I have just taken the outside cover off the doghouse to put all new hardware on it. There is a spot that is scortched on the foam backing in the bottom pass side. Right about where you would kick your left foot out if sitting in pass seat. About a few inchews up and about a few inches in diameter.
I am not surprised though. The PO put foiled bubblewrap stuff in the inside of the dghs and it is melted in that same spot. I am right now putting proper insulation in there.
Im also gonna put a layer of felt under the outside cover of the dghs.
I need to replace the L brackets that seem to have been on the bottom of the dghs? I have none but I see 3 holes running next to the seal of the dghs spaced all around. I am assuming they were for 3 hold down brackets. Even if not I will use them as such.
I actually read this entire thread a few weeks ago, before I started posting. I kinda remember that conversation, and I dont think it was my issue.
I drove with the dghs off yesterday in 75+ heat and it was HOT. But I dont think overly hot!
My oil pressure guage stopped working the other day though...
***1980 19' American Clipper 719F Luxur Van w/440***
I dont just want to hacksaw it off. I would love to replace it with a short one and have to check it in the dghs. Think it would fit fine? There are a few older Dodges at my local junkyard.
Cenote wrote:
Yes...too much fun!
PW do you think that I could cut my trans oil dipstick tube and dipstick all the way so that it doesnt run through my engine compartment?
I would orient it so that it goes to the side and I would have to climb underneath to check it. Sounds crazy I know but it would make things so much easier for me to reduce the sound and the heat issues I have.
Where it runs, across the pass side valve cover, it sits up against the side of the doghouse, prevents much insulation from being installed between it and the doghouse and burns/melts most insulation that gets put there.
Even the outside cover is scortched on its inside!
Yes...too much fun!
PW do you think that I could cut my trans oil dipstick tube and dipstick all the way so that it doesnt run through my engine compartment?
I would orient it so that it goes to the side and I would have to climb underneath to check it. Sounds crazy I know but it would make things so much easier for me to reduce the sound and the heat issues I have.
Where it runs, across the pass side valve cover, it sits up against the side of the doghouse, prevents much insulation from being installed between it and the doghouse and burns/melts most insulation that gets put there.
Even the outside cover is scortched on its inside!
I wouldn't modify the trans fill/dipstick tube. (I assume you have the A727 Loadflite automatic.) Re-orienting it like you describe would make it very difficult to add fluid.
Is your dipstick handle by the rear of the engine or near the front under the hood? (Do you have to remove the doghouse to check the tranny fluid?) If it's near the front, I'd consider changing to the more standard short dipstick & tube.
Trish is right, that's way too hot. Besides a plugged crossover, you may have a stuck heat riser valve or an exhaust leak.
Cleaning a crossover isn't difficult, just time intensive. The crossover is in the intake manifold, in the middle under the carburetor. To clean it, you have to remove the manifold, which involves removing all the stuff on top of the engine.
The heat riser valve is in the exhaust manifold, usually on the passenger side. It's supposed to be closed when the engine is cold, forcing the exhaust up through the crossover and out through the other side of the exhaust. (This warms the intake and carburetor.) When the engine warms up, the is supposed to open, allowing the exhaust to exit normally. Stuck heat riser valve means the exhaust is spending more time in the engine compartment than it should.
If any of the conditions exist, you'll definitely want to fix them.
If the crossover is plugged, you might want to consider putting on an Edelbrock Performer manifold, which may boost your fuel mileage and/or power.
If the heat riser valve is stuck, you can probably just loosen it. (Or, if you're not in an emissions phobic state, just wire it open.) Alternatively, you could switch to headers. I'd recommend Tri-Y headers ... hard to find but tend to improve fuel economy while boosting low-end performance. Second choice would be shorty headers. I would definitely avoid the standard four-in-one headers -- they're designed for high-RPM race engines and actually hurt performance and economy in a vehicle such as yours.
1970 Explorer Class A on a 1969 Dodge M300 chassis with 318 cu. in. (split year)
1972 Executive Class A on a Dodge M375 chassis with 413 cu. in.
1973 Explorer Class A on a Dodge RM350 (R4) chassis with 318 engine & tranny from 1970 Explorer Class A
Cenote wrote:
PW, I am '79, but yes a looooong dip stick, under the hood.
I dont just want to hacksaw it off. I would love to replace it with a short one and have to check it in the dghs. Think it would fit fine? There are a few older Dodges at my local junkyard.
PW, I am '79, but yes a looooong dip stick, under the hood.
I dont just want to hacksaw it off. I would love to replace it with a short one and have to check it in the dghs. Think it would fit fine? There are a few older Dodges at my local junkyard.
Okay, so I read what everybody else posted while I was composing ... check with the tranny/drivetrain shops also ... they keep old cores for parts.
Several places sell chrome dipsticks & tubes for the bling-impaired ... or, one of us may be able to find one for you.
79powerwagon wrote:
Trish- WOO-HOO!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't wait to see it!!!!!!!!! Send those pics on over and I'll post 'em fer ya!
Trish- WOO-HOO!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't wait to see it!!!!!!!!! Send those pics on over and I'll post 'em fer ya!
Calm down, Eric. Please. People are looking.
*g*
I am so excited. But that excitement is tempered with knowing I will be spending at least 2000 on this rig before Christmas.
Pragmatism sucks, I just typed "Christmas."
Griff in Fairbanks wrote:
one of us may be able to find one for you.
one of us may be able to find one for you.
Entirely possible, given that more than a few of us "shop" in the junkyard.
Or salvage yard, for our Southern brethren/sistren.
Put the hacksaw away.
Trish Davis wrote:
Entirely possible, given that more than a few of us "shop" in the junkyard.
Or salvage yard, for our Southern brethren/sistren.
Put the hacksaw away.
Griff in Fairbanks wrote:
one of us may be able to find one for you.
one of us may be able to find one for you.
Entirely possible, given that more than a few of us "shop" in the junkyard.
Or salvage yard, for our Southern brethren/sistren.
Put the hacksaw away.
Yep, more than a few of us (I thought it was the toy store, though?)
![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/awink.gif "awink")
'73 Concord 20' Class A w/Dodge 440 - see profile for photo
Cenote wrote:
Good Morning!
I am happy to be alive this morning!
PROPANE IS DANGEROUS.BE CAREFUL.
Good Morning!
I am happy to be alive this morning!
PROPANE IS DANGEROUS.BE CAREFUL.
CENOTE - Don't feel alone here....
I had to laugh when I read this...I know it's not a Joking matter though....
![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/eek.gif "eek")
I had a similar experience on my '77 Chinook. I was working on the LP lines and trying to find the one going to the stove. Well I found it and yes, Broke it! I wasn't worried before hand because I had the main valve turned off...Well to my surprize, the main valve WOULD NOT SHUT OFF all the way.....Gas began leaking out and I couldn't stop it!
Good thing I bought all the fittings to re-run it prior to looking. One of them fit and I managed to cap it off. Then proceded to replace the tank.
Cenote wrote:
PW, I am '79, but yes a looooong dip stick, under the hood.
I dont just want to hacksaw it off. I would love to replace it with a short one and have to check it in the dghs. Think it would fit fine? There are a few older Dodges at my local junkyard.
PW, I am '79, but yes a looooong dip stick, under the hood.
I dont just want to hacksaw it off. I would love to replace it with a short one and have to check it in the dghs. Think it would fit fine? There are a few older Dodges at my local junkyard.
They're just stuffed into the hole. Pop it out, shove in a new one that works better for ya! Don't forget the new rubber O ring...
![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/biggrin.gif "biggrin")
How about them apples, Trish? Now people really are watching! ![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/wink.gif "wink")
...and I don't think Kimberley would be too happy...
She LIKES the red wheels!
She ain't purdy, but at least she's slow!
Or paint the whole thing red and get a Dalmation....
Eric, I'm sorry. But those red wheels make it too easy.
Forgive, please.
But also, and I'm asking as your friend, put them away.
At the same time, Eric, I have to thank you. If you hadn't found that Travco in Eu Claire (the eww-Travco), I wouldn't've even considered one and now I've got one!
Thanks, man.