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: overdrive75 on 04/13/09 06:51pm

I am going to add two leafs to the left pack. You can see that two leafs were added to the right. I have measured them and know that I can order them, the two additional leaf's that is. I have added leafs to a pack before so this will not be that big of a job. I have been quoted $225 by two separate shops to add correct this, I might go that route as well.

Posted By: FrugalFreak on 04/13/09 09:05pm

Hello Ya'll. I am having a heck of a time trying to find out what size motor is in my 22" 79 Brougham(78 Dodge). I checked the VIN using Dodge decoder but it shows up as Lebaron Car and can't find numbers on the engine. I bought two manuals(Haynes & Clymer) hoping they might help, but locations they listed to look I didn't have any labels or see raised castings. Are there any identifying differences on parts/locations to help identify engine size? I've seen ads online with people having 316, 330, 440-3 in old Dodge RV's. I am a Dodge noob and want a definite know before I go chunking money down on engine parts.

Any Assistance or help where to look to identify?

* This post was last edited 04/14/09 02:37am by FrugalFreak *

15' ??Unknown?? Travel Trailer

Posted By: Griff in Fairbanks on 04/13/09 09:32pm

FrugalFreak wrote:

It's probably a 360 or 440. If the distributor is on the rear of the engine, it's a small block, probably a 360. If the distributor is on the front of the engine, it's a big block, probably a 440.

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

Posted By: FrugalFreak on 04/13/09 10:42pm

Griff in Fairbanks wrote:

FrugalFreak wrote:

It's probably a 360 or 440. If the distributor is on the rear of the engine, it's a small block, probably a 360. If the distributor is on the front of the engine, it's a big block, probably a 440.

Distributor is under hood on the right side I believe. this is first 7 digits of vin:F44CD7V.

Thanks Griff in AK.
I'm having to buy parts and it needs a ton of them, maybe even a new carb down the line(has original). Going to have to redo my roof, bunch of rotted wood, inside wooden roof studs need replacing and cab over sleeper repairs. I have high hopes though. currently trying to decide best option for roof. bunch of pin holes on roof + where sunroof used to be over drivers cab, can't decide between elastomeric roof coating or some type of new metal roof entirely.

BTW, I have various manuals that I plan on scanning. they are;

1. Skyliner antenna manual
2.Hydroflame Furnance maintenance manual, Instruction/installation sheet(Wiring Diagram).
3. Insta-matic IM-140, IM-160, IM-270 Gas/Electric fridge manual
4. Aquamagic III Owners manual
5. Kohler Safety booklet
6. Kohler Generator 4.5CM21-RV Operators Manual
7.Atwood water heater (G6A-3, GC6A-3, GH6-3, G10C, G610-3, G610-3B, G610-3E Installation, Operation, poster with illustration of parts and build.
8. Wedgewood oven/range W2172LL
9. BW PHILLIPS POWER CONVERTOR PC-301-A-2, PC-201-A-2
10. SHURFLO Model series 200
11. carefree awnings installation manual
12. Motorola FM676A Radio manual
13. Duo-Therm AC 54812-035 Install/Operating manual, info sheets, options, etc..
14. Pioneer TP-727 8 TRACK Player

I will be scanning soon, PM me if interested in info.

* This post was last edited 04/14/09 02:36am by FrugalFreak *

Posted By: 79powerwagon on 04/14/09 04:05am

FF, yes the distributor is under the hood! That's where they should be! [emoticon]

If it's behind the air filter, it's a small block (273,318,340,or 360 cubic inches, with 318 and 360 being the likely engines).

If it's on the front of the engine, it's a big block (361, 383, 400, 413, 426, or 440, with 440 being the likely engine).

Of course, your rig is old, and who knows what may have been changed on it over the years...

Cast into the sides of the block are a series of numbers. Pop off your "dog house" (interior engine cover), and look. Your exhaust manifolds might hinder your view, but right down what you have, and we'll go from there!

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

Posted By: 79powerwagon on 04/14/09 04:05am

Oh yes, we won't even get into the A, LA, B, RB engine types just yet... [emoticon]

Posted By: Trish Davis on 04/14/09 05:30am

hola, Frugal Freak.

1979.... It's possible you have a 400. Before I found the Travco, I looked at 2 Dodge Cs, both '79 and both w/ 400s.
I have no idea where a 400's distributor is.

Ask Griff (he knows almost everything) or Eric (he knows Dodges) or Leeann (she can wire anything and decode VIN numbers) You have 2 VINs, 1 for the chassis, 1 for the coach.
Or just wait til they show up here.

Posted By: Leeann on 04/14/09 06:21am

F44CD7V

F4 = MB400 (I think)
4 = Hi-line wagon
C = 10,001-14,000 GVW class
D = 440-1
7 = 1977
V = Warren Compact

1977 means your motorhome was a split year, which is pretty common. The motorhome manufacturer buys a certain number of chassis, then builds them as needed.

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

Posted By: CFarrar77 on 04/16/09 10:58pm

I have A question for Overdrive75.

I just took my rig on a short trip to the beach and I noticed while driving down the freeway my rig sways back and forth after hitting a small dip in the road. It may not sound that bad but it is. I will make your backside pucker if you are riding in the back. I plan on getting new shocks before my next trip, so my question to you is, do I need new leaf packs? Or should I go with air bags vs shocks? which is more stable? And reliable? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Posted By: FrugalFreak on 04/16/09 11:01pm

79powerwagon wrote:

Oh yes, we won't even get into the A, LA, B, RB engine types just yet... [emoticon]

Oh Boy. who is Eric here?

I'm gonna look this weekend and take some pics. When you say the front, you mean closer to the radiator right?

That's what I found Leeann, I read the first 46 pages of 167 pages already and found the decoder in those pages. Trish I saw the 2 labels with the different VINS on door sill. I sure wish Brougham Industries hadn't went out of business. I've been scouring the web mining any bit of Dodge/Brougham tidbits I can find, but it doesn't seem like much info.

I did notice the recall that had affected 77/78 mb400 when it came to brake issues and frame cracking and steering having light duty steering linkage tie rod and center link assemblies in place of the specified heavy duty components. Any way to tell if the updated steering components had been installed?

Hopefully I'll be passing Ya'll one day on the byways [emoticon]

My first trip is gonna be Gatlinburg, TN area if I ain't plum broke by then.

* This post was edited 04/16/09 11:17pm by FrugalFreak *

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