Ideas on engine swap for '69 Dodge Travco 270 Class A RV

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vtjoanne

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Can anyone let me know a good engine that I should be looking for with regards to my 69 dodge travco 270 Class A RV?
I want to swap out a lot of things with regards to the engine/systems. I've heard of a cummings engine, is that a diesel, should I move to diesel? I'm just interested in options. I'd love to rebuild it as clean running as I can find and afford (i know the afford part is relative, so I'm looking for cost estimates if you know. Also, what kind of automotive companies do this kind of thing or should I be looking for the local guy.

1. Engine options eg: diesel vs gas
2. Unfortunately electric is out of the question right?
3. Veggie oil - not sure that is the best option
4. A new gas engine and if so - what kind of engine to run a 270 dodge travco?

Any ideas, comments, knowledge would be GREATLY appreciated - thanks!
 
I can't imagine converting to diesel without first winning the lottery.  Even upgrading the gas engine to a newer greener gas engine would be pretty costly.  I recommend you rebuild the existing engine.  Going green is an admireable goal, but realistically, the number of miles one might put on an old motorhome would be a minor drop in the bucket of green.

The existing engine is probably a 318 c.i.  Lot's of them around.  If you really wanted to upgrade, perhaps a Dodge V8 (318) around '94-'96 vintage with EFI would work.  Just keep in mind that means adding an OBC, necessary sensors and wiring harness.  That's why I recommend just rebuilding.
 
Yep, just buy a rebuilt engine of the correct vintage, drop it in, and go.  Given enough time, money, and talent, anything is possible......but swaps get spendy in a hurry......and don't think you'll ever get a penny of it back when (not if) you sell.
 
X2 Also what are emission requirements in your state? That unit is 44  years old, why pour that much time and money into it? You could upgrade for a lot less.
 
This sounds like you would farm out this job and not do any of the work your self. If this is the case there is no way for you to get close to having a unit that is efficient in anyway but making someone else money, sell donate, junkout or just forget this RV and buy another unit that you can use right now! JMHO 
 
Molaker. The 69's came with a 413 or a 440 dodge engine. the 318 would be a step backwards even if you had the special crank etc designed for the Motorhome. and that brings up the point. the engine is not an off the shelf 318, 413 or 440. they were built for the RV. so just dropping a 440 from anything dodge, may not be enough for the almost 6 tons of rv it would be hauling.

there is this of course.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vo11DG1nuGk

And RoyM - the only reason to pour the money into something that old is because it is built better then most of the newer stuff on the road now. It is a fibreglass over steel construction and could last another 44 years.


 
1275gtsport said:
Molaker. The 69's came with a 413 or a 440 dodge engine. the 318 would be a step backwards even if you had the special crank etc designed for the Motorhome. and that brings up the point. the engine is not an off the shelf 318, 413 or 440. they were built for the RV. so just dropping a 440 from anything dodge, may not be enough for the almost 6 tons of rv it would be hauling.

there is this of course.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vo11DG1nuGk

And RoyM - the only reason to pour the money into something that old is because it is built better then most of the newer stuff on the road now. It is a fibreglass over steel construction and could last another 44 years.
Wouldn't know for sure.  I do know I Googled "69 dodge travco 270" and many of the returns that mentioned an engine said they were a 318. ci. - and the OP indicated his unit was gas, so your YouTube link is not what he has.  If you go here then scroll down, you'll find a listing by "Greg and Ginny Grube" showing their '69 Travco and specifically says it has a 318.  So, until the OP tells us what size engine he has we're just speculating.
 
Either way the 318, 413 engines used in the RV's were industrial engines and not the same as the car/pickup versions.
 
ironrat said:
Either way the 318, 413 engines used in the RV's were industrial engines and not the same as the car/pickup versions.
I don't doubt what you're saying, which is, in part, why I recommended rebuilding.  As for "industrial" versions of the engines, just what is different?  The bore and stroke must be the same to be a 318 or 413.  Are there any actual differences in short blocks or is it more in exterior components, cooling system, flywheel, etc?
 
Sorry about that Molaker. I may have sounded grumpy in my last post. I almost bought a travco a couple of years a go and I thought I had remembered that the difference with the 69 was the size of the engine. the link I posted was just to show that a engine swap to diesel was very possible.
the heavier duty engine may have different bearings, the intake could be different and so would the exhaust manifold. and most likely would have different lobes on the cam so the engine would produce more low end torque. just to get the weight off the line. not sure if the short block would be any different.

I ended up with a 77 GMC with a 455 front wheel drive. it is very close to the tornado 454 front wheel drive. GMC took mostly off the shelf parts and then modified to fit the Motorhome. the "dome" on the 455 is different, and the exhaust manifolds. for sure. I also know on the gmc the quadrajet carb is a bit different. other then that don't know. the bore and stroke are the same. combustion chamber might be different just to get that extra cubic inch :)

And yes we can guess until the cows come home until the OP gets back with more info.
 
1275gtsport said:
Sorry about that Molaker.
No offense taken.  Just discussing the OPs options and it's good to hear everyone's input.  I may want to buy an old Travco someday. :)  Your knowledge on the subject is appreciated.
 
I'll list but a few of the differences below.


1. The snout of the crank is larger to accommodate added pulleys for things like air pumps and such.(for air brakes)

2. Smaller valves (for lower speed torque)

3. Harder exhaust valves some are sodium filled for higher heat tolerance.

4. heaver timing chains and gears.

There are more but I think you get the idea here.     

Manuel
 
least expensive most cost effective thing to do is walk away. next would be trouble shoot the existing engine. that old iron can age well. may just need a tune up, oil change, carb cleaned and rebuilt. then all the radiator and heater hose will be rotten, along with vacuum lines, rubber fuel lines, 5 flexible rubber brake lines. oh brakes are gonna be toast too, while your into the brakes might wanna take a look at the wheel bearings. you know while it up on jack stands take a look at that fossil underneath called the exhaust.

ok, it's running, pretty sure it'll stop. lets go around the block.....bummer transmission doesn't work!

no matter which power option you choose it's gonna cost. once you step away from the og powertrain family, the head scratching and measuring begins. that costs time. if you don't have skills buy a much newer operational rv.
 
An old hot rodder axiom is "there's no substitute for cubic money"...anyone who has done swaps and updates has felt the pain of parts that mismatch, don't cross years correctly, etc., and you are starting with a hybrid (in a sense) with a truck conversion to an RV.

I know this all sounds negative and I, too, applaud your desire to be green, but unless you are blessed with serious backend financing and some great mechanical skills, this project may end up in the "yes, you CAN do it, but SHOULD you do it?" classification.

There's a price to be paid for your education.  8)

Choose wisely, Grasshopper!
 
As the previous poster said, there is no substitute for cubic money. With enough of that and time, just about anything can be accomplished. If this is something you really want to do go for it and keep us posted. It would be an interesting project but be prepared for a lot of frustration.
 

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