Difference between a 96 and a 97

[eddielo]

I just bought a Ford Cruise Master 33' Motorhome with a V-10 in it. It has only 28500 miles on the clock. However, when I handed the money over and received the title I noticed later that it was "YR MODEL 1996 YR 1ST SOLD 1996" Now before I go do some research, is there much or any difference between a 1996 and a 1997? The unit is extremely clean inside but has sun cracks in the exterior paint, which is normal for this year, and some clearcoat peeling, which is also indicative of age and being parked in the sun. I have contacted the seller who seems to be a pretty honest guy. I told him in the text that I was gonna research the difference. I thought maybe I would come here first for help.
Thank you
EL
EDIT: I was told it was a 1997. Plus on the ad it stated it was a 1997.

[cm2785]

eddielo wrote:
Sounds good but is it CA emissions compliant?

Yes the Banks kit is CARB compliant for CA.

[cm2785]

RLS7201 wrote:

cm2785 wrote:
I’ve driven the V10 and the 460 and I like the 460.. I have a 1996 Bounder and it has a 1997 F53 chassis!! It has 11k miles on it and I can tell you with the Banks kit and new exhaust to get rid of the factory restrictive junk it’s a whole new motor. The motor itself is smoother and quieter by 200%. Even the valve noise is gone! Not to mention the power difference is huge. They say 118tq and 70hp and I believe them 100%... I would have preferred the other chassis upgrades on the V10 models but I just haven’t cared for that motor.. it seemed to revvy for me... it didn’t feel like it had the same torque, and I have driven a good amount of them... I’m sure the newer ones are a whole different story though.

Now put a stroker kit in that 460, like I did, and the'll never wipe that grin off your face. See my big ol GRIN! :B:B

Richard

Wow! I can believe it!! If it ever needs to be pulled that is most likely what I would do too!

[tropical36]

eddielo wrote:
I just bought a Ford Cruise Master 33' Motorhome with a V-10 in it. It has only 28500 miles on the clock. However, when I handed the money over and received the title I noticed later that it was "YR MODEL 1996 YR 1ST SOLD 1996" Now before I go do some research, is there much or any difference between a 1996 and a 1997? The unit is extremely clean inside but has sun cracks in the exterior paint, which is normal for this year, and some clearcoat peeling, which is also indicative of age and being parked in the sun. I have contacted the seller who seems to be a pretty honest guy. I told him in the text that I was gonna research the difference. I thought maybe I would come here first for help.
Thank you
EL
EDIT: I was told it was a 1997. Plus on the ad it stated it was a 1997.

Didn't know there was a CLASS A about of those vintages that had a V10. Not gonna be much difference in those two years, either way, IMO, but you might threaten false advertising and demand a little compensation and not that the book value diff. is gonna be much, if any. What does it say, on your bill of sale?
Also, with any of these units, the chassis is usually a year older than the house it's titled under and sometimes two and there has been cases of engines and such that got caught up in a transition year.

[RLS7201]

cm2785 wrote:
I’ve driven the V10 and the 460 and I like the 460.. I have a 1996 Bounder and it has a 1997 F53 chassis!! It has 11k miles on it and I can tell you with the Banks kit and new exhaust to get rid of the factory restrictive junk it’s a whole new motor. The motor itself is smoother and quieter by 200%. Even the valve noise is gone! Not to mention the power difference is huge. They say 118tq and 70hp and I believe them 100%... I would have preferred the other chassis upgrades on the V10 models but I just haven’t cared for that motor.. it seemed to revvy for me... it didn’t feel like it had the same torque, and I have driven a good amount of them... I’m sure the newer ones are a whole different story though.

Now put a stroker kit in that 460, like I did, and the'll never wipe that grin off your face. See my big ol GRIN! :B:B

Richard

[eddielo]

Sounds good but is it CA emissions compliant?

[cm2785]

I’ve driven the V10 and the 460 and I like the 460.. I have a 1996 Bounder and it has a 1997 F53 chassis!! It has 11k miles on it and I can tell you with the Banks kit and new exhaust to get rid of the factory restrictive junk it’s a whole new motor. The motor itself is smoother and quieter by 200%. Even the valve noise is gone! Not to mention the power difference is huge. They say 118tq and 70hp and I believe them 100%... I would have preferred the other chassis upgrades on the V10 models but I just haven’t cared for that motor.. it seemed to revvy for me... it didn’t feel like it had the same torque, and I have driven a good amount of them... I’m sure the newer ones are a whole different story though.

[Executive45]

Difference between a 96 and a 97 ??? Correct answer is ONE YEAR. :B.. sorry couldn't help myself. Happy New Years.....Dennis

[eddielo]

I went to Mission Ford here in San Jose. They are Forde truck specialists. I went to their parts department and they told me that according to my VIN I have a 7.5 big block 460 V-8, NOT the V-10. I still haven't picked up my RV. I wanted to be 100% sure I have a 460. Right now I'm about 99% sure and when I actually check the engine myself, I will be sure that it is, or it is not a V-10. Once I'm 100% sure I will advise the seller that I would like either my money back or some kind of compensation for not getting the V-10, which was a reason I wanted to buy the rig in the first place. All he can say is no, right?

[Dutch_12078]

eddielo wrote:
Here is the VIN John: 3FCMF53G0TJA10343 Can you help me out? I will be going to the RV later this afternoon to check the engine. But maybe the VIN will tell you something. I tried without success getting correct info using the VIN alone.
Thanks
EL

Here's your VIN decoded:

VIN: 3FCMF53G0TJA10343

Model: F-530
Make (Manufacturer): Ford
Model year: 1996
Manufactured in: Mexico (North America)
Sequential number: 10343

Body style: MOTORIZED CUTAWAY
Driveline: RWD
Engine series: V-8 7.5L
Fuel type: Gasoline
Trim level: 2WD

VIN Decoder/3FCMF53G0TJA10343

[MrWizard]

The 8th place/symbol in the the VIN is a 'G'
That is a 460 V8

This is according to the Ford chassis manual and a know RV Vin with a f53 and 460 that has the letter G in that spot

The manual says the 8 place/character is the engine identifier

[eddielo]

Here is the VIN John: 3FCMF53G0TJA10343 Can you help me out? I will be going to the RV later this afternoon to check the engine. But maybe the VIN will tell you something. I tried without success getting correct info using the VIN alone.
Thanks
EL

[Gjac]

So did you look at the engine yet and count the number of spark plugs yet? If it has 8 plugs it is a 460. If so if you install header you will have another 80 hp or so. This will give you more hp than that vintage V10.

[Rog___Nan]

We have a 32'GBM Cruise Master ordered to our specs in January 1996 delivered in April of '96. The choices of chassis and motor to us was the "new Chevy vortex engine or the old 454. We chose the 454. We just thought the vortex was just too new it was the first time to be used on a MH. We still have that unit coming up on 22 years later. That was not our plan. Had thought we would upgrade in 5 years when we retired. Nothing short of a Tiffin or Newmar even enticed us to even consider changing. Even now our floorplan even without slides is great. Also they offered a step down in unit with a "new" development a single slide out again wise choice for us sticking with CM and no slide the early slide units had many problems. We have so much storage in ours. The new designers need to revisit some of the old designs. We put on a Banks system, Bigfoot leveler, Bilstein shocks and a Safe-T-Plus steering app We have been east to west and north to south including Canada. Never a major problem. DH is always checking mechanics of unit and trying to get ahead of anything that needs replacing etc. at the time we purchased GBM was in talks with Coachman to sell business to them. Our unit is a true GBM as deal went thru a few months later.

[RLS7201]

MrWizard wrote:
You can bet on the pink slip
If the title says 10 cylinders, then you have a v10
They are not common that early, but they were/are available

It was an option that most builders did not order, because the 460" cost less
The Triton v10, is also smaller, 413CuIn if my memory serves me
10% smaller, higher revving, more power, better fuel economy, weighs less
Check the chassis designator
Some mfg, might have bought the 'E' chassis then built class A coach, not illegal just different way to skin the cat

V10 was never an option over a 460 on a MH chassis. Ford made the change over and you got what Ford was putting in the chassis for that year.

Richard