I own a 1989 Fleetwood Pace Arrow 35 foot Chevy P-30. I was just wondering if anyone else maybe has been experiencing my problem. My MH motor screams at 55mph. It is working way to hard to keep it at 55mph. I took it to a place that specializes in transmissions and had them check out the tranny. I thought maybe there was an issue. Had them change the fluid and filter also. They said it is working perfect. I have been reading forums and just wondered if this is normal? I did purchase this MH used and just wondered if the person changed the rearend. It just doesn't seem right that you would have to work the engine so hard to get to 55pmh. Thanks for any insite.:)

IT SHOULD NOT BE SCREAMING AT 55....I had a 86 Allegro /454 with 456 rear end...pretty much same as yours....so Iam familiar, sounds like you are in 2nd gear?....even with a 513 rear gear it wouldn't do that in 3rd....You need a tac to see what your RPMS are....that's the first thing..you cant analyze this problem without it....maybe you are hearing something else, manifold leaks, loud exhaust ,who knows? RPMS at 55 first. And if that 454 is struggling that hard , Id say something else may be wrong.....like timing, carb problems,etc. I would not trust it till its fixed.

It shifts into 3rd. Only in 2nd was my first thought also. I will have to look into a tach. I just thought it was geared low. The motorhome will get up from a dead stop as fast as my Dodge 1500.

With only 3 speeds, and sitting right on top of the engine bay basically, you are probably just not used to it. Our old '82 southwind with the same motor and tranny would do 80 across the desert pulling a loaded trailer, no problem. I believe it had a 4.56 rear end. On a big block, your cruising RPM's at 55 shouldn't be over 2500. A tach is the next thing you add to that big block to know what she is really doing. Is it really struggling like it's low on power, or is it just that you think the RPM's are too high? Will it go faster than 55? Have you tried 65?

NO I have not tried 65. Well..... Down hill once. I will have to look into a tach for it.The person I bought it from said he had no problem driving 70 with it,but I didn't know if he was being truthful or not.

I just think that the RPMs are to high. I don't think it has a lack of power. I have hauled a trailer with it and has no problem getting to 55 with it.The tach will tell. Thanks for the suggestion.

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popeye766
Explorer
Jun 03, 2013
IT SHOULD NOT BE SCREAMING AT 55....I had a 86 Allegro /454 with 456 rear end...pretty much same as yours....so Iam familiar, sounds like you are in 2nd gear?....even with a 513 rear gear it wouldn't do that in 3rd....You need a tac to see what your RPMS are....that's the first thing..you cant analyze this problem without it....maybe you are hearing something else, manifold leaks, loud exhaust ,who knows? RPMS at 55 first. And if that 454 is struggling that hard , Id say something else may be wrong.....like timing, carb problems,etc. I would not trust it till its fixed.
Bkklett
Explorer
Jun 03, 2013
It shifts into 3rd. Only in 2nd was my first thought also. I will have to look into a tach. I just thought it was geared low. The motorhome will get up from a dead stop as fast as my Dodge 1500.
glamisorbust
Explorer II
Jun 03, 2013
With only 3 speeds, and sitting right on top of the engine bay basically, you are probably just not used to it. Our old '82 southwind with the same motor and tranny would do 80 across the desert pulling a loaded trailer, no problem. I believe it had a 4.56 rear end. On a big block, your cruising RPM's at 55 shouldn't be over 2500. A tach is the next thing you add to that big block to know what she is really doing. Is it really struggling like it's low on power, or is it just that you think the RPM's are too high? Will it go faster than 55? Have you tried 65?
Bkklett
Explorer
Jun 03, 2013
NO I have not tried 65. Well..... Down hill once. I will have to look into a tach for it.The person I bought it from said he had no problem driving 70 with it,but I didn't know if he was being truthful or not.
Bkklett
Explorer
Jun 03, 2013
I just think that the RPMs are to high. I don't think it has a lack of power. I have hauled a trailer with it and has no problem getting to 55 with it.The tach will tell. Thanks for the suggestion.
popeye766
Explorer
Jun 03, 2013
Funny, he had no problem at 70 ,you have a problem struggling at 55.....HUMMM....Id say suspect something is up...so far good advice here....RPMS first..bad tune up and screaming at 55 can jive....does the motor look like its been worked on.....?
popeye766
Explorer
Jun 03, 2013
Wait...you said it struggled at 55, now you say with a trailer no problem at 55.....
FuzzyKnight
Explorer
Jun 03, 2013
My guess is that it has 4.88 gears as most big chassis have. In stall a gear vendors and you will be very happy.
popeye766
Explorer
Jun 03, 2013
Just for reference my 96 pace Arrow has 5.13 gears and does 3400 RPM at 59 in 3rd,pulling a ranger... and its very comfortable there....460 ford... I would suspect that 454 should be in the 2800 area...
JRandall
Explorer
Jun 03, 2013
Just a thought... there may be indeed something very wrong, but one thing to look into is whether or not your fan clutch is working properly. It sounds to me that your fan remains engaged when it should be free wheeling. That would definitely sound like the engine is screaming. The fan is only supposed to be direct when the motor heats to a certain temperature. But the age of your unit indicates a real possibility that the fan clutch is shot. It is an easy fix if that is the problem. Every auto parts store will carry them...it happens often that they quit working.

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