It is with sad heart I have to say my 460 bit the dust. I need to replace the engine.
I am trying to decide next steps.

28ft 460 with 60k miles
This vehicle had the engine replaced at 38k miles so there is only 20k miles on the engine.

Replaced tires recently $2k
Just replaced both rear air bags and rear brakes.$1k
I live at the beach and I am seeing effects of the corrosion so I know replacing the engine will have complications due to this and not sure what other damage I will find...

Questions
How is 460 replaced.. Out the window or can I drop thru the bottom....

What is a running 1990 28ft Barth worth
What is a NON running 1990 28ft.barth worth

Looks like I can get a Remanufactured 460 for $2k
Labor ??? Not sure I want to tackle this myself...

I am attached to my Barth like most Barth owners are but I am beginning to think I may have to cut my losses and start the hunt for another Barth
What do you think....
Thanks
Ray

I am really curious as to how this engine died with so few miles. Does it have a cracked block? I have a 1950 Studebaker with the original 6 cylinder engine in it. I am totally curious why so many gas powered motorhomes need new engines after so few miles.

quote:

Originally posted by DougZ:
I am totally curious why so many gas powered motorhomes need new engines after so few miles.

They work really hard. They sit a lot.

quote:

Originally posted by DougZ:
I am totally curious why so many gas powered motorhomes need new engines after so few miles.

I could spend a lot of time on that subject, but I am really focused on what to do now that the engine is kaput....
Thanks
Ray

Ray, the reason I asked is to help you diagnose the problem for the solution. If you have a cracked block, the answer is going to be far different than if you have low oil pressure. Give some details. Your original question is akin to " I don't feel good, what should do?"

Hey Ray, I just replaced my 460 with a 511 stroker motor, The 460 John deere chassis is probably the easiest front engine Barth to replace.

I was able to remove the motor out the front, if you p.m. me your email I can send you loads of pictures.

I would love to put them up on the site but every time I try I screw something up so I gave up.

quote:

Originally posted by bill h:

quote:

Originally posted by DougZ:
I am totally curious why so many gas powered motorhomes need new engines after so few miles.

They work really hard. They sit a lot.

They get REALLY HOT going up hill, with poor airflow to transfer heat from the coolant. Laboring engine super-heats exhaust manifold, which cool too rapidly after cresting hill, suddenly decreasing throttle, and pushing lots of relatively cold air through the manifolds, resulting in thermal shock.
It seems like the Ford 460 fails more in motorhomes than the 454.

I would really like to know what failure occurred to lead you to replace the 460. Both the 460 and 454 live long happy lives in thousands of commercial trucks, on and off road equipment and utility vehicles. While some fail very few are cracked blocks or seized pistons or bearings. Most rebuilds carry warranties of at least 24,000 miles and most rebuilders will be reasonable in helping, unless there is evidence of no maintenance or intentional damage. So what failed?

quote:

Originally posted by Mogan David:
They get REALLY HOT going up hill, with poor airflow to transfer heat from the coolant. Laboring engine super-heats exhaust manifold, which cool too rapidly after cresting hill, suddenly decreasing throttle, and pushing lots of relatively cold air through the manifolds, resulting in thermal shock.

Another hardship the exhaust manifolds suffer is stopping after a climb, such as a scenic turnout in the mountains. Everything is hot and there is NO airflow, so the heat does its damage. More stress on the manifolds, and the starter, hoses, wiring, etc just cooks.

Best is to let the engine idle for a while before shutdown. Or have an electric puller fan with a heat switch. My fan runs until it senses an appropriate temperature drop, usually 5 to 10 minutes.

First, find out what the failure is caused by.

Radiator failed. Overheated.
Temp Gauge was not working.
Lot of metal in the oil.
What failed??? ME.... Lack of Preventive Maintenance and doing a good inspection.... on a more frequent basis.
Living 500 ft from ocean, salt air has taken its toll.

quote:

Originally posted by Ray:

Lot of metal in the oil.

Does a magnet pick up the particles?

Just replaced the 454 in my 72, 22', last year twice. The engine with a long hoist comes out the door, about 1/8" to sare, I ended up buying a 454 crate engine. Some adaptations are needed, example a/c.

Which crate engine did you use? My 454 HO is almost done, may be able to start this afternoon.

I had a few changes but not many. (See my current thread on 454 swap) You must have done something similar, I also went out the side door with mine.

How many bolts does the new engine flex plate need? My old 454 had 6 bolts but the new crate motor has a flex plate that uses only 3...

Have the 460 in mine. I am at 70,000 miles now. Two years ago to Arizona and California fron Northwest Canada (3,000 miles)then last year down the west coast to Mexico (10,000 miles)
Had to replace an exhaust manifold last year, but am biting the bullet and putting headers on....need a little bit more giddy-up and cooler temps. Rear airbags and brakes plus fluids just replaced,trans filter and fluids,rear universal......maintenace,maintenance.....BUT.....I do love my Barth!
Heading back down to Mexico mid November!

Neil