My Disaster Van

[AstroAmbrose]

I bought this mean machine some time in July for $800 from the third owner and I’ve been working on it on and off since then. It’s a 1992 vin Z EXT with a camper top and what seems to have been a custom interior, complete with lots of wood, curtains, and some sweet mood lighting. I started off with a tune up including plugs brakes and wires, and by replacing the whole power steering system, the water pump, and the timing cover gasket. I replaced the oil pan and transmission pan gaskets, then spent a couple of months sanding off the old peeling paint and fixing the most major dents in preparation for a $500 two stage coat of mean black paint. I replaced the distributor gasket, but didn’t have the timing marked, and ended up with ping when I put the distributor back in. I spent a couple of months trying to get the noise to stop, first trying to get it in time, then replacing the tensioner and idler pulleys, then the egr valve. When the problem persisted I realized that a previous owner had essentially deleted the entire vacuum system, and I researched and fixed that. When the ping persisted I bought a timing light, and found that I had been out of time. When I put it in time, it continued to misfire (why I had it out of time in the first place). I was stumped for a couple of days, until, running it at night, I noticed a cracked spark plug sparking. With the engine now in perfect running condition, I’m moving on to ac and interior. It seems to never end with this van though; checking out the ac, I found that someone had chopped two rubber lines going to a rear unit. I’ve been trying to figure out how to get the unit back working, but it’s made by acme, and not gl. I can get hard lines from the junkyard for GM rear ac, but I don’t know if they would even be compatible. Does anyone have any advice or parts that would help? I want to end up with the most decked out van I can, and I’m stuck till I solve this.

[tungtide]

I would pressure test that coil before I put energy to it. It may have been taken out because it leaked.

[dcsleeper]

I applaud your do-it-ive-ness!
Looking great!

To clean the inside go to the dollar store and get some 'LA's totally awesome cleaner'

It's essentially carpet shampoo (Looks yellow) in a spray bottle. scrub with a brush.

[Leeann_93]

Either the rear lines were leaking or the rear evaporator was leaking - no one chops the lines otherwise. I'd find a set of factory lines for the front that don't have provision for rear AC, or crimp and seal (MIG or TIG weld) the metal part of the rear lines so the front will work properly.

I'm afraid I have no idea about the rear if it isn't factory, and no conversion company used factory rear AC because they bought base cargo models and added their own stuff.

[AstroWill]

I'd find a set of factory lines for the front that don't have provision for rear AC

This is exactly the way I would do it. Never cared for those aftermarket units.

[AstroAmbrose]

Great responses, thanks for the help. I had better go get that compressor tested, assuming it works is would be a little too hopeful, although the heat portion was still properly hooked up and receiving coolant when I disconnected it. It has front only ac lines in it currently, but I really want to deluxe it up with auxiliary hvac, so I got the lines with the connections for rear ac from the junkyard today. If worst comes to worst I’ll buy a new rear system, or even get one from a conversion in the junkyard(there are plenty lol) Good tip on using La’s, that stuff is magic.

[AlpineVan]

If that thing is AWD, I'm mildly jealous. Even if not, conversion Astros are always cool. Welcome to the board.

[sixsix]

... conversion Astros are always cool.

You OK?