1986 dodge ram FALCON 318 engine $2500 is it worth it?

Thanks for all the info. I took my mechanic with me and the van started right up. My mechanic got under the van and did not see a leak after 10 minutes of idling. The engine was very steady. Removed a spark plug and it was clean. Saw the exhaust smoke, my mechanic feels it is not a major engine problem. My mechanic gave it the thumbs up mechanically (shocks, brake pads, tires, tranny).

There are issues like the toiletbowl does not hold water. It looks like the rubber ring at the bottom of the toilet is not sealing. Should not be a big deal. The stove works and the owner told me the sink, shower and toilet do work. We did not add water to test but he seems like an honest guy and the interior looks good.

We put on the front heat, it works, the a/c cycles (clutch) and blows but seems warm so freon may be needed, hopefully just a slow leak that will hold up all summer. Did not climb up to check the top a/c.

The shower/toilet is extremely small but with this design, I can actually sleep 5! (2 on top, 2 in the middle, 1 in the rear). Cabinets all work as does the 2nd battery and trickle charger.

My mechanic feels he can get the ONAN 2.8 generator working. I heard there are special sensors or knowledge needed to fix them. Is that correct? He thinks it could be a clogged carburetor as the starter cranks but it never turns over and there is gas an spark present.

I decided to take the plunge and put a down payment on it. He wouldn't go down any further than $2500, but it seems to be worth it. I would consider it a success if I can put another $1500 in and get a good running 1986 falcon. The engine seems small (318 or 5.2L) but very strong. I will not be driving this vehicle more than 2-4 hours at a time once I get it going. I do have AAA plus just in case.

dodge guy wrote:

Tom_Diane wrote:

westend wrote:
Dodge 318 is a workhorse. I've used one in an older Class A, drove it about 3000 mi. Coolant leak and water in the exhaust may indicate a head gasket or cracked head. How many miles on the Falcon?

Up here, in MN, there are usually a half dozen or so 80's-90's Class B/C vans for sale at that price or under. You really have to shop for someone's camping baby, a rig that has been well maintained and looked after (stored inside is a definite plus). They're out there, it just takes a lot of looking.

Cool, I had a 318 years ago and pulled an old 23 ft dinosaur. I used for working on the road. I pulled that camper home about 250 mile trip and had to stop every truck stop or places in between and had extra jugs of water. Radiator was white from the heat. I got about 45 miles from home and stopped at a city hall at about 3 AM and asked to leave it over night and called my dad. the next day went and got it with about 20 gallons of water. I got it and the camper home and saw a little water track on the exaust. I gave the truck to my dad and he put in some stop leak and drove it back and forth to my place 20 miles away for aout 3 or 4 moths before it finally spun a main bearing. We changed motors and he went another 100k at least. GM, OR FORD would have left me on the side of the road many miles back at the start of the trip home. Off topic but never thought I would hear another story like that. 318, WHAT AN ENGINE

Now that we are veering off the subject, how about the old slant six (leaning tower of power!) those could literally run with no oil! you could not kill one if you tried. and they got great gas mileage too!

To the OP if you have the ability to do the work yourself, then it is probably worth it. if you have it done by a shop probably not, the labor alone will kill the deal!

Dads old 65 wagon went 60 miles one day and back with the oil light on. It was pinging pretty good when I got back home with it. The old man wasn't happy. We swapped motor in the next couple days when he located a used one. I was hell on Clutches though and that 3 on the tree just wouldn't pull into first while the car was moving. No syncs for second to first. Dad finally said he would drive that car til the wheels fell off and he would junk it then. He broke an axle a few miles from home and he called me to come get him. He pulled the plates and VIN tag from the dash and left her sitting on the side of the road!

Tom_Diane wrote:

westend wrote:
Dodge 318 is a workhorse. I've used one in an older Class A, drove it about 3000 mi. Coolant leak and water in the exhaust may indicate a head gasket or cracked head. How many miles on the Falcon?

Up here, in MN, there are usually a half dozen or so 80's-90's Class B/C vans for sale at that price or under. You really have to shop for someone's camping baby, a rig that has been well maintained and looked after (stored inside is a definite plus). They're out there, it just takes a lot of looking.

Cool, I had a 318 years ago and pulled an old 23 ft dinosaur. I used for working on the road. I pulled that camper home about 250 mile trip and had to stop every truck stop or places in between and had extra jugs of water. Radiator was white from the heat. I got about 45 miles from home and stopped at a city hall at about 3 AM and asked to leave it over night and called my dad. the next day went and got it with about 20 gallons of water. I got it and the camper home and saw a little water track on the exaust. I gave the truck to my dad and he put in some stop leak and drove it back and forth to my place 20 miles away for aout 3 or 4 moths before it finally spun a main bearing. We changed motors and he went another 100k at least. GM, OR FORD would have left me on the side of the road many miles back at the start of the trip home. Off topic but never thought I would hear another story like that. 318, WHAT AN ENGINE

Now that we are veering off the subject, how about the old slant six (leaning tower of power!) those could literally run with no oil! you could not kill one if you tried. and they got great gas mileage too!

To the OP if you have the ability to do the work yourself, then it is probably worth it. if you have it done by a shop probably not, the labor alone will kill the deal!

I got into Westend's reply but to the op. I don't think I would give that much for the issues you described. What kind of miles are on it. I would have to determine if the miles on the unit were low enough to warrant a new or good used engine. TOO many miles on the van now, a new engine would just make it run better. You will still have a van with a high mileage tranny, rear end, ball joints, tie rods, suspension etc. I would offer no more than 6 TO 8 hundred dollars to take it off the guys hands if I had a mind to put 2500 to 3000 k into it to make it road worthy. I would take that same money your checking us with and put it toward something that you can get in and go now. Just my 2 cents. 25 years ago I would have tackled it my self but not these days. I say keep looking with your money. There are better prospects out there.

westend wrote:
Dodge 318 is a workhorse. I've used one in an older Class A, drove it about 3000 mi. Coolant leak and water in the exhaust may indicate a head gasket or cracked head. How many miles on the Falcon?

Up here, in MN, there are usually a half dozen or so 80's-90's Class B/C vans for sale at that price or under. You really have to shop for someone's camping baby, a rig that has been well maintained and looked after (stored inside is a definite plus). They're out there, it just takes a lot of looking.

Cool, I had a 318 years ago and pulled an old 23 ft dinosaur. I used for working on the road. I pulled that camper home about 250 mile trip and had to stop every truck stop or places in between and had extra jugs of water. Radiator was white from the heat. I got about 45 miles from home and stopped at a city hall at about 3 AM and asked to leave it over night and called my dad. the next day went and got it with about 20 gallons of water. I got it and the camper home and saw a little water track on the exaust. I gave the truck to my dad and he put in some stop leak and drove it back and forth to my place 20 miles away for aout 3 or 4 moths before it finally spun a main bearing. We changed motors and he went another 100k at least. GM, OR FORD would have left me on the side of the road many miles back at the start of the trip home. Off topic but never thought I would hear another story like that. 318, WHAT AN ENGINE

Dodge 318 is a workhorse. I've used one in an older Class A, drove it about 3000 mi. Coolant leak and water in the exhaust may indicate a head gasket or cracked head. How many miles on the Falcon?

Up here, in MN, there are usually a half dozen or so 80's-90's Class B/C vans for sale at that price or under. You really have to shop for someone's camping baby, a rig that has been well maintained and looked after (stored inside is a definite plus). They're out there, it just takes a lot of looking.

If that Dodge has the old Lean Burn carburetor system then run. The Lean Burn was Dodge's attempt to meet emission standards before they developed their efi system and it was a miserable failure.

How many miles does it have?
If you are into old rigs and like tinkering, might be nice to have.
I think they look nice and nice body style.

like Old-Biscuit said.

besides anything out the exhaust system is not good.
redue heads, or rebuild engine... transmission service.. and 30 years old .. new springs, shocks, ball joints, tie-rod ends. possible steering box. front and rear bushings...

without YOU being able to do this kind of work... PASS. my opinion.

a retired auto mechanic.

Dodge 318 motor is a good work horse engine.........that one sounds like it has been rode hard and put away wet (not taken care of)

Are you a good mechanic?
Do you have monies for an engine rebuild?
Do you have time/place to work on it for a few months?

If engine is smoking, anti freeze leaking, generator not working........what else doesn't work?

Unless you are looking for a 'project RV'...............pass
If you are looking for a 'project'........$1500