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LKappenman · 10-29-2002, 08:16 AM

We also have the 6BD1 turbo deisel by Isuzu 1983 31 ' We bought this from the original owner in 1995 he orfered it with the deisel. I have kept track of every fill up and we have been as high as 15mpg never lower than 11.5 and averaged almost 13mpg. We have people druling when we tell them. Of course they are noisy unlike the Duramax that you can hardly hear but thats ok.

Boats13 · 05-31-2005, 09:11 PM

Fred,
Did you ever get a matrix worked out on what was available in what years?
The '92 in Tn on your site is a fuel injected 454 with an overdrive transmission... I forgot to take a pic of it to ID it... could it be the 4L80E? or is it an older Allison four speed? (I can't even remember the designator) I was under the mistaken impression that the FI was in only the later ('93 and up) Classics.
With 3 of the perhaps 12-14 diesel Classic 360's on the market now it seems to be a good time to be shopping!, The one on Fred's site is like new inside and underneath. But OMW the prices!.....

C.T.

87MH · 06-01-2005, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boats13

.....) I was under the mistaken impression that the FI was in only the later ('93 and up) Classics.

I'm pretty sure that all of the Cheverolet year '86 P-3X Chassis were carbureted, and all of the '87 model year were Fuel Injection.

Be careful of "cusp" years - for instance, my '87 (Airstream nomenclature) is actually built on an '86 Chevy Chassis (last year of carbureation) - be sure to refer to the chassis in "Chevy" years, not "Airstream" years -

Even with reference to the proper year, it's amazing how many "parts" called out in auto store catalogues will not fit correctly.

It's much preferred to bring the old part into the store with you when replacing items to insure the correct item is purchased the first time -

Boats13 · 06-01-2005, 06:36 AM

Dennis,

LOL, So true! I sell Auto Parts for Carquest. Our old computer database (Used by several other major parts houses) is often wrong.

Paper catalogs are our Friends! Our hardware is so old that the keyboard uses the old style DIN plug (pre "PS2"). We input part numbers by hand, no barcode scanning. Hope is on the horizon! We have a new system in "Beta" phase now.... DSL... Intranet and limited Internet access, Easier lookup, Pictures of the parts, Easy error reporting. Jeeze, I sound as if I am selling it! Most of us are looking forward to it. Yes, bring your parts, PLEASE!!!!! Thanks!

CT

PS:
Carquest just bought WorldPak a major importer of OEM parts for imports of all kinds. This filled a major hole in our inventory/availability! OK, I will get off the soapbox and throw it away....

Boats13 · 06-01-2005, 08:34 AM

What year were the overdrive transmissions first installed???? not counting the one offs like that beautiful 1989 with the factory 5.9 cummins in the front. I have seen it in the '92.... and jerry220ver says on eBay that his has an Allison.
CT

74Argosy24MH · 06-01-2005, 10:55 AM

I think it was closer to the '89 chassis year when Chevy went to FI. They were way behind Ford and lost a bunch of medium duty business because of the lag in getting it to market. Same year was a transition to the 4L80E OD trans. Early '89 chassis had the turbo 400, later were OD. As Dennis said, an '89 chassis is most likely going to be titled as a 1990 motor home.

John

Boats13 · 06-01-2005, 03:38 PM

I got this off the Workhorse site:

The 4L85E four-speed automatic transmission comes standard in all P Series platforms. It features electronic gear shifting and provides excellent performance, smoothness and flexibility as well as improved fuel economy. The transmission also kicks in an extra 1,000 lb. towing capacity for 17,000 lb. and 18,000 lb. GVWR models.

Of course that is for current models. Must get VIN's on any chassis I look at.

CT

Hit'nMiss · 06-01-2005, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boats13

Fred,
Did you ever get a matrix worked out on what was available in what years?
The '92 in Tn on your site is a fuel injected 454 with an overdrive transmission... I forgot to take a pic of it to ID it... could it be the 4L80E? or is it an older Allison four speed? (I can't even remember the designator) I was under the mistaken impression that the FI was in only the later ('93 and up) Classics.
With 3 of the perhaps 12-14 diesel Classic 360's on the market now it seems to be a good time to be shopping!, The one on Fred's site is like new inside and underneath. But OMW the prices!.....

C.T.

Not sure Fred's site is still actively updated .Seems I recall that he sold out awhile back. He had ambitous plans for his website I know. Would be nice to have an update on his status. He still posts on occasion and logs in regularly I think I have noticed.
Maybe he is planning on another Airstream?? If not I'd love to know why not.

Boats13 · 06-01-2005, 03:58 PM

I believe Fred moved recently. The last update on the site was about two weeks ago that I noticed. I went and looked at the one listed on top on his site.
CT

Tarheel · 06-01-2005, 08:37 PM

The 95 had a 5.9 B cummins turbo

overlander63 · 06-02-2005, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edmatlock

MY 28' 1978 ARGOSY MH HAS A 454/400. MY OWNERS MANUAL LISTS THE VIN# OPTION FOR A 350 OR 454 ENGINE. MY VIN SAYS IT IS A 350 BUT IT HAS THE ORIGNIAL 454 IN IT???????????

Some option tags also called for 16" wheels, but the MoHo's had 19.5" wheels. If you can find the option tag, it will show the updates on your chassis. You may have a different ratio axle, different brakes, etc, from what the VIN calls for.

ViewRVs · 06-02-2005, 01:15 PM

I didn't sell out. I'm still here. Sorry about the site getting out of date. I switched jobs and companies in January and relocated from Mississippi to West Virginia. My PC was boxed up for 4 months. It took us much longer to find a house than we thought and then closing took almost two months. We bought a (really) fixer-upper and my DW wants me to fix things at the house BEFORE I update the site. She's tough! I have been saving some pictures to my work PC for loading later (like the 345 hearse).

I have TONS of webspace and I am not even close to my bandwidth limit. That's why I started adding trailers.

I did sell my 345 for financial reasons. The thing needed too much money to fix up to respectability. I'll have another someday..........it just has to be the 'princess model' to meet my wife's standards!

ralley · 10-12-2005, 08:42 AM

I would be interested to know what diesel engines have been used to re-power 310, 345, etc that had 454's, and how the repowering worked out. Is the Isuzu 6db1T a "slide in" in place of a 454 (with the exception of the fuel return lines)?

Fred-thanks a lot for your help--still looking for a 310 diesel east-west.

Ralley

Nick Danger · 10-12-2005, 09:28 AM

For your matrix.....

I have a 1989 370LE

Ford 460 engine
Gillig chassis
Allison 3 speed transmission

Only 15 of these models were built. Mine has 40k original miles.

fangthorpe · 10-12-2005, 03:50 PM

'92 30' has 454 FI w/ 4L80E OD per papers, although the gearbox feels heavier duty than the 4L80E in the Suburban. Maybe its a 4L85E, but it isn't marked.

'88 454 Suburbans are FI.

Turbos on diesels are BAE aftermarket. They used to put them on BMWs for me at their factory in Compton or Southgate somewhere back in the mid-80s.

Seems to me about 1/2 of the diesels are non-turbo.

Astrodokk · 10-12-2005, 06:06 PM

Mine is a 1981 (1979 P-30) 28' 454 with the TH400. Needs all the smog stuff in California.

noiva · 10-23-2005, 07:40 PM

I just came into possession of a 1989 Airstream 370LE, 16,600 original miles. Ford 460 engine, Ford C6 3-speed automatic transmission, Gillig chassis. (Pictures on Classic Motorhome Photo section p. 3,4 under "noiva".)

Noiva