Glen-L.com

New member here.

I just inherited a motorhome my father built for my grandfather in 1975. He used the Cascade plans and converted it to chassis-mount.

My grandfather used it a LOT, replaced the engine at least twice, and it's due again, but my father reports that the camper part is still in great condition. I just need to jack it up and drive a new truck under it...

Actually, the '75 Chevy 3500 cab and chassis are also in great condition. Just need to find a good engine/tranny to drop in.

I emailed info@glen-l.com. Maybe they'll want some photos for the web site.

You can post some here, as well

_________________
One day.

Oops. Tried to edit my first post and ended up with a duplicate post. Please ignore this post...

Just a quick update....

My father sent some pics, but in print form. I'll have to get 'em scanned and see if I can get some posted.

Turns out that the truck is a '72, not a '75. Fine with me, I like the more 'classic' look.

Any engine experts on here? The truck has a 283 in it, out of a '55 - '56 truck. It has been sitting for about six years, and currently doesn't run due to a stuck valve.

My first thought was to put a modern, fuel-injected, 350 in it, but a) I'm on a tight budget, and b) I'd have to run fuel return lines, new exhaust (cat converter), computer, etc. Even though a diesel conversion would give the best power / economy, we don't like the smell, which seems to gets everywhere in an RV.

A gear-head buddy of mine suggested that a pre-smog 350 w/ performance intake and reasonable four-barrel would get nearly as good MPG, and be a lot cheaper.

Then in talking to my dad last night he believes that the 283 was rebuilt shortly before being installed in the RV, and the stuck valve should be an easy fix. However, the 283 is pretty small for a 20' RV, so now I'm thinking about running it with the 283 for a few years (weekend trips around TX/LA) and later moving up to a 350.

I know that the 283 is the same block as the 350. Does anybody know what the chances are that the 283 (out of a '55 - '56 truck) is a four bolt main? I'm in TX and the RV is back in CO, so running the numbers is difficult right now.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Back to the camper part:

As I mentioned before, dad used the Cascade plans. I was wondering why he didn't use the chassis-mount plans, or at least one of the 11-foot plans, but he says that the Cascade was the largest available at that time.

He built the frame from 1 1/2" spruce, with metal straps to reinforce areas he felt might crack over time. He also used the best insulation he could get (for Colorado use).

He tried to convince my granddad to cut a passage between the cab and camper, but granddad didn't want to, and drove it for several years that way. Then when granddad's new wife suggested it needed a pass-through, granddad thought that was the best suggestion he had ever heard. So he took it to a camper repair place and had it professionally modified.

It has a side-entry, right behind the cab, with the kitchen and bath in the middle, and dinette in the rear.

Can’t say that it’s a 4 bolt for sure. Removing the pan is still the quickest way to find out . . . Here’s a link for Chevrolet engine specs of that era :
http://carnut.com/specs/gen/_chv50m.html

Here’s a pic of the 283 (Chris Craft) going into the Hot Rod :
http://glen-l.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=564#4877
_________________________
Paul Kane Chelsea, PQ

Building the Glen-L Hot Rod

Thanks for the info!

This might be quicker than removing the pan Find your engine's casting number and look it up in Mortec’s web site. Includes casting number locations and lists for small block, big block and 348-409 V-8 blocks, cranks and heads :
http://www.mortec.com/castnum.htm

Hope this helps !!
_________________________
Paul Kane Chelsea, PQ

Building the Glen-L Hot Rod

Again, thanks for the info.

The camper is in Colorado, and I'm in Texas, so I don't have access to the casting numbers or the pan right now.

I was hoping someone would happen to know what year Chevy actually started using a four-bolt main, and whether it was used in the 1/2 ton truck, but I can figure it out when I actually have the RV in my paws.

Thanks.

Can't you get a 'crate motor'? That is a long block that accepts all your bolt on stuff like carb, starter, alternator, manifolds. The last time I looked at a engine overhaul, the crate motor was only nominally more than paying for all the parts and work in a self-overhaul, and all you do is bolt it in.

Yup.

Small town CO estimate is $1400 for a 350 crate motor.

But if I can get by with the 283 for a few years, then maybe I can get the crate motor later...

Sorry for the meandering of this thread. I tend to get caught up in the excitement of a new project, then reality kicks in.

That's why I went from 'jack it up and drive a new truck under it' to 'diesel swap' to 'gas EFI swap' to 'rebuiled the 283' to 'lets see how long we can get by with what I got.'

Still planning to post some pics, but maybe I'll start a new thread so that folks don't have to read through this one...

That seems about right for a good STOCK motor, not a race motor.

_________________
Isn't it amazing!! The person that never has the fortitude to pursue his own dreams, will be the first to try and discourage you from pursuing yours.

Did I mention that this is an RV???

I can just picture it crawling down the quarter mile...

Dave,

I think you've just stumbled on the perfect caption for your avatar . . .
_________________________
Paul Kane Chelsea, PQ

Building the Glen-L Hot Rod

Well based on the info from Mortec (a great resource by the way ) 283's didint come with 4 bolt mains from the factory.