Another Ford

[SHERIFF]

About 15 years ago I bought a new Ford conversion van. My younger brother bought it from me. He then sold it back to me. I sold it to my older brother. And my older brother just sold it back to me today.

Today, it has just a tad over 32,500 miles on it, 15 years old, and it looks and drives just like new. I call it "Cool Blue Van"!

http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx43/VaSheriff/coolbluevan.jpg

[RoyLPita]

What does it have under the dash? 302, 351 or straight 6?

[SHERIFF]

Interesting question. It has the 5.0 V-8 engine (302). And because of the weight, it supposedly used the same 5.0 that the Mustang GTs did back at that time. The online resources to verify it just didn't exist back in 1994 and 1995. One source told me Mustang GT sales were real slow, so they shifted a lot of the 5.0 engines over to the trucks and vans.

I do know it's a real gas hog. I think it gets about the same mileage as the 6.8 V-10 I have in my Excursion, namely 8 to 9 miles per gallon.

[RoyLPita]

If it has the 1-5-4 firing order, it is not from a Mustang GT.

[Vortex]

Nice looking van, you should hang on to it this time!

[SHERIFF]

Yeah, I think I am going to keep it this time. It feels like a red headed stepchild being handed around so often among family members. The only two things that need immediate attention are the headlights and front grille. Headlights, yellow. Grille, chrome has tarnished and flaking off. I can't find a full chrome grille anywhere online right now. All I can find is the gray plastic with the chrome trim across the top. Headlights are a dime a dozen out there.

Roy, I have no idea what firing order the engine has. The engine is extremely hard to get to from the hood, and also from the inside due to the conversion package (carpet, custom console, etc...) I wonder if the VIN number would confirm whether the rumors were true about Ford taking leftover 5.0 Mustang GT engines and using them in trucks and vans?

[RoyLPita]

There should be a decal under the hood that will tell you what the firing order is.

[SHERIFF]

Ahh, OK. I will have to check under the hood when I get home.

If the sticker is there, it will finally put the rumor to rest if it's not true. :banana2:

[prchrman]

Love the van, love conversion vans period. Had a 88 Ford with at 302 and it did alot better than 8-9mpg. Got 12 around town and 13.5 highway fully loaded. Did put GT mustang headers and true duels on it. Does it have the duo fold back seat that makes about a queen size bed?

[88LTDCV351]

Try Green Sales in Ohio. Maybe they have a New Original Stock grill for the van.

[SHERIFF]

Does it have the duo fold back seat that makes about a queen size bed?

It does. And captain chairs first and second row.

It has cloth seating areas, which I like better. They look like new. If it had had leather, they would be all cracked and dirty looking by now.

Thanks, I will have to look up the Green shoppe.

[SHERIFF]

Try Green Sales in Ohio. Maybe they have a New Original Stock grill for the van.

Ahh, I see Green Sales is an obsolete Fords part distributor. The all chrome grille was never made or sold by Ford.

It was an aftermarket grille. I can't find them anywhere now though. Used to be eBaY all the time, and they sure look good.

[SHERIFF]

If it has the 1-5-4 firing order, it is not from a Mustang GT.

Roy, it has the 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 firing order. A couple of Google pages I pulled up just now says this is the 5.0 L High Output. Is that the same as a Mustang GT engine?

http://www.offroaders.com/tech/V8-engine-firing-order.htm

http://www.302w.com/Firing-Order.aspx

[RoyLPita]

Congrats on having the better engine. And maybe the lowest mileage Van to boot.

[SHERIFF]

Congrats on having the better engine. And maybe the lowest mileage Van to boot.

That's good news to hear. :banana2:

It tripped right over 32,550 today. At this rate it will have 33,000 miles on it by the end of the year! :bigcry:

I have new OEM headlights on the way. Found a guy on eBaY selling them for $40.00 each, $50.00 with shipping. :eek: