Hi all!
I have read in the old Clipper newsletters that some would shorten the closet door to match the bottom instead of the floor. I had to talk my self into it but I did it, and I like it. Now we can leave things on the floor in front of the door and still open it. I split the door and hinge even with bottom shelf and just leave the bottom part closed. I added the necessary plastic brown trim of course. I also removed the old panel that you saw when you opened the door as it's no longer needed, doing that did give me a bit more space in the storage area below the closet. here are a few pics.
JerryT
Well, YES You did it again!!! and A great job I must say!!!!!!!
When ya coming out to help me do mine......LOL John
definitely a must - one of the first things I did.
Quote from: JerryT on September 20, 2009, 06:18:45 PM
Hi all!
I have read in the old Clipper newsletters that some would shorten the closet door to match the bottom instead of the floor. I had to talk my self into it but I did it, and I like it. Now we can leave things on the floor in front of the door and still open it. I split the door and hinge even with bottom shelf and just leave the bottom part closed. I added the necessary plastic brown trim of course. I also removed the old panel that you saw when you opened the door as it's no longer needed, doing that did give me a bit more space in the storage area below the closet. here are a few pics.
JerryT
I never saw that one in the Journal but it's not a bad idea. There is also one for the rear kitchen unit with the couch that folds to a bed. Basically, you can cut the arm (behind the passenger seat)a ways lower and it allows the seat to slide further back. Among other things, it makes it easier to remove the dog house.
hastm
removing doghouse
I always remove the passengers seat first - makes everything WAY easier - and my seat comes off in 2 minutes - at most
I agree with Horst!
You can get the dog house off (barely) with the seat still in but it tears up the heat insulation and is also rough on the interior (78 440) I read about the idea to cut and lower the right couch end wall so the passenger seat will move back a bit more. I like to use that bit of wall for my pillow when reading, so I instead took some flat washers and and used them to shim up the back of the passenger seat via the rear bolts. It tips the seat forward a bit and lets you slide it back a bit further. Roxann says it sits better and likes the extra leg room. While I was at it I ground the points off the screws that hold on the seat belt trim that poke your hands when you take the seat nuts loose. I also put short pieces of vacuum hose on them to make them soft touch. I ran a tap thru the seat hold down nuts to clean them up, I can now loosen them with a wrench and spin them off with my fingers. A drop of oil keeps them slick :) Like Horst said, I always remove the passengers seat first.
JerryT
HEY JERRY, I 'm back..... Big deal... Oh crap he's back
I have heard them all. Just trying to sit up straight. Had the surgery and I am a bit sore but will endure.
Dr said that I should be up and running in three weeks-- right now I can't say that.
Will be checking in from time to time. John :) Oh on that dog house, you would be surprised how fast they come off when ya got a fire under neith that dog house!!!!
jerry t, just read how you shortened the closet door .... great idea, im on it. that will be helpful , maybe i will set the dog food bowl there ?
I PUT WING NUTS ON THE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE PASSINGER SEAT - MAKES THEM REAL EASY TO GET OUT. I USED THE NUTS THAT CAME WITH ALL OF THOSE HOUSE BATTERIES I HAVE BOUGHT OVER THE YEARS BEFORE I INSTALLED A DISCONNECT ON THE HOUSE BATTERY THAT OVERCHARGES WHEN I LEAVE THE SHORE POWER ON. I AM TOO CHEAP TO SEND THE CONVERTER IN TO HAVE IT RETROFITTED SO IT WON'T OVERCHARGE THE HOUSE BATTERY.
Damn Jerry, I never thought of that one!!!!
I wish you were my neighbor!!!
Never mind we both would be in trouble every day!!!! :)John
robert that is good to know about the house battery ! do all clippers overcharge the batt ! if so i should be careful and install a switch as well.
RPA
I take the seat and pedestal out together via the floor stud/nuts, I bet you take the seat and leave the pedestal.
Two ways to skin the same cat :D
JerryT
That's how I took mine out when I took the motor out>!
Pulled the intake and heads first then seperated the trans after draining the oil pan. Removed the water pump and the housing, don't want to go through that again but I guesss I will have to... " Unless"
Now is it possible to remove the frontgril and radiator and all that gobblaty goop
and install it from the front????? with out!! droping the K-member...
Because at this time when we got the motor back---- it was assembled....
Looks great, now have to get it in the rig. Some time Next month....after my back has healed more. OK Jerry, I know you must have an answer for this one Come on"
talk to me ----- Oh yea, oh yea--- I have to send this to ya first..... Duhhhh
:)John
John
I don't think the vans have K members? RPA, what do you think?
JerryT
Not real sure Jerry, I will have to crawl under and see... I theought That Don said in an earlier post that they had K members... I guess I shall find out tomorrow.
And if you were the one that was asking about the cruse control rebuild I did check with a company here in Calif and they told me that there is a place some where around you" that rebuilds them. The guy told me that they can and do but it would be arould $150."
Guess just check out your area.. You might find a better deal or I will keep checking for ya out here..
John :)
PS> Those were some nice PICS!!!!!
John
I have not found a CC rebuilder, if you got a lead I want it! I have put 2 used ones on with no luck.
JerryT
Hi Jerry, I will get you those leeeeeeds
One is in Orange Calif. and I beleive the other one is in Los Angeles Ca.
Get back with ya tomorrow!!!!!!! :)John
Hey John
Check on that cruise control rebuilder for me.
JerryT
Yes, please check out the folks that might fix these Cruise Controls.
Wondering if the 360 and the 440 were the same???????????????????
Quote from: mccammonds on November 01, 2009, 07:29:30 AM
Yes, please check out the folks that might fix these Cruise Controls.
Wondering if the 360 and the 440 were the same???????????????????
They should be as the 360, 383, 440 Big Blocks were pretty much same engine block.
You might also look into and aftermarket Cruise Control Kit, I used to install them in the 80s and they worked pretty well. The only thing I didn't like about them is you placed magnets on the driveline and a sensor would read how fast the magnets would pass by.
In my experience cruise controls rarely go bad, the problem would usually be a fuse, broken wire or bad connection to the cruise unit, bad/broken speedo cable, bad cruise cut off switch at the brake pedal, no vacuum to cruise unit, bad cruise switch.
Using a test light, with key turned on, the cruise unit should not have any power to it until you turn the cruise switch to on and only 1 lead should be hot if more than 1 wire is hot check your brake switch and cruise switch, if you have power to 1 lead then hit the set button while checking the another wires, the test should light while holding the set button, check the last wire with test light while pressing the brake pedal and the light should light. If all these tests pass, check your vacuum source to cruise unit. if all tests pass the cruise unit is probably bad.
Note: most older cruise units would not operate at speed below 25 mph.
dboling, You are Right my good man, the 440 383 1ne the 360 are the same block!!!
hen what is the difference You ask.... Well, it is the "CRANK" the crank is the
difference........if you have a 360 and want a 440 get a 440 crank! Waaa La.
And as far as having a cruse control ?? I don't know...I like to be in control of things. But at "25"mph?????????
Yes check out the connections to you unit and I will still check out the business
here on the west side of the world and see what they want to rebuild the cruse control :) :)John
Quote from: John Eversoll on November 01, 2009, 12:29:31 PM
dboling, You are Right my good man, the 440 383 1ne the 360 are the same block!!!
hen what is the difference You ask.... Well, it is the "CRANK" the crank is the
difference........if you have a 360 and want a 440 get a 440 crank! Waaa La.
And as far as having a cruse control ?? I don't know...I like to be in control of things. But at "25"mph?????????
Yes check out the connections to you unit and I will still check out the business
here on the west side of the world and see what they want to rebuild the cruse control :) :)John
Sorry John, check my profile, not a good man.
I checked my cruise control connections when I rewired under the hood and engine compartment. All power was as it should be :)
I don't know if my cruise works or not as I've only driven the clipper 35 miles to the property and was to scared of being pulled over with 2006 license tags and a 2006 inspection sticker to think about trying the cruise control. I only passed 2 state police cars. lucky we don't have front license plates and the police only viewed the clipper from the front.
Yes, the only difference between the engines are the bore and stroke.
Just a little clarification-- the 383 and 440 are big block engines. the 360 is a small block.
the crank from a 440 will not fit in a 360.
now for the good news, the cruise control is the same for any engine in a dodge van for model years between 1973 to 1977 and maybe even 1978.
I agree there are several reasons the cruise control may not work. the speedometer cable is a very common problem, but if your speedometer is working, look for another problem.
there is a lower speedo cable from the transmission to the cruise control unit [located at the back of the engine] and an upper cable from the cruise control unit to the speedometer.
if these cables are in good working order the speedometer will function, and the cruise should too unless there is an electrical problem in the circuit.
The cruise control switch on the turn signal lever can also be at fault. check for electrical continuity from the switch to the cruise control unit.
Quote from: tomfridley on November 01, 2009, 03:23:37 PM
Just a little clarification-- the 383 and 440 are big block engines. the 360 is a small block.
the crank from a 440 will not fit in a 360.
now for the good news, the cruise control is the same for any engine in a dodge van for model years between 1973 to 1977 and maybe even 1978.
I agree there are several reasons the cruise control may not work. the speedometer cable is a very common problem, but if your speedometer is working, look for another problem.
there is a lower speedo cable from the transmission to the cruise control unit [located at the back of the engine] and an upper cable from the cruise control unit to the speedometer.
if these cables are in good working order the speedometer will function, and the cruise should too unless there is an electrical problem in the circuit.
The cruise control switch on the turn signal lever can also be at fault. check for electrical continuity from the switch to the cruise control unit.
Yep, your right, 360 is a small block, I was thinking of the 361.
Derrrrrrrrrrrr, Dumbyyyyyy me.. Brain Fart!!!! :)John
HEY JOHN EVERSOLL, I THINK I READ IN ONE OF YOUR POSTS THAT YOUR NEW REBUILT MOTOR IS GOING TO BE 11-1 COMPRESSION. I HOPE YOU LIKE BUYING HIGH OCTANE FUEL BECAUSE IT WON'T RUN VERY WELL ON REGULAR. WHEN YOU PUT IT UNDER A LOAD IT WILL DETENATE OR PING REAL BAD, AND THAT TENDS TO BE HARD ON PISTONS BUY EATING HOLES IN THEM. ALSO WILL BLOW FREEZE PLUGS OUT ON HOT DAYS. THEN YOU GET CRACKED HEADS OR WORSE MAYBE A BLOCK.I WOULD BACK IT DOWN TO SAY 8-1 IT WILL STILL HAVE LOTS OF POWER AND YOU CAN RUN REGULAR GAS.IT WILL SAVE YOU A LOT OF COINS IN THE LONG RUN AND STILL RUN WELL EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO RETARD THE SPARK ADVANCE A LITTLE BIT. THINK TWICE AND DO 1 REBUILD THAT WORKS TAKE CARE OF YOUR BACK I BEEN THERE I KNOW WHAT FEELS LIKE HANK JOURDIN
Hi Hank, watch the caps... makes it hard to read for us old folks... ha ha ha ...
I had the motor built already, and the guy that rebuilt it is great!! he used sodium filled valves so I can run Regular gas, Jim has been in business for 37years and has done everything from big Rvs to Dragsters. Real nice guy to talk to as well.
He knows it was going to go in my Clipper and the cam he put in will keep it running smooth. He built the motor for my 1971 Chevelle SS and it purrrrrs like a kitten Until ya step on the pedal.I put the regular gas in her and no problem He put the sodium filled valves in the motor and shaved the heads too. I am going to go for a bigger radiator as well.
getting away from the fan and installing an electric fan unit. I have had three fan belts break on me which happened to be in the desert coming back from Vegas.
Tonight the back is just killing me!!! I haven't taken the pain meds as to I don't want to get used to taking them. It just bothers my boy dog, he wants to climb
up in bed with daddy as he has done since he was 8 wks old. Now he is 125 lbs
and six years old. Take care Hank, rap at ya later!!! Later gater :)John