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Old 01-05-2013, 02:15 PM   #1
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F53 service items during rad replacement

Hello all. First time poster but have been searching and reading the wealth of knowledge on this forum for some time.

We decided to finally get a class A. Found a good deal on a used 1996 Gulfstream Sun Voyager 34' with 460 v8 on F53 Ford chassis. 48000 miles. Everything is in real nice shape and super clean...the previous owners took pretty good care of it.

But, it's not perfect...

1) Rad is leaking. I have found the right one (thanks to all of your previous conversations...wow! You guys are amazing!) and am going to have it replaced. It's a big job but it has to be done.
2) The line between the power steering pump and the cooler is a little damp, so we're going to replace it and the clamps.
3) Alternator belt is loose and squealing...barely pulling on the alternator. Once the rad is out, were going to replace the belts and tensioners and any hoses that look old/tired. May have to also change the battery but haven't tested it yet.
4) While we're there, we're going to do plugs, wires and cap...they are looking older as well.

My question to all of you much more experienced people...what else should we be doing/looking to do while we have the patient open on the OR table?

Water pump?
Add a turbocharger?
Add exhaust package to increase HP?

We're not looking to pump a tonne of money into this but I want to make it worth our while so I don't regret it down the road. If we treat it right, I'm sure we're going to get many miles and years out of it.

Any thoughts/opinions/suggestions are very much appreciated. Keep up the great work everyone. You have no idea how great a service this forum is providing for folks like us.

Cheers!
-Jeff
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Old 01-05-2013, 02:42 PM   #2
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Welcome to IRV 2. You'll get answers to all these questions and any other. We have a great group of Ford guys here.

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Old 01-05-2013, 03:00 PM   #3
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Make sure the speed control (cruise control) deactivator switch recall has been done as this can cause a serious fire. Ours is on a 1999 chassis and there were actually 2 recalls. Called Ford and they told us there were no open recalls on our rig but took it to the dealer and the latest "fix" had NOT been done. So, don't go by what you are told by the folks on the recall number at Ford. Look on this forum (Ford chassis) and find the information you need to make certain this issue has been taken care of. You can also google and go to the Ford site to find out more information about the recall.
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Old 01-05-2013, 03:03 PM   #4
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BTW, since we are on recalls -- there have been recalls on both the Norcold and Dometic refrigerators. Make sure these have been done as well although I just read in a new post today that someone's rig went up in flames and the recall work HAD BEEN DONE. Some folks are going the route of residential fridge.
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Old 01-05-2013, 04:36 PM   #5
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While the radiator is out, replace all of the belts, belt tensioner/idler bearings, radiator hoses, heater hoses and, I would also replace the water pump while it is easily accessible. Any power steering hoses that look suspicious need to be replaced.

It would also be good to flush the brake system.

Ken
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Old 01-06-2013, 07:19 AM   #6
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Thanks for the great replies.

To Rockrex - fortunately, the guy doing the work seems to be pretty sharp. He already mentioned the cruise control recall to me when I first brought it in. He said he will make sure it is done. I neglected to mention that in my previous post. Thanks for catching. I wasn't aware of the Dometic refer recall. Will definitely explore that one.

To TXiceman - I agree with you on all the belts, tensioners and hoses. I had thought of doing the water pump as well just to be on the safe side. That's why I threw it out there as an example. The service tech said they are usually not a problem and not that bad to do later if it does go. But I tend to agree with you. Did not think of the brake flush but that does make perfect sense especially since the tires are also off and the master cylinder is accessible.

Thanks for thinking of the angles all. I really do appreciate it.

This list makes it a pretty comprehensive overhaul IMHO. But, is there anything over and above that makes sense right now? I have heard of people adding turbo chargers and exhaust packages to increase HP and fuel economy. Any thoughts on these sorts of things? Also, I have read a little about the 5-star upgrade? (Not sure if it's available on this engine) Does it make sense?
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Old 01-06-2013, 08:23 AM   #7
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After having owned a class a with carbed 460, I can give some tips that would work on yours even though it is a EFI 460.

While that radiators out with the front of the engine open, it would do good to replace all those things mentioned above.
I would add to that list, a new thermostat & since your replacing the water pump, I would go ahead & replace the timing set even though it only has 48000miles on it. Reason for that, the OEM Ford timing set the engine came with, has a normal retarded setting & by installing a earlier model timing set like from a 70s year 460, it will advance the cam timing & give a little more hp.
While your doing that, clean up & inspect that timing cover real well, because they are prone to leak where the coolant from the water pump feeds through it & into the engine block & if you dont, you could have a leak later on down the road & have to go through all of the above process all over again to replace it.
Next thing is the exhaust system, you would be surprised how much better the engine will run with larger exhaust. Headers will really open it up, BUT, DO NOT get a cheap thin set because they will turn into gasket troubles.

My ol 460, had two going into one exhaust ending in a 3" tail pipe system, way to small for the job that engine had to do, so I found a 4" exhaust system from a Ford F350 7.3 & adapted it in, man what a difference. Was not loud at all, you could tell it was different but not bothersome.

A lot of the things I had to go through with the carbed 460 engine, you'll not have to deal with because of the computer & EFI on yours, but the exhaust is something you'll need to do, if you intend to do that 5 Star Tune.

Pulling that radiator is a real big job, so anything you can go ahead & replace on the front of the engine while it is out, you'll be way ahead of the game with a lot more trouble free riding down the road later.

Heres another tip, may be the most important, go to 460 Ford Forum now you talk about some guys love a 460 big block Ford, those guys know a thing or two, walked me through many times with things I needed to improve.
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Old 01-07-2013, 07:52 AM   #8
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I would replace the fan Clutch while I was I there.Lot easier when you got the Rad. out!
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Old 01-07-2013, 03:24 PM   #9
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Like everybody else said - replace as much as you can while the rad is out. Your cost of front might be rather high but less headaches down the road. Were there any maint record with the unit ? Use DOT 4 on the brake fluid flush and check the rubber boots on the brake calipers. I have a 97 F53 with a 460. That's the last year it was made. There really isn't much you can do to get better mpg. The best way is to use your right foot reasonable. I bought Hedmann headers from Summit racing for $575 and they're ceramic coated and also came with the Wye pipe. Haven't installed them as yet - do to not receiving them until a week ago. And we're headed to Florida in a couple of days from Pittsburgh, PA.
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Old 01-07-2013, 06:22 PM   #10
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Good suggestions all!!

Got a lot of great ideas from you guys! Thanks so much.

Here's what I am convinced to do:

- all belts, hoses, tensioners/idler bearings
- water pump
- cap, plugs, wires
- brake flush
- fan clutch

CC recall - The Ford website said a recall is pending on my VIN. Gonna talk to Ford dealership tomorrow about it.

Brake inspection - done as part of the safety. Pads and rotors are almost brand new all the way round. Boots and calipers are all good.

On the refer recall...my Dometic refer is RM2807 and as best I can tell is not subject to the recall.

I'm on the fence with:

- timing chain. Service tech said that is a big job even past the radiator. That *sounds* expensive to me. Can I confirm the timing cover is not leaking without removing it? if so, then I would pass on the timing chain. If no, then, I might bite the bullet. Are we talking a worthwhile performance increase here? Or a theoretical/minor one?

- increasing exhaust. Beyond the budget right now.

Does this sum it up boys/girls or am I missing something?

You guys are awesome!

Thanks a million.
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Old 01-08-2013, 07:38 AM   #11
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The timing chain replacement, was just a suggestion & probably not needed with only 48000 miles on that coach, but going to the straight up timing set as they call it, will free the engine up & give it just a bit more get up & go.

Since the exhaust not in the budget for now, that would give you time to be checking around at some of the exhaust replacement shops to find a take off diesel pickup system, which would save you quite a bit when you can have it replaced.
One of those diesel pickup systems can be picked up cheap, maybe even gave to you out of their scrap pipe, rather than buying everything.
Lot of people dont know, but most exhaust systems in some sections of the piping are double walled & the inner part can get out of shape & block the pipe, which is a REAL bad thing on something as big as a motorhome.
Any way that you can get the exhaust to flow out faster, more heat it will remove from the engine & cooler some of the moving parts inside will operate.

Do some reading over on 460ford.com, you'll be surprised how good of a engine you have & how much extra performance can be pulled out of it by just doing little small things, changing things that Ford did to hold it back.
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Old 01-08-2013, 11:45 AM   #12
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I was just talking to a guy about the timing chain deal. That hit in like 1972. By 1996 ('87 EFI actually) the cam timing was restored to pre '72 settings.
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Old 01-08-2013, 02:03 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tderonne View Post
I was just talking to a guy about the timing chain deal. That hit in like 1972. By 1996 ('87 EFI actually) the cam timing was restored to pre '72 settings.
^^^ This ^^^

The setback timing was only on the carbed 460s. Your EFI model is golden.
Exhaust Headers will do absolute wonders on the 460. The stock manifolds only flow slightly better than a potato in the tailpipe.
I went with Hedman Elite coated headers and Flowmaster exhaust system. Dy-no-mite for about $1000. Save your pennies.
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Old 02-19-2013, 12:14 PM   #14
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Update:

We replaced:
- rad, hoses, heater hoses
- fan clutch
- cap, wires, plugs, EGR valve(I think?)
- water pump
- timing gasket
- all belts

Now, runs good. No squeals. No coolant leaks.

BUT...warmed it up in the driveway yesterday for about 15min. Everything looked good. Heat was working fine and the temp gauge was on the lower end of NORMAL. Purred like a kitten. Took it for a drive...about 1k in, the temp gauge started rising quickly towards H and then would move back down to mid range. Check Engine light came on. Drove a little further, parked and let it idle. Temp gauge went back to about 1/3 on NORMAL and was stable. Check Engine Light was still lit. Drove the rest of the way home and the gauge was still bouncing. Shut it off at home. Started it up about 5 mins later, everything looked normal. No Check Engine light.

Does this sound like an air pocket? I know without any codes it might be hard to troubleshoot and I want to get one to get codes but just thought I would ask the question first.
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