Mumblix_Grumph

Thanks for the replies. I was just thinking of this when I was turning a 20r engine's cracnkshaft pulley at the junkyard with my breaker bar. I just wondered if I could start the engine like that, but use a ratchet instead so the running engine wouldn't take the wrench with it. Basically it was just a what-if.

Ok, hypothetical question: Your starter is dead. You're by yourself on a dirt road that goes up in both directions, so push starting is out. Could you take a ratchet wrench with a 19mm socket and crank the engine till it starts? I would think that if the engine catches and starts turning, they ratchet action would allow you to quickly pull it off with out it yanking out of your hand. Any thoughts?

Hi, all. I have a 1978 Dolphin with a 20r engine. I see a couple of threaded holes on the engine block near the smog pump. They look like they are filled with some kind of sealer like JB Weld. Can I clean that stuff out and use the holes for an air conditioner bracket? I have a compressor and bracket out of a 22r engine. Thanks for any advice.

I'm in Western Washington, Drizzle Central, not too much heat. A de-humidifier is a good idea, hadn't thought of that...thanks!

Thanks for replying! What I'm thinking of is a window A/C unit with clothes dryer hose blowing the cold air on me while driving, not cooling off the entire coach. Then, when parked moving the dryer hose to where I'm sitting. The hot air will be vented out the window. Ideally I'd like to make the thing "portable" by putting some caster wheels on it.

Hi all. I have an old Dolphin with no air conditioning. I want something that I can use both in the cab and in the back. I'm a cheapskate and a tinkerer. I know about the cooler full of ice with a fan but that's not what I'm after. Out here the air is VERY humid and I need to keep the air dry or the windows fog up like a b*tch. I usually run the AC with the heat all winter in the Explorer or else I'm fogging up and driving blind. Plus, Ice is hard to come by when you're out in the sticks. I'm thinking a portable house AC running on a generator/inverter that I can vent the hot air out a window and the cold air ducted to the cab or the back. Plus I can use it in the house when not on the road. Any ideas?

Thanks for the info...maybe just running the system off the BBQ tank is the way to go if I run out. I guess I could chain it to the wheel so it doesn't get stolen.

Yeah, but there are times when you can't find a fill up place and I'd like the convenience of using a standard tank without having it sit out side the vehicle where some scab can just unhook it and run off with it. I guess I just want the option of transferring the propane from the standard tanks to the horizontal.

Great links...thanks!

Hi all. I have a horizontal propane tank in my Dolphin. I was wondering if I could refill it myself with a hose connected to a forklift tank or a vertical BBQ tank. I have both. I modified a full size Bronco to run on propane and still have various bits and pieces left over. The horizontal tank has a gauge built in, so could I just hook the two tanks together and open both valves until the two tanks equalize their pressures or until the horizontal tank reads full enough? Or am I going to blow myself up just to save a few bucks? Thanks

Ok...fair enough. I guess I'm going to stick with the propane stove and oven for cooking. All other electrics will run on 12V: laptop, lights, fan etc. Haven't had a chance to test the fridge on propane. The DC and shore power AC work on it. Thanks for responding.

Hi all. I just bought an old 1979 Dolphin and was wondering if a standard alternator on a 20R engine is enough to power an inverter powerful enough to run a microwave oven. I'm thinking maybe 1000 watts. Can you swap out the alternator for a more powerful one? Should that even be considered? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.