77 440 Motor Home

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plumkrazee70

plumkrazee70

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I know this isn't an A body but you guys are so smart, figured this is my best bet. OK, here it goes:

My renter has a 77 dodge family wagon motor home with a 440. He drove it in about a year ago and parked it, with plans to fix it up. Now he wants to get rid of it. I want to help him sell it, but can't get it running.

Here is what I know:

1. It will fire up if you spray starter fluid in the carb.
2. It has 5 gallons of fresh gas in the tank (gauge reads empty, probably sender)
3. The carb isn't getting gas. I have removed the fuel line from the carb and turned it over and it seems the mechanical fuel pump is not pulling fuel from the tank.

I don't want to just throw parts at it. Any thoughts? It is weird because it ran and drove a year ago.

77 440 with a 4 bbl
 
not a ton of options
top of the list:
clogged sock in the tank
bad pump
clogged up filter
rubber fuel line collapsing
 
There could be a series of pinholes in the rubber fuel line somewhere between the tank and the pump. The pump will suck air before gas due to the gas being heavier. Loose hose clamps allow the pump to suck air too.
 
most RV's got a electric pump pushing gas on frame ahead of rearend,..then machanical pump on motor,..way this ford is i payed to get home other day then cranked n ran fine when i got it here....long story..lol
 
Thanks everyone.

Here are my next steps:

1. Remove fuel line entering pump to see if any fuel there. (maybe pump is bad)

2. Jack up rear and start at tank and flow fuel line forward.

Anyone see any trouble with this or this or think I should start elsewhere?
 
Doesn't have dual fuel tanks does it?
 
dirty white boy said:
Most RV's got a electric pump pushing gas on the frame ahead of the rear end,..then the standard mechanical pump on motor.
Click to expand...
I didn't know this but it makes sense. If the fuel tank is 20 feet from the engine, you'd want more than the basic mechanical pump to do the job.
 
Kern Dog said:
I didn't know this but it makes sense. If the fuel tank is 20 feet from the engine, you'd want more than the basic mechanical pump to do the job.
Click to expand...
spent half a day trying to get it fired off, finally seen machinical pump and primed it fired up run good. undid electric pump and then tried to move it got weaker and weaker till it died! figured pump died, towed it! then found out thay both work together, i was thanking the electric was for generator! made me feel dumb but hay, good RV for 320 bucks after tow, got rest my life to learn the RV world!
 
Got it fired today. Steps I took:
1. checked for two fuel tanks, and it only has one.
2. Pulled the fuel filter on the rail, confirmed no fuel there.
3. Determined the mechanical pump was toast.
4. Found a electric fuel pump after the mechanical pump plumbed in the fuel line. Thought this was another filter at first. I traced the wires and found the positive was disconnected. Hooked it into key on and it fires right up. :) My thought is someone added this at one point.

Motor sounds strong, doesn't smoke. It is the HD 440 with the crazy water pump. The motor home needs some love but doesn't leak. Gonna put it for $1000 and see what happens.

Thanks for everyone's guidance.
 
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