I have the opportunity to get a 440 out of a 1973 Sightseer II RV.
The RV it's self is burned out but none of the heat from the fire made it into the engine bay.
My first thought was to start hacking away with a Sawzall but I'd like to know the proper procedure. Often times that turns out to be easier.
Maybe a combination of both. Also going to try and remove the tranny with it.
I've read that removing the doghouse and pulling the engine our through the drivers or passenger side is the proper way but no details. I figure that and maybe cutting out the floor to make room for the trans is going to be in order as well.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

 

I've never done one on a class A but I thought you removed part of the front and rad and it came out from the front.

 

I don't know. Best I can tell the nose of the RV is one big fiberglass piece.
There is a little trap door on the front that allows access to the radiator but unless I'm missing something even the radiator would be tough to remove from there.

 

I remember back mid 70's we had a bunch of 454 Gm's that needed AC added, I don't remember the coach manufacturer but one of the car jockeys told us they were having problems cooling them and the engines were getting cooked right from new, it was him that told us they pulled the engine from the front. The dog house sure doesn't give much room to work through.

 

Most of them in those years did come out the front. Not fun, but doable.
Bob

 

Oh boy!!
Well I guess I have my work cut out for me but considering that I'm getting a running 440 and trans for 200 bucks I guess it'll be worth it!!
Now I gotta find me an early 70s car or truck to put it in.

 

a sawzal l!!!!

 

I can promise you that we will be using that tool during part of the removal!!!!

 

A '73 model huh? Cast or forged crank? Is it by chance a turbo rig? Allot of the Mopar equipped motor homes had a draw through turbo setup. Ask me how I know? How much of a mess can you make?

 

Turbo?????
Holy cow that would be awesome!!!
I haven't actually gotten a good look at the engine. But I'll be looking for that!!!

 

My brother had one like that - we called it The Whale. Everything in the front unbolted, the crane was positioned in the front with the boom inserted through the grill area. The engine was only lifted a couple of inches, and then pulled straight out.

 

I'm retired but do work part time hauling crushed cars. Sometimes that includes motor homes. Virtually all the ones of that age I have seen are about ready to fall apart and even new there is not much holding them together. I would take a sledge and break the fiberglass out so you can work easily on it. Not sure about the one you are looking at but the ones I have seen have only very flimsy wood framework. Very easy to knock apart. I think a sledge would maybe even work better than a sawzall. I was a career Firefighter and we did use them on wrecked vehicles and some other uses and they worked well enough I couldn't get one fast enough. Maybe that will do what you need easy enough but I would sure try the sledge and it might just work to use both.

 

Here you go Ron. This is most of the components removed from the engine.

 

Nope mine doesn't have that and it appears to be a 413.
20121124_142738.jpg?t=1353793185

 

Ron, get me a pic of the water pump, front of the engine. What you may have is a 413 truck/motor home engine.


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