Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 11, 2025 ...

Oil quantities

February 10, 2011, 08:48:20 pm

Am at a lost as to quantity of oil for my 1977 with 440 engine.  Have no listing as to amount of engine oil required.  Last oil change it blew our mind as it took nine quarts to bring to full mark on dip stick.  Standard on a 440 in a PU or car is 5 w/filter.  Anyone have any input - would be appreciated.  dorriem@cox.net

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Re: Oil quantities

Reply #1 – February 10, 2011, 10:02:26 pm

I don't know what size oil pan was put on the Chrysler 440 engines when they were used in a motorhome configuration.  You will have to find a good 440 motorhome mechanic to find out that one.  If no one here knows, irv2.com has a vintage RV discussion area at Vintage RV's - iRV2 Forums.  Someone there might have a idea.  But I would ask somebody at the Foretravel factory first.  They might have some old records.

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Re: Oil quantities

Reply #2 – February 11, 2011, 07:17:59 am

Call James Triana at Foretravel 800 955-6226. He is great with being able to get you the correct information.

Brett

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Re: Oil quantities

Reply #3 – February 11, 2011, 09:38:05 am

It is not uncommon to find a higher capacity pan in a heavier vehicle application. What I have learned about vintage Foretravel ownership since I bought my 1980 ftx pusher is that a little overkill is the norm. If it's not blowing lots of smoke out the pipe or fouling plugs, you probably have the big pan AND the right dipstick

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Re: Oil quantities

Reply #4 – February 11, 2011, 10:56:18 am

I had a 440 in my old Southwind. Can't remember exactly but think it took about eight quarts. Agree with the above, if it's not fouling plugs, etc. then it's probably OK.
You could measure the dip stick full mark against where it would be on the outside of the oil pan and then figure where the crankshaft is relative to the oil level (measure down about 3 or 4 inches or so from the centerline of the crank). The crank should not be down in the oil where it would cause the oil to foam (and use energy doing it).

The big problem I had was getting it to pass smog. I found a great web site for the Carter AFB carb that had the exact remedy and the price of the new gaskets, o-rings was super cheap. The fuel bowl gets too full and extra overflows into the intake at idle causing a rich, unstable mixture with high emissions. I did the fix and put a really long cat on the exhaust pipe I wanted the tech to put the probe in. Passed with low emissions. It had lots of power but only got about 5 mpg. The Southwinds were famous for a really short rear end ratio so this was part of the mileage problem. I sold the 440 engine/trans to a guy that wanted to do a restoration of a Super Bee for $1600 and put a Ford/Navistar 7.3 turbo with 5 speed Getrag manual trans in it for about what I sold the 440 for.

The RV 440's were heavy duty but not with the forged crank the racers are looking for.

Still have it parked outback and actually had it running yesterday.

Best,

Pierce & Gaylie
93' U300/36

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