What Motor

[Gary RVRoamer]

I had a 460 in a 36 fy '96 Southwind that was stretched with a tag axle. IMO the 460 is as good or better than any other big V8 of that era, which basically means the GM 454 or Chrysler 440. As a motorhome engine, it's drawback is the transmission - just not enough gears to do a good job of delivering the 460's big hp/torque to the rear wheels. Ist & 2nd gear are quite low, then a big jump up to 3rd. 4th is OD for highway cruising. Once a hill forces a downshift to 2nd, it's slow going, but it always gets the job done

[GypsyR]

I wanted the older coach I got specifically because of the 460 drivetrain. It's just common truck stuff. Used in all kinds of Fords from regular pickups on up. So whatever parts you need are out there whenever you need.
My transmission shat itself because of a specific pre-1995 problem but all the parts I need are widely available and the points prone to fail in these well known.
Not a single issue with the engine. When I first bought the thing home at the first stop sign I seriously thought it died on me when actually it had settled into a quiet and velvety smooth idle.
I haven't noticed any exhaust issue but I will be tossing the manifolds as soon as I can. Not just because headers are better but because I put headers on just everything. Daily driver pickup? Check? Wife's car? Check. RV, well, working on it.

[pushtrk99]

Update on our RV hunting, seems like all the 460 motors have a leak on the exhaust, wonder how hard it is to get bolts out without breaking-and We came across a class A 28' Georgey Boy 1995 with a 454 chevy ,right price really clean and kept up-NO hyd Jacks-145k miles -don't know if 454 is carb or throttle body and if it would be 3 speed or 4speed trans Suggestions ??--TKS Rich

[Unplanned Tourist]

Originally Posted by pushtrk99

Update on our RV hunting, seems like all the 460 motors have a leak on the exhaust, wonder how hard it is to get bolts out without breaking-and We came across a class A 28' Georgey Boy 1995 with a 454 chevy ,right price really clean and kept up-NO hyd Jacks-145k miles -don't know if 454 is carb or throttle body and if it would be 3 speed or 4speed trans Suggestions ??--TKS Rich

1995 should be a TBI (throttle body injection) and have OD. We had a 1994 454 in a 34 foot Airstream class A. Good motor that really comes alive with headers. The Banks headers are getting hard to find, so if you get that rig, and are thinking about headers, grab them if you find some.

[jacwjames]

Originally Posted by pushtrk99

Update on our RV hunting, seems like all the 460 motors have a leak on the exhaust, wonder how hard it is to get bolts out without breaking-and We came across a class A 28' Georgey Boy 1995 with a 454 chevy ,right price really clean and kept up-NO hyd Jacks-145k miles -don't know if 454 is carb or throttle body and if it would be 3 speed or 4speed trans Suggestions ??--TKS Rich

I had to remove 2 exhaust manifold as listed in a previous post. In a class C working through the dog house and under the hood I was able to do the job. It all depends on access. Never had a problem with getting the bolts out.

[Rob_M]

Both the 454 or 460 would benefit from headers. You may find that 3/4 ton pickup headers will fit some Class-C chassis with a bit of research.

[153stars]

Don't want to tell you how to spend your money but IMHO 15k ish is too high for first rig with 150k miles. Have you watched FB marketplace I still get a lot of pop ups for MHs all price ranges.
Not sure of years but but some GM workhorse chassis came with 8.1 and Allison trans combo gets high praise .

[Crasher]

I had the 460 in an 88 Southwind. It was a strong engine and had no issues except keeping fuel in the tank, as it was thirsty. Also Had the 454 in a new 98 Pace Arrow Vision. I had the dealer install the Banks system before I picked it up. It had great power and was more economical that the 460. I'm partial to the GM engines, but never had a problems with Fords either. If they pass the pvc valve test and the compression test is within specs, either one could run a long time.

[GypsyR]

I consider these drivetrains "light truck". I figure about any 1990's truck is likely to have some kind of exhaust leak unless someone had just fixed it recently. A minor annoyance that wouldn't put me off anything. I figure either drivetrain benefits greatly from headers anyway.
I'm kind of a Ford guy but if you ask me a 454 and a 460 are basically interchangeable. I like either one. Neither has a particular advantage and 454's aren't immune to exhaust leaks either. I suspect a lot of exhaust manifold leak problems are exacerbated by different coach manufacturers builds affecting the airflow around the engine. Those that close it off too much have more issues. Just my suspicion though.

To me a GM 4L80E transmission has the advantage over a Ford E4OD. Particularly the early E4OD's. But any and all issues with either can be rectified during a rebuild. So if either has been properly rebuilt then the playing field is about even with them too.

[pushtrk99]

I53 stars -I have been looking on facebook, problem I am having is I/we don't want to spend more 12-13k which I know is not alot-BUT the ones I looked at so far took the pictures when they got the MH and then you go see it (driving 1 1/2 hrs) and the steps don't work, water marks around windows, around AC-Windshields have notorious water leaks, genny may run but look like S---,compartments rusted they say everything works but the furnace won't fire up-can't trust their word on the AC, ALL that being said the one we are contemplating on buying is just the opposite but it has 154k miles-454 Chevy & needs tires, even though they look new they are 6 yrs old & it is a 1995 for 14k so right now this MH being a Class A ,nice looking, good records tons of receipts
clean as a whistle may be our next RV If so Pictures will be shown-TKS Rich

[153stars]

No way just notice your from Channahon , I live in Braidwood grew up in Joliet.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...1-c4591f010e68
maybe take 15k gm 8.1
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...1-c4591f010e68

[pushtrk99]

Black MH YUCK--we are locked in at 12k to spend and NO more slides, had a Winney35ft with a few slide problems and just the 2 of us we don't need that much room-extra weight , extra gas, extra problems- But tks anyhow-we are looking at mostly 1996 -1998 MH, I have had 4 MHs so I kinda know what to look for and YEA can't expect to much for that money --Might be surprised , every now & then what comes up for sale But you can't think about it for a week YOU have to pull the trigger-TKS Rich

[ga traveler]

Originally Posted by Unplanned Tourist

1995 should be a TBI (throttle body injection) and have OD. We had a 1994 454 in a 34 foot Airstream class A. Good motor that really comes alive with headers. The Banks headers are getting hard to find, so if you get that rig, and are thinking about headers, grab them if you find some.

You are thinking of the Chevy 454. This is a ford 460, no TBI.

[Soppy]

Originally Posted by pushtrk99

Update on our RV hunting, seems like all the 460 motors have a leak on the exhaust, wonder how hard it is to get bolts out without breaking-and We came across a class A 28' Georgey Boy 1995 with a 454 chevy ,right price really clean and kept up-NO hyd Jacks-145k miles -don't know if 454 is carb or throttle body and if it would be 3 speed or 4speed trans Suggestions ??--TKS Rich

The 95 454 will be TBI with an electronic controlled 4 speed tranny (4L80E).