Should I repair the 24' Clipper or junk it?

[phoenix]

To rebuild engine or not to rebuild.  That is the question.  See details in Tips and Tricks if you can provide some needed advice.  Thanks,  Myrleen Fisher aka Elvira[/b]

[handyman]

Myrleen if someone quoated you six to eight k run don't walk throught the yellow pages and find another shop. go to auto zone or kragen look at there rebuilds look for a shop that thats all they do is engine overhauls here in Modesto we have engine renew check with people you know someone has to have a better job done than you had, 24 are rare if it's in good shape and you like it then yes it's worth it ,if not ? good luck let us know if you find a good shop :shock:

[phoenix]

Jim: The quotes in Salinas/Monterey have been $3000-3500 (just labor) to remove the broken engine and to install the rebuilt longblock (35 hours ).  A rebuild of my core locally varies from $3500 to $5500.  To install a rebuilt from Fresno source is $2500 (shorter warrantee).  All of these options require a rebuildable core.  The block that is in there now is stamped 440-4.  No one can tell me for sure what that is, whether or not it is heavy duty for motor home.  The shops I'm talking to don't want it as a core. They think it may be a car engine. That means another $500-700.  I've called Kragen's and they don't have any.  I'm checking places in LA and Texas on the web.  If you know a better source, please let me know.  This 24 footer is in good shape, except for the engine, as far as I know.  A only drove it 40 miles.  We topped off all fluids and headed for Santa Cruz about 1 year ago, didn't get there.  It has been in that #@!!!$&## mechanic's hands since then.  Now at Ron's RV in Salinas.  High prices, good reputation.

[tomfridley]

elvira: the 440-4 and 440-1 engines are the most common type. they are
light duty [car-light truck] engines.
only the 440-3 is a heavy duty engine and have different heads on them.
that is why the core charge would be added if you gave them a different engine as a core.
good luck

[aliendude]

I just put a new 360 engine in my '75 Clipper.    

Do you know anyone that is retired from the military to use a base auto hobby shop someplace?

It's not THAT hard.   Thought It did take me 5 days to do.  

When you ask for an engine price at a parts store have them look up for a whatever year you have, B300 one ton van /w a 440.

Putting a new engine in a Van/RV is not a job you want to pay someone to do.   They can't make a profit at it and do a attentive job.    

But it is definitely possible to do yourself....

You have to make a rear engine craddle out of galzanized fence poles, and rig up a all-thread j-hook to hold the back of the engine up....
Then the trans slides back out of the way,
You lift the back of the engine a bit,  drop the oil pan, reach in and turn
the oil pick up - up out of the way, - slide the oil pan back,
and then the engine goes out through the front.  

It takes good bit of time.....

You need a cherry picker engine crane, two HD jackstands, and a transmission jack.... and I used two 6 ton floor jacks to put the '
entire front end about a foot off the garage floor.

When you pull the engine with the crane.   The boom has to be tightly
closely chained to the block w/o the intake manifold on it.....

It is worth doing it yourself........ just to floor that new engine
the first time - to seat the piston rings.........  Fffffff WHaaaaaaaaaaaaah

Best of Luck