Saw a really clean 97 Winnebago 21' on the Ford Chasis with 460 with a Banks Power Pack.
I think with the spark plug problems on the V-10, this may be a better engine for this year.
What kind of mileage would you expect with this rig? I'm sure it will have plenty of power with the Banks and only 21' long.
What transmission came in this year? I think the 4R100.
Are there any known issues with anything on the engine or trans. I remember reading something about the exhaust manifold or bolts breaking, but if it has the Banks exhaust, this may alleviate that issue.
Any comments good, bad or ugly is appreciated.
06 Toyota Tundra 4x4, V-8
07 Fleetwood Pioneer 18CK
12 Yamaha Super Tenere
95 BMW R1100 GS
Yea, that engine is known to last a really long time! I have one in a 30' Bounder and get about 7 MPG, the class C is lighter, shorter, and not as tall, I might guess at 9 - 10 MPG. It should have a 55 gallon gas tank, and that gives a really nice range.
My buddy's pre-fuel injected 460" motorhome only got about 8 MPG, had a 34 gallon tank, and did not have nearly as much range. Remember if using the generator, the dip line for the generator fuel only goes down 3/4 into the tank, so it will run out of fuel when there is still about 1/4 tank left to drive and get more fuel.
That is a good brand, they are known for not overloading the chassis, and building a fine product. I think they also installed a engine assist water heater, with a hot water coil wrapped around the tank, to help pre-heat the tank of water when you are driving using the engine water heat.
Nothing really bad about the V10 and the 460 has always been considered a strong motor. I wouldn't make a decision based solely on the V10 spark plug issue. I had a '97 460 in a 36' Bounder. I added the complete Banks Powerpak. Significant increase in power, but no improvement in fuel mileage, which was 6-7mpg.
You're correct that the Banks manifolds completely solve the Ford manifold problem. I would guess mileage in the small C would be 9-10mpg with that motor. The transmission should be an E40D, which is probably the weakest link in the drivetrain, but not too expensive to rebuild, and may not have been overworked in that small of an RV. By comparison, my Bounder was pushing 20k lbs, and the tranny had to be rebuilt at 57k miles.
2002 Keystone Cougar 286, 8,400lbs loaded, pulled with a 2004 F150 Supercrew, 5.4, 3.73 gears. Retired and enjoying life
Check and see if they also added the Banks Trans Command to the transmission, That would solve the slippage issue improve shift points.
Bill & Kathy Francis
95 Itasca Sunrise 29RQ,P32 454 Chevy, Banks,ECM chip.Safe-T-Plus, Bilsteins, Super Steer Bell Crank, Stewart Stage 1 Waterpump, Severe Duty Fan Clutch, OilGuard Bypass Filter, Coolant Filter. Rear Tracbar. 1-5/8" Front Swaybar.
I don't have the detail to prove it but the consistent story I get is the 4R100 evolved from the E4OD when the engine changed from 460 to V10. My understanding is the E4OD had "electronic overdrive" but the rest of the shifting was hydraulic. They went to a fully electronic, solenoid-operated shifting design in 4R100 and later.
We had a simple old carbureted 460 with C6 three-speed automatic in the E350 under our 1984 24' Holiday Rambler. It got a little better mileage (8 vs 7) than we do now. That's a little unfair because the 31 Jayco is so much larger.
I'm probably showing my age and traditional preferences, but all else equal, I'd be trying to snag that 460/Bank$ before it got away.
I see it this way, quote's not original with me, but: Plastic's for Toys, Aluminum's for Pots'n'Pans, Cast Iron's for ENGINES.
Biggest single gripe about 460 (and 454 GM in Class C for that matter) is Exhaust Manifold Leaks, Cracks, Busted Bolts. The expensive cure is Bank$ Headers and there they are on this one!
Body Builder told me: You can make a Small Man (stock V10) as strong as a Big Man (stock 460), but you can make a Big Man (Bank$ 460) still stronger.
I'd be so hyped about that coach I couldn't stand it! Well, that CHASSIS. That said, YOU AND THE MRS Have to Like the Floorplan!
And yes, Winnebago is a prime brand.
* This post was
edited 04/13/12 10:11am by j-d *
God Bless, jd
2003 Jayco Escapade 31A on 2002 Ford E450 V10 4R100
The 460 breaks manifold bolts periodically as do many engines, especially in high temperature conditions. One simple remedy is to replace the bolts, one at a time every couple of years. This is not a difficult operation and, combined with anti-seize, usually avoids the issue completely.
The V10 has smaller bolts and I've seen even bigger problems with broken ones on that engine series. One recommendation is that one avoid any type of stainless fastener on exhaust because heating makes stainless harder than glass and so very difficult to drill. I used to sell many carbide drill bits in order to address broken stainless bolts and studs. Not nice when a carbide bit is required!
J-D said it best I think, but my vote is for the 460. My family has always had excellent life out of them. It will never get spectacular mileage, but you will have more than enough power until you start towing large loads behind the RV.
Offline
