1979 dodge cruise master

I ordered a manual and I'll check the dodge thread to see if I can get any good pointers on the pan drop thanks a lot this is sounding like it might be a pain in the butt, and I'm ok with that there's always gotta be one thing that's a pain I'm hoping if this is going to be that then hopefully it's the only one I'll let u know my progress when I have completed the pan drop witch I'll probably do this saterday, sucks I can only get to it on sat and parts of Sunday do to working two jobs but since u have been basically helping since I first got this rv I'll make sure I give u the update with some pictures if I can figure out how to post them lol

Get a manual or check the Dodge thread. It's been too long since we had a Dodge. I remember some V8 where having a certain cylinder at TDC got the crankshaft out of the way. Another, where you took the pan as far as it'd go, unfastened the oil pump and dropped it in the pan, and it'd slide out. Then, of course, the issue of mounting the oil pump properly while under a truck fishing around in the oil pan.

Aw man I have to lift the engine for the oil pan gasket, I've changed motor mounts on a chrysler300 and on a ford explore wasn't hard at all I used a hydraulic jack to left the motor, I looked under there and noticed how big the pan was and how it was set up looks like the engine has to come up quite some way to remove it, I'm wondering can I do the same on this rv as I did on my other vehicles when I lifted the engine? I'm also going to change all the fluids in the transmission from the toque converter and the pan something else I've done many times to new vehicles I've gotten when. I did not see a drain plug so like what I've done many times I'll start off with the pan then I find the line from tranny to radiator unplug that line put it in a bucket then start the vehicle and poor trans fluid in as the old comes out once the old becomes new coming out the line I stop shut vehicle off plug line back up and fill to correct level. Never made sense to me to mix old fluids with new. Again thanks so much for the great info once I have this rv up and running like it should I know my family is going to have a blast on our trips.

I think your cutaway chassis model might be MB300 or something like that, but yes, a B300 (which is what we had) will cover most of it, at least till you get to the rear brakes.

You want to change the Engine Oil Pan Gasket? I no longer have a manual, but I think you'll have to at least lift the engine mounts up off the chassis to get it off. Speaking of mounts, ours simply ate rear transmission mounts. But it was a 1971, so maybe they issued better ones by 1979.

It'd be a good idea to change transmission fluid/filter. I don't know if a 1979 has drain plugs in the Torque Converter. If it doesn't your pan removal will change about half the fluid. See if you can get a drain plug kit for the pan, or a pan with a drain. Then you can change it once with a new filter. If it isn't too crudded up, then you can just drain/refill with the plug and not go through the pan dropping.

Thanks j-d that was great help I have resantly done the tune up and oil change I went with the 10w30 weight oil and yes that was a typo I am using my phone and it auto corrected liter sorry about that. I've come to find that I have the small block engine (360 5.9L) when I went to auto zone it came up as the dodge b300 for parts (please comment if I'm using the wrong parts ), I have to get a power steering pump and oil pan gasket as well as transmission filter and gasket.These are my next things I want to get too on this rv. then I only will have a brake issue and a windshield to get to be able to hit the road for our first road trip.Again thank you all for the great info

When we had our Dodge, maybe Amsoil was selling synthetic, but plain old Dino Oil was the norm. I think the recommendation then was 10W-30. You live in cool country, so I'd suggest that. The standard oil filter was about a half quart. A longer one was more like one quart and I'd use that if you can find a parts person who understands what you're talking about.
In Florida, the highway patrol cars were Chrysler products and used HD (High Detergent, doesn't mean Heavy Duty) straight 30 weight oil. Our Dodge was a van and we towed a boat on several hundred mile trips. I found it used less HD30 than it used 10W-30 so I used the HD-30, but I don't think you should because that oil will be too thick for starting up on your cold days up there in PA.
I think you have a typo where you wrote "about the 360 like leader size." I don't understand "leader" so if you'll explain or correct that, I may be able to help.

You need to buy an overhaul and maintenance manual(Chilton's etc.) for your year model Dodge Van that uses the same engine/drive train, probably available from an auto parts store. The original owners manual for your RV is probably generic and not much use in troubleshooting of your RV electrical systems, etc. The long running Dodge Class C thread on this forum will probably have much information you will need.

Thanks j-d that was great help I now know I have the 360 engine would you happen to know anything about the 360 like leader size sorry for the late response I work two jobs so it's hard to respond fast, would anyone know what weight and kind oil would be best for this rv I will be doing a oil change and tune up tomorrow morning, I will take pics of the rv and post it so you guys can see what I need some help with it's a project in the making again thanks to all for the info

Welcome to RV.NET.
Here is a good thread for Dodge based RV's.
How many of us are there? Owners of Dodge based RV's?

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