well i didnt get bessie on the road in time for memorial weekend camping. new elec. fan came in late. got some new parts installed, just need some more angle iron and sheet metal for the radiator hangar and the fan cowl. clearance looks like just over an inch between the new fan and the water pump, better than before. whos idea was it to put the thermostat under the ac pump anyway? should geter done when i get home next. checked out a 72 dodge rectrans discoverer rv for a friend, neat rig, but engine maintenance would be next to imposible! it was set up to incinerate black water as you drove. sail on.
Hi Daniel,
Sounds like you are about ready to roll!! Have you seen mine!! sitting on the lot engine-less all winter? I rebuilt my 440 last summer, but ran out of time to put it in. I just got back to Alaska last week and I start work on putting it back in tomorrow. By the way, the 440 had to come in/out through the PASSENGER DOOR, this is fun..lol. I took out the a/c compressor and I'm thinking about adding the air intake duct work you guys have done.
I'm glad to see you still have your rig, maybe ill see you around the valley.
max(Bill)
Hey Danny Boy, Long time no hear from...
I must say that the thermastat was NOT Dodges Best Idea!!!! I threw out the compressor
Who needs air anyway....
But I can see where you are going with the more air issue!!!
JUst getting rid of the air conditioner cooler or what ever ya call itbrings in more air!!!
Take care Alaska!!!!!! /// John
john, if it didnt have a belt on it i would get rid of my ac compressor as well. bill, welcome back to the great land! i posted a pic of your clipper all torn apart, it just looked so sad. my rig will hopefully be on the road in a few weeks when i get home. keep us updated on your progress.
Well...some advice....and an update
1) Never take apart something and wait a year to put it back together!!!
That's it for advice.
Lots of collateral damage in the process.
Engine is in.
Replaced: master cylinder, right rear brake line, fuel filter, repaired BIG exhaust hole, new oil pump, new fuel pump, neutral switch on trans, some new trans lines, some new fuel lines.
I'm putting in the Transmission and drive line today.
I just have to figure out which fan belts fit now that I took out the A/C. Any part numbers out there for non-a/c?
Misc still to do:
oil filler tube, dipstick, hard fuel lines, plug wires, misc linkages, radiator and trans cooler, grill and hood...and find where all these left over bolts and things go..lol
...almost there.
max
Hey there Max, I have a question for ya...
On my rig , which I am repulling the motor again ect ect.
where does your fuel line run??? does it run from the front of the motor
and back to the carb .. I have the thermoquad 440 motor
reason I ask is the fuel line that I have scares the crap out of me it is so close to the
exhaust manifold" I think that I will change it and route it to the front of the motor
away from the exhaust manifold. I was going to yank that 440 this afternoon but
the Grand daughter came down for three days and I just can not tsay No to her.
I put things on the shelf...
Now with the wireing was yours brittle to the point of breKING when touched..
I myself will be replacing the trans lines and as you stated I hope I can remember where things go when it comes time to put it all together..
Take care!!! John
Amen to not putting together what you took apart last year! I knew I wouldn't, and I finally got around to fabing up the new radiator hanger. IT IS SWEET!
By the way ...did you know that you can rent wirefeed welders from home depot? :D
One small oversight, I neglected to include a convenient place to hang the trans cooler. but no biggie. Yes I will post good pics to show what Ive done, once its all finished. Today was definately a milestone in getting back on the road.
-D
ITS ALIVE!!! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! ;D
Bessie lives to roll again! I am now going to roll with BOTH the original fan/clutch And an electric....Didn't know that I had the clearance till today. :D
My kids are stoked...Should test drive tomorrow.....and possibly camp..... 8)
-D
Great to hea about Bessy"
Mylow is coming together this friday
I did find out that the block was made in April 18th 1977
anyway, went over tody and wtched the guy bore the block out..
How neet it was to watch, he went thirty over, and is installing a healthy cam
I will beable to pass smog but I will also have the torque to pull anything that needs
towing. I have replaced some of the wireing and I might call it quits where I am at.
I just want to get the otor and trans back in on Saturday. I ordered some springs for the front and thought that jERRY OR hORST TOLD ME ABOUT THE ONES i SHOULD GET
so I will have to call and cancell the order.
I could go on but risking the chance of boreing you huys I will shut up!!!!
Take care PD2, John :{ )
Stengel Brothers - call them - talk to them
http://www.stengelbros.com/
Thank you Horst!!!!! That I will do.
Thnks again!!!!! :{ ) John
Hi Dainel, glad you got her up and running!!
Daniel: Just an FYI, let me know if you need a MIG or Plasma next time, I could help you out. The transmission guys here gave me a kit that just pushes zip tie like things right through the trans cooler and radiator to mount it. I put a couple of quick disconnects on the hoses, worked out good for me. If you get time, come on by the shop with Bessie some afternoon so I can check out the modifications....and maybe spy your vacuum hose connections..
John: The fuel line from the fuel pump to the carb did seem close (3-4 inches) to the headers, but its a hard line and should be ok, plus I dont want to fabricate any more hard lines after doing all brake and transmission cooler lines..lol
I have almost everything hooked back up, I have a few vacuum hoses to find where they go but!! when I pressure tested the cooling system I keep getting leaks at the thermostat housing..it's being very difficult. Other than that I should be able to try and start it tomorrow and set the timing and leak check. I hope!
max
Sucess! ....after a bit of frustration anyway ;)
Went on a serious drive today, nearly 100miles. Rv ran cool as a cucumber! mechanical fan only. Electric fan is a waste of time. Only turns on after the engine is off. This is in part due to the new lower temp that the engine is running at, (new 160 deg low temp thermostat) and extensive aeration of the front end. feet dont even get warm. Now the trouble was NO engine power. Manual shifts only. Slow hills. engine dogged down with serious throttle.....Hmmmmm..... pulled the doghouse, a plug wire had come off :o but a 440 will run fine with only 7 cylinders firing apparently.... the real culpret? the air cleaner snorkel! I used a metalic tube ( like dryer vent) but turns out it was part plastic and sucked up into the air cleaner DOH! ::)
Runs like the racecar it was born to be now....Big trip to Tok tomorrow! 8)
-D
Just missed ya Bill, You wont learn anything vaccum related from my rig, Shees been gutted of climate control goodies( want some spare parts?) Ill try to stop by tomorrow if I get a chance
Rock on!
Hey there guys, Anyone want an air compressor???
It works but I would rather do with out and get rid of the
stuff that I don't use anyway.. I now have room for snorkels
to bring in more fresh air.. Well we should be back on the road when I get my next SSI check... LoL --- John
My clipper is finally ALIVE!! Almost a year and a month later I closed the hood today on a sweet running 440.
I just need to road test a little and then find some new tires. I did find a set of (6) 16" rims that fit...well...They aren't "coined" like the originals but they fit nicely, I think they are ok? Anyone know what size tires should I look for now in 16" that equal about the same height and width as original?
Almost time to go fishing!!!!
Max 8)
nice! glad to hear it. someone here will probably have a good answer on the tires question, someone else went to 16s already, but i dont remember who. i tried to stop by the shop but it was sunday and closed. we should get togeather after i get home from work in a week.
Hey there Max--- the distance that you have from the headers to the fuel line sounds great!!!
I measured the distance from the fuel line to the stock cast iron constipators and I got a whole 1" 3/4...........
Needless to say I bought some fuel line and rerouted it ... At least I can feel better....
John
Max Was that you at the campground just past three bears, past pitman road?
Nope..not me. It must be one of the other ones up here. I think Alaska might have an American Clipper importer somewhere..lol.
I'm parked in a nice quiet spot in Butte with a great view of Pioneer Peak.
Getting ready to re-do ALL of the water lines in this rig! I have been patching up leaks for years now. I went down to Mobile Trailer Supply in Anchorage and figured out what I need to run all new PEX line and Sea-tech fittings for everything and be done with it.