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I don't think so
As a former EV builder/owner/driver I can say with some certainty you would be wasting your money and effort following your plan.
First of all, the efficiency of a "series hybrid" really sucks. You are using a relatively inefficient engine to turn a relatively inefficient generator to run a possibly relatively efficient electrical traction motor - and without batteries to average your load you will be stuck with a roughly 15HP van that needs to run the generator at full output just to maintain urban speeds.
Add to that the fact that the lifespan of the generator you envision using is likely well under 1200 hours running at full tilt.
Get that little 318 tuned up properly - and perhaps get a fuel injection conversion installed and you can get well over 20MPG at a sedate highway cruise. If that doesn't turn your crank, find a rusted out Mercedes 300tD and swap the powertrain into your van, or some other all-mechanical diesel.
If you want to go hybrid electric , a parallel hybrid would make more sense.
Strap a 9" electric motor to the driveshaft - install a 4wd transmission/transfer case and connect the motor to the front driveshaft. Have the controls configured so when going downhill or braking, the motor runs as a generator and charges your batteries. At an easy cruise the generator can still be charging a wee bit if required, and on hills the motor switches on and takes some of that power back out of the battery to reduce the load on the engine. This way the engine runs in it's most efficient range and the power normally wasted going down hills, slowing down, and braking, gets saved and returned to use. In stop and go low speed urban traffic the gas engine can be shut off, eliminating idle time saving more fuel. To do that kind of a conversion, if you are skilled and careful, could cost as little as 4 or 5 000.
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