8.1 workhorse

[aedwards]

I went from a Ford V10 to a 8.1 Vortec engine in my new motorhome. There are 34000 miles on the engine, there seems to be a slite engine knock on exceleration that goes away when it gets up to speed. Should I be using a higher grade of gas other then regular?
Thank you,
Al Edwards

[gbs2320]

This question should be moved to the Workhorse Chassis forum. Is is a knock or a miss. If knock your knock sensor may be out. If miss plug wires are usually the cause Ask the question in the Workhorse forum.

[wa8yxm]

I agree, modern engines are designed to run on 87 octaine, the engine control computer is supposed to make the needed adjustments to prevent knock.

This, of course, assumes you have not "Messed" with the engine (Performance upgrade). If you (oR A PREVIOUS OWNER) have all bets are off.

[FW5000DRIVER]

How does someone figure out what chassis he has? I have a 2000 Four Winds 5000 28A with a 7.4L 454 V8.

[wa8yxm]

There are a few ways to figure out what chassis you have, about the easiest is to run the VIN through a truck type VIN decoder.

Or just ask the manufacturer, if same still is in business.

[FW5000DRIVER]

Originally Posted by wa8yxm

There are a few ways to figure out what chassis you have, about the easiest is to run the VIN through a truck type VIN decoder.

Or just ask the manufacturer, if same still is in business.

I'll try the VIN decoder option. Thanks.

[Arch Hoagland]

I use regular gas in mine and in the midwest could only get 85 octane. It ran fine on everything I put in it.

I had my exhaust manifolds go bad and they can produce ticking sounds, etc in strange ways as they deteriorate. You may want to look into that.

[steelheadbluesman]

IMO, not a plug wire problem.... You said it smooths out when it gets up to speed, so it's highly unlikely that it is a failed plug wire. When the 8.1 loses a wire, it loses a LOT of power and will not get up to speed.... I've had it happen twice, then installed the 'cold air kit' and new wires. No more issues. So, I would rule out the plug wires.

[Jabu]

A slight knock might mean an exhaust manifold leak - bolt broken etc. Perhaps have the manifolds checked for leaks.
DL

[FW5000DRIVER]

Originally Posted by wa8yxm

There are a few ways to figure out what chassis you have, about the easiest is to run the VIN through a truck type VIN decoder.

Or just ask the manufacturer, if same still is in business.

Wa8yxm I tried the decoder and it talks about the Chassis being a Chevy Motorhome Chassis. Nothing about Workhorse or any other Chassis.

[steelheadbluesman]

Originally Posted by FW5000DRIVER

Wa8yxm I tried the decoder and it talks about the Chassis being a Chevy Motorhome Chassis. Nothing about Workhorse or any other Chassis.

Why do you doubt that you are on a Chevy platform? Years ago, I had a 27 ft Itasca that was on same, i.e., Chev light truck chassis.

[FW5000DRIVER]

Originally Posted by steelheadbluesman

Why do you doubt that you are on a Chevy platform? Years ago, I had a 27 ft Itasca that was on same, i.e., Chev light truck chassis.

I don't doubt it. I mention this because there isn't a Chassis forum for Chevy Motorhome Chassis on IRV2. Plus I asked "Where is the Chevy Motorhome Chassis forum" in a new thread. Someone responded and said "I think its the Workhorse forum you want".

[edgray]

Originally Posted by FW5000DRIVER

Wa8yxm I tried the decoder and it talks about the Chassis being a Chevy Motorhome Chassis. Nothing about Workhorse or any other Chassis.

Unless your 17digit chassis VIN # begins with 5B4 (Workhorse), then you have a Chevy P32 Motor Home chassis with a GM 4L80-E 4 speed tranny behind your 454 cu.inch Chevy motor. The Chevy chassis Vin #s begin with something like 1G__..............

[aedwards]

Thanx everyone for the info, really just getting into motorhomes after 40 years of travel trailer life. Someone suggested going to the workhorse site so I did, got a lot more responce here. (It is a W22)
Thanx again,
Al Edwards