1974 Ford Econoline Reviews

This is the cheapest vehicle that I have ever owned.

The steering was shot when I bought it. It's still the only trouble I have. I think the idler arm is the problem now.

The front engine seal went out in 1988, and we rebuilt it with a short block and I put hard seats in the head. I now have 86000 miles on this engine.

A few years ago, the c-4 tranny went out. I was pleased that the cost was only $650.00. Last year I started rebuild it again. That's when we decided that I bought it at 187k not 87k.

The parts that are available are cheap. 302 engine, C-4 tranny, Dana 60 rear end. The parts I can't find, I try to cross with a pickup. The blinker lenses are 63 pickups. My son likes the fact that I can change the points and plugs from the front seat. He never saw a V-8 before.

I have only had a few problems. At around 100,000 miles a part of the steering mechanism popped loose. When I turned the steering wheel the wheels would not change direction until a full spin of the steering wheel. I had to replace the main bearing of the Y-joint steering. Every rod was taken off before I could take the bearing off the chassis. It also took a pneumatic press to pop the bearing loose of it's clasp. A replacement bearing was $150. As I understand it, the Y-joint steering was one of the worst designs ever. It was too easy to foul it up.

Aside from that, the only other problem I've had was that a radiator hose popped at 110,000 miles.

This van did get a remodeled engine at 87,000 miles because of years of disuse.

This is the cargo van model.

It has been hit twice in the back. Only once was there any trouble from an accident, when hit by the other vehicle my gas tank was punctured.

Overall, I do enjoy having a large van and I haven't had any huge problems with it. It starts every time even though I only drive it about once a week.