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bkahler · 08-02-2015, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefair

Thanks for a all the input. I appreciate the measurements! It is up on uship.com. The owner of the tow company where it is located has a rig that can haul it but his driver is in Sturgis. He may deliver it later but won't commit. If I can get it home I can consider my options for a new motor. I have the ability to pull it myself. I will update with shipping quotes in a few days.

1982 310 motorhome 454
Henniker New Hampshire

Really sorry to hear about your break down. I think you're making a smart move in shipping it home. It cost me $1000 (plus $200 tip) to move a non-running 345 from Eufaula, OK to Richmond, KY which is about 800 miles.

I hired a "Hotshot" trucker that had a 40' flatbed trailer. I got lucky in that he helped pull the 345 out of the woods where it had been parked for 10+ years. Took us all day to do the load so I think I got an exceptional deal overall.

If you need help/info when you get ready to pull the motor let me know as I've pulled a 454 from the 345 and a 350 from an Argosy.

Good luck!

Brad

Foiled Again · 08-02-2015, 06:05 PM

Wow! Aren't there some wonderful people on this forum!

I feel... Wow Sniff, golly gee - just to know all y'all even at a distance

Isuzusweet · 08-02-2015, 06:46 PM

I'm going out on a limb here but if I were the OP I would really consider approaching Brad(Bkahler) to help do the engine change. It would be cheaper shipping the coach to Brad in Richmond Kentucky than to New Hampshire.

He would have a very, very knowledgable person to do the engine swap and even though the OP has stated he's capable to do the swap himself, two extra knowledgable hands are far better than two that arn't. It would also be hands that care about doing the job right.

I'm sure that Brad knows all the local machine shops should something special needs to be machined.

If I were the OP I would be PMing Brad pronto.

PS If I'm stepping over the line in anyway I do apologise profusely.

Cheers
Tony

J. Morgan · 08-02-2015, 06:56 PM

This is what I would install.

http://m.summitracing.com/parts/nal-12339193

Isuzusweet · 08-02-2015, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J. Morgan

This is what I would install.

Chevrolet Performance 7.4L 454 C.I.D. Engine Assemblies 12339193 - Free Shipping on Orders Over $99 at Summit Racing

Four bolt or two bolt main? If it's a MkIV, you run an even chance of getting a 2 or 4 bolt block on a 7.4. All 502's are 4 bolt. All Gen 5 and Gen 6 are 4 bolt. It also needs a RV specced camshaft to work right with our moho's. One reviewer states that internal parts are not new.

Not all engines are created equal and we moho guys have to be careful NOT to fall for the cheapest versus the right option, as re and reing an engine in a Classic is mostly all about the labour. It's a beeatch getting these engines in and out of our rigs, and the diesels are worst. To get the Isuzu out, the front crossmember must be cut out and then rewelded back in.

Like I stated, I'd want an Airstream enthusiast working on mine.

Cheers
Tony

J. Morgan · 08-02-2015, 08:05 PM

The two bolt engines are pretty rugged. In fact I remember reading years and years ago that 2 bolt chevy blocks were stronger because the extra bolts in the main webs weaken the web.

It would not surprise me at all if the stock engines in these motorhomes are two bolt mains.

454s of this era didn't really make much power. I want to say that the most powerful MK IV and MK V from 78 and up only made 290 HP.

Isuzusweet · 08-02-2015, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J. Morgan

454s of this era didn't really make much power. I want to say that the most powerful MK IV and MK V from 78 and up only made 290 HP.

290??? I highly doubt that. The late 80's early 90's SS 454 P/U trucks made only 245hp if I recall. The 5.0L V8 in my 88 Cougar was 150hp, the 5.0 305's in Chevy's were 147hp.
The Airstream 454hp rating was 230hp@3800 and 360lb-ft@2800rpm's. That was brand new on a good day with a ringer of an engine as all the big three only tested ringer engines; (Ford got busted with its 5.0L output in later Mustangs). The hp loss in a moho over three decades would be almost 50% I'd suspect.

Here's a good link to go to on 454's

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f159...4-a-95118.html

Cheers
Tony

J. Morgan · 08-02-2015, 08:28 PM

You are right, 255 was the top BB Chevy HP after 1977.

But in 1970 it could make 450+ stock HP...

Isuzusweet · 08-02-2015, 08:30 PM

The very first thing I would do if i were the OP before the engine went in would be to change ALL fuel lines, as these lines are 30+ years old and Ethanol is not friendly to them.

We have already lost one Classic to an engine fuel fire this year that I know of.

Cheers
Tony

chiefair · 08-03-2015, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martin300662

If you are on a budget and doing the work yourself, there is a good running 454 in the 28ft Argosy we bought for parts, that is sitting at the Airstream dealer about 100miles from your home. Let me know if you are interested.

I may be interested in that Martin. I'm pretty focused on getting it home now. If I get it there, I can spend some time deciding what the best plan is for repair or replacement.

1982 310 motorhome 454
Henniker New Hampshire

chiefair · 08-03-2015, 05:43 AM

Brad, thanks for the good info on your shipping experience. I need to ship a little less than 900 miles. No offers yet on uship.com. I have a friend who has volunteered to come out for it at the end of this week. If I don't get any offers, I guess I will be paying storage fees until then.

1982 310 motorhome 454
Henniker New Hampshire

bkahler · 08-03-2015, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Isuzusweet

I'm going out on a limb here but if I were the OP I would really consider approaching Brad(Bkahler) to help do the engine change. It would be cheaper shipping the coach to Brad in Richmond Kentucky than to New Hampshire.

He would have a very, very knowledgable person to do the engine swap and even though the OP has stated he's capable to do the swap himself, two extra knowledgable hands are far better than two that arn't. It would also be hands that care about doing the job right.

I'm sure that Brad knows all the local machine shops should something special needs to be machined.

If I were the OP I would be PMing Brad pronto.

PS If I'm stepping over the line in anyway I do apologise profusely.

Cheers
Tony

Well, while I'd love to help and would probably enjoy working on it more than the yard work I've been doing I'm afraid I don't have the time to deal with it! Working 50 hours most weeks and trying to keep up with yard work on 9 acres is a bit challenging. Add in all of my projects and life is just a bit to hectic

Brad

bkahler · 08-03-2015, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefair

Brad, thanks for the good info on your shipping experience. I need to ship a little less than 900 miles. No offers yet on uship.com. I have a friend who has volunteered to come out for it at the end of this week. If I don't get any offers, I guess I will be paying storage fees until then.

1982 310 motorhome 454
Henniker New Hampshire

One thing to watch for when selecting a transporter is the type of trailer he has. The guy that hauled my 345 had a great trailer but his ramps were way to steep so we spent a bunch of time building/extending his ramps so we could get the rig up on the trailer. As it was we still scraped the chassis on the trailer while dragging it up onto the deck.

Fortunately the 345 was bought for parts so whatever small amount of damage that occurred wasn't an issue.

Brad

Melody Ranch · 08-03-2015, 08:23 AM

If that friend is solid on his offer and can do it.....take that offer and keep that friend. You need some piece of mind and thats it. Use the available storage and then make a "vacation" of the situation. Go to a movie, see the sights and have a good meal.

chiefair · 08-03-2015, 02:51 PM

I have left the 310 behind in South Bend and moved on to Madison WI to enjoy my vacation. If I get a good price for shipping sooner it can ship without me. If I don't get one by Thursday evening, my friend will start out. I will meet him Saturday, load the MH and ride back to NH with him. My wife & daughter will fly home. Thanks to all for your kind words and useful info.

1982 310 motorhome 454
Henniker New Hampshire

bkahler · 08-04-2015, 04:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefair

I have left the 310 behind in South Bend and moved on to Madison WI to enjoy my vacation. If I get a good price for shipping sooner it can ship without me. If I don't get one by Thursday evening, my friend will start out. I will meet him Saturday, load the MH and ride back to NH with him. My wife & daughter will fly home. Thanks to all for your kind words and useful info.

1982 310 motorhome 454
Henniker New Hampshire

I think you're making the best choice having your friend help move the 310.

You can see what kind of difficulties I had in transporting a 345 from Oklahoma.

The pictures should give you a good idea as to what kind of ramps you'll need to get a long motorhome up onto a trailer. The 310 is definitely shorter than a 345 with less rear overhang so that will definitely help.

Brad

chiefair · 08-04-2015, 09:48 AM

Brad,
It's good to have friends! He is bringing a flat deck trailer. I will hire the tow company who moved me off the highway to put the 310 on their Landall trailer. We will then roll it from their trailer onto the flat deck. Not sure how I will get it off at home. That is a problem for another day.

1982 310 motorhome 454
Henniker New Hampshire

bkahler · 08-04-2015, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefair

...Not sure how I will get it off at home. That is a problem for another day.

1982 310 motorhome 454
Henniker New Hampshire

Lots of planks and timbers!

Do take photos as it's being transferred from truck to truck, I'd like to see those

Brad

chiefair · 08-04-2015, 03:45 PM

Brad,
The trailer my friend was planning to use turns out to be 42" high not 36". I found a low bed he can get. It has a 24' well. Do you know the length from the front bumper to the back of the rear wheels? I believe the overhang is about 9' but I need a better measurement. If the bumper is against the front and the tires fit in the well, I am hoping we can block the rear high enough so the overhang fits over the step in the trailer. If I ever get this together, I will try to get pictures!
Thanks,
Keith

1982 310 motorhome 454
Henniker New Hampshire

bkahler · 08-04-2015, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefair

Brad,
The trailer my friend was planning to use turns out to be 42" high not 36". I found a low bed he can get. It has a 24' well. Do you know the length from the front bumper to the back of the rear wheels? I believe the overhang is about 9' but I need a better measurement. If the bumper is against the front and the tires fit in the well, I am hoping we can block the rear high enough so the overhang fits over the step in the trailer. If I ever get this together, I will try to get pictures!
Thanks,
Keith

1982 310 motorhome 454
Henniker New Hampshire

The distance from the front bumper over riders to the rear mud flap is about 23' 4". Could be +/- a couple of inches.

Overall length seems to be 32' from front over rider to rear over rider.

From the mud flap to the rear over rider is about 9'.

If it was me I'd go for the 42" deck and just use lots of planks when you unload. Plus you can do it at your leisure. If the company with the Landall trailer can get you up onto the 42" deck that should would be easier than trying to block the rear tires of the 310. Trying to fit it down into the well would mean you need to make sure there is zero movement back and forth. That could get interesting!

Hope this helps.

Brad