My weekend project part 2

[JerryT]

From what I can tell our Clipper had the original fuel pump on the 440 and I thought I would replace it more due to age and the harsh/hot enviroment and unknon fuel it has endured for 30 years than the fact it seemed to still work fine. Also I thought it would be cheaper now than any out of town tow bill/vacation ruining experience I could imagine. When I got our Clipper it ran hot and I did get some vapor locking. One of the things I did to cool things down was to take the vapor line from the tank to the charcoal canister and use it for a fuel recirculation line. The thought behind this is if the fuel is moving and not standing in the fuel system at the motor, it can not pick up much heat, and what it does is sent back to the tank with the unused fuel to cool. This is not my idea, I just copied it from other Dodges I had from that era. Dodge used a 3 nippled fuel filter, In, out to motor,(on ends) out to tank (on side) smaller hose. Also this system is under pressure only when the engine is cranking or running so no fuel/carb boil overs. The only down side to this system is that the fuel will drain back and it can take a few cranks to establish fuel flow to the carb again, it don't start like no chevys:) Next decision, which pump? After talking with some Mopar guys I was pointed to the Carter performance unit #M6903  more flow (quicker start ups) and a made in America quality unit.  This jewel was only $70.00 but I did have to buy two brass fittings, a straight barbed 5/16X 1/4 npt for the inlet side and a 90 deg. 5/16 flair X 1/4 npt for the carb side. The inlet side was positioned well and I only had to flex/bend the carb side a tiny bit to work. The two were $5.00 at a NAPA store. The Pump change over is easy, I take off the front right tire for more room. You will need a long 3/8 extention, 9/16 socket and ratchet, also a 1/2" tubing wrench for the output side. There is only one trick to changing a big block mopar fuel pump (361-383-400-413-426-440) and here it is. There is a pin that pushes on the fuel pump arm, it is pushed by the cam shaft. When you remove the fuel pump the pin slides down (does not fall out) but has to be slid back up to install the new pump. There is an access plug in the engine block at the base of the fuel pump  for this purpose, (hard way) My trick is to take a can of brake cleaner and spray clean the pin and block inside the motor, slide the pin back up and use some dum-dum to hold it in place while I stick the fuel pump back on. Dum-dum is a automotive windiow putty and a good thing to have around. A glass guy or body shop guy will give you a little bit if you ask or you can get from an auto paint store, made by 3M. I took some pics and you can see the pin in the down position in one. I feel the recirc line with the hi-po fuel pump is a better deal than an electric fuel pump add on for my application.
JerryT

[clockwork]

Jerry;
Thanks for your well documented mod posts!
The pics are a great help and a valuable resource.
I haven't had any vapor lock problems, but my Clip does take more cranking than I ( and probably the starter) like after sitting for some time. Let us know if this fix aids in reduced cranking on cold starts.
dave
   

[JerryT]

Dave
Thanks for the kind words. When I bought my Clipper I also took the advice and bought all the back issues of the Journal and read all of them. The one thing I noticed was that before the internet, members would share info on HOW I DID IT. Now it seems that most posts are, HOW DO YOU DO IT. With the new products and technology available today there is still a lot of room for HOW I DID IT. I realize just like before, HOW I DID IT, is one part bragging and one part sharing, but it has never been easier to share or brag. As you know these are wonderfully built coachs and in MY opinion, adapt well and can remain truly viable with a few well placed updates. I was so happy when Shanye got the picture thing going so we all can share more. I looked at many coaches ( A's B's and C's) before I selected the A.C. and I am now in the process of doing the upgrades. I have some major things done that I still need to share, Levelers, under the floor Onan 2800 generator (yes there is room) GearVendors overdrive, Electric power cord auto reel, Inverter on an auto transfer switch, and more. I hope others are using and enjoying their Clippers as much as we are inspite of the high fuel prices. I bought my Clipper from the 1st owner so I asked him how he felt when gas shot up right after he bought it new in 78, he said it didn't matter they just went and had a good time anyway and was glad he did, a good plan if you ask me. Dave what are your thoughts on all of this? To anwser your other question, one of the reasons I changed my fuel pump was that I thought it was cranking a lot more than it use to and seemed lean untill it warmed up, after the change, it starts like a chevy, one crank and pow it's running, after sitting 24hr, but it is a warm 75 here right now so I need more time to see if it made a difference, but I am almost sure that it has. Last time we took it out and it sat just overnight it was crank-crank-crank-pump-pump-pump-crank-crank-crank then it would catch, die, then restart, run a little rough, act like the choke was all the way open(lean) then run like a racecar (pass anything but a gas station) after it warmed up. I know it could be other things but I thought this was a good place to start. I will keep you posted and please share with us a bit about your rig.
JerryT