Our rig was made into a true dual setup with minimalist mufflers when we got it. It was so noisy in the back, the poor kid had to wear hearing protection. We added a crossover pipe (made a noise difference but made a power/mpg difference, too) and then bought 2 Caddy mufflers from a junkyard and put them on in place - no power difference at all, but a definite noise difference. The kid can sit in the back without hearing protection now - she even fell asleep on the way back from NC.
I'm pretty sure ours is 2" diameter exhaust pipe. Goes up to 2.25" for the crossover, then back down to 2" behind. Which actually adds in a nice resonator pre-muffler.
What carb is on there now? When's the last time it was rebuilt/tuned? You'll see a difference if you get that dialed in. Also, take off the intake manifold and clean the heck out of it. Exhaust usually plugs up the ports, so cleaning it out will show a difference, too.
Since you're going to have the engine out anyway, clean out the coolant passages as much as possible, too.
'73 Concord 20' Class A w/Dodge 440 - see profile for photo
One of the manifolds is cracked/split... hence the need to replace. I've looked on Ebay for the manifolds, but haven't seen anything recently for the 440. How often to people stare at your exhaust manifolds?
![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/wink.gif "wink")
The majority of the noise on my rig has been in the cab due to the poorly repaired manifold. It's pretty quiet (and cooler) in the house. Times I wished I could simply ride back there.The carb is the original thermoquad. I haven't done anything with it yet, and I can pretty much guarantee the PO did nothing either. The original owner may have.
Now that it's quiet in the back, it's definitely quieter and cooler back there while riding. Even when the AC isn't running (better breeze back there).
On the TQ: go to your local parts place and get a rebuild kit for a ThermoQuad (it's a general kit, I think) and follow the instructions carefully. The bf just bought a replacement 6518s on eBay since ours has seized adjustment screws so I just ordered another rebuild kit. I'll have it tomorrow, so I'll put the part number up then. When we rebuilt the one on our rig, everything that could be adjusted was about as far out of spec as possible (and one thing wasn't put back together properly).
Oh, and here's a link to a bunch of manifolds on eBay:
http://motors.shop.ebay.com/__?_from=R40........3841.m39.l1313&_nkw=440+manifold&_sacat=
eyeteeth wrote:
I don't think I've gotten over 9 mpg with it as it was. I'd like to get into double digits.![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile")
Thanks for the ideas.
I don't think I've gotten over 9 mpg with it as it was. I'd like to get into double digits.
Thanks for the ideas.Eye, You aren't going to get good mileage out of a big block when towing, it's a fact of life.
Eric is right about the low-end, pay attention to that first thing.
Leeann is right about the carb. Rebuild it or get a new one.
A 2-bbl on a 440 doesn't seem practical.
And get after the water jackets, they get all kinds of crud.
I have a .60 over '67 Buick 340 w/ Edelbrock 4160 and 2-spd rr end in the Merc.
Completely stock frt & rr suspension and Ford sideshaft 3-spd.
The Merc weighs a bit for a car --3,800 and it actually does get double-digit mileage in Hi.
What the Merc does not have are extras. No A/C, no belt working to turn the pulley even if it's not on.
No power steering or brakes.
One belt on the whole engine means the Buick doesn't have to power anything except the drivetrain.
If you don't need your cab A/C, lose it. Lose the compressor, the pulley, all of it.
Exhaust manifolds should be very easy to find. So many street enthusiasts throw them away for headers, so look at Mopar sites (www.moparts.com is a GREAT one) and find a pair. Craigslist, too!
Go to www.summitracing.com and buy your engine parts from them. Use their "Summit" brand cam, timing chain set vs any other. The quality is VERY good and pricing is VERY affordable. Buy only Clevite 77 (sp?) bearings, Fel Pro gaskets, all from Summit.
And 9mpg is nothing to sneeze at in the world of RV's!
![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/biggrin.gif "biggrin")
She ain't purdy, but at least she's slow!
whiteknight001 wrote:
clockwork oranjaboom wrote:
Hi Mark;
Here's a link to some Picasa low rez shots of the Clip:
http://picasaweb.google.com/amantiado/Clip#
* This post was edited 07/21/09 11:56pm by clockwork oranjaboom *
Leeann wrote:
^
I'd love to see some pix of your Clipper. Got any to put up here?
Mark
^
I'd love to see some pix of your Clipper. Got any to put up here?
Mark
Hi Mark;
Here's a link to some Picasa low rez shots of the Clip:
http://picasaweb.google.com/amantiado/Clip#
* This post was edited 07/21/09 11:56pm by clockwork oranjaboom *
clockwork oranjaboom wrote:
Hi Mark;
Here's a link to some Picasa low rez shots ot the Clip:
http://picasaweb.google.com/amantiado/Clip#
Hi Mark;
Here's a link to some Picasa low rez shots ot the Clip:
http://picasaweb.google.com/amantiado/Clip#
Hey Clockwork
That's a great looking Clipper! I always liked their lines.
Hope to see some more pix of her soon! Thanks for the link
to them!!
Mark
1972 Mobile Traveler 20' Dodge B300 Class C
"The Kobayashi Maru" Trans- Prarie Land Craft
"Requiescat in pace et in amore..."
carhound82 wrote:
i just bought a b-300 class c dodge and took her on a 4000 mile trip to yellowstone. it has a 360 and i would liketo put a 440 in her. anybody out there done this swap?
i just bought a b-300 class c dodge and took her on a 4000 mile trip to yellowstone. it has a 360 and i would liketo put a 440 in her. anybody out there done this swap?
Carhound,
If you can find another van with the 440 to rob parts from,
that helps a lot. It is some work but it can be done.
Mark