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This website's purpose is to share information with clipper owners and others who are interested in clippers or have old Dodge B300 chassis motorhomes.  In an attempt to share as much information as possible to as many people as possible PLEASE first post your questions in one of the forum boards rather than sending a PM to the webmaster or another member. This will allow other members to find information that may help solve their problem.  By PMing your questions, you decrease forum activity and create more work for active members who end up repeating information to individuals looking for the same information.  Thank you.

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#21
Engine Work / Re: Vapor Lock
Last post by Clipper Joe - May 06, 2022, 08:32:44 PM
Hi Joe,
Remember, If The Electric Pump Has To Meter Fuel To Carb.
So You Have To Have A Gas Flow Meter, Remember The While Switch Is On,
Fuel Is Still Flowing, Chance Of Engine Fires.

Have You Thought Of Using Header Wrap On Passenger Lower Header.
That Helps.
My Ex Father In Law Had A Class A He Added A Electric Fuel Pump, Have To Work Out Right Fuel PSI
And Proper Regulator.
You Get Right Fuel Ratio, It Should Work For You.

Just Get The Heat Out Of Engine Bay Area, I Found That My Hood Scoop Did A Good Job,
Also Flip Your Air Cleaner Cover Over To Allow More Air Flo Into Carb.
Try That.

Good Luck,
Clipper Joe
#22
I really like the American Clipper.  I am not an owner - but want to be one!!  However, after diving head first into research, making contacts, seeing one locally (ship wreck...) and planning a trip to see another one... my wife lowers the BOOM....
Her fear is that I will get a 45 year old motorhome and it won't be dependable, kill me with maintenance costs and just be another project for us/me to do....
My question for the group is - does anyone actively use their Clipper for long (more than 500 mile) trips?  I would love to hear. 
My goal is to have a rig that will make the trip from Portland Oregon to Dickenson ND at least a couple times a year - with stops in between. 
Any thoughts from the group on a properly maintained (possibly rebuilt) 45 year old RV being reliable enough to make a 2500 mile trip without leaving you stranded? 

Or should I just get a travel trailer like the wife wants????     Thanks!!!
#23
Engine Work / Re: Vapor Lock
Last post by SierraJoe - May 06, 2022, 08:49:28 AM
Hi Clipper Joe, nice to hear from you again. I've heard the same thing about these carbs being prone to vapor lock. I'm hoping to keep the carb as my Clipper runs smoothly with no issues and idles like a purring kitten. I never thought about the fuel filter, I'll implement your suggestion. I have aftermarket headers on my Clipper that might be adding to the problem of heating up the filter. I don't remember how close they are to the filter. From what I have read, an electric fuel pump can make a huge difference. I decided to replace the mechanical filter verses remove it when I add the electric fuel pump. I'll add a switch to the electric fuel pump inside the cab that I can flip on when climbing grades or to pump gas to the carburetor when the Clipper has sat a long time. The 440 is such a big engine to be in such a tight configuration. My brother has a 1970 Dodge Challenger with the same engine and when you open the hood you realize how big the engine really is. Thanks again for you help!
#24
Engine Work / Re: Vapor Lock
Last post by Clipper Joe - May 05, 2022, 07:38:47 PM
Hello SierraJoe,
Glad To Hear From You Again,
Thanks To Toedtoes She Emailed Me About Your Problem.
It Took Me Many Years And A Lot Of Trying,
To Stop The Heating & Vapor Lock Problems.
What Is Vapor Lock, Is We?re the Gas Turns Into A
Vapor. It Is Over Heating.
That Is Why Dodge Went To The Thermoquad
Carb, It Has A Special Plastic Float bowel.
Also, I Found That The Fuel Filter Is On Frame, Under Passenger Door.
I Found It Wound Ge So Hot That It Was Also Close To The Exhaust Pipe.

What I Did To Solve That, Filter Getting Hot.
1.) Installed New Metal Wix Fuel Filter.
2.) Insulated Around Fuel Filter With Wall Installation.
3.) Made A  Galvanize   Cover And Add 2? Solid Installation & Glued to Cover Shield,
Screwed To Frame. This Really Helped.

I Did Install A Hood Scoop & 2 Ea.6? Diameter Holes/ With Screens On Hood.
I Think I Still Have A Template For Scoop, I Got Online. Note: Had to Modify To Fit Dodge Hood. 

One Last Thing Joe, I Had That Problem When I Had The After Market Carb, Eldebrock  Carb,
Go To OEM Carb,
I Still Have A Few Carbs & Ca SmogApproved Carb  Eldebrock . At Home, Have Sold My Clipper.


One Thing My Diesel Pusher Monaco Does Not Vapor Lock, Cummins
Motor.

Hope This Helps You,
Clipper Joe

#25
Great to here!  And thanks for following up - it helps the next guy.
#26
Engine Work / Re: Vapor Lock
Last post by Toedtoes - May 05, 2022, 04:03:42 PM
Yeah, the 440s are just too big for the engine space to be able to cool down easily.  As most folks better insulate the doghouse so they don't get burned, that will also prevent the engine heat from dispersing.

I'll ask Clipper Joe to check this thread and offer more guidance for you.
#27
Engine Work / Vapor Lock
Last post by SierraJoe - May 05, 2022, 02:17:26 PM
Another post about vapor lock. I fixed the overheating problems, but I?m still held hostage by vapor lock. I was only able to go out once last year because of the fires in the Tahoe area where I live, but the one time I did get out vapor lock struck again. My Clipper has the Dodge 440, dual headers, and a fairly new Elderbrock Performer Q-Jet Carburetor (model 1905). The Clipper runs fine, but the campground I like is off a steep climb up in the mountains. If the engine is running around 210 degrees on a hot day in the mid 90s and I slow down the engine rpm such as to pull into the camping area, the Clipper will die and not start again till I let it cool down and spray starting fuel into the carb as pumping the gas pedal will not get gas to the carb.  I know this was probably a problem in the past with my Clipper as there are several cans of starter fluid in the cabinet. The carburetor already has a composition spacer block installed between the carb and the engine cylinder head. I am going to add a new mechanical fuel pump and install an electric fuel pump next to the gas tank that will have a switch in the cab to flip on when needed. I am ordering the parts to install and hope to get out later in the month once the snow is gone.  If this works, great, if not I going to try adding a hood scoop like Clipper Joe recommended to get more air into the engine compartment.
#28
Follow up on the squealing, I just needed to tighten the belt tension a little more and the noise went completely away.
#29
Classified / Re: 1977 clipper For sale
Last post by blackheart - May 04, 2022, 10:23:28 AM
I tried texting for details.  thanks
#30
Greetings / Hello from a New American Clip...
Last post by blackheart - May 03, 2022, 03:09:15 PM
I have been looking for a small RV lately.  We have a small place and even a small RV will be difficult to keep off the street and maneuver around our neighborhood when needed.  But I really like the fiberglass bodies and the styling.  I am a Dodge fan from way back so I have been looking at converting a Dodge van to a camper bc I can't find an RV that doesn't look like it's been a Meth lab.... then an American Clipper drove into our neighborhood....   Where has that been all my life!!!   
I have found a couple around.  We will see if I can nab one.  I am in Portland Oregon so if anyone has any suggestions on what to look out for, or if you know of someone who is parting with theirs - let me know.  Thanks!!!