79 Southwind no start issue

[timpenrodo26]

I have a 79 southwind with a 440 in it and recently I been having a issue with it not starting and I have a pretty good idea why.. I had a teeny tiny fire after it back fired out the carb and it ignited some gas that may have been spilled during priming the line the first couple times wasn't a issue I had fire extinguisher but last time was the worst since fire extinguisher was out so I jumped out of seat grab the gas can that was in the front seat I was using to syphon out of to the carb and when I did that I had a tiny trail of fire following me out but I managed to grab the hose and put it out with vary lil damage which I was surprised only thing it did basically was fried the wires and a spot on front seat where I had can so I pretty sure spark plugs wires r not right that why it spit back at me and not sure if I have everything wired right so I need a diagram ... It sometimes act like it gonna start but then revs up sky high then I kill it cause don't wanna blow plus a lil skidish for some reason or another lol...

[MSHappyCampers]

Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

I don't have a clue! Noticed you are new on IRV2 and wanted to say hello!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

[Rkesselus]

If when you say it revs up real high means it is running there is nothing wrong with the plugs wire routing. If your 440 has a Quadrajet Carb. you need a good rebuild, not an each task but doable by a qualified tech. Your no start problem is most likely the accelerator pump in the Carb.

[Bahamaniac]

Had the same thing happen from backfiring less the fire on an older truck. Your accelerator pump needs to be replaced. That is what caused the backfiring. Accelerator pump going bad causing a lean condition backfire.

[twinboat]

A shut off, look down the carburator. You should see 4 holes, 2 covered by choke plates.

The rear 2 throttle plates may be stuck open, that should be closed tight.

[Roy1]

440 dodge should have a thermo quad carburetor. If over reving I would suspect the throttle setting is set too high. The backfiring could be spark plug wires crossed or firing order of plug wires not correct. The distributor advance could be set retarded. A timing light would be helpful. The accelerator pump will aid in getting it started and accelerating from any speed but it shouldn’t affect the engine at idle.

[Skip426]

Welcome to iRV2.

For your safety , look carefully at the carb and it's linkages , before you try starting the engine again.

If the fuel pump doesn't appear to be supplying fuel from the tank or the fuel in the tank is questionable , then run a fuel line from the pump to a container OUTSIDE the RV.

Questions.
Has the engine ever run , properly that you've heard ?
Did you purchase this RV , not running ?

To rev up , the engine requires fuel and air , if the carb throttle plates are closed then there is air getting into the intake manifold , bypassing the carb .
Look carefully around the intake for openings that would allow air in.
The engine would have had a Carter Thermo Quad carb or a Holley 4 barrel , depending on the series of 440 , you have ; 440-1 TQ: 440-3 Holley.
If you cold post a picture of the top of the engine with the whole air cleaner housing removed , maybe we can be of more help.

[Bob_C]

Thermo Quad carb has a black composite fuel bowl....