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Topic: Info on a 1991 Grand Ville w/ 460 gas Engine (Read 642 times) previous topic - next topic

Info on a 1991 Grand Ville w/ 460 gas Engine

I am a "Newbie" to this Forum.  In fact I am a newbie to RVing.  I always do a great deal of online research before I make a move to buy.  Like anybody else I want the most bang for my buck.  I have narrowed my Brand interest down to 3 manufacturers.  One of which is Foretravel.

My Foretravel search has led me to a 1991 Grand Ville, 34', 460 Ford gas, with 59K miles.  I am a mechanical person and do understand the differences between gas and diesel.  My real questions are:

1.  Is the Grandville described powerful enough to pull a Jeep CJ7 through the Blueridge mountain area and the Black Hills.

2.  What can I expect performance wise from the 460 (mileage and speeds).

3.  Are there performance modifications that can be added e.g., turbo/supercharger,  Performance Chip and etc.

If there is anyone out there that has experience or knowledge in these areas or any advice, please, I would appreciate your input.

Regards,
TJDNC
Thomas 
TJDNC

Re: Info on a 1991 Grand Ville w/ 460 gas Engine

Reply #1 –
Run from the gasser. Find a diesel with airbags. Send me PM with your phone number and I will call you and discuss
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Info on a 1991 Grand Ville w/ 460 gas Engine

Reply #2 –
Listen to Tim.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Info on a 1991 Grand Ville w/ 460 gas Engine

Reply #3 –
X2 on what Tim and Brett said, run away fast
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Info on a 1991 Grand Ville w/ 460 gas Engine

Reply #4 –
You won't believe a vehicle could consume so much gasoline. It seems to convert most of the gas to heat that can't escape so overheats. Using a automotive duty engine in a RV application was a poor idea.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Info on a 1991 Grand Ville w/ 460 gas Engine

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart –
It seems to convert most of the gas to heat that can't escape so overheats.
So as I see it, the problem with this design is that some of the heat does escape.  If it was possible to contain 100% of the heat, then the engine would eventually achieve critical mass, and the resulting detonation would indeed provide the desired thrust...except it would be in reverse.  Hmmm...
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Info on a 1991 Grand Ville w/ 460 gas Engine

Reply #6 –
TJDNC

Sorry about my last post being so short I was using my cell phone.  I had an OREG (Oshkosh Rear Engine Gas) 36' 1989 coach with a 460 ford engine

Pluses - really awesome Foretravel interior and interior build quality

Negatives:
Seriously underpowered
Very low gas mileage (4-6 MP)
Short engine life due to work load and related high heat environment (I blew mine up between New York and IL - head gasket)
Rear Radiator in the way for engine service
Oshkosh chassis sold to freightliner - no support from Manufacturer - and obsolete chassis parts not available

Find an early nineties Unihome with a 6V92 Detroit and you will be very happy you waited and paid a bit more.  Lots of those still on the road and represented on this forum.  While the OREG may seem a bargain, it is not, and putting more horsepower and $$$ into a marginal power plant with bad mileage already not a suggested course of action.  Even if you were VERY mechanically inclined and could swap a diesel for the Ford, you still would be "stuck" with the Oshkosh chassis.

Good luck and stay in touch - your dream coach may already be owned by someone on the forum! (Check out the classifieds regularly..... here on the Forum)

Feel free to use the "Private Message" Capability to send me your phone number if you would like to discuss my experience in person -

BTW - after I blew up the 460, I traded the coach in at Motorhomes of Texas on a 1999 U-270 with a Cummins ISC and Allison Transmission. Since traded to the U-320 that I now enjoy
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Info on a 1991 Grand Ville w/ 460 gas Engine

Reply #7 –
Like before way under powered and gas hogs, changed many engines in them would run as fast as possible from it
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins
 

Re: Info on a 1991 Grand Ville w/ 460 gas Engine

Reply #8 –
Quote from: red tractor –
...changed many engines in them...
At least the replacement engines would be cheap!  You can pick up Ford big-block crate engines for practically nothing (compared to diesels).
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"