Found a hilarious combo:

6130 · 03-28-2018, 05:51 AM

The '91 and '92 Ford Econoline 150 and 250 vans are listed in the stock classification guides.

Your choice of the 150-horsepower 300(4.9) EFI inline 6 factored at 190 horsepower, the 185-horsepower 302(5.0) EFI V8 factored at 215 horsepower, and the 210-horsepower 351W(5.8) EFI V8 factored at 240 horsepower.

They fit anywhere from "V" all the way up to "O", depending on year, model, and engine choice.

nhramnl · 03-28-2018, 07:32 AM

So what you're really doing is checking out the reaction, before you show up at a Divisional with a van stocker...

Lew Silverman · 03-28-2018, 10:58 AM

Why not? Dare to be different!! Twin-I-beams handle better than the old leaf-spring suspension. Find a "club" version, or you'll have a heck of a time watching your opponent in the right lane!

I wonder if they'd let you use a water-bed for ballast?

Lew

340Cuda · 03-28-2018, 12:10 PM

You can tow with an open trailer and still have lots of enclosed storage.

I like the idea.

6130 · 03-28-2018, 01:25 PM

Although there was an exterior redesign in '92, it may be possible to update and backdate from about '88 (when they switched from carbs to EFI) to '91, and from '92 to about '96 (after which the 300(4.9), 302(5.0), and 351W(5.8) were no longer offered). They apparently got lighter with the redesign in '92, so the '92 is the only one capable of making "O", and the '91 is awful heavy for attempting "V".

There are 1-5/8" headers available for the 300(4.9), 302(5.0), and 351W(5.8), although they are only listed as fitting vehicles up to '91. Even after the '92 exterior design, they were still based on Ford's "VN" platform, so I'm hoping they'll physically fit the '92 also.

The engine and the rest of the drivetrain would be pretty much standard Stocker technology- a C4 with an 8" converter, a proper ring & pinion ratio, lightweight tires and wheels, Meziere makes a water pump for the V8s, MSD boxes are available, and I'm sure Bullet could whittle an appropriate cam. Calvert could probably do up a pair of traction bars for it. There's not much that can be done with the stock TIB front suspension, other than looser springs and shocks. I'm not sure if I'd be able to find lighter brakes for it.

But my biggest concern is that there is apparently zero aftermarket support for the OEM engine computer- these were all speed-density fuel injection systems, which would no doubt have significant problems after installing an appropriate long-duration Stocker cam. I don't see any alternative, other than scrapping the OEM engine computer and replacing it with something like a FAST set-up.

6130 · 03-28-2018, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 340Cuda

You can tow with an open trailer and still have lots of enclosed storage.

I like the idea.

That aspect had not escaped my notice.

I doubt it would fit inside an enclosed trailer anyway.

6130 · 03-28-2018, 01:43 PM

At a race weight of 3770 for the '92, it looks like it would take about 325 horsepower or so from a truck 5.8EFI, just to make the 13.15 O/SA index. And that's a lot of air to push at 100 mph or so. The stock heads are pretty horrific on those things, especially the exhaust port, and I don't see any replacement heads listed for the Stock classes.

6130 · 03-28-2018, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lew Silverman

Why not? Dare to be different!! Twin-I-beams handle better than the old leaf-spring suspension. Find a "club" version, or you'll have a heck of a time watching your opponent in the right lane!

I wonder if they'd let you use a water-bed for ballast?

Lew

I was thinking the same thing.

When I first got started bracket racing back in the late '70s, there was a guy that raced a 13-second Chevy cargo van in "Heavy" bracket, and he was pretty easy pickins' at the stripe, for that exact reason. He just couldn't see us coming...

Ed Carpenter · 03-30-2018, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6130

The '91 and '92 Ford Econoline 150 and 250 vans are listed in the stock classification guides.

Your choice of the 150-horsepower 300(4.9) EFI inline 6 factored at 190 horsepower, the 185-horsepower 302(5.0) EFI V8 factored at 215 horsepower, and the 210-horsepower 351W(5.8) EFI V8 factored at 240 horsepower.

They fit anywhere from "V" all the way up to "O", depending on year, model, and engine choice.

My father-in-law used to own one. What a turd 💩. I used to give him s..t all the time about it. But it would be cool to see a van out there!

6130 · 03-31-2018, 08:03 AM

It occurs to me that the lighter cargo version may be viable after all- some of them come with a window in the slider door on the passenger side.

03-28-2018, 05:51 AM	#1
6130 Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 409 Likes: 295 Liked 117 Times in 50 Posts	Found a hilarious combo: The '91 and '92 Ford Econoline 150 and 250 vans are listed in the stock classification guides. Your choice of the 150-horsepower 300(4.9) EFI inline 6 factored at 190 horsepower, the 185-horsepower 302(5.0) EFI V8 factored at 215 horsepower, and the 210-horsepower 351W(5.8) EFI V8 factored at 240 horsepower. They fit anywhere from "V" all the way up to "O", depending on year, model, and engine choice. Last edited by 6130; 03-28-2018 at 01:26 PM.

03-28-2018, 07:32 AM	#2
nhramnl Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 505 Likes: 7 Liked 353 Times in 83 Posts	Re: Found a hilarious combo: So what you're really doing is checking out the reaction, before you show up at a Divisional with a van stocker...

03-28-2018, 10:58 AM	#3
Lew Silverman VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 1,438 Likes: 372 Liked 129 Times in 59 Posts	Re: Found a hilarious combo: Why not? Dare to be different!! Twin-I-beams handle better than the old leaf-spring suspension. Find a "club" version, or you'll have a heck of a time watching your opponent in the right lane! I wonder if they'd let you use a water-bed for ballast? Lew __________________ Lew Silverman #2070 "The Wagon Master" N/SA

03-28-2018, 12:10 PM	#4
340Cuda VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 1,576 Likes: 3,297 Liked 685 Times in 293 Posts	Re: Found a hilarious combo: You can tow with an open trailer and still have lots of enclosed storage. I like the idea.

03-28-2018, 01:25 PM	#5
6130 Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 409 Likes: 295 Liked 117 Times in 50 Posts	Re: Found a hilarious combo: Although there was an exterior redesign in '92, it may be possible to update and backdate from about '88 (when they switched from carbs to EFI) to '91, and from '92 to about '96 (after which the 300(4.9), 302(5.0), and 351W(5.8) were no longer offered). They apparently got lighter with the redesign in '92, so the '92 is the only one capable of making "O", and the '91 is awful heavy for attempting "V". There are 1-5/8" headers available for the 300(4.9), 302(5.0), and 351W(5.8), although they are only listed as fitting vehicles up to '91. Even after the '92 exterior design, they were still based on Ford's "VN" platform, so I'm hoping they'll physically fit the '92 also. The engine and the rest of the drivetrain would be pretty much standard Stocker technology- a C4 with an 8" converter, a proper ring & pinion ratio, lightweight tires and wheels, Meziere makes a water pump for the V8s, MSD boxes are available, and I'm sure Bullet could whittle an appropriate cam. Calvert could probably do up a pair of traction bars for it. There's not much that can be done with the stock TIB front suspension, other than looser springs and shocks. I'm not sure if I'd be able to find lighter brakes for it. But my biggest concern is that there is apparently zero aftermarket support for the OEM engine computer- these were all speed-density fuel injection systems, which would no doubt have significant problems after installing an appropriate long-duration Stocker cam. I don't see any alternative, other than scrapping the OEM engine computer and replacing it with something like a FAST set-up.

03-28-2018, 01:43 PM	#7
6130 Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 409 Likes: 295 Liked 117 Times in 50 Posts	Re: Found a hilarious combo: At a race weight of 3770 for the '92, it looks like it would take about 325 horsepower or so from a truck 5.8EFI, just to make the 13.15 O/SA index. And that's a lot of air to push at 100 mph or so. The stock heads are pretty horrific on those things, especially the exhaust port, and I don't see any replacement heads listed for the Stock classes.

03-31-2018, 08:03 AM	#10
6130 Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 409 Likes: 295 Liked 117 Times in 50 Posts	Re: Found a hilarious combo: It occurs to me that the lighter cargo version may be viable after all- some of them come with a window in the slider door on the passenger side.