Hello!

[IamCanadian]

Hi everyone, this is my first post on iRV2.

I am the recent owner of a 1975 Dodge Empress. I purchased it for $1000 and as expected she needs some work.

I am however trying to figure out the chassis model of this unit so I can select the right caliper for the driver's front side. Was wondering if anyone can help. The VIN# is M40CA55115408 .. I'm guessing at an M400 chassis..

As far as refurbs, I just had a fridge put in and it will need water lines and a new hot water heater as well. All the interior electrical is in great shape as is the stove/oven and forced air furnace. I'm told the water pump is ok as well.

Mechanically it's, for the most part, really solid. Motor and transmission are great, 81,000 original miles. I did have the master cylinder replaced.

I intend on re-flooring it and ripping out the vynel and replacing it with wood tiles (ez to clean and install).

I've been reading the forum for a bit now and everyone here seems really nice.

About me, 39yrs old, recently divorced.. and thought I would buy one of these for camping etc.. big learning curve.. I'll post some pics of it a little later.

Cheers!

[Dixieray53]

Welcome to the group..... The great people here I am sure will hekp you out. I'll be waiting for the pics... Peace and Safe Travels...D

[Dave78Chief]

Use this site to decode the VIN number:
http://www.classicwinnebagos.com/for...INdecoder.html

M4 is a M400 chassis
Dave

[86bigred]

where abouts in canada do you live?i just stripped my 75 diplomat class a. might have a few parts ass i went to a class b 77 tradesman and don't need them.

[IamCanadian]

Welcome to the group..... The great people here I am sure will hekp you out. I'll be waiting for the pics... Peace and Safe Travels...D

Thanks Dixie, I'm certain things will be great!

Use this site to decode the VIN number:
http://www.classicwinnebagos.com/for...INdecoder.html
M4 is a M400 chassis
Dave

Thanks Dave, that helped A LOT. I have it figured out now. Now to find a couple of parts I need..

where abouts in canada do you live?i just stripped my 75 diplomat class a. might have a few parts ass i went to a class b 77 tradesman and don't need them.

Hi Bigred, I'm in Edmonton.. Thanks so much for the offer. Right now, I'm desperately in need of a drivers side front caliper. It looks to be a dual piston and I can't find it anywhere. Part Source and Napa tried to help but they couldnt find the right part number at all.. Getting frustrated because my mechanic took ity off and now I have NO brakes since he put it back on .. sitting on the street not movable at the moment.

[Dave78Chief]

Dodge P/N
3732927 (Driver side)
3732926 (Passenger side)
3744499 (Rebuild Kit)

Try the following cross refs:
Bendix
Driver Side:
R55682
Passenger Side:
R55681

NAPA
Driver Side:
CAL SE4823
Passenger Side:
CAL SE4822

Raybestos
Driver Side:
RC4042 (FRC4042)
Passenger Side:
RC4041 (FRC4041)

Hope that helps - Dave

[Dave78Chief]

Forgot to mention if you have to rebuild the original then you have to obtain the piston and seal seperately
NAPA:
Piston: 85001S
Seal: UP 519

Are you sure the inside of the brake hose at the wheel has not internally seperated such that it is not releasing pressure?

You mechanic may have pushed the piston to far back into the caliper and it is just stuck. May require you to remove it again and use high pressure air to push it back out.

Dave

Caliper picture form From NAPA site:

[86bigred]

my old rv is sitting in cessford ab,her calipers were in working order when i drove it up there 2 months ago. only a 3 to 4 hour drive from edmonton.

[Dave78Chief]

For the Hydrovac boosters on your chassis, there is a seperate master cylinder on each power booster in addition to the one at the brake pedal. You have to bleed each booster unit (there are bleeder screws on them) before bleeding the front wheel caliper or rear wheel cylinders.

Dave

[IamCanadian]

Dave.. Thanks so much for your assistance.. I have no found and purchased the proper caliper. As it turns out the Master Cylinder I had was the wrong one to be sure.. However, using the info from my Vin#, I have identified these as the possible correct replacement. Incidentally, my mechanic says my unit doesn't have vacuum boosters. Anyways .. here are some part numbers I found. Let me know if I have them right..

Raybestos - MC39013
DORMAN - #M39013
A-1 CARDONE #101576

Do these look right to you??

--

Bigred, Thanks SO VERY much for the offer of parts.. I may have to take a drive out there. What is available from it and what would you be looking for for compensation? As mentioned above, I might need a Master Cyl

[Dave78Chief]

Then you have the Hydroboost system (powered by power steering pump) like mine.
Master Cylinder P/N's
Dodge 3820823 (1974 & 75)
NAPA UP 39013
Raybestos MC39013

Not sure about the other brands you listed but those should be good.
Be sure and check your metal brake lines. I am having to replace some because they are wearing thru at attachement clips due to vibration.
Dodge went to P/N 4031345 in 76. I do not know if that number will work for 74/75. It crosses to MC39012 at the Raybestos site which does not have a long shaft on the front.

Dave

[IamCanadian]

Dave, I'm seeing a lot of parts crossing over with the M350 chassis. What are your thoughts on going that way? Are they pretty much the same chassis? For example, the raybestos part works in the m400 and the m350.

[Dave78Chief]

Dodge started using the designation RM300, RM350, and RM375 in 1973 though there are some 73's with the pre RM desgination. In the 74/75 suplement manual they then changed that back to M300, M400, and M500 in 75 and said it applied backwards to 1973 for RM designations. Made things confusing for many. Use the following translation

For 1969 - 1973 (with 318/413)
M300 or M375 as applicable
Note: there are early (69/71) and late (72-73) versions to add to the confusion

For 1973 - 1975 (with 318/440)
RM300 = M300
RM350 = M400
RM375 = M500
Note: To confuse things more you could see either designation in a given year.

1975 and later (with 318/360/440; 318/360 availability varied by year)
M300
M400
M500
M600

Get yourself a copy of the Dodge Service and Parts manuals. The least expensive place to get them in PDF form that I know of is the online store at CWVRV: Classic Winnebagos & Vintage RVs!
For a 75 chassis, you also need the 74/75 supplement.
The unfortunant part is that while the parts book shows all the parts up through 1977, the service manuals did not get updated to reflect the hydroboost system until sometime after 75. If you want detailed service information for the hydroboost system you have to get a later Service manual also. I know the 78-79 version has hydroboost in it. I am not sure about 76/77.

I have found the best approach for Dodge Class A MH chassis parts is to get the Dodge P/N first then use parts site cross reference data. Many parts sites do not list the MH chassis but you can cross the p/n (NAPA, Bendix, Raybestos, Autozone, Wagner, etc.). The parts sites have as much trouble trying to decipher what Dodge did for chassis designation as the common user does.
Depending on what you looking for, you can sometimes use the D300 (2WD) or W300 (4WD) Dodge pickup chassis designation for parts. Mostly Dodge generic stuff like ignition or charging. Be aware the 440-3 engine uses a special skirted thermostat that is basically only available from Mr. Gasket. The typical car 440-1 type thermostat will not route the water correctly on a 440-3. The 440-3 heads are different from 440-1.

Dave

[IamCanadian]

Right now, all I'm looking for is the master Cylinder. I have ordered the Raybestos part number from Rock auto. Should be in in a week or so.

Again, thanks for all the help, I'll have to order that service manual.

Originally Posted by Dave78Chief

Dodge started using the designation RM300, RM350, and RM375 in 1973 though there are some 73's with the pre RM desgination. In the 74/75 suplement manual they then changed that back to M300, M400, and M500 in 75 and said it applied backwards to 1973 for RM designations. Made things confusing for many. Use the following translation

For 1969 - 1973 (with 318/413)
M300 or M375 as applicable
Note: there are early (69/71) and late (72-73) versions to add to the confusion

For 1973 - 1975 (with 318/440)
RM300 = M300
RM350 = M400
RM375 = M500
Note: To confuse things more you could see either designation in a given year.

1975 and later (with 318/360/440; 318/360 availability varied by year)
M300
M400
M500
M600

Get yourself a copy of the Dodge Service and Parts manuals. The least expensive place to get them in PDF form that I know of is the online store at CWVRV: Classic Winnebagos & Vintage RVs!
For a 75 chassis, you also need the 74/75 supplement.
The unfortunant part is that while the parts book shows all the parts up through 1977, the service manuals did not get updated to reflect the hydroboost system until sometime after 75. If you want detailed service information for the hydroboost system you have to get a later Service manual also. I know the 78-79 version has hydroboost in it. I am not sure about 76/77.

I have found the best approach for Dodge Class A MH chassis parts is to get the Dodge P/N first then use parts site cross reference data. Many parts sites do not list the MH chassis but you can cross the p/n (NAPA, Bendix, Raybestos, Autozone, Wagner, etc.). The parts sites have as much trouble trying to decipher what Dodge did for chassis designation as the common user does.
Depending on what you looking for, you can sometimes use the D300 (2WD) or W300 (4WD) Dodge pickup chassis designation for parts. Mostly Dodge generic stuff like ignition or charging. Be aware the 440-3 engine uses a special skirted thermostat that is basically only available from Mr. Gasket. The typical car 440-1 type thermostat will not route the water correctly on a 440-3. The 440-3 heads are different from 440-1.

Dave