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

[OneDeadChicken]

I have a feeling that the vehicle is dependent on starting fluid. I've spent this entire weekend working on it. I don't know what to do anymore. It cranks and cranks, but won't start. No matter how much I do it isn't enough it seems. I've replaced almost everything apart from the distributor. I'm going to get a can of starting fluid and if she starts right up, I know I have to replace the engine. I'm bad at this stuff.

[oldtrucker63]

Griff in Fairbanks wrote:

oldtrucker63 wrote:
Hey anyone here know the part number for a set of headers or a web-site where I can order a set, It is a 1979 Dodge 440 with the 727 trans And it's the M400 chassis, I'm hoping someone has already changed there's and know's the set that is direct bolt on.???...Thanks.

The problem is RPMs ... most headers are designed for high RPM engines for race tracks and drag strips. Our vehicles operate at low RPMs, making most headers only marginally effective or even counterproductive.

The exception is Tri-Y headers, such as those made by Thorley, which are designed to boost horsepower and torque in the low to mid-RPM ranges. However, finding a set can be difficult and somewhat expensive.

I recall an article, I believe it was in Streetrodder magazine, that compared various headers and stock manifolds. For our applications, stock manifolds were almost as effective as any of the headers. (They only tested commonly available headers so Tri-Y headers weren't included in the comparisons.)

Dodge made a set of high performance manifolds for the B/RB blocks back in the 60's that might be a consideration, if you can find a set. Clearance may be a problem because those manifolds swept UP and back instead of straight down.

Based on everything I've read (and recall), the most cost effective improvement would be to leave the stock manifold in place and install a dual exhaust system with an H or X crossover.

Having said all that, I intend to go with Tri-Y headers on MLP, with dual exhaust including a X crossover. If I have to, I'll have a set custom made. (I'm "pushing the envelope" on this project and am willing to pay the extra cost.)

Thanks And yes I can get the Doug Thorley headers and your right on the HP increase with the Tri-Y that Doug has come up with, I dont really want to spend $895 on a set of them unless I really have to, I'm hoping I can find a good set of shorties and spend the extra money on a new Intake Manifold and carb.

[oldtrucker63]

chinook440 wrote:
The only ones i know of that say they fit the 79 bigblock vans are the expensive thorley headers which from reading your other post you already know.

Besides those... these 2 hedman models say they fit the bigblock B series vans up to 78
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HED-79820/

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HED-79220/Application/?query=Model|B300

not sure what,s different on the 79,s but those might be able to work for you ? Summit is real good about excepting returns as long as you don,t modify them.

These shorties might work also http://www.sandersonheaders.com/Sanderson-DD2-Chrysler-383-440-V8-Blockhugger-Header-Set.html

They show that they stick out from the head 3 3/4" which might be to tight ?

Good luck

Thanks Just by looking at the photo of the summit racing headers the 79820's look like they will fit, I think the $429 price tag is a bit to high, Maybe I can find some a Bit cheeper than this, The block huger type would have to come out more to the rear on the right side anyway, The way they come out would be right on top of the A frame on the passenger side, The driver side this would work.

[Griff_in_Fairba]

oldtrucker63 wrote:
Hey anyone here know the part number for a set of headers or a web-site where I can order a set, It is a 1979 Dodge 440 with the 727 trans And it's the M400 chassis, I'm hoping someone has already changed there's and know's the set that is direct bolt on.???...Thanks.

The problem is RPMs ... most headers are designed for high RPM engines for race tracks and drag strips. Our vehicles operate at low RPMs, making most headers only marginally effective or even counterproductive.

The exception is Tri-Y headers, such as those made by Thorley, which are designed to boost horsepower and torque in the low to mid-RPM ranges. However, finding a set can be difficult and somewhat expensive.

I recall an article, I believe it was in Streetrodder magazine, that compared various headers and stock manifolds. For our applications, stock manifolds were almost as effective as any of the headers. (They only tested commonly available headers so Tri-Y headers weren't included in the comparisons.)

Dodge made a set of high performance manifolds for the B/RB blocks back in the 60's that might be a consideration, if you can find a set. Clearance may be a problem because those manifolds swept UP and back instead of straight down.

Based on everything I've read (and recall), the most cost effective improvement would be to leave the stock manifold in place and install a dual exhaust system with an H or X crossover.

Having said all that, I intend to go with Tri-Y headers on MLP, with dual exhaust including a X crossover. If I have to, I'll have a set custom made. (I'm "pushing the envelope" on this project and am willing to pay the extra cost.)

[chinook440]

The only ones i know of that say they fit the 79 bigblock vans are the expensive thorley headers which from reading your other post you already know.

Besides those... these 2 hedman models say they fit the bigblock B series vans up to 78
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HED-79820/

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HED-79220/Application/?query=Model|B300

not sure what,s different on the 79,s but those might be able to work for you ? Summit is real good about excepting returns as long as you don,t modify them.

These shorties might work also http://www.sandersonheaders.com/Sanderson-DD2-Chrysler-383-440-V8-Blockhugger-Header-Set.html

They show that they stick out from the head 3 3/4" which might be to tight ?

Good luck

[oldtrucker63]

Hey anyone here know the part number for a set of headers or a web-site where I can order a set, It is a 1979 Dodge 440 with the 727 trans And it's the M400 chassis, I'm hoping someone has already changed there's and know's the set that is direct bolt on.???...Thanks.

[Leeann]

Exactly. Whether it's rebuildable or not, I don't know. It's still half-covered in undercoating.

Gotta finish my Safari tomorrow then we can play with the booster Monday.

[Griff_in_Fairba]

Leeann wrote:
There is a core on mine - my parts guys don't charge me for it unless I tell them I'm not turning it in. So I need to get that booster installed and the core back to them.

Good, that'll mean there's another rebuilt one somewhere in the supply channels, for the next person who needs one.

[Leeann]

There is a core on mine - my parts guys don't charge me for it unless I tell them I'm not turning it in. So I need to get that booster installed and the core back to them.

[Griff_in_Fairba]

BTW - some of you may recall, a couple of years ago, I went through several months of intense research trying to find replacement calipers for the '73 RM350 chassis that I'm going with for MLP ... and finally found them, on the shelves, in regular stock, at the local NAPA.

Back then, I had my buddy check to see if they sold very often and whether they were part of the store's regular stock. They didn't sell that often and were part of regular stock so I put off getting them ...

About six to eight weeks ago, the store caught fire and burned up. With all the paint, lubricants, chemicals, etc. in the store, they declared it a hazmat site and everything in the store -- parts, tools, and my calipers -- is going to the hazmat depot ... absolutely NO salvage.

So, when I started my new job, the first thing I looked into was whether I could get them through CarQuest and finally found a listing for the Kelsey Hayes 91133 dual piston calipers ... with six of each (right and left) in Portland.

Interestingly, the listing doesn't show those calipers in use until 1977, which leads me to believe the front axle I have is a retrofit. (I back matched numbers two different ways to make sure they're the right calipers.) This might also explain why I had so much problems earlier because all the listings for earlier models (including the 1973) all show single piston calipers.

Also found a CarQuest listing for the dual frame-mounted brake boosters but those will have to be ordered through work direct from the rebuilder. (And, I may have to send mine in to be rebuilt.)

[Leeann]

That sounds right. I'm positive it had the 73 in it because that's the year of the motorhome... 😉

[Griff_in_Fairba]

Leeann wrote:
I got a reman Cardone from my local parts house. When I find the receipt (or get the energy to go out to the RV and write it down from the box), I'll get the part number. It's a 54- something.

I had the Dodge p/n and Griff got me the Carquest p/n that included the master cylinder (they don't do that any more), but both numbers crossed to the same bare booster.

Let me guess ... 54-73143.

(I shoulda read the right hand -- PB w/o Master Cyl. -- column instead of the left hand -- PB w/Master Cyl. -- column.)

There's a huge stack (several shelves) of old and extra catalogs in back at work and the boss said I could take any I wanted ... been going through them and grabbing the ones that have listings for Dodge motorhome ... stack at home is now about a foot high.

[Leeann]

I got a reman Cardone from my local parts house. When I find the receipt (or get the energy to go out to the RV and write it down from the box), I'll get the part number. It's a 54- something.

I had the Dodge p/n and Griff got me the Carquest p/n that included the master cylinder (they don't do that any more), but both numbers crossed to the same bare booster.

[Trish_Davis]

Leeann wrote:
Life is good 😉

I have the Bendix medium and heavy duty catalogs, which don't mention the RM300, and the light duty catalog, which doesn't mention the boosters. Duh.

Leeann--
Check the Yahoo Travco group for today's messages.
Bill from Cleveland has a full brake set-up for sale.

Alretta Truck & Brake carries new boosters.
Or the NAPA BSP catalog might list them.

[Trish_Davis]

ALnCORY wrote:
Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!! Trish is back.... my only question is will you still be able to wear your cool boots when you're all healed up?

Elton John once wrote a song about my return... 30 years before I lost my Travco brakes.
My god, I was in a "B" of a mood that day.

Yep, I can wear my leopard print work boots. They don't look quite so good with the cane.
I wore the Chanel work boots out 2 years ago. Sad.