Hi, I have a 2003 National SeaBreeze 1311 on a Ford Super Duty V10 Chassis. I recently had the catalytic converter stolen while the RV was in a commercial storage facility. The shop that is replacing the converter needs to know what chassis is under my RV. The shop says it probably is either a F350 or E350. This information is important because there are two different converters depending on the exact chassis number. Does anyone know which chassis I have or where on the RV I can find this information. Thanks in advance.Tony

Class A's were built on the F-53 chassis. E series were basically vans. So you have a F-53 chassisYou can call Ford with your VIN number and they can give you information on your chassis.

Thanks Chuck, so between the choice of E350 and F350 converters, mine would be the F350?Tony

DTony wrote:Thanks Chuck, so between the choice of E350 and F350 converters, mine would be the F350?TonyNot to steal Chuck's thunder, but your chassis is neither one, it's the F53 stripped chassis. It might be the same converter as an F350, but maybe not. The shop ought to be able to figure it out with the chassis VIN.

Run your VIN through this free VIN decoder.

E350/450 is a class C. You have a class A built on an F53 chassis. 2 completely different chassis’s. Find another shop that knows what they are doing!

What Chassis do I have | Good Sam Community

Blackdiamond
Explorer
Feb 15, 2022
Mine was stolen, had it replaced at Chino Muffler and Tire, about an hour drive for you but worth it. All the local places were fumbling around with "what is it, don't know if I can get it". I called the afternoon before, he had one in stock. I was in at 7:30am out by 8:15am. Mine was a 2002 F53 chassis.....they know what you need and he does all the fire and police vehicles in the area.
DTony
Explorer
Feb 15, 2022
Thanks Blackdiamond,I'll give them a call.
s_N_s
Explorer
Feb 16, 2022
DTony wrote:
Thanks Blackdiamond,I'll give them a call.

They may be an hour away from you but I don't believe you want to be driving there without the converter. Best bet is to have it towed if they have the part you need. JMHO
Bruce_Brown
Moderator
Feb 18, 2022
s N s wrote:
DTony wrote:
Thanks Blackdiamond,I'll give them a call.

They may be an hour away from you but I don't believe you want to be driving there without the converter. Best bet is to have it towed if they have the part you need. JMHO

Why not? Many people remove them anyway. Yes, I would definitely put a temporary pipe in where it was taken from before I headed out but I'd sure do that before I had it towed.
chuckftboy
Explorer
Feb 18, 2022
Tony, there is really nothing special about an OEM converter, Ford doesn't build them anyway, they are provided by one of their vendors. I think the major concern is one sized large enough for your 8-cylinder engine and fits in the space of the original.
AllegroD
Nomad
Feb 19, 2022
chuckftboy wrote:
Tony, there is really nothing special about an OEM converter, Ford doesn't build them anyway, they are provided by one of their vendors. I think the major concern is one sized large enough for your 8-cylinder engine and fits in the space of the original.

I don't follow. What has a converter to do with the engine and what does the engine have to do with a converter?
way2roll
Navigator II
Feb 19, 2022
AllegroD wrote:
chuckftboy wrote:
Tony, there is really nothing special about an OEM converter, Ford doesn't build them anyway, they are provided by one of their vendors. I think the major concern is one sized large enough for your 8-cylinder engine and fits in the space of the original.

I don't follow. What has a converter to do with the engine and what does the engine have to do with a converter?

It's about capacity. You couldn't put a 4 cyclinder miata cat on a Ford v8. It has to be sized appropriately for the volume and velocity of the exhaust. Not to mention the pipe sizing would be very different. Without sufficient exhaust flow, you restrict the engine, cause back pressure and can cause severe damage if it ran at all. Suck, bam, blow. Intake, combustion and exhaust must all work in unison. Imagine trying to hook a garden hose to a fire hydrant.
wolfe10
Explorer
Feb 19, 2022
AllegroD wrote:

I don't follow. What has a converter to do with the engine and what does the engine have to do with a converter?

I believe the reference is to the CATALYTIC CONVERTER, not electric converter (120 VAC to 12 VDC).
Chum_lee
Explorer
Dec 29, 2022
Google is your friend.

Search: "2003 Ford F-53 CARB approved direct fit catalytic converter"

I see at least 1 option, most of them are about $1,100 or more. OUCH! Sorry about that. Depending on how much damage was done when it was stolen, it might be better if the shop who installs the converter also buys it, and, has it shipped directly to their shop prior to installation.

Chum lee
AllegroD
Nomad
Dec 29, 2022
wolfe10 wrote:
AllegroD wrote:

I don't follow. What has a converter to do with the engine and what does the engine have to do with a converter?

I believe the reference is to the CATALYTIC CONVERTER, not electric converter (120 VAC to 12 VDC).
Yep! I was definitely thinking electric!

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