How to remove big block from a Dodge Sportsman - update
#2998444
12/25/21 06:39 PM
12/25/21 06:39 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,144 Arkansas
340727dart
OP
master
|
OP
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,144
Arkansas
|
A good friend of mine bought a 1972 Dodge Sportsman motor home a couple of years ago. She drove it to her property and it has sat in the same place every since. Her original plans for it were to move it down to a picnic area alongside a creek on her property. Well, after her husband, and best friend of mine, died in 2019 she no longer wants to move it. Nor does she even want to keep it. I asked what she was going to do with it. She asked if I could get it hauled off to a scrap yard for her. The interior has fallen apart in the intervening two years and she just doesn't want to fool with it anymore. She said I can have the engine and transmission out of it. All I know is that it's a big block. I haven't pulled the engine cover off yet to verity what size. It's got 82,000 miles on it. I was visiting her on Thursday and took some tools with me. Thankfully, the engine turned over easily when I put a wrench on the harmonic damper bolt. So, how in the heck do I get the engine and transmission out? I was thinking about pulling the intake and heads first before attempting to remove the drivetrain. Or, should I remove the grille and core support and pull everything out through the front?
Thanks.
Last edited by 340727dart; 01/16/22 07:35 PM. Reason: 8
Your life is not my fault. My life is none of your business.
Speech is free only if you agree with those in control.
|
|
|
Re: How to remove big block from a Dodge Sportsman motor home
[Re: 340727dart]
#2998535
12/26/21 02:23 AM
12/26/21 02:23 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,277 Bend,OR USA
Cab_Burge
I Win
|
I Win
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,277
Bend,OR USA
|
The 413 industrial and motorhome motors have a really good quality forge steel crankshaft and decent forged steel rods, I've used several of those blocks with those cranks in my old NHRA Max wedge stocker I bored them to 4.250 and 4.270 and let them eat. I have one now that was out of a 1972 truck that I put a Mopar 4.150 stroke crankshaft in it and had it bored to 4.250, a set of 7.100 long h beam rods, AutoTech pistons and a set of 440 source aluminum heads, I built it for my 1963 Fury street car. I will "allude" that it was low compression truck motor that runs really good
Last edited by Cab_Burge; 12/26/21 02:24 AM.
Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
|
|
|
Re: How to remove big block from a Dodge Sportsman motor home
[Re: Cab_Burge]
#2998551
12/26/21 08:23 AM
12/26/21 08:23 AM
|
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 5,924 ohio
ruderunner
master
|
master
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 5,924
ohio
|
I'm thinking 72 would probably have a forged crank anyway.
Having disposed of a couple campers, pull the aluminum off and scrap that. Part lout appliances and fixtures, some can fetch a few bucks from camper restoration guys. Like 100 plus for a door lock with keys. Some lights might hit 100 as well. Dumpster or fire for the wood.
Once down to the chassis, flip onto side, cut crossmember and engine falls to ground. BTW, axle and brakes are also sought after.
Angry white pureblood male
|
|
|
Re: How to remove big block from a Dodge Sportsman motor home
[Re: Chargerbee]
#2998658
12/26/21 05:47 PM
12/26/21 05:47 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,144 Arkansas
340727dart
OP
master
|
OP
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,144
Arkansas
|
Oxyacetylene and lots of it. Remove as much sheetmetal and the dog box via bolts and ratchet. Then prepare to start cutting. The more you can cut the easier it will be. Downside is that having it hauled off for scrap becomes a problem.
That's why there are so few motorhomes left.
If it is a 413 industrial between the peanut sparkplug heads and the low compression, it isn't worth doing. That's what I mostly remember seeing in these larger motorhomes.
Otherwise it will be a 440 with cast crank and fat dampner. IMO well worth the trouble.
Once they're bolted in there though, it is an almost impossible task to remove them the way they went in. Almost all of them I've had over the years, have been cut out. Sorry for no better prognosis. Chargerbee, I'll be the first to admit that I'm not near as familiar with the big blocks as I am with small blocks. The thickness of the dampener on the motorhome surprised me. I had not ever seen one so thick before. As far as hauling it off, a buddy of mine has a good trailer with a winch and has already volunteered his help to get the motorhome moved to a scrap yard after we're done with it. I don't have any real plans for the engine and transmission. I just hated to see a big block Mopar and 727 transmission get scrapped out. If I am successful getting the engine and transmission it might get me more motivated to start on another project. If nothing else, I am going to make sure to grab the ThermoQuad.
Your life is not my fault. My life is none of your business.
Speech is free only if you agree with those in control.
|
|
|
Re: How to remove big block from a Dodge Sportsman motor home
[Re: fastmark]
#2998775
12/27/21 10:05 AM
12/27/21 10:05 AM
|
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,118 Rochester NY
Jer
super stock
|
super stock
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,118
Rochester NY
|
The money may be more in the parts than the E/T. If a van front, the steering column, wheel, cluster, all switches, grille (especially if not dented) all bring good money. Camper parts that do well include Bargman side and rear door latches, 'vintage' lighting, front seats and door panels if 'era-correct.' Appliances also sell, but only if they are very clean and pretty much complete.
|
|
|
Re: How to remove big block from a Dodge Sportsman motor home
[Re: dOc !]
#2999244
12/28/21 06:04 PM
12/28/21 06:04 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,723 Eagle, Idaho
Neil
The Doctor is in.
|
The Doctor is in.
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,723
Eagle, Idaho
|
1. Sell motor home for at least enough to buy the engine, 2. Watch CL for ad advertising the engine for sale after it's been removed by the new owner. 3. Buy engine back after someone else does the dirty work.
|
|
|
|
|