Goatmaiden
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Re: How many of us are there? Owners of Dodge based RV's?
We just went from Oregon to Wisconsin with a rebuilt 440-3 (our MH is 23 foot, GVWR 10,500 and we weighed in at about 9,400 -- which seemed heavy to me since we were carrying next to nothing). Av. 9 MPG but we went 60 mph most of the way. I think Ol' Bertha is happier going 45. Spent $1200 on gas. What fun! Here are some pics of the odyssey - http://bellethecat.blogspot.com/2008/07/road-pictures.html301Views0likes0CommentsRe: How many of us are there? Owners of Dodge based RV's?
Originally, when I started the vehicle on June 1, the tickticktick noise was instant and constant when idle and moving. I drove only a short distance, when the vehicle died. The noise sounded like a belt or something was going flapflapflap -- not overly metalic. Then, after it died, I put on the hazard lights. They flashed for about 2 minutes, then totally died. When I turn the key now, there is nothing more than one soft click. Starter has been replaced, engine turns by hand.378Views0likes0CommentsRe: How many of us are there? Owners of Dodge based RV's?
Goatmaiden wrote: SADDNESS! I think Bertha, our MH, just developed the "tick of death." I drove her to Camping World (about 15 miles) to pick up something, got back in after a few minutes and once I got her started, heard a "tick tick tick" sound at idle that got faster when I pressed the accelerator. I drove just down the road, concentrating on the sound. Then turned around to try to make it back to Camping World. She died in the middle of the road. Luckilly (hey, I'll take any luck I can get at this point) she died right in front of a Dodge dealership! So we got some guys to push her into the parking lot and they will look at her on Monday. GLUM. Anyone wanna take their guesses as to what it will be??? :( FYI -- the motor is fine. RV still won't start. Replacing rotor, distrib cap and wires.... just clicks when the key is turned. ideas?379Views0likes0CommentsRe: How many of us are there? Owners of Dodge based RV's?
ALnCORY wrote: Goatmaiden? Does your Road Ranger say if it was made in the Caldwell Idaho plant? If so I might have worked on it. I worked at the complex during that time but usually on the travel trailers. I remember them being pretty nice little rigs. They listed at about 14,000 if I remember correctly... Awesome! I went out to take a pic of the badge on her side which says that she was in fact made at that plant, but my battery died. That's pretty wild tho. Sooo.... we took as much as we possibly could off the old beast to try to get at the engine, with the help of some friends, but eventually admitted defeat. Mostly not because we didn't want to / couldn't continue on, but, um, I'm working full time and am leaving Oregon by the end of the month and the whole plan was to travel by RV to our new abode. So it's more of a timing thing that has prompted us to call in the professionals. Anyway, we will get a chance to find out exactly what went wrong with the engine, and in place, we have worked out to have a professionally remanufactured 440-3 engine put in that comes with a 3 year warranty. I know to some this probably goes against the spirit of having an older RV, but I will say I have learned more about pistons, bearings, heads, valves, the difference between cast iron and forged crankshafts, etc. in the past 2 weeks than I ever thought could possibly fit in my brain. And, like I told Ron the rebuilder, I'm the black sheep of a Mopar family, so this was the only way I'd ever get to talk with them :) (that was another problem, I'm moving back to be closer to them, but I wish they were here now!) P.S. CrazyMopraGuy - The reason I was asking about that paint job is because we just painted the front of our rig brown and it looks a lot like yours!209Views0likes0CommentsRe: How many of us are there? Owners of Dodge based RV's?
CrazyMoparGuy wrote: I still have my wheel poppin meanie! http://crazymoparguy.homestead.com/files/motorhome_meanie_002.jpg That is hot. I have to ask -- did you paint the brown on the hood and around the doors, or did it come like that? (note: Update on Bertha coming soon)257Views0likes0CommentsRe: How many of us are there? Owners of Dodge based RV's?
Trish Davis wrote: Goatmaiden wrote: I actually found a place that has a remanufactured 440 MH engine with a 3 year warrenty (1 year parts and labor). What do you think? What place? Find out all you can about them online. Run a search "by state" of any Attorney General complaints. It's your money and it's your rig, ASK! Good advice. They are a Better Business Bureau Accredited facility and have had no complaints issued for the past 36 months. Plus, they were refered by the guy who worked on the carb. Really helps to know people.201Views0likes0CommentsRe: How many of us are there? Owners of Dodge based RV's?
Leeann wrote: ... The PO (aka Previous Owner) didn't change the oil regularly and you've got sludge and dirt, which probably clogged a few (or more) holes in the motor, keeping oil from getting to main bearings, rod bearings, everything. Without lubrication, it'll seize. Coolant because an engine that has overheated has had a lot of stress put on it and possibly has warped metal that will prevent proper sealing or proper operation, depending where the heat damage is. I totally agree, which is why I'm leaning towards the remanufactured. I don't think I trust myself enough to judge the soundness of an engine.201Views0likes0Comments
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