Absolutely, i never walk into these "projects" with my eyes shut. doesn't sound like power wagon does either. I have also rebuilt various cars, boats, and other campers. Your point is very correct and funny. the guy I bought this MH from used the lower miles, 59000, as a selling point and became aggitated as I explained that is not a good thing. But....for 3 grand and being in great shape with everything working, straight body, new tires, brakes.....it was a no brainer. But....I can work on these babies no problem and actually enjoy it.
PW, the elastamere stuff is a coating separate from the plastacoat sealer. Supposed to be a three step process of using the sealant around seams, then strengthening with a mesh, re-sealing, then coating the whole roof with a roll on coating. I'm not sure if all that is going to be necessary. Looking into it though.
Did you ever decide to pull the intake and put on a performer and edle carb? i am definitely going with the tri-y's and 3 inch h-pipe for exhaust but am up in the air on the intake and cam? Figure it's already got a RV am in it? Timing gear is probably a no brainer on these? i'm also afraid the performer and edle carb won't fit under the dog house? I'm not sure the increase in horses will be worth the decrease in gas mileage. I want to pull a boat about 3000 pounds so the torque and horses are needed. HMMMM! What to do?
Ken
I'm waiting to "borrow" another boat-anchor 2v carb from a friend just so I can run this thing and trouble shoot the engine. If it does in fact have issues, then I have a lead on a new engine cheap. But I'm not looking forward to lifting this tank up that high to pull the engine out!
So, if my little experiment works, and I find there is nothing wrong with the engine, I'll definately go the Performer route and a Summit cam kit (as well as new lifters, push rods, and chain set, might as well while I'm in there!). Not sure about exhaust yet other than 2.25" duals. I need to do more research on headers for vans... The trick to this rig is to get her working safely and properly first, than worry about the FUN stuff!
![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/wink.gif "wink")
Eric
Keep me posted on the engine. I have a 22 foot at about 9000 pounds and probably a litle more loaded up. Bone stock with an exhaust leak and it does okay. a decent exhaust would be real good if I wasn't planning on towing which I probably shouldn't with this tranny. May put a cooler on? the 4 barrel 6 cfm edel I have in the garage would be perfect and I just need the intake. 80 bucks off ebay. that would probably give me what I need. I may do the chain to just because I've heard horror stories about the stock set up breaking. don't know if there is any truth to it. I don't know about the cam. The old RV cam that's in there is probably an iron beast. I'm going to leave mine as there have been too many soft cams going around these days. My rig only has 59000 so it will be okay.
Get that carb and let us know how she sounds. Got spark? Compression?
Ken
Small block Mopars EAT their timing chains for some reason. It's not uncommon to hear stories about only having 500 miles on a set and it's shot. That's why I go double roller right away. If someone would ever develope a cost effective gear drive set-up, that's be the hot ticket!
For exhaust, I've changed my mind and will not use headers. That's alot of heat coming through the dog house. A set of late model Magnum manifolds will work just fine (they breath a whole lot better than the original ones).
What's wrong with my engine? I don't know yet! It only runs at 3500 rpms, no matter what! Not only is it getting too much air through somewhere, but it's getting enough fuel to allow it to run like that! Probably a major vacuum leak combined with a sunk float or other defect in the lousey Holley carb. I can't do anything with the engine until I can get it to idle at about 850rpms. It just started doing this, I can't explain it. I've never encountered it before!
But, in true "Master-of-lost-causes" fashion, I'll figure it out!
I finally found something that fit my "budget". I haven't taken possession yet, but am finishing a deal for a '79 Dodge 24' Holiday Rambler. While the DW isn't too keen on the age of the Unit, it was 1) in our non-existent budget, and 2) the only real way to get the desired floor plan.
I'll have many more questions coming to this thread in the future. lol.
Details! (and a pic?)
lol I promise... especially with the latter.
'73 Concord 20' Class A w/Dodge 440 - see profile for photo