UNEXPECTED PROBLEM | Ford Econoline E350 RV Motorhome | V8 Engine Service | Oil & Filter Spark Plugs

We begin by carrying out an engine service on the mighty 5.7 litre V8 Ford engine. This is to include Motorcraft Ford spark plug replacements, replacing the engine oil and to also include a new Ford Motorcraft engine oil filter. However we soon discover a big problem that stops us in our tracks.
We use Rock Auto in America for the parts needed for the Ford Econoline E350 chassis.
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[@anotherpieceofskrap27]

Fantastic effort to repair that guys, shame about the matrix, typical previous vehicle bodging done by someone in the past! I feel your pain.

[@VintageRVAdventures]

Thank you. We have managed to source a brand new heater matrix from America, which has now been ordered. I am sure we will find a few more bodges done by a previous owner along the way 😃

[@sean7554]

Well that's an idea, just fix the old one. Pulled mine out the other day. I just bought a new one, figured it was the original one anyways. It had the same melted padding on it, as yours did. Cost me like $40 or $50 from O'Reilly's, I believe. I thought I had to pull the whole assembly out to get it. Turns out, I didn't have to. Just pulled out the heater core from inside the vehicle. On another note. Mine runs pretty good to. Those old 7.5L 460's are good motors. Lacking power, but overbuilt. Apparently makes them good solid motors, read that somewhere. Whatever, still runs good at almost 65,000 miles.

[@VintageRVAdventures]

Happy new year in 2023 Sean.

[@BillnUSA]

Awesome effort ! And the video was very informational. Thank You

[@VintageRVAdventures]

So nice of you, thanks Bill, sorry for the huge delay in responding. Have a good 2023.

[@DesmondsDonders]

Just over after Carl and Helen gave you a shout out. Will comment more when I have watched from the start.

[@VintageRVAdventures]

Thank you for popping over 😃.. Helen and Karl are very kind. We aim to put out at least one video each week, you will see what kind of project we took on, but we love it 😃

[@DesmondsDonders]

All caught up now and looking forward to more.

[@VintageRVAdventures]

Brill 😀👌 .. we have lots more progress to vlog.

[@gingerjolley9027]

Valiant effort gents!

[@VintageRVAdventures]

Thank you Ginger, as you can see from this earlier video, the project has come a long way 👌😀

[@yoyojoe9240]

For the way your OiI came out, I would run the engine 50/60 miles with the new Oil, then (REPLACE THE OIL and Filter AGAIN), I recommend you add "PROLONG ENGINE TREATMENT to your New Engine Oil and Idle it for 20 minutes. You will remember this day. Let us know how your Exploration Trip goes.

[@VintageRVAdventures]

I am certainly someone with enough experience to know that keeping engine oil nice and clean through regular changing is a priority.

[@michaelcanto6175]

Excellent content, Thank You Guys!

[@VintageRVAdventures]

Our pleasure! Thank you Michael.

[@CarolJDeines]

100% ABSOLUTELY AGREE ! Just found you guys & I want to watch every video you’ve posted !!!!

[@countryvanlifeuk]

Thats a pain ehh John after sorting pipes 🤪 Still you got to eliminate to progress faults as Im sure there will be a few more But your getting there mate ATB buddy 🐶👊🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👍

[@VintageRVAdventures]

Cheers mate. Thankfully working on the RV does not feel like a chore. We have managed to source a brand new heater matrix, which should be here within a couple of weeks.

[@Gary-xm6gc]

.I like what you call a heater matrix. We call a heater core here in the U.S.

[@VintageRVAdventures]

Thanks Gary. Yes, the UK and USA do have very different terms for a lot of things that are automotive related.

[@REALNESS101]

You two are soo funnnnyyy

[@VintageRVAdventures]

Lol.. thank you very much 😁

[@codyschwoch5451]

Yep that’s for Shirley a heater coil so that you have heat

[@VintageRVAdventures]

Thank you.

[@DarkSevariant]

9:00 pretty sure it's a leaky heater core

[@VintageRVAdventures]

Nope. It was where one of the pipes goes into the header.

[@midnight_prepper]

Do you have a radiator repair shop around there? They should be able to fix the heater core.

[@VintageRVAdventures]

We managed to find a brand new heater matrix at an online store in the USA. It was £19 plus shipping, which was a fantastic price. It has all been reassembled, but we are waiting for a nice day to reinstall the heater box.

[@codyschwoch5451]

I had to do that to my RV and mine is a 87 Ford E3 50,26 foot and it ended up turning out to be the air conditioning leaking and that’s what the boxes that you were pointing at originally

[@VintageRVAdventures]

I hope that your RV is doing well for you. We do love ours and glad we did the project.

[@codyschwoch5451]

@@VintageRVAdventures I love ours very well. The only problem is we just turned 20 some thousand dollars to put in a new engine and transmission because it had over 1,000,000 miles on it which is very shocking for that original motor we put a Duramax in German old rock crusher transmission

[@codyschwoch5451]

@@VintageRVAdventures and your guises project gave me a lot of ideas. Thank you guys so much you have no idea how much help over the years

[@roaminginraymond]

Shame about the matrix, sods law. But you should be able to get in touch with a supplier and give them the dimensions and source one to suit. Karl.

[@VintageRVAdventures]

Cheers Karl. We have located a brand new matrix at an American supplier that we use for parts. The total cost including delivery to the UK is less than £45. It should arrive by October 18th. Really pleased :-)

[@hawaiiminded]

I have an RV very similar to this. Same engine. I am going to attempt to give it a tuneup myself. Somewhat of a novice. Hopefully I don’t run into much trouble. Quick question though about the spark plugs. How do you know how tight to tighten them when you change them? Also what type of oil did you use?

[@codyhenley12]

You just want to tighten the spark plugs snug. Make sure you dont over tighten them, you can easily strip out the threads. So just hand tighten with the socket extension then give it a slight turn after that with your ratchet. Also make sure to use anti seize on the threads of the new plugs

[@SilvertopMotorhomers]

What a disappointment for you both after all that hard work. Onwards and upwards. Tomorrow is another day. Take care. Mal, Dave and Sally the lab. The Silvertops

[@VintageRVAdventures]

Thanks guys. We have a brand new matrix on the way from America now, so we will soon be able to get the cab heater box back together. We had a good look around to check for any other coolant leaks whist the engine was hot and the coolant under pressure, and it looks like we are okay. John & Samantha

[@SilvertopMotorhomers]

@@VintageRVAdventures Bet that’s a few bob coming from America

[@VintageRVAdventures]

@@SilvertopMotorhomers We use one place in the USA for all the chassis parts, and they are really cheap compared to the UK, including delivery. The matrix is going to cost us under £45 including the delivery and VAT/import taxes. The part itself was £19. In the UK we would certainly not have had change out of about £60 or £70 for a repair, and buying a new one off a shelf from within the UK probably very difficult, if not impossible.

[@SilvertopMotorhomers]

@@VintageRVAdventures Hey thats really good. All the best till next week

[@HighestElf]

Are you leaving the original 16.5 inch tire on or going to switch it to 16 inch? If switching to 16 what specific tire/size are you using? Hope you enjoy the trips in this awesome rv! Thanks.

[@VintageRVAdventures]

The RV always had 16 inch wheels on it, which we have retained, but we moved to slightly wider tyres and very slightly different profile 75's, from the 80s. The trips so far have been amazing, thanks 🙂

[@jonathanday8335]

I need an overview head window replacement. The one above the drive cabin. Can anyone point me where to look?

[@VintageRVAdventures]

Hope you find a supplier.

[@markmangan845]

😊👍

[@bobbyjessica5731]

Our 12v power is not working without offshore power, can't find fuse diagram either. Anyone have any insights?

[@VintageRVAdventures]

Sorry to hear that you guys are having problems.

[@dominicthomas4111]

I just bougjt one of these alternators not charging and kill brandnew batterys any guesses??

[@VintageRVAdventures]

We have had no problem with our alternator so far, touch wood 🤞

[@KarenGranado]

Hello i was wondering what the size of the bolts for the starter on this model of ford

[@VintageRVAdventures]

I am sorry, I don't know the answer to that.

[@space14605]

Bet ya Ford or Napa has that part

[@MrFIZZYMann]

A Brand NEW Ford E350 Heater Matrix / Core is ONLY; U$40 + Posting from USA $30 + UK Gov Taxes, Your Heater Core is the High Output Type.

[@VintageRVAdventures]

We bought one from the States, very cheap and does the job great. Thanks.

[@lucindadenton]

I need to know why my outlet inside my RV by the stove or you put a sketch cigarette lighter there why it's not working I don't know where the fuses are please help me

[@VintageRVAdventures]

Do you mean a mains electrical socket?

[@jacquelinecuriel681]

Where can find cheap oil cooler engine. Oem part

[@VintageRVAdventures]

We use Rock Auto in the USA for OEM and Non-OEM parts.

[@kennethearlhannah9956]

What type of Cadillac converter is on this model of RV

[@VintageRVAdventures]

Well, with an RV this luxurious, I'm pretty sure it has the platinum edition converter!

[@homeslipper]

Just got a 85 Ford diesel 350 a one owner with 70k miles. Needs minor interior repairs. A little leak happened while she sat for four years. Had it towed and she started up first crank. Purrs like a kitten. Thinking mabe Van Halen stripes on the old girl. Needs a bath as is completely covered in moss and thick lichen. Where are you all located? Sounds Eastern accent. NW Arkansas here.

[@VintageRVAdventures]

H there, we are located in England, UK. That project you have sounds great. Just like ours, she started up a treat and sounds fantastic, one if the reasons we bought her. Selling the engine was our insurance policy in case the project was not able to be completed, but we need not have had any doubt.

[@homeslipper]

I could yank the topper off and use it as a hay wagon for what I paid for her. ... .. . 1051.50 Because she had 51.50 worth of fresh diesel. ... And van halen...

[@boathemian7694]

Any magic tips on changing the spark plugs? I could only reach five out of eight lol

[@VintageRVAdventures]

You need to find someone with thin arms lol.

[@boathemian7694]

@@VintageRVAdventures hahahahaha!

[@travispuariea4798]

I want to know how to get the plug in wheel well

[@VintageRVAdventures]

Plug in wheel well?

[@travispuariea4798]

@VintageRVAdventures on the passenger side the first one. got it through the wheel well with a bunch of extensions. pulled it out and it was original. figured the driver side was the same. had to go it through the engine bay

[@jadeblue4]

Is it normal that the motorhome can not start cause it had low gas??

[@VintageRVAdventures]

If you have a few gallons in the tank, and it is on fairly level ground that should be fine.

[@jimpenjao594]

What is the mpg on this beauty?

[@VintageRVAdventures]

We think about 7 mpg.

[@jadeblue4]

What is the type of the oil engin that you use

[@VintageRVAdventures]

We have been using 15w/40 engine oil in it.

[@jadeblue4]

Ok that i just buy a ford 350 like you your video help me a lot that

[@VintageRVAdventures]

@@jadeblue4 Thats really good news. Hope that your new 350 is giving you lots of enjoyment.

[@dainius2082]

what is that gauge under the steering wheel?

[@VintageRVAdventures]

There are two dial gauges ... one is for the engine oil pressure and the other is for the engine coolant temperature.

[@dainius2082]

@@VintageRVAdventures One above the pedals looked aftermarket. Thanks guys you doing great job this RV is one of the kind, keep doing videos!

[@VintageRVAdventures]

@@dainius2082 Yes, it was fitted by a previous owner, long before he bought it. Thank you very much for the kind words, we love the project and promise to continue publishing loads of video content 😃

[@ManyFunAdventures]

Oh my God... this is well out of my depth. I wouldn't even know where to start. lol.

[@VintageRVAdventures]

Trust me, we didn't know where to start either lol. There are very few things we would do differently if we were to start this project again.. Rob keeps asking when we are getting the next even bigger RV project lol.

[@ManyFunAdventures]

@@VintageRVAdventures Hahaha. We would like to go possibly smaller later on, although we do have another 'Off Grid' plan for later. 😉

[@VintageRVAdventures]

@@ManyFunAdventures That sounds interesting. My dream was always to buy a small campsite somewhere. I am not sure I will see that dream happen though, but you never know :-)

[@ManyFunAdventures]

@@VintageRVAdventures I have learnt to never say never! 20 years ago if someone would of said to me you are not going to be living in your 4 bedroomed house in the future and instead live in a van, I would of thought they were off their head! lol. Back then I was quite happy in my box playing games and having pizza deliveries. lol

[@VintageRVAdventures]

@@ManyFunAdventures Very true. Just before lock-down we were going to sell our house and buy a huge church hall literally 2 mins walk from the beach in Cumbria, that we were going to convert into a large house with holiday let flat. But, lock-down put an end to that idea lol. I used to work silly hours as a Health & Safety manager, often sat at my laptop until nearly midnight every day, with the wife asking when I was going to shut off. After lock-down decided I would end that career, and now by choice I work just 3 days a week driving a van, best move I made. You are right, who knows what the future holds, and the changes are in our hands.

[@jimmurphy4703]

That’s cactus

[@VintageRVAdventures]

Cactus Jim?

[@jimmurphy4703]

Throw a wayable ! No coming back from that with an aluminium core

[@VintageRVAdventures]

@@jimmurphy4703 There is not a mark on the frame, its rock solid.

[@gerrynightingale9045]

*I would put enough work/repair/replace/and massive amounts of cleaning and polishing into it and SELL IT, hopefully for more $ than I have into it already!* _______________ *I hold-out little hope of major profits involved in selling , but as long as I can make 15% over what I have invested I would be a 'Happy Camper!'* _______________ *'RV's of that age & size are just 'out-of-date' with fuel prices and 'space fees' at RV Parks are basically 'raping your wallet' and a 'big boy' like that is very difficult to get into many of 'NPS' campsites because there are so few available* *These older M/H s are 'money-pits' of the 'first-water' and will break your back/your bank account/and your heart when reality smacks you in the face* _______________ *Like 'Col. Nicholson' in "Bridge on the River Kwai" you will soon think "What have I done?"*

[@VintageRVAdventures]

Noooo.. lol ... Well, we love our RV and have no plans to get rid of her, regardless of the fuel costs.

[@gerrynightingale9045]

@@VintageRVAdventures *That's good you want to 'keep it'* *For me and I suspect many others (like millions) just don't have that kind of money or time to invest in a 'M/H' of any kind, never mind one that requires loads of 'repair & replace'* _______________ *NICE to have that kind of money to 'not care about fuel costs!'* *Wish I could say that!* ( *I'm curious though...if you have that much cash, why buy 'Cousin Eddies Rolling Ghetto' instead of a new 'Prevost' at $500,000?* ) *In fact, if you have 'Scrooge McDuck' money...why 'Post' anything?*

[@VintageRVAdventures]

@@gerrynightingale9045 I am pretty sure I didn't declare to you how much money we have, or do not have. We don't do YT for the money, in fact I will say we earn zero from it.

[@gerrynightingale9045]

@@VintageRVAdventures *OKAY THEN!* *Why be upset w/me?* ____________ *I'm not the one who wrote..."COST OF FUEL DOESN'T MATTER"* ____________ *You can afford to drive a vehicle that would 'do well' to get 8 or 9 MPG and to me that means '$$$$$$$$$ to burn!'* *I think it's great to have that kind of money!* ____________ *btw...writing 'cost of fuel doesn't matter' DOES 'DECLARE' you have 'money to burn' in the form of gasoline*

[@VintageRVAdventures]

@@gerrynightingale9045 I am not upset with anyone, I couldn't care less what anyone thinks of us 🤣