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  #1  
Old 04-02-2019, 08:55 AM
astroracer astroracer is offline
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Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Mid-Michigan
Posts: 75
Default 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
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What I am building:
BadAst. A Pro Touring style 1988 Astro with a full custom chassis, 509 BBC, TH400 w/ a gear vendors and a 9" w/ 3.75's.
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  #2  
Old 04-02-2019, 08:58 AM
galooph galooph is offline
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Location: Alsager, United Kingdom
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Welcome to the forum, Mark!
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  #3  
Old 04-02-2019, 04:38 PM
Peter Tommasini Peter Tommasini is offline
MetalShaper of the Month May 2013, Dec 2013
 
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Location: Melbourne,Victoria, Australia
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Hi Byron welcome to the forum
Peter
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Metalshaping tools and dvds
www.handbuilt.net.au

Metalshaping clip on youtube
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Making Monaro Quarter panel:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIpOhz0uGRM
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  #4  
Old 04-03-2019, 07:37 PM
Randy M Randy M is offline
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Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Lowell, Michigan
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Welcome to another guy from the mitten.
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If you cannot fix it with a hammer then you must have an electrical problem.
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  #5  
Old 04-03-2019, 11:05 PM
Mike Motage Mike Motage is offline
MetalShaper of the Month Oct 2016, June 2020, April 2023
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: S.E.Michigan
Posts: 802
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Welcome to the forum!
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  #6  
Old 04-05-2019, 10:11 PM
geelhoed geelhoed is offline
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: hastings mich
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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)
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  #7  
Old 04-06-2019, 06:27 AM
cliffrod cliffrod is offline
MetalShaper of the Month January 2020, March 2022
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Spartanburg, SC
Posts: 2,845
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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?
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  #8  
Old 04-11-2019, 12:33 PM
astroracer astroracer is offline
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Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Mid-Michigan
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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.

A photo shop I did to get the look.
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Name: Mark
What I am building:
BadAst. A Pro Touring style 1988 Astro with a full custom chassis, 509 BBC, TH400 w/ a gear vendors and a 9" w/ 3.75's.
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  #9  
Old 04-11-2019, 03:05 PM
cliffrod cliffrod is offline
MetalShaper of the Month January 2020, March 2022
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Spartanburg, SC
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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.
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  #10  
Old 04-12-2019, 05:30 AM
astroracer astroracer is offline
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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.

Cut out and moved back to accommodate engine relocation.


With the mock up block and trans in place and some tin work started.

Mark
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Name: Mark
What I am building:
BadAst. A Pro Touring style 1988 Astro with a full custom chassis, 509 BBC, TH400 w/ a gear vendors and a 9" w/ 3.75's.
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