Forum Discussion

Foiler's avatar
Foiler
Explorer
May 19, 2016

Engine replacement

Had a 460 in a 96 class A go bad this Spring. Leaking and smoking, 2 qts. in 50 miles. Ford doesn't make this motor anymore, everything I have is obsolete. Not just anyone can do a swap in a gasser RV. Not sure of much except that it looks expensive.

At a Ford dealership now, they are evaluating the problem. Pretty sure they will have to overhaul the engine which I assume means removing it, looks like a difficult job.

Not sure if they would put a crate motor from a rebuilder, like Jasper.

Anyone have any experience with this issue?

Thanks,Terry
Class A
  • Dale_Traveling's avatar
    Dale_Traveling
    Explorer II
    May 19, 2016
    Haven't had the experience directly but there have been a couple of posting in the past concerning owners who did it themselves or paid for the work. Crate motors are available but the labor is the cost driver. You're going to have to make a hard decision considering the cost to repair could be higher then the value of the coach.

    Engine can come out two, maybe three directions. Out the top thru the dog house, out the bottom or out the front. Each has advantages and disadvantages.

    Going up thru the dog house may require a some disassembly of both engines such as removing the heads to fit the opening in the coach floor. There is also the problem of getting access with a lifting rig inside the coach.

    Going down might be a bit easier but will require removing the front axle and also lifting the coach to get the engine out from under it once removed.

    Going out the front will depend on if the front cap design will allow and how much can be removed without cutting.

    Think happy thoughts and its just a failed head gasket or something equally simple that can be corrected with removal. Tell us what Ford finds.
  • hanko's avatar
    hanko
    Explorer
    May 19, 2016
    there was a fellow here about a year ago that swapped out a 460. came out through the front, and he did it at an abandon gas station. Seemed like quite a job. I wish I could remember the guys name. Maybe he will see this and respond, good luck
  • gbopp's avatar
    gbopp
    Explorer
    May 19, 2016
    hanko wrote:
    there was a fellow here about a year ago that swapped out a 460. came out through the front, and he did it at an abandon gas station. Seemed like quite a job. I wish I could remember the guys name. Maybe he will see this and respond, good luck


    I think this is the one you're talking about: My Repower Adventure.
  • turbojimmy's avatar
    turbojimmy
    Explorer
    May 19, 2016
    gbopp wrote:
    hanko wrote:
    there was a fellow here about a year ago that swapped out a 460. came out through the front, and he did it at an abandon gas station. Seemed like quite a job. I wish I could remember the guys name. Maybe he will see this and respond, good luck


    I think this is the one you're talking about: My Repower Adventure.


    Good one, but that's not the one. I wish I could remember the guy's name, too. It was indeed at an abandoned gas station and I remember it got flooded.

    Mine came out the driver's door. If yours doesn't have a driver's door things get quite a bit more complicated. It's the labor that's killer, which is why I did it myself. I found a used crate engine for $1,000. Figure another couple hundred bucks in incidentals (fluids, hoses, random stuff).
  • crasster's avatar
    crasster
    Explorer II
    May 19, 2016
    Have you checked at autozone for a replacement or remanufactured motor? They have a lot of options there. Also check Oreilly auto.
  • rgatijnet1's avatar
    rgatijnet1
    Explorer III
    May 19, 2016
    Depending on the mileage, you may have a problem that does not require an engine replacement. A valve seal problem can cause an excessive amount of oil burning as well as a few other things.
    The shop should do a complete inspection of the engine rather than just say you need a new engine and ask you for a blank check.
    You may only need to remove the heads and have then rebuilt. You may also have some failed gaskets and seals that need replaced. All of those are a lot cheaper, and more probable, than a worn out engine.
  • mike_brez's avatar
    mike_brez
    Explorer
    May 19, 2016
    turbojimmy wrote:
    gbopp wrote:
    hanko wrote:
    there was a fellow here about a year ago that swapped out a 460. came out through the front, and he did it at an abandon gas station. Seemed like quite a job. I wish I could remember the guys name. Maybe he will see this and respond, good luck


    I think this is the one you're talking about: My Repower Adventure.


    Good one, but that's not the one. I wish I could remember the guy's name, too. It was indeed at an abandoned gas station and I remember it got flooded.

    Mine came out the driver's door. If yours doesn't have a driver's door things get quite a bit more complicated. It's the labor that's killer, which is why I did it myself. I found a used crate engine for $1,000. Figure another couple hundred bucks in incidentals (fluids, hoses, random stuff).


    This one
  • Hideout17's avatar
    Hideout17
    Explorer
    May 20, 2016
    If you pull engine out do a full overhaul. A good builder can put correct parts in for rv application plus maybe give some extra Hp. Do this if you plan on keeping it. If not keeping it trade it as is. Motor work won't increase value much.
  • Foiler's avatar
    Foiler
    Explorer
    May 22, 2016
    Thanks to everyone for their responses.

    This is a Rexhall Aerbus that we bought new, only has 29,000 and change
    on it. Is in really good shape as far as the coach goes, indoors much
    of the time. Never been hot and the OP has not changed since new. Always
    run synthetic oil in it.

    Has a driver side door but not sure the doghouse will let me pull it out
    from the top, maybe with the heads removed, will have to do some
    measuring if it comes to that. Don't think there is any way it could come
    out the front.

    Son-in-law is a mechanic but his shop is not set up for this operation,
    he has had good luck with Jasper motors in a number of applications. He
    is also a customer with O'Reilly's so might be able to work through them.

    Will let you know when I find out anything.

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