Hello All, I came across an old post with oldtrucker63 and Lo Lo and I hope they or someone else that can help is still around.Here's the situation, yesterday I bought a 1976 Dodge Sportsman motorhome at auction that has very low miles (6k), upon getting it and trying to drive it home, i'd get up to about 35 mph and it would start puttering. It was described with old gas so I got some new gas and sea foam to put it in it after leaving it on the side of the road an hour from my house. It wouldn't go more than a mile or two without puttering (and popping occasionally) so I pulled it into an outdoor store and asked the manager if I could leave it there overnight. I know nothing about RV's/Motorhomes but always dreamed of owning an older classic camper but now i'm not so sure I made the right decision. I'm on the edge of thinking this thing was a good deal with low miles and a good engine and possibly being worth putting some time and $ into to get it going nicely and clean it up vs. wondering if I made the wrong decision and just bought a problem.I would love to get anybody's advice on the few things I should do to try to get it home. i.e. putting fuel stabalizer etc. in it which I have done. Any big things that I can do myself? possibly replace fuel filter, oil change, etc?Thanks so much!

Congratulations.Your Dodge is all Dodge running gear.Being a '76 and very low millage it has been sitting a long time.The motor, transmission, etc. is the sameas found in Dodge trucks, vans and cars.It just needs a good tune-up.Distributor cap and rotor, possibility wiresand plugs and most likely a crab kit for rebuild.maybe a fuel filter or pump. Nothing that a 1976car or truck would not need as routine maintenance.Be sure to change the fluids.If you are not mechanically inclined any tune-up shop should be able to do that for you.Being a Mopar fan from the day, be sure to pick upand extra Transistor control modular for it.They have been know to go out with out notice.Neither Dad not I would leave home with out an extra one.They were about $20.00 back then. They are strong and reliable drive trains. I have put alot of miles on the Mopars. Hope to start enjoying it soon.

Not sure exactly when they stated to use unleaded fuel, but if yours is a leaded unit make sure you use a lead substitute in the fuel to protect the valves.

Thanks for the advice!It's currently in a parking lot, hope to go there tonight and do the few things you suggested.Will update on progress and when I finally get it home. Much appreciated!

I had at one time an 87 Dodge with a carbureted 360 in it that I used for my Lance TC. On one cross country trip I experienced what you are describing. My problem turned out to be vapor lock. I was told that the fuel lines were too close to the exhaust and the fuel would vaporize, therefore liquid fuel was not getting to the carburetor.There were many recommendations from wrapping the fuel lines near the exhaust to installing an electric fuel pump near the tank.I also noted that I had the problem when we were in the Midwest. For me it seems that I was using the wrong grade of fuel. I did not realize that there was 86% octane fuel. Once we were back in California I never had that problem again. Bad fuel? JMO

Definitely need a tune-up. Seafoam is good stuff but your carburetor is probably gummed up beyond the ability of seafoam to clean it up. Plus pouring good gas into bad gas doesn't make the bad gas go away. The carburetor probably needs a rebuild. You can do it yourself if you are handy or my preference is to send it to a shop that can restore the carb to original specs (probably $200-$250).If it has been setting a long time, you also want to completely inspect the braking system including the flexible hoses which are probably close to closing up internally. Tires also need to inspected closely for cracks or separation even though the tread looks good. Age (over 6-7 years) is a the biggest destroyer of RV tires. If you were expecting a new RV with 6,000 miles, your expectations are misplaced. Sometimes the damage comes from non use rather than wear. Vehicles built in the 70's required a lot more maintenance than today's vehicles.

1976 Dodge Sportsman Help | Good Sam Community

25 Replies

BTPO1
Explorer
Dec 11, 2014
I had at one time an 87 Dodge with a carbureted 360 in it that I used for my Lance TC. On one cross country trip I experienced what you are describing. My problem turned out to be vapor lock. I was told that the fuel lines were too close to the exhaust and the fuel would vaporize, therefore liquid fuel was not getting to the carburetor.

There were many recommendations from wrapping the fuel lines near the exhaust to installing an electric fuel pump near the tank.

I also noted that I had the problem when we were in the Midwest. For me it seems that I was using the wrong grade of fuel. I did not realize that there was 86% octane fuel. Once we were back in California I never had that problem again. Bad fuel? JMO
aussiebrewerinc
Explorer
Dec 11, 2014
Thanks for the advice!

It's currently in a parking lot, hope to go there tonight and do the few things you suggested.

Will update on progress and when I finally get it home. Much appreciated!
sljkansas
Explorer
Dec 11, 2014
Not sure exactly when they stated to use unleaded fuel, but if yours is a leaded unit make sure you use a lead substitute in the fuel to protect the valves.
Oldme
Explorer
Dec 11, 2014
Congratulations.

Your Dodge is all Dodge running gear.
Being a '76 and very low millage it
has been sitting a long time.

The motor, transmission, etc. is the same
as found in Dodge trucks, vans and cars.
It just needs a good tune-up.

Distributor cap and rotor, possibility wires
and plugs and most likely a crab kit for rebuild.
maybe a fuel filter or pump. Nothing that a 1976
car or truck would not need as routine maintenance.
Be sure to change the fluids.

If you are not mechanically inclined any tune-up shop
should be able to do that for you.

Being a Mopar fan from the day, be sure to pick up
and extra Transistor control modular for it.
They have been know to go out with out notice.
Neither Dad not I would leave home with out an extra one.
They were about $20.00 back then.

They are strong and reliable drive trains. I have put a
lot of miles on the Mopars.

Hope to start enjoying it soon.

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1976 Dodge Sportsman Help

25 Replies

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