How many of us are there? Owners of Dodge based RV's?

[whiteknight001]

I'm new here, and curious.

How many of us in Class C own Dodge B300 incomplete
cab/chassis based RV's? I know two others- Steve aka
Ripsaw, with a 1977 Brougham, and Leroy aka 1978_Dodge
_Delta who owns a 440V8 powered sharp looking 1978
Delta RV. I would like to ask, and offer, help, idea
swapping and comparing notes on our particular RV's
which are based on the Dodge B300 van chassis.

Yeah, I know. These are low tech, podgy old RV's that
would be considered "entry level" for folks like me,
but I have a deep and abiding respect for the quality
of these old "monsters of the open road". And anyone
wanting to pick brains, joke about, share notes or just
brag about our old A- Dodge-io's are certainly welcome
to PM or email me. Between all of us we can form a real
good support group, and help each other with problems
we know we'll encounter with an older vehicle.

Sure. I'd love a new RV. But I'd rather have an older
one already paid for, and a lotta great memories. Call
me frugal, an old hippie, or whatever you will. I'm proud
of my old land yacht.

Mopar Madness Manifest in the flesh,

Mark aka White Knight

P.S. Mine's a '72. Is there an older one out there someone's
motorvating in? Maybe even a Travco? W/K

[Jarlaxle]

Is there an easy way to tell the 440-1 from the 440-3?

As I recall, look at the harmonic balancer: the regular 440 is neutral-balanced. The 440-3 is externally-balanced, having the same heavy bottom-end parts as the 440 6-pack.

[DRTY_DAWG_77]

new to this site. I own a 1978 scrambler on a dodge frame with a 440 big block in it. am having severe issues with it. i posted on here whats going on, its under 1978 scrambler in the search box. any help would be appreciated.

[MasterBoondocke]

nodakotaclassc wrote:
2-3 seconds

You probably have a rolled-over or broken rubber seal in the front clutch pack. Pull the trans pan and look what is in the bottom of the pan.

[cowboy450]

Me too! Me too! 1976 Tioga with a 360. I have only had it two weeks and love it. I think someone needs to set up a website or maybe a seperate forum here to share info.

[unionguy1019]

Retro Cruiser wrote:
Is there an easy way to tell the 440-1 from the 440-3??

Earlier pages on this site had info on using the VIN for identification. Other than that you can check the right side of the block. It should have the motor designation cast into the block.

Page 63

[nodakotaclassc]

2-3 seconds

[MasterBoondocke]

From the time you get the selector in R ... how long does it take for it to go into gear?

[nodakotaclassc]

I guess I'm not sure. I have only driven it twice since then and have been able to use reverse just fine. Do you think I should just take it in and have it rebuilt?

[MasterBoondocke]

Is there any delay at all ?

[nodakotaclassc]

Nope. Reverse feels good.

[MasterBoondocke]

Does reverse come in slow ?

[nodakotaclassc]

When I bought my rv I had to drive it 900 miles to get it home, and the trans worked just fine for me. On my next adventure (100 miles round trip) the trans would not shift into 3rd on the way home. When I spoke with a transmission shop they said if I still have reverse (which I do) the trans is probably not bad there is something else going on. Any ideas?

I am also looking at getting an Air Conditioner for the old rig. It is 27' and I don't know if I should get a 13.5K or a 15K. I don't know anything about motor homes so any information on this subject would be appreciated.

I also want to get a generator to run the A/C unit for when I am not close to shore power. I do not want to get one that is directly bolted on, because I want to be able to use it in case of power outages up here in No.Dak. I want to buy a 'quiet' generator, but need it to power the new air conditioner. If anyone has a combination that works good for them, I would really like to know.

Last, is there a way to run the Air Conditioner while rolling down the highway? Not extremely important, but would be nice.

Thanks,
Brady

[75Americanclipp]

In the Modesto Bee, the is a 440 and trans for sale and for like $200 bucks

[Retro_Cruiser]

Is there an easy way to tell the 440-1 from the 440-3??

[unionguy1019]

Just a note to check your 440. The 440-1 has different water chambers than the 440-3. If you do a motor job and just get the 440-1 head gaskets, these will block the cooling jackets around the cylinders. Also I have run into other gaskets that don't fit properly. Never realized that MOPAR made 2 styles of the 440, until I got my MH.

From my research, the 440-3 was originally built for the military, for use on water pumps. This motor is a high torque low RPM engine. Therfore being built for mostly stationary use additional water jackets were cast into the block.

As to the header issue, mine has Doug Thorley's feeding into a 4" exhaust. Power and heat are no issue since install. Actually mine now runs on the cold side.