I am not working on this currently,but I do want to map out a plan for it with Pat,Jerry,Dave's and everyones input.

The known details are it is a 1981 motor home that is 20' long and it's weight is wet 8,000 lbs.It has a 350 with a four barrel Quadajet,400 tranny with a external tranny cooler ,4.10 rear end gears with a Salisbury rear end.The build sheet I got from GM archives says it is 160 net hp@ 3800 rpm and 250lbs of torque@2800rpm.The miles on it which I do believe to be true is slightly over 40,000 miles.I do not have the casting numbers,but I do think it is a four bolt main given what it is in.For the life of me,I don't know what GM was thinking putting in this engine with those ratings.It gets from 9mpg to 6mpg and that is with a fresh tune-up.The intent is to tow a dual axles enclosed trailer over the road.I am told these M/H's are not intended for driving over 55 for long periods of time.Yeah that is kind of a kick in the butt........But it hafts the gas mileage.The build sheet from GM said it did come with a 454 as a option,but that makes gas mileage even worse and those ratings for that is 210hp@3800 and torque is 340@2800 rpm.

I want better gas mileage.I have been looking into a swap for a 5.9 turbo Cummins and dodge 47 tranny.Tons of fab work involved there.The 5.9's is about 1,100lbs too,but the 350 is about 550lbs with the M/H having a front end rating rating of 1,400lbs with a option of a heavy duty front end of 1,550lbs.My point is that if anyone is thinking of the wt being a problem,I think it could be handled.The best yrs for this swap is 1994 to 1998.5.

So I am posting this here because of the 350.Before I start a huge project shoe horning in a 5.9,I an asking for feedback/input about the 350.

I am first of all for reliability well beyond the life of the M/H,gas mileage(would be a blessing if that was between 12 to 14mpg),more power,and a engine that does not require high test gas.I am not in the mind frame to the purchase of a Gear Vendors O/D.It just doesn't seem to be a quick return on investment and it's costs is something I don't think is in my price range.If anything a stand alone 4l60E or 4l80E donor O/D tranny.

So guys,I'll await you input and advise.

Please and Thank You,

Gary