Making some progress to getting this rod rolling.

[UPNADM]

A few more...

[mrolds88]

Things are looking good. I thought that thing might have 5.14's in it. I don't think you went wrong with the 14 bolt. Don't toss that Eaton though. Advertise it on pirate 4x4 Someone will snatch it up. Keep up the good work!!

[UPNADM]

Got another coat of paint on the engine...

Had a good wrestling match with the rear drums trying to get them off. In the end I undid the anchor bolt and low and behold the drums just slid off.

Always a learning experience with these things...ha.

Anyway I got the rear diff cleaned up, and took some of the excess weight off for re install. I will put the backing plates and fill with oil once installed.

I decided to cut out the Eaton today. I think upon the reinstall of the 14 bolt I will not be putting the helpers back in and a few less leaves will not be going in.

[UPNADM]

A few more...

[UPNADM]

Got some black onto the frame this morning. Needs another coat.

Looking forward to getting some orange in between the rails as well.

[flashed]

Looks good ,when does the orange part happen ?

[UPNADM]

Originally Posted by flashed

Looks good ,when does the orange part happen ?

Getting closer, I want to get it moving on its own power.

Ordered up some new u bolts yesterday for the new rear. I need to pick up a transmission it up and mount it and the engine.

Then get a driveshaft made.

Then take it outside and give it a good wash inside and out. T

Then the color will flow...

[old Rusty C10]

I hear the drum roll as we await color.. this is another cool build of yours!