WestBangorMI wrote:
Hello and thank you all for the most interesting reading i have found on the internet. I have a few pages to go before i finish all 500 posts.
I recently purchased a 1977 B300 24' "Country Squire" it ain't real pretty but I am satisfied so far. There is a lot of little things to do and a lot already accomplished.
I have replaced a front disc brake rotor and both calipers, the left caliper holder was actually previously bolted on backwards, causing the caliper to hang loosely and crooked, therefore wearing out the rotor. I have taken the 2 barrel carb off and cleaned it thoroughly, it had a quarter of an inch of trash and rust in the bowl.
Exhaust manifold studs were a major problem, requiring removal of the left head and over sizing the hole to 3/8"
I have taken a few short rides and am satisfied with the power the 360 delivers. I am fearful to find out the true gas mileage as I was told by previous owner it was 11 to 13 pulling a Caravan behind. Reading thru the post I don't feel thati will get anything close. It has a Dana 70 with 410 gears.
Can't just stop here and not ask questions, What kind of oil pressure is normal and is it customary for the oil gauge to move slowly from start?
long enough, Thanks again to all who have shared so much knowledge
Hello and thank you all for the most interesting reading i have found on the internet. I have a few pages to go before i finish all 500 posts.
I recently purchased a 1977 B300 24' "Country Squire" it ain't real pretty but I am satisfied so far. There is a lot of little things to do and a lot already accomplished.
I have replaced a front disc brake rotor and both calipers, the left caliper holder was actually previously bolted on backwards, causing the caliper to hang loosely and crooked, therefore wearing out the rotor. I have taken the 2 barrel carb off and cleaned it thoroughly, it had a quarter of an inch of trash and rust in the bowl.
Exhaust manifold studs were a major problem, requiring removal of the left head and over sizing the hole to 3/8"
I have taken a few short rides and am satisfied with the power the 360 delivers. I am fearful to find out the true gas mileage as I was told by previous owner it was 11 to 13 pulling a Caravan behind. Reading thru the post I don't feel thati will get anything close. It has a Dana 70 with 410 gears.
Can't just stop here and not ask questions, What kind of oil pressure is normal and is it customary for the oil gauge to move slowly from start?
long enough, Thanks again to all who have shared so much knowledge
My 1970 Explorer, on a 1969 M300 chassis with 318 cu. in. and 410 gears, got 14-15 mpg is I didn't push it. Mileage dropped off drastically if I tried to run over 55-60 mph.
There are some simple things to do to improve the mileage on a truck A block. Dual exhaust with crossover helps it breathe better. Be careful about headers because many are designed for high-RPM race engines and are actually worse than the stock manifolds on truck engines operated at highway speeds. (Tri-Y headers, if you can find them, are the best option, IMHO, for this application.)
A small four barrel carburetor may help some, especially if most of your driving is at a steady speed over relatively level terrain. (Explanation of why is somewhat lengthy ... If you're interested, I'll post explaining why.)
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
Makes me feel better,I can probably get the 11 to 13 miles per gallon and maybe more. I do understand what your saying about a well tuned four barrel, under normal driving the two barrels being used are much smaller and when power is needed, there are two extra barrels. Sort Of!
I am 57 years old and enjoy the scenic routes when I go places. I don't think there will be many times that I'll need to go very fast. I've been forced to retire much sooner than I planned. I was unfortunate to have a 1500 pound horse come through the windshield of my '94 Caravan, I have neck and upper spinal injuries. I need rest periods often and I hope I have made the right choice for a little enjoyment in life.
This MH has already given me something to do, I had looked almost a year for something affordable and the simplicity of the older Dodge was what I wanted.
I plan to travel a few times to Southeast Missouri and some to central Indiana.
1977 Dodge 360 CB400
Country Squire
With the 360 in a 24' with 4.10 gears and a light foot, I see no reason why you wouldn't achieve at least the 11 mpg mark. We also installed a vacuum gauge that helps the bf decide where his foot should be - it improved our mileage by 1-2 mpg on average.
We had to replace the oil pressure sender in ours (and ended up with one that also talks to an idiot light we installed on the dash, thanks to Griff) and our oil pressure came up slowly until the 3rd or 4th oil change, when I'd gotten a good deal of the sludge out of the motor. I changed the oil early and often, and while warm. The first oil change was black and chunky. The next two were black and just short of chunky. The 2 after that were almost black and not even close to chunky. Now that oil is flowing in the motor a bit better, the oil pressure isn't nearly as slow to rise.
Which reminds me, it's time to change it again....
'73 Concord 20' Class A w/Dodge 440 - see profile for photo
All looks and sounds good. C'mon, spring!
I took my little crate for a ride Saturday night, all went well, attended a birthday party for my youngest Aunt and Uncle who are just a few years older than me. I like to fiddle with Karaoke and have my own equipment, usually haul speakers and all in mini-van but decide to take advantage of the space in my MH. I was caught in a bit of an ice and snow storm on the way home, was very happy with the handling on rural roads.
I see what you say about spring and I am also happy that it is just around the corner. Today in Michigan it is hovering around 31 degrees but the sun has shown all day.
I guess I am just going to put a brass T at the oil pressure gauge and put a manual line gauge. Maybe I worry to much but I only seem to have 35 pounds of oil pressure and at an idle about 22. I've driven older cars and trucks for a long time that didn't carry that amount of pressure but I am concerned. The engine runs well and does not smoke and makes no strange noises.
Does everyone seem to name their Motor homes? I'm kind of thinking about a name for mine and wondering if Naming it after my grandmother would be fair. She endured a lot in life and passed away at 94 a few years ago. Her stubbornness and survival methods just seem to go along with the attitude of most Dodges I have owned.
Lucky I guess, I found a set of six tires with 1/2 inch of tread $50.00 for all six still on the 16.5 wheels. The motor home they came from went to the crusher.
Our rig is called Pongo (what the bf's daughter used to call Penguins and, since it's white and black....).
I wouldnt worry to much about the stock oil pressure gauge readings.
I.ve owned lots of old mopar cars and trucks and all of the factory oil gauges are slow to respond at start up and usuallly read lower than they actually are.
from your describtion on how your rig runs .....i,m sure you,ll find once you hook up a mechanical gauge to it , the oil psi will be just fine .
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/pml/rvs/2240293144.html
I've found that old Dodges don't die...they simply won't start because whomever is doing the work is clueless. Ours had been sitting for years as well. Took half an hour with a few new parts and some adjusting and we drove her home.
We've done some interior work, but no gutting. I'm jealous about the tub...simply for the reason that means you can take a stand-up shower. We get to sit on our toilet to shower
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