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

[Griff_in_Fairba]

ALnCORY wrote:
OK, throw back to an old subject.. ballast resistors. I have read how we should always have an extra one for these old dodges, my question is: where is it located, how do I know it has failed, and when I go to my local NAPA store and ask the 25 yr old behind the counter for one... how can I be sure he will give me the right one for my 1974 with a 360. I think this has been discussed in the past but my search didn't bring up all the answers I was looking for. I replaced my plugs, wires, cap and rotor and it runs smooth and starts easy. Just wondering what I might have missed.
thanks,
A.

Here's what they look like:







The first two images are the two-wire type and the third is the four-wire type. (Images from "Prettykitty's 'new' motorhome" thread.)

It sounds like the ballast resistor is NOT your problem. Ballast resistors tend to be "all or nothing" devices ... they either work fine or fail completely.

If I recall correctly, the ballast resistor on my 1977 B200 van was located on the driver's side of the firewall under the hood. Class C motorhomes used the same cab as the B-series vans so I'd look there first. (On Class A motorhomes, the ballast resistor could be located under the dash or just about anywhere under the dog house.)

During normal operation (ignition key in the RUN/IGN position), ballast resistors reduce the voltage to the coil which, in turn, reduces the voltage the coil sends to the distributor and spark plugs. This saves wear and tear on the rotor, distributor cap, plug wires, and spark plugs.

The starting circuit (ignition key in the START position) bypasses the ballast resistor to provide more voltage to the coil, yielding a hotter spark to help with starting.

As a result, if the ballast resistor is bad, the engine will start and run as long as the key is held in the start position because the circuit is bypassing the ballast resistor. Then, when the key is released to the run position, the engine promptly dies because the broken ballast resistor is preventing current from getting to the coil.

I have not heard of ballast resistors causing any other problems or symptoms.

[ALnCORY]

OK, throw back to an old subject.. ballast resistors. I have read how we should always have an extra one for these old dodges, my question is: where is it located, how do I know it has failed, and when I go to my local NAPA store and ask the 25 yr old behind the counter for one... how can I be sure he will give me the right one for my 1974 with a 360. I think this has been discussed in the past but my search didn't bring up all the answers I was looking for. I replaced my plugs, wires, cap and rotor and it runs smooth and starts easy. Just wondering what I might have missed.
thanks,
A.

[ALnCORY]

mbryanr,
I needed new side mirrors so I just went to the local salvage yard. I found some west coast style mirrors that were the perfect size for my 74 dodge brougham on a 70's era ford pickup. They actually had 3 or 4 pickups with the mirrors I wanted so I just picked the best looking set. I believe it cost me 10 or 12 bucks for the pair.
good luck,
A.

[mbryanr]

Alright everyone, you've helped us tremendously with the doghouse, carpet so far. One more request...anyone know where I can get a side view mirror for the Green Machine? (77 Dodge Brougham Class C). Getting prepared to replace the carpet, install a generator and AC, and other miscellaneous items. 33,000 miles on it, of which we have put 10,000 on it.

Thanks!! I will post pix when finished. Getting close to travel season!!

[ALnCORY]

Thanks Doug for the input....

[Doug_in_CA]

My 1976 has a 360 and the PO put in an auxilary electric fuel pump.
I often wondered why there was both an electric and a mechanical pump. Mopar mechanics have told me to remove one or the other. Occasionally when cruising 70 or more or on a steep incline the engine will starve for fuel. Kicking in the electric cures the problem. Also, the fuel bowl on my carb will be empty if the rig sits for weeks making it hard to start. Of course the electric pump helps out there to. Hope this helps with the 360 vapor lock question.

[eyeteeth]

440 here... can't help... 😞

[ALnCORY]

I guess no one has an answer for us Lefty...... I know the PO of mine ran it around the mountains here in Idaho and didn't say there was a problem... guess I will find out this summer.

[DeadeyeLefty]

ALnCORY wrote:
On the vapor lock question,,, was that more of a problem with the 440's or do the 360's have the same tendancy... I haven't run my 360 up any big grades in the summer but plan to this year.

I'm interested in this question myself...I might be getting another '77 in the spring and it's got a 360.
I didn't drive the last one (RIP) enough to find out.

[ALnCORY]

On the vapor lock question,,, was that more of a problem with the 440's or do the 360's have the same tendancy... I haven't run my 360 up any big grades in the summer but plan to this year.

[oldtrucker63]

Lieutenant Dan wrote:
just a couple of old Mopars hanging out at the campground

Two very nice Dodges there.

[Leeann]

Yep, most of us probably have. We re-routed the fuel line since we removed the mechanical pump anyway and ran it on the outside of the frame rail, where it'd get more cool air, then up the back of the engine to the carb. Keeps it away from most of the heat. That's the second re-route....the bf had it inside the frame rail the first time and we had major vapor lock going up a 6,500 ft hill on the PA turnpike in 94° heat. He re-routed it while we sat on the shoulder 1/3 of the way up.

You can add a small electric pump back near the tank to help push the fuel if you don't want to completely remove the mechanical (we did it when we added 2 tanks to make switching easier without the expense of a 3-way switch) pump and just use it as a pump helper when you need the most fuel, like going up a big hill.

Another option, thought up by Griff, is to add a marine bilge fan under the doghouse to remove some of the hottest air.

[jayhedden]

tree seeker thanxs for the link.

heres a new topic,has anybody experienced vapor locks in there rv? i read somewhere that the older carbed ones like we have are notourious for that...?

[ALnCORY]

Sounds like fun Jerry, I am sure you can make it... your making great progress.


LT, my duster was a 72 with the slant six and 3 speed on the floor... it was green as well.... wish I still had it, it was a pretty mundane car but a good one.

[Jer_Ger]

Al, I don't think your alone in that! We've got a trip to Fortworth, TX. in march "IF" I can get the RV finished.