My new/old '70 270 Dodge Mahal

[Glass8775]

No problem working on it or replacing the head gasket as I have done this since I was 15 years old. I got the brakes firm enough to feel ok about driving. but the huge amount of white steam/smoke that erupted from the tailpipe tells me the winter took its toll. Worst case is cracked block. Didn't find any external leakage. Just really bummed. If it were closer to home I wouldn't be so concerned but I just can't keep driving 70 miles away to work on it and didn't budget for engine work yet and additional $650 -800 to have it towed home is the last straw. Damn I really dig this MH and really looked forward to the build out. Hell the spare windshield and gaskets are worth more than I paid for the thing but I got another coach and my boy a '63 Corvair convertible project (it was gonna look cool towed behind Travco) so another unplanned bill is a setback...

[Glass8775]

BTW, on my way to work on the Travco I came across a REVCON, appears to be very early '70's sittin nearly frame deep but in decent shape from the outside. Will get a pic when I get that way again to post in the "rescue" section. Hell may be posting my '70 Mahal in the rescue section! LOL

[77Travco]

I didn't realize that the white smoke was coming from the exhaust. I suppose you could pull the plugs to determine which cylinder(s) is the culprit, then maybe just change that one head gasket to get it home? I did that on an old Bronco once that my neighbor was selling... I wanted to do both head gaskets but he was in a hurry.

[Glass8775]

I've given the PO the option to buy it back since he said he would when he sold it, but that saddens me. It really is my dream machine. Just stuck now with, "do I spend $650+ on towing it to the storage lot where I can work on it close to home and have that bill + the repair to just get it to where I thought I already was" or sell it back for what I paid and forget it. I mean even with tow bill I think I could scrap it for more than I have in it but that's time and so very sad. Considering the value of the spare windshields I am sure I still haven't lost money. Still leaning toward scraping up the coin to tow it home and letting it rest until next year. If its home I could at least work on it even thru the winter to get it running. Plan was a Cummins swap similar to Jeeprob, except I would go 618 trans and use pressure switches to do OD shift and TC lockup. what to do, what to do, what to do???????????

[Acesneights]

Actually of all the headgasket fail scenarios, that is probably the best one. If you dont have collant getting into the oil ir a compression leak, just burning water, stop by any Chevy dealer and pick up 2 packs of GM cooling tabs. Throw them in the radiator and let it run. It might pug the leak good enough to get it home. If there is coolant in the oil don't drive it.\nI had a chevy pickup that steaned white smoke so bad it fogged out the neighborhood and two packs of those plugged it and I drove it 2 more years and was still holding when I sold the truck. Don't use bar's leak, that stuff ruins the waterpump and heater core and radiator. I have had good luck with those GM tabs for an emergency quick fix. They will not work if coolant is getting into the oil or if the fire rings are blown out.\nOption two if you have the Travco registered is get triple aaa gold rv. It is 105$ a year and good for 3 100 mile tows including motorhomes. Put the coverage on, wait a week then...Although I have heard people literally call the same day they got coverage for a tow.\nI doubt the block is cracked unless it was really overheated. The 413 is one tough mother.. More likely a head gasket, possibly a cracked head. \nYTou can pull all the spark plugs and put a pressure tester on the radiator and pump it up and let it sit for a few hours and see which cyl antifreeze comes out of although I would just do both heads and be done with it.\nAlso if you drive with the rad cap loose that can help as well to keep the pressure low. Drive at night when it's cooler.

[77Travco]

I didn't consider the AAA option... pretty good idea actually.\nSo... spend $105 on AAA, put those GM pellets in the radiator, carry plenty of spare water and drive it! Don't forget to check the tires. Old tires may give you problems as well... and be sure to stay on top of the brake fluid situation.

[Glass8775]

Thanks for the ecouraging words guys. Im give it another try. I was happy that it ran well for awhile sitti g while we. He ked things then WOOF out came huge billowing steam cloud. We will get some more tools together and get after it

[Glass8775]

I checked on the AAA and already signed up but it is NOT $105 for RV coverage. It came to about $170, $230 after putting the wife on it also just for PoM. They advise 72 hours before the RV coverage takes affect. Way better than $650 to tow it home for sure. Gonna give it another try in a week or so...

[Glass8775]

Well, it's been awhile but we finally got the Dodge Mahal home to our storage site. It is a big relief to know it is safe 3 miles away as opposed to sitting in a strangers back yard 75 miles away. It didn't go w/o putting up a fight. As you may recall as of my last post we weren't sure what we going to do after discovering the head gasket leak and potential $700 tow bill to get it near home. Well I did join the AAA with RV+ ($200 but all cars and drivers covered). They wouldn't send the flat bed that I recommended because of the fear of the tires. Driver hooked up, we aired up the tires and began to discuss route. within 5 minutes of discussion the first tire blew before we left. It was an outside rear so we decided to just go for it. 5 miles down the road the other tire on same side rear blew as well. After a little discussion the driver hooked it from the rear and away we go!! It made it!!! So once again the excitement grows. I have several items that are original to the Travco that I would like to sell. Lamps, cabinets, appliances, that are in decent shape and of original vintage. I will get pics of anything that anyone may be interested in. Hell, I will be posting lots of pics of everything as we go. Plans are gut it and eliminate rear window. Turn two beds in rear into a wrap around lounge that will convert to a bed. I will be removing the rear roof air and replacing with power vent and service the front roof A/C unit. \nNow the first order of business is solving the tire/wheel issue. Need desperately to find 7 good 19.5" 5 lug wheels. After looking at a couple of RV savage sites we found a 91 Fleetwood with a 5.9 Cummins w/ Allison trans and was wondering if that would be the way to go. Just buy up the salvage unit for the running gear. Then try to find spindles to replace the fronts that have a more common bolt pattern??

[77Travco]

Glad you got it home!\n\nThose wheels are going to be hard to find. If you have the ability... getting the Fleetwood for a parts coach may be the way to go. I would swap both front and rear axles. This is something that I would like to do someday as well, mainly because I would like to turn my 270 into a 4x4.\n\nKeep us posted on your progress!