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09-08-2011, 05:13 PM
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#1
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The Groove Master
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Cincinnati OH
Age: 47
Posts: 878
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Anyone know truck engines?
So, my band has a panel truck based on a 1989 E350 van. It's got a 460 V8 (carbureted, I think), auto tranny, etc.
The engine is probably in need of rebuilding or replacement. It uses an absurd amount of oil (though you can't see oil smoke - weird). We're wondering what other engines might bolt in place of the 460, since it gets abysmal gas mileage.
Low cost is key here. My ignorance of trucks in general is near-total, so any help would be appreciated.
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2000 Outback - daily grind
1990 240SR - gone down the road...
1997 BMW M3 - current toy
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09-08-2011, 05:33 PM
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#2
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Mistake Boner
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Cincity
Posts: 10,716
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anything 385 series should bolt in, but easiet to stick with the boat anchor.
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09-08-2011, 06:14 PM
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#3
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SYR
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: At the Racetrack
Posts: 11,941
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Get a new van. By the time you actually work on that thing, or pay someone else to, you'll wish you had.
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09-08-2011, 09:10 PM
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#4
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The Groove Master
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Cincinnati OH
Age: 47
Posts: 878
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mista Bone
anything 385 series should bolt in, but easiet to stick with the boat anchor.
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I read that the E350 came with Windsor engines. Is the 385 the same series? Either way, what I don't know is if all the Windsors/385s are the same block and will bolt up to the transmission, mounts, etc or what.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Speed Kills
Get a new van. By the time you actually work on that thing, or pay someone else to, you'll wish you had.
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Not an option. We got this thing for a ridiculous price, and it's already got all-new brakes, exhaust, tires, and a few other things. We knew the long-run would be an investment based on initial condition, and we knew the engine would need to be addressed. Getting rid of it on our budget and picking up something newer would be impossible. |
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09-08-2011, 11:10 PM
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#5
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Mistake Boner
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Cincity
Posts: 10,716
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If it has a 460 in it now, then they weren't all Windsors were they?
Windsor = small block
385 Series = BIG block
Also the 89 460 had EEC, maybe your was converted to carb or you can't tell the difference :)
The 460 E350 chassis was used for A LOT of motor homes.
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09-09-2011, 02:34 AM
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#6
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Some say...
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Vevay, Indiana
Age: 34
Posts: 4,671
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It's probably just throttle body injected, and just looks carbed without looking real hard.
__________________
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Oversteering fool.
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09-09-2011, 04:53 PM
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#7
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The Groove Master
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Cincinnati OH
Age: 47
Posts: 878
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mista Bone
If it has a 460 in it now, then they weren't all Windsors were they?
Windsor = small block
385 Series = BIG block
Also the 89 460 had EEC, maybe your was converted to carb or you can't tell the difference :)
The 460 E350 chassis was used for A LOT of motor homes.
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I never said the 460 was a Windsor. The van was available with a 302W, 351W, and the 460 as well as an I6 and a couple diesels according to the info I've dug up. I just said "it came with Windsors" in the vain hope that one might bolt to the existing mounts/tranny.
Which it won't, we've found out.
As far as carb'd vs. injected, I was told carb'd. I've never even looked at the engine myself. |
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09-09-2011, 08:49 PM
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#8
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CSS regular
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Colerain
Posts: 804
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Whats the mileage on the thing and how much oil is it using versus some timeframe. What kind of gas mileage are you getting? These things aren't meant to be fuel efficient in the least. Last one my uncle had was lucky if it got 8 miles to the gallon.
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09-09-2011, 09:49 PM
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#9
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The Groove Master
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Cincinnati OH
Age: 47
Posts: 878
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We're not concerned that the gas mileage is poor - with a 460 that kinda goes without saying.
Oil consumption is horrendous. This thing only gets used on weekends but it ends up needing a quart or more per trip in town. The thing is that we can't identify any oil smoke coming out the tailpipe - but there are also no detectable leaks, nothing on the ground, ever.
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09-09-2011, 10:07 PM
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#10
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White Trash Mod
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Bright, IN
Posts: 8,943
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Sometimes a $5 pcv valve cures those problems. Worth a try. Might as well try some restore or other snake oil type treatments
Then I would do valve seals if valve covers are easy to access. That stuff may save you a bunch and buy you some time.
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09-14-2011, 08:04 AM
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#12
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CSS regular
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Colerain
Posts: 804
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Like White said, a pvc can cause silly stuff to happen in the oil system. Oddball valve guide/seal issues can also cause problems that may not show up at idle but will use a drop of oil every rotation at 2000 rpm (for example). Not enough to blow smoke as is typical of a car with a high oil consumption level, but enough that over a few hundred miles it will put a dent in the level.
If you are concerned...... that link GNP posted is your best bet.
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