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: Wolf_n_Kat on 10/27/14 08:38pm

Leeann, the Class C part I knew, it was the "I've got an X motorhome on a Chevy 3500 chassis." part I didn't know. Unfortunately this thing came with exactly zip for paperwork, so all I knew for sure was that it was a Dodge chassis. What model Dodge? The Dodge Beatsaheckouttame model. [emoticon]

I certainly appreciate the heads up on the VIN number - I'll hunt up a site that translates VIN's, and see what comes up! I certainly appreciate the layouts - the more I can learn about this monster (okay, at 19' it's not exactly a monster, but it's bigger than my Explorer, or my wife's F-150) the better I'll feel.

Ben, what part of Texas? I've got family all over the place there, as does my wife. If we ever decide to let our baby go (and that's a mighty big "IF"!), I'll let you know. I'd rather one of the nice people on the forum get it, than some stranger! [emoticon]

Posted By: Leeann on 10/27/14 09:02pm

Mine was a '75...and, apparently, I only saved the diagram for mine. But here it is, just in case:

[image]

I'll look for the stuff from which I cropped that...

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

Posted By: Griff in Fairbanks on 10/27/14 09:20pm

Wolf_n_Kat wrote:

It's probably an MB300 chassis. The B series chassis is the vans and the M indicates motorhome or cut-away chassis.

Most sites (and parts houses) don't list the MB series so keep looking or yell and we'll try to help.

Most chassis, engine, and transmission parts will be the same as the same year B300, with the exception of the rear axle, which is probably a Dana 70. However, be careful; the listings for older 1-ton chassis often have errors.

On the plus side, Class C parts are easier to find than Class A's, which can get really "entertaining". (It only took me over 3 years to find front brake rotors for my '73 Class A.)

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: Wolf_n_Kat on 10/27/14 09:54pm

Woohoo!!

classicwinnebagos.com came up with a decoder - Griff's right, it's an MB300 chassis, engine code says 360 2-bbl (not the 383 we were told), assembly plant was "Warren Truck Compact". Maybe the engine was replaced though.

Wow, this is fun and we haven't even pulled out of the yard yet!

Posted By: Ballenxj on 10/27/14 10:22pm

Wolf_n_Kat wrote:

Have a Mopar person look at it. The 360 is a small block, and the 383 is a big block. Should be easy to spot.
OTOH, it probably is a 360 as they would have to change the transmission from a 727 A to a 727 B. That is if I recall correctly.

Downsizing ">

Posted By: Griff in Fairbanks on 10/27/14 10:45pm

Wolf_n_Kat wrote:

The 383 was phased out in the late 60's/early 70's.

Engine could not have been swapped without changing the transmission. The small blocks (273, 318, 340, 360) have different bell housing bolt pattern than the big blocks.

To tell which is which, look at the distributor. The small blocks have the distributor in the rear of the engine and the big blocks have them in the front, above the water pump. This happens to make the small blocks easy to time in vans and motorhomes.

The most significant difference between the 360 and the other small blocks is the oil pan. The 360 has larger main journals, necessitating larger "horseshoes" on the oil pan.

Personally, I like the small blocks, unless you're towing a heavy trailer over hills and mountains regularly. Among other things, it's possible to tweak them for (relatively) good gas mileage. (My '69 Class A got 14-15 mpg ... if I behaved.)

Posted By: Leeann on 10/28/14 05:08pm

Found my 2 quickie sources....

[image]

Posted By: Wolf_n_Kat on 10/28/14 09:08pm

Wow, thanks Leeann! Unfortunately, none of these match our floorplan. I'll see if I can get a decent one drawn up and scanned. The Jamaican is close (bumper to bumper, it's 19'), but our door is right behind the passenger seat and it looks like the Jamaican has a rear door.

Also, my wife and I managed to get the foam mattress out of the overhead, and somebody had put down those interlocking floor tiles normally used for places where people do a lot of standing. "Extra padding" is always a Good Thing, but once I got those up and we cleaned out the overhead, we discovered that I've got a LOT of work to do. I don't know if it's the add-on spot-lights, the corners, or the windows, but there's been plenty of water getting in. So much so that in the passenger-side front corner I can tap on the skin of the RV.

Anybody here ever rebuild the interior of a Class C?

Oh, while I'm thinking about it, engine update: yep, you're right!! Distributor on the rear of the engine, it's a 360.

Posted By: Mykedynamics on 11/22/14 11:26am

Hey Vintage Dodge group! Anyone still posting in here! Legendary White Knight? I've got a 1975 Dodge Sportsman Lazy Daze and guess what, she's paid for... All $150! I've got a 360 under the hood... Purrs like a kitten, Onan Genny and 160watts of GoPower Solar! Currently traversing this great country on a solo music tour! If you want to see pics or vids check www.easyfriendforever.com. Amazing thread.. Let's keep it goin!

Eric easyfriend Brown

Posted By: Ballenxj on 11/22/14 12:37pm

I'm sure the rest of the people will be along shortly, as this seems to be a popular thread.
I looked at your blog just to get a peek at your motorhome. LOOKING GOOD.
PS, Good Luck to you on the road. [emoticon]

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