OHHHH HELP!

[johngg]

Hi I am buying a 1978 Dodge Monaco, Class C. I am trying to figure out
what size the engine is. It's 24 feet long, 2 fresh water tanks,
gen set, have not looked at it yet. This old rig has 53,567 original
miles on it. It's been sitting for about 4-5 years. Never lived in
never smoked in. Inside is very clean for it's age. It has been started
runs just fine. It purrs for something that's been sitting so long
the owner put a new master cylinder on it. It has a popcorn ceiling.
I would like to know what to check on this rig, as I have to drive it 200 miles home! Brakes work good. But what else should I look at?
The engine COMPLETELY fills the engine compartment. I honestly don't
know how they got it in there. It looks bigger than a 413, which was Chrysler's R.V. engine. Any idea what model or where to find the model
of coach this is? I know its a Monaco, But what sub model?

[Bird_Freak]

I replaced a head on my buddys. It was a 440.

[bguy]

Distributor in the front would be 400-440, distributor in the back would be 318-360.

[toedtoes]

VIN decoder for Dodge Trucks
VIN decoder for Dodge Vans

For 1974 to 1979, the 4th digit should be the engine code.

[jplante4]

Fifth digit in the VIN is the engine code

[toedtoes]

Probably a 440. I have a 360 in mine and just replaced the original 2 barrel carb with a 4 barrel.

As to what to check, all the usuals: tires, appliances, water damage, etc. Be sure to check all fuel lines (generator, engine, and propane) - many times those will not have been replaced and will have deteriorated with pinholes, etc. You want to keep any fuel from leaking.

[newman_fulltime]

I just looked up dodge used 440's in their campers from 77 to 79

[newman_fulltime]

sch911 wrote:

newman fulltimer wrote:
either a 318 or a 460

Or a 360.

oops meant 360 typo

[john_bet]

My folks had a '78 Mini-winni class c on a Dodge chassis and it had a 360 2 bl truck engine. It also had either 4.88 or a 5.56 rearend and would scream at 60 mph.

[johngg]

Im Thinking along the 440. It has the 4bbl. And its very wide. Iv'e had the 360.
Really a 360 is a 318 with 400 heads. (something like that) I had a 413
in a class A I had. This just says "Massive" when you look at it.
I have not driven it yet, Not registered. But brakes are very solid and stop
very easily for the driving that was done. Will lock up rear wheels. Tires dont
show any cracking, But thy are radial. The spare is very hard to the touch,
So i know its shot. When I called to get ins. They wanted to know a sub model.
I don't see one anywhere. One was Royale One was Vegas cant remember the others
they told me to look for. It just says Monaco. Top of the line coach in its day
from what I hear. Thanks for the replies. Happy motoring

[Artum_Snowbird]

Did a search for your make and model.. they seem to come with the 440 engine.

[mowermech]

Dodge didn't make a 460. A 318 is unlikely to be in a 24 foot coach.
It could be a 360, or a 413, or a 400, or a 440.
I have seen Class C and Class A coaches with those engines.

Look under the hood, and on the radiator frame. There may be data plates there that will give the engine model. Under the hood might be a "build sheet" that lists what was put on the cutaway chassis by Dodge. On top of the radiator frame there might be an emissions sticker that tells what emissions equipment was built on the engine, and what engine it is.
IIRC, the engine model is stamped on a flat surface at the right front of the block. It will probably be impossible to see in a Class C, unless you are used to using an inspection mirror.
A 360 may have a 4 barrel carb.
A 400 will probably have a 2 barrel carb.
A 440 will have a 4 barrel carb.
I'm not sure about a 413.

[sch911]

newman fulltimer wrote:
either a 318 or a 460

Or a 360.

[gbopp]

Welcome to the forum and congrats on your Monaco.
I don't have an answer for the engine size. If no one comes along with the answer, maybe you could try a Chrysler forum. Someone will know how to tell which engine you have in the Dodge.

If the brakes are working, that's great. Now, check the tires. Look for the age of the tires, it will be marked on the sidewall.
RV tires usually age out before they wear out. So, if the tires look good and have decent tread, they may still need to be replace because of their age.

A blowout can cause a lot of damage to a RV. Plus, there's the possibility of a crash.

[newman_fulltime]

either a 318 or a 460