Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: How many of us are there? Owners of Dodge based RV's?

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Topic: How many of us are there? Owners of Dodge based RV's?

Posted By: 82secaturbo on 10/30/07 09:50am

I started searching through all my manuals and found that the first eng. code you gave me is probably right-The A is a 440-3 and the D is a 440-1. This book only has year and eng. code breakdown so thanks for the other info! I don't have a truck manual for the old Dodges, but my car manual for a '78 440 shows 195hp @3600 and 320ft. lbs. @2000. On your '73 440 it shows it's 220hp, but what I've read on the early ones the truck/van versions have more. I have over 100 shop manuals and of course my earliest Dodge truck/van book is '79, just my luck. Off topic, but if you ever encounter fuel storage problems, or just want to avoid the possibility-Startron is great. It's mostly marketed for boats, but I've been using it in everything-garden tools, bikes, boats, and of course the mighty Tioga with GREAT results over 2 years now. It has even cleaned already gummed carbs for me saving me some work. It's supposed to help power, emissions, and mileage too, but I can't attest to that as I haven't tested that part yet.

'78 Tioga 21' on a Dodge F-40 440ci.

Posted By: 79powerwagon on 10/30/07 09:50am

"good 440 casting" vs "bad 440 casting" is an urban myth. In real life use, there is no difference. If you want a 1200hp, 10,000 rpm engine, then YES, search out the older block. For everything else, it just doesn't matter...

...Now the heads and crank are a different story, but what you've got will work just fine.

Leeann, I still can't more than 13"hg out of the old 360. I suppose I'll try new ECM and VR and see if that has any bearing (heck, it worked for you! [emoticon]

). Otherwise, it's time for a new chain and gear kit, which means might as well install a better cam, and then toss out the Holley 2V in favor of a Performer and 1406! [emoticon]

She ain't purdy, but at least she's slow!

Posted By: Leeann on 10/30/07 10:11am

I'll actually look in my manuals when I get home (I have the A MH chassis book for '73 - and the C chassis book for 74-75). I never bothered to look, actually (oopsie).

We use Sta-Bil. Always been good for me, recommended by my engineer uncle. Has even cleaned gummed-up stuff for me, too.

Uh-oh...you're going to go down that slippery slope! First a new cam (make SURE you get the RV grind), new chain & gear kit, intake manifold, carburetor....then what? Speaking of which, you haven't put those red wheels on that apple-green RV, have you? Please tell me you've painted them....PLEASE. [emoticon]

But hey, 13" is higher than you were. Improvement is good....

'73 Concord 20' Class A w/Dodge 440 - see profile for photo

Posted By: 79powerwagon on 10/30/07 10:15am

The red wheels are not installed (still no new tires)

yet!

Yes, I AM going to! No, I'm not repainting them until I'm ready for a change!

You know me- If I'm going to make a scene, I need to BE seen! [emoticon]

As far as the vacuum issue goes, if I have to pull the 2v intake anyway, I won't be re-installing it, that's for sure! Summit or Jegs should have a Holiday bundle sale soon!

Posted By: 82secaturbo on 10/30/07 10:43am

Timing chain stretch can be checked by turning the crank back & forth and watching the dist. rotor movement. Unfortunately I've never paid attention to the actual degrees of turn on a good/bad chain, I do it by feel. Maybe someone here has done it and actually paid attention, or you can check a known good motor and compare. Most common low vac. causes are ignition timing then carb. adjustment in my experience. I don't know how much you've done as far as tuning or testing so I won't get carried away with advice, but if you need some I'll be glad to help. And you're absolutely right about the eng. castings; I don't think either is bad, more of a good vs. great. There's just that little extra comfort in having a beefier casting and especially in the larger cooling circuit for extended heavy use. I load my rig pretty heavily, maybe more than most, so I think more about it perhaps.

Posted By: clockwork oranjaboom on 10/31/07 07:40am

82secaturbo wrote:

I still can't find any credible engine specs so it someone has it I'd like to know. I'd also like to know if anyone has experimented with exhaust mods on a similar rig.

Thank you all for your help!!

http://www.flxible.net/enginespecs.html

This chart compiled for engine selection by another may help.

dave

Posted By: abbulldogs on 10/31/07 09:55am

I have a recommendation for a parts place. They are located in Sacramento, California so shipping could make some things prohibitive. You can see some of their parts online and email them with specific requests.

http://www.rvdoctorgeorge.com/

I was amazed, no stunned, when I saw all the stuff they have. It's a bit overwhelming!

Posted By: Leeann on 11/04/07 05:16pm

Okay, we finally (!) installed the 'wood' laminate flooring...

Just a reminder of what it looked like before:
[image]

And now, from the back:
[image]

And from the outside (step well not yet finished):
[image]

We have to finish the step well and install the molding - but it looks pretty darn good!

Posted By: glw on 11/05/07 04:01am

ooohhhhhhhhh, Now that's PURDY!!!! [emoticon]

Posted By: Trish Davis on 11/05/07 04:41am

glw wrote:

ooohhhhhhhhh, that's PURDY!!!! [emoticon]

Yep, second that.

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