1984 Itasca Sunflyer 22' Re Power - Good Old RVs2024-03-28T16:19:42Zhttps://goodoldrvs.ning.com/forum/topics/1984-itasca-sunflyer-22-re-power?commentId=2093474%3AComment%3A179288&feed=yes&xn_auth=noIt's the same overdrive unit…tag:goodoldrvs.ning.com,2013-11-08:2093474:Comment:1855902013-11-08T03:58:23.262ZMikehttps://goodoldrvs.ning.com/profile/Mike587
It's the same overdrive unit I have in my shop.<br />
The Laycock J type is what the Gear Vendor unit is based on.<br />
<br />
The adapter tube, I can make.<br />
The shaft, not so much.
It's the same overdrive unit I have in my shop.<br />
The Laycock J type is what the Gear Vendor unit is based on.<br />
<br />
The adapter tube, I can make.<br />
The shaft, not so much. Only one way to over come tha…tag:goodoldrvs.ning.com,2013-11-08:2093474:Comment:1857402013-11-08T03:45:37.596ZLakota Wolfhttps://goodoldrvs.ning.com/profile/LakotaWolf
<p>Only one way to over come that problem and its about $1400. A 2 speed gear vendor gear box right behind the trans or attched to the nose shaft of the rear axel. </p>
<p>Only one way to over come that problem and its about $1400. A 2 speed gear vendor gear box right behind the trans or attched to the nose shaft of the rear axel. </p> I talked to a guy about a low…tag:goodoldrvs.ning.com,2013-11-08:2093474:Comment:1854162013-11-08T03:31:44.183ZMikehttps://goodoldrvs.ning.com/profile/Mike587
I talked to a guy about a low mileage, late 292 today. Supposedly runs like a Swiss watch.<br />
<br />
Also, I discovered that the Gear Vendors / Doug Nash / Laycock overdrives are pretty much the J Type unit on the back of my Volvo M46 transmissions.<br />
I happen to have a spare.<br />
<br />
The Laycock to TH400 adapter is a MILLION dollars, so I'll be fabricating one, I guess.<br />
<br />
The 292 came out of a dump truck that weighs more then my RV. Should be ok.
I talked to a guy about a low mileage, late 292 today. Supposedly runs like a Swiss watch.<br />
<br />
Also, I discovered that the Gear Vendors / Doug Nash / Laycock overdrives are pretty much the J Type unit on the back of my Volvo M46 transmissions.<br />
I happen to have a spare.<br />
<br />
The Laycock to TH400 adapter is a MILLION dollars, so I'll be fabricating one, I guess.<br />
<br />
The 292 came out of a dump truck that weighs more then my RV. Should be ok. Just pinning this onto my pre…tag:goodoldrvs.ning.com,2013-09-24:2093474:Comment:1820432013-09-24T23:03:03.885ZMikehttps://goodoldrvs.ning.com/profile/Mike587
<p>Just pinning this onto my previous side note:</p>
<p></p>
<p>Driving my truck around for a couple days, I'm getting acquainted with it all over again. I drive it completely different now.</p>
<p>Looking at the new OD compared to the old one (ZF5 42 vs E4OD), the difference is, numerically, very small.</p>
<p>The auto had a .71 OD and my new 5 speed has a .77 OD.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The comparison via old but-o-meter, however, is profound.</p>
<p>That little 6/100ths of a rev makes an unbelievable…</p>
<p>Just pinning this onto my previous side note:</p>
<p></p>
<p>Driving my truck around for a couple days, I'm getting acquainted with it all over again. I drive it completely different now.</p>
<p>Looking at the new OD compared to the old one (ZF5 42 vs E4OD), the difference is, numerically, very small.</p>
<p>The auto had a .71 OD and my new 5 speed has a .77 OD.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The comparison via old but-o-meter, however, is profound.</p>
<p>That little 6/100ths of a rev makes an unbelievable difference!</p> Thanks Jimmy. Good info.
I ha…tag:goodoldrvs.ning.com,2013-09-21:2093474:Comment:1811302013-09-21T21:52:27.866ZMikehttps://goodoldrvs.ning.com/profile/Mike587
<p>Thanks Jimmy. Good info.</p>
<p>I have owned a few 318's and I remember them being around 120-130hp. Not torquey but nice mid range, even if it wasn't very much.</p>
<p>A 360 would be a big jump from a 318. Especially a Magnum with headers and cam.</p>
<p>That's why I'm thinking about a small block for my rig. I could probably fund a really clean swap by selling the big block and TH400.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I finished the 5 speed conversion on my dump truck yesterday.</p>
<p>I have a pile of parts…</p>
<p>Thanks Jimmy. Good info.</p>
<p>I have owned a few 318's and I remember them being around 120-130hp. Not torquey but nice mid range, even if it wasn't very much.</p>
<p>A 360 would be a big jump from a 318. Especially a Magnum with headers and cam.</p>
<p>That's why I'm thinking about a small block for my rig. I could probably fund a really clean swap by selling the big block and TH400.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I finished the 5 speed conversion on my dump truck yesterday.</p>
<p>I have a pile of parts left over. The E4OD would need to be freshened up but the failiure was the torque converter clutch which overheated the TC took out the front seal.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Side note:</p>
<p>My truck is a bit slower now. In fifth, I'm turning 1500rpm at 35mph and 2400 at 55.</p>
<p>No more cruising down the highway at 75mph!</p>
<p></p>
<p>So I have a 7.3 ID no turbo and an E4OD for a possible swap.</p>
<p>The only problem is the 1300Lb and change. It's pretty heavy.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Also, diesel is a little harder to get.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Back to thinking about a small block and OD tranny. ;-0</p>
<p></p>
<p></p> Interesting comments on this…tag:goodoldrvs.ning.com,2013-09-20:2093474:Comment:1808162013-09-20T23:11:00.253ZJimmy C. Bridgeshttps://goodoldrvs.ning.com/xn/detail/u_3bomcdxmzky6y
<p>Interesting comments on this thread. I have a 69 Dodge Glastron with a 318 -3 small block and a two barrel with the 727 Torqueflyte transmission ad I believe 4:56 rear Dana. I run well about 55-60 mph on the freeway and it is a dog to get up to speed but does well on hills, (havent tried mountains). My rig is all hand laid fiberglass and so weighs at least 10,000 Lbs. I dont know about mileage yet as I havent taken any long trips since I finished the restoration. Just for some comparison, I…</p>
<p>Interesting comments on this thread. I have a 69 Dodge Glastron with a 318 -3 small block and a two barrel with the 727 Torqueflyte transmission ad I believe 4:56 rear Dana. I run well about 55-60 mph on the freeway and it is a dog to get up to speed but does well on hills, (havent tried mountains). My rig is all hand laid fiberglass and so weighs at least 10,000 Lbs. I dont know about mileage yet as I havent taken any long trips since I finished the restoration. Just for some comparison, I would like a little more power too. but $$ has run short for parts. Jim</p> Thanks and your opinions are…tag:goodoldrvs.ning.com,2013-09-08:2093474:Comment:1792962013-09-08T18:00:40.651ZMikehttps://goodoldrvs.ning.com/profile/Mike587
<p>Thanks and your opinions are noted!</p>
<p>I am on the fence with this because of the time commitment. The cost in bucks would be minimal because...I don't have any money! ;-)</p>
<p></p>
<p>My mason dump has a 7.3 IDI non turbo with E4OD, 5.13:1 gears and 16" wheels.</p>
<p>At 60mph in OD, it's cruising at 2400rpm...and I mean cruising. I can maintain 70mph, all day, without the engine trying to come through the hood.</p>
<p>65mph is effortless.</p>
<p>If my Ford had a 4.56 rear, it would…</p>
<p>Thanks and your opinions are noted!</p>
<p>I am on the fence with this because of the time commitment. The cost in bucks would be minimal because...I don't have any money! ;-)</p>
<p></p>
<p>My mason dump has a 7.3 IDI non turbo with E4OD, 5.13:1 gears and 16" wheels.</p>
<p>At 60mph in OD, it's cruising at 2400rpm...and I mean cruising. I can maintain 70mph, all day, without the engine trying to come through the hood.</p>
<p>65mph is effortless.</p>
<p>If my Ford had a 4.56 rear, it would be a highway cruiser.</p>
<p>Big difference between a 454 at 3000rpm and a 7.3 at 3000rpm.</p>
<p></p>
<p>65mph in the Itasca is too much for the 454 and TH400. A4L80E swap would be sweet but almost as much work/$$$ as a total re power.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I'm getting between 9.5 and 10.5 MPG with the 454.</p>
<p>My RV weighs about 7300 and I rarely take it over 55mph. It's the stubby Sunflyer model and is only 22'.</p>
<p>I would hope to get at very least 12-14MPG with a diesel and OD.</p>
<p>I think a small block would do about that, just with a lot less power.</p>
<p></p>
<p>As for the pay off, I hate the way it drives. Like a deuce and a half on I-95. Noisy and slow.<br/>Not that it doesn't have the power, it just needs one more gear.</p> I have also followed some thr…tag:goodoldrvs.ning.com,2013-09-08:2093474:Comment:1792882013-09-08T03:50:11.564ZChris Reedhttps://goodoldrvs.ning.com/profile/ChrisReed
I have also followed some threads on various forums about different swaps and in the end they all end up with the same mpg and a way lighter wallet. Most complaints on a diesel swap was that you can not gear the rear end high enough to take advantage of the diesels fuel economy.
I have also followed some threads on various forums about different swaps and in the end they all end up with the same mpg and a way lighter wallet. Most complaints on a diesel swap was that you can not gear the rear end high enough to take advantage of the diesels fuel economy. I have a 1984 Winnebago Chief…tag:goodoldrvs.ning.com,2013-09-08:2093474:Comment:1791902013-09-08T03:46:12.879ZChris Reedhttps://goodoldrvs.ning.com/profile/ChrisReed
I have a 1984 Winnebago Chieftain with the 454/TH400 combo and the 4.56 rear end. I average about 8mpg and have pulled 8% grades on 100 degree days with no overheating. I think that the 454/TH400 are a work horse combo. I have debated swapping to something else, but in the end why fix it if it ain't broke. Beside you will never recover the cost of the swap. I would enjoy it the way it is, save your money for the journey!
I have a 1984 Winnebago Chieftain with the 454/TH400 combo and the 4.56 rear end. I average about 8mpg and have pulled 8% grades on 100 degree days with no overheating. I think that the 454/TH400 are a work horse combo. I have debated swapping to something else, but in the end why fix it if it ain't broke. Beside you will never recover the cost of the swap. I would enjoy it the way it is, save your money for the journey! The W85 is the old "granny ge…tag:goodoldrvs.ning.com,2013-09-07:2093474:Comment:1791142013-09-07T23:42:57.969ZMikehttps://goodoldrvs.ning.com/profile/Mike587
<p>The W85 is the old "granny gear" 4 speed (or; 3 speed with low).</p>
<p>That's what you'd expect to find after a 327 from an old 3/4 or one ton Chevy, back in the day.</p>
<p>Great tranny but exhausting to drive. :-0</p>
<p></p>
<p>As (bad) luck would have it, my mason dump went down on Labor Day.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/300935539?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/300935539?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="721"></img></a> I was towing the red truck home on my 5 ton trailer.</p>
<p>The…</p>
<p>The W85 is the old "granny gear" 4 speed (or; 3 speed with low).</p>
<p>That's what you'd expect to find after a 327 from an old 3/4 or one ton Chevy, back in the day.</p>
<p>Great tranny but exhausting to drive. :-0</p>
<p></p>
<p>As (bad) luck would have it, my mason dump went down on Labor Day.</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/300935539?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/300935539?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="721"></a>I was towing the red truck home on my 5 ton trailer.</p>
<p>The torque converter in the white truck was slipping badly and I just need one more trip out of it to get the parts truck home.</p>
<p>Didn't make it! DOH!!!</p>
<p></p>
<p>Anyway, the white truck has an E4OD and 7.3.</p>
<p>The red one has a ZF5 and 7.3</p>
<p>After doing the 5 speed swap on my mason dump, I'll be left with an extra 7.3 and E4OD that needs a torque converter and some fixing (which I am totally capable of doing....given the time!)</p>
<p></p>
<p>MY 7.3 IDI no turbo will walk away from the 454 in my Itasca, even in a 9000lb truck.</p>
<p>Also, I know the 6.9 7.3 IDI pretty much inside and out. There was a time when you could show me a bolt and I'd tell you where it went.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Something for me to think about.</p>