Another new guy from Michigan!
 

Hey everyone! Good morning from Byron, MI! I found this site when it was referenced on the Garage Journal. I have a fairly complete fab shop in my 30 x 74 pole barn. All of the requisite tools and machines to make myself dangerous. I consider myself an amateur when it comes to metal shaping but I still get stuff done.
I am also into chassis and suspension design and fab and have an '88 Astro van going together for the last time in the shop right now. This has been a long term project with TONS of metal work and fab needed because there is no aftermarket support for building a Pro Touring Astro Van.
I work at the Milford Proving Grounds as a 3 D CAD jockey and do a lot of product, fixture and test fixture design.
Glad to be here and I hope to be of benefit and to learn a few things as well.
Mark

Welcome to the forum, Mark!

Hi Byron welcome to the forum
Peter

Welcome to another guy from the mitten.

Welcome to the forum!

Welcome Mark. I will be holding some classes on May 17-18 2019 if you are interested. This is after our annual metalshapers gathering in late April. the first event is full now but classes still have room. The classes are first day basic hand tools shaping andsecond day more advanced shaping and metal finishing. If interested message me or call 269-948-9474 for more info.

Andy Geelhoed(guesswork)

Welcome to the forum, Mark.

With a tear in my eye, I recently sold my 88 Astro work van that I had owned for nearly 20 yrs. it was one of my favorite vehicles that I have ever owned. Another member here is also a similar-era Astro fan. I'll be interested in your project.

How many windows does your van have?

Thanks for the welcome guys!
The van is a window van. Beige Betty.
Here is a before pic. 4 cyl., automatic and A/C. Came out of Arizona.
https://media.fotki.com/2vZNwabGx9EDKg.jpg
A photo shop I did to get the look.
https://media.fotki.com/2vNgGruox9EDKg.jpg

Very cool...

Replacing the 4.3 v6 in mine practically required a magic wand and lots of (four letter) magic words. After that, Playing the spark plug game was no less enchanting. A bbc will be a squeeze, to say the least.

A small block bolts right in, as will a big block. A little reconfiguring with the stock mounts and it is an easy swap.
This van is getting the full frame treatment. The big block has been moved back 18 inches, down 6 and centered in the frame. A lot of sheet metal work was required to fit the floor and dog house around the revised engine location. :)
Stock engine position. You can see the layout lines for cutting.
https://media.fotki.com/2vNaQBu8x9EDKg.jpg
Cut out and moved back to accommodate engine relocation.
https://media.fotki.com/2vNaQ6CGx9EDKg.jpg

With the mock up block and trans in place and some tin work started.
https://media.fotki.com/2vNDbRqax9EDKg.jpg
Mark