I just bought a 1997 but oops, turns out it's a 1996

[EddieLo]

I just bought a Ford Cruise Master 33' Motorhome with a V-10 in it. The private seller told me it was a 1997. Plus on the ad it stated it was a 1997. It has only 28500 miles on the clock. However, when I handed the money over and received the title I noticed later at home that it said: "YR MODEL 1996 YR 1ST SOLD 1996" Now before I go do some research, is there much or any difference between a 1996 and a 1997? The unit is extremely clean inside but has some sun cracks on the exterior paint, which is normal for the age of the MH, and some clearcoat peeling, which is also indicative of age and being parked in the sun. I have contacted the seller who seems to be a pretty honest guy. I told him in the text that I was gonna research the difference. I thought maybe I would come here first for help.
Thank you
EL
ps. I've heard good things - and bad things about the V-10. I currently have a 1998 E350 with a V-10 and couldn't be happier with that engine. It has served me perfectly for about 75000 miles. imho, the best engine Ford ever made. But a 1996?

[Steve & Bunny]

You could easily have a 1997 MH built on a 1996 Ford Chassis. The MH manufacturers often have that overlap. Just go with whatever the paperwork says.
Welcome to the disease!

[tderonne]

Ford starting using the V10 in trucks in the 1997 model year. However, the F53 motorhome chassis didn’t get it until the 1999 model year.

[6x16inside]

Originally Posted by EddieLo

I just bought a Ford Cruise Master 33' Motorhome with a V-10 in it. The private seller told me it was a 1997. Plus on the ad it stated it was a 1997. It has only 28500 miles on the clock. However, when I handed the money over and received the title I noticed later at home that it said: "YR MODEL 1996 YR 1ST SOLD 1996" Now before I go do some research, is there much or any difference between a 1996 and a 1997? The unit is extremely clean inside but has some sun cracks on the exterior paint, which is normal for the age of the MH, and some clearcoat peeling, which is also indicative of age and being parked in the sun. I have contacted the seller who seems to be a pretty honest guy. I told him in the text that I was gonna research the difference. I thought maybe I would come here first for help.
Thank you
EL
ps. I've heard good things - and bad things about the V-10. I currently have a 1998 E350 with a V-10 and couldn't be happier with that engine. It has served me perfectly for about 75000 miles. imho, the best engine Ford ever made. But a 1996?

Mine has 91 and 92 here and there as well.
It's like how cars come off the line in Sept and Oct of a year but they are next years model.

[EddieLo]

Originally Posted by 6x16inside

Mine has 91 and 92 here and there as well.
It's like how cars come off the line in Sept and Oct of a year but they are next years model.

But if the title says it was YR MODEL 1996 and YEAR 1st SOLD 1996, how can it be a 1997? Y

[phoneman01]

Eddie, you have a 1996 460 liter or 7.5 cu inch V8 . My chassis is a 1997 model f53 Ford chassis with a 1998 Bounder Motorhome on it. The chassis was made in Mexico and the Motorhome was manufactured in Paxinos, PA in November of 1997. It is a good engine that was around for years. 1997 was the last production model.

[bblack]

That is a good thing. Retired ford service mgr

[earlmarsden]

Originally Posted by EddieLo

On the smog certificate, it says 7.5L. My V-10 E350 is a 6.8. I haven't physically looked at the engine (I have been a trusting sort of fellow) so are you saying it does NOT have a V-10 cause it was not until 1999 before it was available on the F530? So if I have a 7.5 and NOT a 6.8, is that good or bad?
EL

I have a 36 ft motorhome. I bought it used and was told it's a 1998 model. Manufacture date 1997. Ford chassis, V8 460 which I believe is the 7.5L. Couldn't be happier with this engine! 80k miles!

[FatChance]

Our 2004 Newmar was built in 2003 but first sold in 2005. How old is it? 🤔 😁

[EddieLo]

Originally Posted by earlmarsden

I have a 36 ft motorhome. I bought it used and was told it's a 1998 model. Manufacture date 1997. Ford chassis, V8 460 which I believe is the 7.5L. Couldn't be happier with this engine! 80k miles!

EDIT: on the CA smog certificate it does say it's a 10 cyl (I assume a V-10) and it still says 7.5L. Is it possible it has a V-10 7.5L engine? Is there such a thing?

[Crasher]

Originally Posted by EddieLo

EDIT: on the CA smog certificate it does say it's a 10 cyl (I assume a V-10) and it still says 7.5L. Is it possible it has a V-10 7.5L engine? Is there such a thing?

No. You have the old 460 cu in V8. A strong engine if you keep it cooled properly, just not too efficient.

[EdInArk]

Originally Posted by EddieLo

EDIT: on the CA smog certificate it does say it's a 10 cyl (I assume a V-10) and it still says 7.5L. Is it possible it has a V-10 7.5L engine? Is there such a thing?

Eddie, you can put your VIN number on this page and get all kinds of fun info

[Easyrider]

My dad had a Ford 460 V8 in a class C, I don't remember the model year, but he used it for a long time and ran all over the country with it. Only thing I remember he had to have serviced was the exhaust header gasket gave out one time on a trip for him, but he didn't have any problem finding someone to fix it, I think he just went to a Ford dealer somewhere out west and got it fixed and was back on the road in short order.

[EddieLo]

Originally Posted by EdInArk

Eddie, you can put your VIN number on this page and get all kinds of fun info

I entered the number and here is what I got back. "We could not find any information for VIN 3FCMF53G0TJA10343"
I went to several other sources and all say the same thing. Basically this VIN does not exist.
Next?
EL