Neat project...
I'd go through the brakes (if hydraulic) from front to back replacing the Master/Wheel Cylinders and all of the lines (rubber and steel) with new as they fail from the inside out.
I'd also install new tires (you'll need them regardless of which way you go).
Don't forget to clean the gas tank or replace it with a newer one.
Then find a cheap running 350 SBC to replace the old 327 and start driving it as you develope your game plan. Brakes can be done in one weekend and the engine swapped on another. You'd be on the road in no time. Swapping the body to a new chassis or swapping new driveline to old chassis will require lots of fabrication as neither swap is a bolt-on.
No need for a special driver, make it safe and jump in and go!
Mike B
Ok. The week-long Thanksgiving Bash is coming up this year that we have at the Farm and I will once be reunited with the Bus I bought this time last year. I will be staying up there from Monday night through Friday night and am planning on working on the bus to hopefully get it MOVING and STOPPING under its own power. I almost had it running a couple days after I bought it last year, so hopefully the old 327 won't give me too much of a fit if I throw some new plugs, points, condenser, coil and rotor at it. I will need to find and install a good radiator (new or used) because that is the only thing that's missing on it. The oil was changed last year when I got it. I remember one of the rear dual wheels was locked up when we were loading it up to tow it and it will definitely need the brakes fixed.
The game plan for Tuesday, Wednesday, and part of Friday is:
* Replace ignition parts and get engine running smooth. Possibly replace fuel pump and fasten a makeshift fuel tank inside.
* Install radiator so it will be able to cool properly
* With the help of a family member who works for an emergency tractor trailer repair business (tires, breakdowns, etc), I will remove the rear wheels and repair brakes with new parts and new lines from the front. New brake parts under the hood too.
What else am I forgetting??? I'm gonna need some help getting a parts list and tool list together. I have diesel air compressors, forklift, etc.; so I'm not worried about limited capability. Keep in mind that this is just for fun to get it going in the meantime before we do a resto-mod on it; so the drivetrain will most likely not be used, but for now I want him to be able to load up some friends and drive it around the farm. I did update a prior post with some extra pictures, and here are some more on this post. LOOKING FORWARD TO THE RESPONSES!!!
