I have a question. I acquired an AVCO I have heard they are pretty decent. I need to rewire the ignition. I wired some of it and I got it running off of ether. I don't have any accessories but it turns over and will run great on starting fluid and not much of it. I need to clean out the old fuel if there is any any need to get it running on gas as i got to move it in a few weeks. Now there is a red wire and a green wire in the wire harness where it hooks into the electronic start module and so can anyone help? It is a 440 engine in a 1979 Avco. the motorhome has a tag axle and ice maker and blender built into the counter. It has a central vacuum too. I assume it is a good unit. has the emerald genset which I didn't think that they were made in the late 70s. Does this motorhome have an electric fuel pump. Any tips to get it home as it is a 60 mile trip. the tires are okay but will change them once I get it all cleaned up and all that mess. Thanks for all the help you all may give me.

Depending on how long it has been setting, you may be for a lot of junk in the gas tank, rust and dirt as well as varnish gas. I would try getting it running with an auxiliary gas tank with filter and hose directly to the fuel pump, If you get it running that way, then try siphoning the tank and put a little fresh gas in there and siphon it again, or pump it toward the front but not into the carb. The dirt and varnish will be some of your biggest problem in getting it running and moving. You night even consider a marine tank just to get it home, although safety is an issue. brakes will also be a primary consideration for your trip home. Keep us posted and best of luck on the trip and the restore, should be a neat one. Happy Trails Bert

thats standard Dodge truck wiring diagrama haynes book for the M300 ? chassis of that year should give the wiring diagramselectric fuel pump add ons were common, but they almost always include the OEM mechanical fuel pump

Shane is your Dodge similar to the Dodge RV in the movie Barefoot?

The Avco is a high end unit! But owning an old unit that has been neglected is not for the faint of heart. The 440 is an awesome power plant but has it's shortcomings. The Thermoquad carb is one of them. I would suggest you join a forum called Winnebago and Vintage MH's. Lots of Dodge chassis information. There are many parts on that engine chassis that are hard to find: Brake parts, thermostat, exhaust manifolds and more. DO NOT USE ETHER!!! You can check the fuel pump by removing a fuel line and see if fuel comes out. I am sure the carb is all gummed up. Easy to see if it has an electric pump by getting under and following the fuel line to the tank. If you can drain the old fuel or remove the tank for cleaning, do so. You have a lot of work to do!Moisheh

I dont know I never watched that movie now I may get it. I like the movie with Jack Nicholson when he traveled in a motor home across the country in one. how can I post a picture on here? I will post a picture of mine once I figure out how

1979 Dodge AVCO help | Good Sam Community

33 Replies

WILDEBILL308
Explorer II
Feb 09, 2015
shaneperch wrote:
I can't afford towing these greedy people would want a grand to tow it 60 miles. I will have to make sure it makes it by doing all i can to get it home. I have three friends along the way I may drive it to each friend and check everything. I have a friend that has a flat bed maybe he can pull it. I need to get it on the main road. He gave me a semi truck can't ask for more really. I don't have a combination license nor a lowboy. I wish i could put in a John Deere engine in it. I would trade the 440 for part of the engine. Someone did that with their pickup truck. I know I can't do it. just wish I could. I got the engine running on gas it sounds great. Anyway towing is not an option. unless I win the lottery.

The 440 is a great engine for your motorhome. You can buy a better carb and do upgrades as you can. But if you wanted to change to a diesel I would find a used Cummins out of a pickup and the auto transmission. I have seen that a couple of times. The John Deer not so much.
Bill
WILDEBILL308
Explorer II
Feb 09, 2015
shaneperch wrote:
I can't afford towing these greedy people would want a grand to tow it 60 miles. I will have to make sure it makes it by doing all i can to get it home. I have three friends along the way I may drive it to each friend and check everything. I have a friend that has a flat bed maybe he can pull it. I need to get it on the main road. He gave me a semi truck can't ask for more really. I don't have a combination license nor a lowboy. I wish i could put in a John Deere engine in it. I would trade the 440 for part of the engine. Someone did that with their pickup truck. I know I can't do it. just wish I could. I got the engine running on gas it sounds great. Anyway towing is not an option. unless I win the lottery.

Ok I have ben there. Try to get one of your friends to follow you or best get the friend with the truck incase you have to get it towed off the road for some problem. If you can stay off the main road and go slow. I would be nervous about the tiers. Keep us informed.
Bill
shaneperch
Explorer
Feb 09, 2015
I can't afford towing these greedy people would want a grand to tow it 60 miles. I will have to make sure it makes it by doing all i can to get it home. I have three friends along the way I may drive it to each friend and check everything. I have a friend that has a flat bed maybe he can pull it. I need to get it on the main road. He gave me a semi truck can't ask for more really. I don't have a combination license nor a lowboy. I wish i could put in a John Deere engine in it. I would trade the 440 for part of the engine. Someone did that with their pickup truck. I know I can't do it. just wish I could. I got the engine running on gas it sounds great. Anyway towing is not an option. unless I win the lottery.
WILDEBILL308
Explorer II
Feb 09, 2015
With so many questions as to condition of the tiers, brakes and driveline. I would consider having it towed home on a trailer or flatbed. When you get it home you can check out all the things that need work with out putting yourself at risk on the road.
Not trying to rain on your new toy but it might be a good option to think about.
Bill
shaneperch
Explorer
Feb 09, 2015
I checked the fuel tank and got the drain plug unscrewed and nothing came out. No water no rust nor fuel. it was bone dry. I put a little gasoline in the carb and it ran great. Tomorrow I am going to try to run it from a 5 gallon gas can. I can make a clunk weight and all that. I think it is fine and the engine sounded awesome. The motorhome is fiberglass and the walls are curved. I bet the walls are made of wood frame I don't know. I love the way it looks and I lost my vogue and this I like better. I don't know how it is built I would love to know. I can't find anywhere , where the walls are rotted to see inside the walls. It is a 1979 God only knows. My RTS bus has curved walls and it is all stainless steel tubing and plates It would be nice if this motorhome had steel framing in the walls.
moisheh
Explorer
Feb 08, 2015
The Vogue does have a steel frame/roll bar in the front end. There are other roll bars in the middle and I think the rear. Very strong. Not sure what the Avco uses but many MH's used wood frames.

Moisheh
shaneperch
Explorer
Feb 08, 2015
how is the coach built? is it steel frame or wood? Is this coach as good as a vogue? I mean comparable? Some told me that vogues in that era were wood framed . I wonder if the AVCO is as good as the vogue as i would love to have a vogue. if the AVCO is as good. got my Vogue if you will
Matt_Colie
Explorer II
Feb 08, 2015
Shane,

I am part of an owners group for coaches that are all older than that.
Many get moved with a jury fuel system with an electric pump (get the kind for carburetor) and an outboard fuel tank. It may only get you thirty miles at a time, but it can still get you home.

Also, if it sat for any time, all the rubber parts should be suspect. Tires are just to start of that list. Be ready to make patches and repairs to get home.

Good Luck

Matt
shaneperch
Explorer
Feb 08, 2015
I dont know I never watched that movie now I may get it. I like the movie with Jack Nicholson when he traveled in a motor home across the country in one. how can I post a picture on here? I will post a picture of mine once I figure out how
moisheh
Explorer
Feb 08, 2015
The Avco is a high end unit! But owning an old unit that has been neglected is not for the faint of heart. The 440 is an awesome power plant but has it's shortcomings. The Thermoquad carb is one of them. I would suggest you join a forum called Winnebago and Vintage MH's. Lots of Dodge chassis information. There are many parts on that engine chassis that are hard to find: Brake parts, thermostat, exhaust manifolds and more. DO NOT USE ETHER!!! You can check the fuel pump by removing a fuel line and see if fuel comes out. I am sure the carb is all gummed up. Easy to see if it has an electric pump by getting under and following the fuel line to the tank. If you can drain the old fuel or remove the tank for cleaning, do so. You have a lot of work to do!

Moisheh

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1979 Dodge AVCO help

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