|
|
04-28-2021, 12:29 PM
|
#1
|
Junior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 7
|
1997 Damon GM Drivetrain Question
Hi,
We have found a low mile inside stored 1997 Damon Intruder 335B with a Chevy Drivetrain.
Is it a sure thing that a GM driveline of that vintage will be The Vortec MPI engine and 480LE 4 speed transmission?
Seems to be right on the edge of maybe being throttle body. I will of course know when I see it but wouldn't mind saving the time if it's not.
Thank You!!
|
|
|
|
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!
iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!
|
04-28-2021, 12:40 PM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Madison, MS
Posts: 10,527
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by jgl1962
Hi,
We have found a low mile inside stored 1997 Damon Intruder 335B with a Chevy Drivetrain.
Is it a sure thing that a GM driveline of that vintage will be The Vortec MPI engine and 480LE 4 speed transmission?
Seems to be right on the edge of maybe being throttle body. I will of course know when I see it but wouldn't mind saving the time if it's not.
Thank You!!
|
WELCOME to iRV2.com
It is entirely possible that you know way more than I do about GM engines, but I think this may be the first time I've heard the 454 referred to as "The Vortex". Honestly, I thought that began in 2001 with the 8.1L motor WCC began using in place of the older 454.
I'm sure you are correct about the GM 4 speed tranny, but it MAY be a 4L8 5E, depending on the P32's GVWR.
|
|
|
04-28-2021, 12:55 PM
|
#3
|
Junior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 7
|
Thank You
EdGray
I may be misapplying the vortec term. My main concern is whether the engine is throttle body or multiport injected. I may well have to wait til I actually see it.
|
|
|
04-28-2021, 01:01 PM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,852
|
My ‘01 Winnebago had the 454 MPI that was called the Vortec.
Mid ‘01 was the change over to the 8.1
__________________
2017 Fleetwood Bounder 36Y
|
|
|
04-28-2021, 06:40 PM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Damon Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Clovis NM
Posts: 4,389
|
It is a vortec engine, which was produced by GM from 1996. since you are referring to a 1997 rig, it likely has a 1996 chassis under it. Either way, according to the web sites I checked, it will have multiport injection.
__________________
2006 Damon Daybreak 3276 35'with 5 Star Tuner. 3 200 Amp Lithium batteries and 2000 watt PSW inverter/charger. 2013 Elantra on a Master Tow dolly.
Retired USAF
|
|
|
04-28-2021, 10:05 PM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: SW Louisiana
Posts: 8,931
|
It is very likely to have 7.4L MFI Vortec engine mated to the 4L80E transmission, the last year of the 7.4L TBI engine was 1995, so while it is common for a motoromes to be built on the previous years chassis, ie a '97 motorhome to be built on a '96 chassis due to supply chain issues, it is rare though not impossible for them to be built of 2 year old chassis. There are known examples of this happening when one coach builder buys up surplus chassis from another builder that had went out of business, or with RV manufacturers that stocked up on pre-DPF and pre-DEF diesel chassis.
If you have photos of the dash board you might be able to tell which year chassis it is, as I think the styling of the speedometer gauges changed between 1996-97.
__________________
2002 Safari Trek 2830 on P32 Chassis with 8.1L w/ 400 watts solar 420Ah LiFePo4
2017 Jeep Cherokee Overland & 2007 Toyota Yaris TOADs with Even Brake,
Demco Commander tow bar and Blue Ox / Roadmaster base plates
|
|
|
04-28-2021, 10:11 PM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Clovis, CA, USA
Posts: 13,138
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by jgl1962
EdGray
I may be misapplying the vortec term. My main concern is whether the engine is throttle body or multiport injected. I may well have to wait til I actually see it.
|
Would that be a deal changer?
__________________
2004 Monaco La Palma 36DBD, W22, 8.1, 7.1 MPG
2000 LEXUS RX300 FWD 22MPG 4020 LBS
Criticism is easier than Craftsmanship
|
|
|
04-29-2021, 02:27 AM
|
#8
|
Junior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 7
|
Thank You for the replies!
Isaac, I will, figure out how to put up a pic of the gauges.
Arch, given the outstanding condition of the whole MH, no leaks virtually no rust on the chassis maybe it shouldn't be a deal breaker. Would the power and assumed mileage difference be an issue?
Thanks Again
|
|
|
04-29-2021, 02:54 AM
|
#9
|
Junior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 7
|
Dash Pic
https://www.irv2.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=37626&cat=500[/IMG]
|
|
|
04-29-2021, 05:55 AM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 590
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by jgl1962
Thank You for the replies!
Isaac, I will, figure out how to put up a pic of the gauges.
Arch, given the outstanding condition of the whole MH, no leaks virtually no rust on the chassis maybe it shouldn't be a deal breaker. Would the power and assumed mileage difference be an issue?
Thanks Again
|
IMO, those are good things for sure. But a coach that old with low mileage, that means it has not been driven much and raises other concerns with me. Running or exercising a coach regularly is important to keep it healthy.
If I was buying a coach like that I would be planning on going completely thru it.
IE: Replace all rubber items in the engine bay (including looking at condition of rubber boots on the suspension) flush and change ALL fluids, check DOT date of tires, closely check batteries and charging system, working condition of the inverter, repacking front bearings, getting up on the roof and inspecting it, check AC units that they are working properly, and much more.
__________________
Traveling Full Timers
Gas Motorhome
Escapees, Maintenance Freak
|
|
|
04-29-2021, 06:41 AM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: SW Louisiana
Posts: 8,931
|
Sorry I was mistaken, I just did some checking online, and the Speedometer style change happened on the 97 to 98 model year change, not the 96 to 97 change.
As to the other point, expect lots of mostly rubber parts to need replacement due to age on that coach even if it has been kept indoors. This includes steering and suspension bushings of which there are a lot, not just front end stuff, but sway bar and leaf spring bushings,as well as all sorts of other easy to forget stuff like brake caliper seals, generator fuel line, flexible rubber brake hoses, propane regulator diaphragm, and of course tires no matter how good they look if they are over about 7 years old.
__________________
2002 Safari Trek 2830 on P32 Chassis with 8.1L w/ 400 watts solar 420Ah LiFePo4
2017 Jeep Cherokee Overland & 2007 Toyota Yaris TOADs with Even Brake,
Demco Commander tow bar and Blue Ox / Roadmaster base plates
|
|
|
04-29-2021, 07:15 AM
|
#12
|
Junior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 7
|
Age
Tommy+Isaac,
Good point on the hoses and bushings etc.
Virtually everything else has been done no earlier than 2020.
Tires, House and starting Batteries, converter, waterpump, airbags in front, plugs and wire, new carb on generator (runs great). The roof is the FIRST thing I looked at as I have bought a leaking travel trailer once or twice.
I still need to see the fridge actually cold along with the A/C and run the awning out to be sure it is as good as it looks.
Thank You for the input.
|
|
|
04-29-2021, 11:41 AM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Clovis, CA, USA
Posts: 13,138
|
It's not going to be a speed demon no matter what engine it has...go for it.
__________________
2004 Monaco La Palma 36DBD, W22, 8.1, 7.1 MPG
2000 LEXUS RX300 FWD 22MPG 4020 LBS
Criticism is easier than Craftsmanship
|
|
|
04-29-2021, 12:02 PM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: MI
Posts: 2,189
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Isaac-1
This includes steering and suspension bushings of which there are a lot, not just front end stuff, but sway bar and leaf spring bushings,as well as all sorts of other easy to forget stuff like brake caliper seals, generator fuel line, flexible rubber brake hoses, propane regulator diaphragm, and of course tires no matter how good they look if they are over about 7 years old.
|
That seems extreme. There are probably more vehicles over 7 years old than less than 7 year old, I doubt many have had that type of maintenance and they're not breaking down because of it. Rubber does age out, but not that soon.
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|