madtiger
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Re: How many of us are there? Owners of Dodge based RV's?
The compression ratio on the 360 for that year was (allegedly) 8.5:1. And since I am at altitude, the standard 14.7 PSI won't apply. Since that pressure is about 85% (equating to about 12.5psi) which means that the pressure should be at or around 105 PSI under IDEAL conditions. I'll get a pressure gauge tonight- providing the weather in Denver doesn't go absolutely nuts as it tends to in late summer.340Views0likes0CommentsRe: How many of us are there? Owners of Dodge based RV's?
The gaskets are visibly leaking in the back of the engine. (I'll post a picture tonight). I didn't even think about looking at the valve stem seals. (It has been 16 years since auto shop in high school) I went out and got the shop manual at lunch- looks easy enough. all I am short is a torque wrench. :) Thanks for the rapid response.291Views0likes0CommentsRe: How many of us are there? Owners of Dodge based RV's?
Hello all, Let me start by saying I like reading this forum, good to see something outside of the IT community where forums are used properly. That being said, I have a few questions and something (minor) to contribute... I recently purchased a 1976 Dodge Sportsman with the Jamboree shell on the back side. It is 20 feet long, and most of the interior needed some aesthetic work. I have already torn out the back three ceiling studs (which were 1X1) and replaced them (with 2X2 and one length of angle-iron). The Fridge was old and rusted, and the heater (below the fridge) was so rusted that when I was turning one of the knobs it broke off. I have replaced all of the cold-water pipes with 1/2 inch PVC, and have stripped out the carpet and linoleum down to the bare wood. I have also replaced the stair under the side door and reinforced the wood that is holding the stair up. The shell on the interior is in decent shape (I knew this was a project, so I just looked for a solid frame), but the engine is in question. It is a 360, and it looks like the head gaskets are both blown (it sat for a while, so they probably dried out). I pulled the plugs and every one is burning oil. I'm thinking this is from the head gaskets, but I think the rings might be shot too. Is there a reliable way of testing this short of pulling the engine out? If I can get away with replacing head gaskets (and the other gaskets that come along with that hassle) I would rather do that than a complete rebuild, but I want to make sure that would be all I need. My second question needs a little explanation first: In Denver there was a place called Cherokee RV salvage. They went out of business a few months ago (right after I bought the RV) and there doesn't seem to be any good RV salvage yards in a 150 mile radius. After they went under, the local RV shops seemed to react by jacking up their prices on almost everything. Is there a good site (or set of websites) with decent prices for larger items like fridges, A/C units, heaters, etc? Last, but not least, I noticed that people seem to use Photobucket a great deal for posting their pics. I am one of those Computer nerds by trade, and I just accepted a job with Photobucket, so ya'll let me know if you need any help or have any problems. It will probably be my job to fix it anyway, but I might as well throw it out there that I have something to contribute to the forum even though I have limited mechanical expertise. If you want to see all of my "before" pics, you can look here: http://picasaweb.google.com/1tiger1/MotorHome Thanks in advance for any help ya'll can lend me.275Views0likes0CommentsRe: How many of us are there? Owners of Dodge based RV's?
Holy smokes. I posted, went to lunch, and 5 replies! I read the remainder of this thread (been going on for three years? wow) and saw the posts on how to decode. Leeann, thank you for the eBay link- I'll likely be buying that tonight. I'm hoping to God that I have the 360- I really don't tow anything and the most I will haul is clothes, food, water and my wife and kid. That 360 might give me a little better mpg plus I would likely have more room under the doghouse to make any mods (manifold spacer, new air intake, etc.) that would give me a little squeeze of HP. Thanks again! -madtiger (the rookie)294Views0likes0CommentsRe: How many of us are there? Owners of Dodge based RV's?
Greetings all, My wife and I just bought a 1976 Dodge Sportsman (20') motor home with "Jamboree" written in faded lettering on the front and the back. To let you guys know, I am quite the noob when it comes to motor homes. I have helped rebuild a few Dodge V8s in my time (a 360 and a 440), but nothing in a Van. In fact, The 20 minute drive home from where I bought the old girl almost doubled my lifetime experience in a moving motor home. I bought it because my wife does NOT like to fly, and I like to travel. (she calls it "compromise" and I call it "capitulation", but that is a discussion for another forum) Anyhoo, I have been looking for resources on where I can find such items as an owner's manual and shop manuals. I have found answers to the overwhelming majority of my questions in this thread, so for this, I extend a hearty "thank you". I'm going to be spending the next few months doing the mechanical things that need to be done (I'll bet the last tune-up was when Clinton was President) and I'll probably be asking some silly questions. I'm going to purchase the "Dodge Full-sized van" shop manual (Hayes or Chilton's) on my way home from work today, I think that will help me with identifying the basics (what engine, etc.). My first question is this: Do any of you RECOMMENDED any specific literature on RV restoration and upgrades (like how Home Depot has home improvement books)? Google and Yahoo! searches have brought up a few common books, but I figured I would ask lest I purchase the wrong one. Thanks in advance, -madtiger (the rookie)290Views0likes0Comments
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