Swath
Explorer
Joined 11 years ago
User Profile
User Widgets
All Activity
Re: Newbie Intro - my gamble, a 1978 Dodge Class C.
Liberty1776 wrote: Swath, I had this exact setup as our first motorhome. That engine is hell-for-stout and if you can get a good battery to it, will hopefully fire up with no problems. Ours initially had a cracked block and we just gooped it up with JBWeld, and got several more years out of it. Great to know, thanks. I have been gathering similiar impressions about this motor as well as the transmission. I am very glad to hear this. I have a battery charging up at the house so I should be full up for my next attempt, hopefully Sunday. It's not even about the camper section yet, and I have fiddled with a few different motors in my time but never a dodge motor. So far I see the starter is on the "wrong" side, the distributor is in the "wrong" place, and things seem a bit crowded under the doghouse and under the short little hood. I will adjust to these things, after all, it's just a motor. There is a solenoid on the fire wall, do you happen to know if this solenoid is just the starter solenoid? Seems like when I turn the key on it engergizes and stays that was until the key is turned off. I thought perhaps there might be a solenoid like that to feed juice to the camper batts. Also, since you have direct experience, do you know if that doghouse is supposed to come off difficult or do you suppose the seats have been changed and made it tougher to pull it off? What I'm saying is, it came off rather difficult. I had to really wedge it back against the seat then force the front of it past the dash. PIA to even change the air filter! BTW, I am from MN myself, Hallock, which is a little town in the NW corner. And I see you are even newer here than I, WELCOME. Jeff873Views0likes0CommentsRe: Newbie Intro - my gamble, a 1978 Dodge Class C.
RedJeep wrote: My advice; if it runs drive it. If it breaks down then be prepared to shell out some good money. I like your thinking. I have no delusion this will be a start and go. I fully expect to have to inject a significant amount of cash greater than the purchase price. I have to try to calculate the point of diminishing return. Fix the simple and keep moving ahead and I bet I end up with a rig I can live with for several years. It will be completely paid for as I will only spend cash and no borrowing. I have brought back old rigs before, I aint no expert, I'm just to dense to know when to quit.873Views0likes0CommentsRe: Newbie Intro - my gamble, a 1978 Dodge Class C.
toedtoes wrote: The hitches on the clippers were added after market, so many of them were just screwed into the wood, etc. Definitely have it checked out before trying to tow (or carry) anything. They can be reinforced, etc., but get it done by someone who really knows what they're doing - you don't want your Suzuki rolling back home. Wow, I am anxious to crawl underneath and have a look at that receiver hitch. Screwed into the wood? Wow... Jeff873Views0likes0CommentsRe: Newbie Intro - my gamble, a 1978 Dodge Class C.
kcmoedoe wrote: My biggest concern would be even if you get it to run, will you trust it to keep running to get you where you want to go and then back home? Not sure the Suzuki will be up to the task of dragging it back and you really can't just abandon it on the side of the road. The fact of the matter is it was built in the late 70s, not the high water time for US automakers. IF the chassis and RV portion is worth it, I would probably be looking at a new motor. At least you would have some sense of security it wouldn't just die in the middle of the interstate. I can deal with some uncertainty, these old motors can be very reliable. A lot less electronics to go bad. Out of my 3 vehicles (now 4), only one of them is fuel injected. My 84 Ford truck has never left me stranded and I have driven it 200,000 miles on top of the original (to me) 146,000. The carbed 460 gets me 12 mpg pretty much loaded or unloaded as long as I keep it 60 mph or below. It does have a nice tri Y header, RV cam, recurved dizzy and a nice torque intake. It's a great motor. From what I have heard so far the Dodge 440 is very good in it's own right. In the mountains of Colorado the extra power is good to have on tap but excellent brakes are a must. I will get it running and take a few test loops close to home then decide how far to trust it. Cary a few common failure parts and give it a go. As far as the Samurai pulling the camper! Good one, it has a 1.3 liter motor and can't get itself up to 55 unless it's downhill. But I bet it would pull it in low range 1st gear, however, I can walk faster that it moves when in low low, and I have. I have stepped out of it idling in first gear low range and walked beside it. Really, I am hoping this rig works out for me. At the very least I will get it running then decide to take it further or put it up for sale. It's just a simple gas motor, if it's not locked up it will run. I've only had 3 hours to work on it so far. For the cost, I can put up with a lot. I guarantee if I get it running I will get more use out of it than a lot of folks get out of their multi thousand dollar rigs. Nothing against the good stuff, they just are no where near within my budget. I guess what I'm saying is, I don't really plan to travel the US, just fairly local. I typically drive to a destination, camp out for a week or two, then head back home. Very rarely do I spend a night in a camp ground, I always look for the primitive camp sites and there are plenty of them. Perhaps with some time and a buildup of confidence in this rig, I just might decide to take a big loop trip or two in the future, it's a brave new world. I have been thinking about an Alcan trip... The conveniences of a 1978 motorhome will be living in the lap of luxury for me. It's all about perspective. Thanks again everyone for all the excellent view points and tips. Jeff873Views0likes0CommentsRe: Newbie Intro - my gamble, a 1978 Dodge Class C.
Bordercollie wrote: We had a 72 Dodge Van conversion. If you can't get it to run, carb may need cleaning/rebuilding or replacement. There is a large connector block on the firewall that caused some starting problems, has a fusible link. The coil had an intermittant problem that caused engine to die the power steering and power brakes cut out (scary). Get a Chilton's van manual for your year model. There are old Dodge motorhome refurbishment threads on this forum and engine/transmission experts will probaby help you. Sweet, thanks. As yet I have not even been able to turn it over so first things first. I do need to get a shop manual.203Views0likes0CommentsRe: Newbie Intro - my gamble, a 1978 Dodge Class C.
rjxj wrote: I ran into the capacity issue when looking at C class long ago. If I remember right it seemed like a lot of them were 3500 pounds? The good thing is my Toad is a 1987 Suzuki Samurai. It only weighs 2200 lbs in stock form. I have modified it slightly but still not more than 2600lbs. The samurai is a great little off roader, capable of negotiating some serious terrain setup like I have. I have a trailer I was going to make into a hauler for it but I may end up sticking with flat towing. The downside to flat towing this thing is that I am supposed to start it up every 200 miles to circulate oil in the xfer case. With my F-250 that was close enough to refill time to not be a real bother. I want to do the trailer tow thing, I will see where I land. Appreciate all the feedback. Jeff203Views0likes0CommentsRe: Newbie Intro - my gamble, a 1978 Dodge Class C.
bsinmich wrote: I think you made a big mistake. I had a '76 and every hitch maker I went to said the frame was not strong enough to tow a small car. It does already have a receiver hitch on it but your concern is well taken, I'll make sure the receiver can take the load. If I flat tow there is no weight on the hitch. Anywho, I will have a pro check it out. Jeff203Views0likes0CommentsRe: Newbie Intro - my gamble, a 1978 Dodge Class C.
That is my hope, just a lot of unknowns right now. Heck, a fresh set of tires is going to cost more than the rig. I will wait till I have some confidence in the drivetrain before I spend anything on tires. richardwise wrote: HI Jeff. Welcome. This sounds like some of the projects I've taken on over the years. Some completed, some not. Good luck with it. At $1200 dollars, you are not going to get hurt.204Views0likes0Comments
Groups
Motorhome Group
Join in here to discuss all things motorhomes.Jan 14, 202538,705 Posts
