1979 Dodge AVCO help

[shaneperch]

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.

[shaneperch]

THe oil looks great. So does the water. It is nice and green.

[WILDEBILL308]

shaneperch wrote:
How do you prevent that? This engine sat for 5 years and it is in S/W Mo. Thanks so much

5 years is not 25 years I wouldn't be worried. How does the oil look? Does it look like it has water in it? If it does I would change it before you drive it to far.
Bill

[shaneperch]

That is what I do with my buses I start them once a month and drive them around the block to keep the seals and all in good shape, This motorhome ran great when the carb allowed the fuel to go in the engine. But I got one coming and will see what I can do. It ran and I checked the oil and the color was fine. Before i move it. I am going to change the oil.

[erstanfo]

Shane,
Starting or at least cranking it over every 3-6 months keeps the oil pumped through the bearing journals. If it has only been 5 years you are probably ok. 10-15-20+ yrs + and you don't know if the bearings have dried up or not.

Houston is hard on things since it is 98% humidity 10-11 months out of the year. Everything rusts or rots and you learn to like the smell of mildew. Glad I got out of there after 7 years 🙂

[shaneperch]

How do you prevent that? This engine sat for 5 years and it is in S/W Mo. Thanks so much

[erstanfo]

One note of caution on a motor that has sat a long time.
A friend got an MGA that sat for 25 years. He was excited when it started and ran after replacing fuel, and cleaning the carb. So he wanted to go on a trip. 100 miles out of town it threw a rod. Upon tear down and inspection, the upper sides of the crank bearings were rust glazed since the oil had run off. This was in humid Houston, but you can have problems with the crank bearings if it has sat a long time.

[shaneperch]

I found a decent used carburetor for way under a 100 and will see if it will do the trick. I can't afford much right now as I had to pay for my Mother's funeral so things are tight but I only have to move it 57 miles and hopefully it will make it. It should fit I hope. the only difference is that the fuel line mine goes in from the bottom and this one is on the side in the back So I hope i can get a line to fit. If it don't work I am sure I can use it for a core with the other one I have.

[shaneperch]

Thanks Bert. I am going to buy a reman at Rock Auto and then save up for a Edelbrock (SP?) Or I might try the link that Wildebill posted. theirs is cheaper. If I replace the carburetor and clean everything (was out of gas and no rust in the tank gas pumped out was clear) It should run fine you all think? I am going to get new fuel filters. I am going to get two new tires for the front tires as I do not want to risk driving with old tires on the front. I only have to go 57 miles according to my odometer. Thanks so much

[johnsonbert]

My first inclination would be the accelerator pump is shrunk up. It is a leather piston in a hole in the carb that shoots gas into the venturies when you step on the accelerator. It may soak up if it is a leather one, after setting in some gas for a while, but only part way, It can be replaced through a carb kit, or find a rebuilt carb. Even a junk yard carb might demonstrate the same problem. Hope this may help, Happy Trails Bert

[John_S_]

You might be able to get some information on the Foretravel site. fT bought out Travco and many older FT owners used to own Travcos. In fact you are eligible to join the motorcade club which will give you a discount on parts at FT. They are also able to fabricate parts too. The foreforum has lots of owners but I do not know how many had Travcos as we have never asked that on there.

[WILDEBILL308]

Well you can get a rebuilt carb hear

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/urm-6-6357/overview/make/dodge

or I have used this one on a 460 Ford.

http://www.jegs.com/i/Edelbrock/350/1411/10002/-1

The Edelbrock improves mileage and performance without the problems of the original carb.
Bill

[shaneperch]

I just installed the batteries from my bus form trying to start this RV and the bus sat for 5 months and with one dead battery and two low batteries I was hoping after a jump start to get it started it took right off. there is something to be said about diesels. the venerable Detroit has that special place in my heart. This 440 and the carburetor not so much. I will have to buy a new carburetor. Hope i can find a good price on it. a lot of parts stores have absolutely no mercy

[shaneperch]

2bzy2c wrote:
It sort of sounds like your carb jets may be gummed up if this RV has been sitting for a long time.

You could take the carb apart and try and fix it, but that is not really a DIY job. Lots of springs jump out when you remove the cover.

Best to get a rebuilt one. That is a very common engine and you should not have any trouble finding something suitable.

cool glad you think it is a bad carb. I feel the same and you confirmed it. I may get a new one. they are 227 at Rock Auto. I wil ltry to dissasemble and fix.I am not afraid of ruining it I wil just get a new one. I need to get it moved in a week and a half. so I have a little time. THanks so much

[shaneperch]

been a bad day with this damn RV. Then I see someone on here that just bought an 02 pusher and in their mid 30s and here I am 44 and have NO running motorhome don't mean to be jealous I have no kids no wife and no running RV and tired of the fight trying to get stuff running. How does it feel to telephone a dealer geton a jet go and drive it home without having to carry batteries gas jacks tires and whilst begging God and hoping that the 7th day of the fight is the day you get to get it home. and drive back that night empty handed. Yeah I am ready to just get a running RV that is newer than me. GOd I am so tired of this fight. I have two choices , one, have no RV and like it ,, or two pull rabbits out of my ass hoping to have one. God I am in a foul mood. I hope someone has a good suggestion. I am tired of trying on a shoestring. I wish the hell i could hire someone to just tow the piece of **** home.. or wish God would FINALLY answer a few damn prayers.