I got a used (460) engine for my '79 Ford Motorhome. I failed to label wires and vacuum lines, and the ones on the donor engine were cut.

Is there a way to get hose and wire wayouts for these? I have not found them yet. Jim (CT)suggested that vans and motorhomes have different set ups than for 'regular' trucks. Where can I find them?

The engine labels for the installed engine and the removed engine are in the 'gallery' @ Frosty's Nightmare.

 

Getting a factory EVTM (electricial/vacuum troubleshooting manual) would be your first step---they can be found easily on eBay Motors and tend to be year specific.

For the most part engine and chassis/body wiring shouldn't be significantly different for a motor home assuming it began life as a cutaway or cab/chassis. Whoever did the build or conversion may make some changes but the "running gear" is probably unchanged from another '79 E series with that same motor.

Starting from scratch like this can't be easy-------look for a factory manual to get headed in the right direction.

 

Hmmmm. Maybe you could try the Haynes manuals they sell at Auto Zone.

 

CDs or DVDs (that JWA is referring to) have a lot more and thorough info. However these CD's are not very easy to navigate.

Haynes books are more practical to take with you under the van, but some info could be wrong, misleading or irrelevant. For the most part it is OK. Haynes manual has a lot less wiring diagram than CDs/DVDs.

Another option is the online All-data subscription, $ 25 for the first year, $ 15 for each subsequent year. This is a great resource.

If you have any intention of keeping the van, you do need any of these 3.

 

Actually the manuals I had in mind were printed versions----they also allow traveling under, over and around a vehilcle!

The CD-ROM version is a mess to navigate-----it takes a tech just for that some days---I've yet to find anything easily especially in the service sections. Since I already have a few copies of my year's EVTM I use my CD-ROM verson very seldom.

I know more than a few grab those Haynes manuals but they're sorely lacking in anything but general information, most of which only serves to frustrate most who attempt to use them. Electrical diagrams and vacuum circuits tend to require a bit more in-depth descriptions than I've ever seen in anything not OEM year, make and model specific.

Here's an example of what I use but for the '79 E vans, on FleaBay: 1979 ECONOLINE ELECT. & VACUUM TROUBLESHOOTING MANUAL - eBay (item 200493741527 end time Feb-04-11 08:14:46 PST)

Given the year and such this is a good deal----especially if the van will be around for a while.

 

Good point on the printed Manual, although I have never gotten those for specific cars. Through the years I have bought Auto Repair books (not Make specific), eg. Automatic Transmissions, Engines / Emmissions, Air Conditioning, etc.

I have to admit that I always have bought the CD/DVD for whichever vehicle. I find it great to plug it in when I got something in mind and need to look it up. I still print instructions for repair jobs. CDs for my vans have had very extensive diagrams, no comparison to Haynes or Chiltons.

When I had 4 (running) vehicles in my small fleet (ridiculous when l live in NYC), I subscribed to All-Data for a few years for multiple vehicles, and it was by far a lot easier than CD-ROMs.

Any way we dice it, for DIYers, you need them, and they save a lot of money and time. It's always the first thing I buy after buying the vehicle.