Riverman77

I have a 1987 Dolphin, 2.4 EFI and am in need of a good, used ECU engine computer brain. The part number on my failed unit is #89661-35040. I have been told I should try to find one with the same part number. Has anyone had any success making this type of swap with one of a slightly different part number? I will appreciate any help locating this part and will a send check, money order or PayPal. Thanks in advance, ~Riverman77

(Update and problem solved) Hi Everyone, I did briefly talk with my mechanic today about why he wanted this special type of fuel hose. I had figured he simply wanted to make it bullet proof. I assumed wrong. He told me that he had read a particular brand and part number (with a red stripe) right off of my existing, crumbling hose. So, he was attempting to source the exact, original OEM hose that came on it from the factory. I am now super curious to go to his shop and climb under my RV with a flashlight...is it possible that my Dolphin came with some special "marine grade" hose from the factory? A person can only guess. I have since shared with him the comments, suggestions and part numbers that all of you have chimed in with on this question. It appears as if we will get this problem all repaired (at a huge cost savings!) fairly soon. Thank all you folks for chiming in with your comments to my fuel hose question. ~Riverman77

JDE, Thank you for the part number charts. They will be very helpful (and the other info in your previous posts) for when I see my mechanic. I will be sure to quiz him down on the "marine grade" vs. standard automotive rated hoses. My guess is he was simply going overkill for safety (fire, etc.) I should be seeing him by Sunday night and will post his response. Thanks again. ~Riverman77

5Toyota, I sure like $35.00 vs. $200 or $300 for the fuel hose. Did your CARQUEST store assure you it would definitely work for fuel (and not deteriorate after a while)? ~Riverman77

Dear everyone, My mechanic was shooting from the hip about the 6 foot length. But, the per inch cost and using a special marine fuel grade, he felt was very important. It does sound good to throw in a couple of steel pieces (especially for some angling - like muffler shop bends) and double clamping them. I'll give my mechanic the part numbers from the Gates and Goodyear (thanks JDE) and see what he says. I told my mechanic that I was going to post this question with you folks. He has never made such an unusual repair as this one before and said that we could use all of the input possible from other 'experienced' Toyota RV owners. Anyone else out there have some thoughts to chime in on this thread? ~Riverman77

Hi Everyone, After several decades, the 6 foot long fuel hose (between gas cap and tank) is finally falling apart and leaking gas with every fill up. My mechanic has found one source of a new marine grade hose that is sold by the INCH. He estimates the hose itself will cost between $200 to $300! Do any of you out there have a better source for gasoline rated hose, that won't cost me an arm and a leg? Thank you in advance for your reply's ~Riverman77

Yep Dan. That is the very same photo of the Currahee being auctioned off on eBay. Through the years, I've heard of a lot Dolphin type look-a-like brands but, never hear of this manufacturer ever before. ~Riverman77

You might try spraying some Teflon lube (Tri-Flow) on all the moving parts. The hinge does get stiff and stuck, after a while. In the worst case, you may need to take the hinge into your local RV store, match it up & replace it. ~Riverman77 P.S. I took a better look at your photo. In the worst-worst case you may need to replace your whole hatch assembly. Yes, it's a little more work but, not the end of the world.

There is yet another obscure and forgotten about Toyota RV manufacturer being auctioned right now on eBay. It is a 1987 "Currahee". It looks much like an old Dolphin type rig, with taller head room and rear dinette. I didn't know how to transfer the link to this site. Bidding on this one ends tomorrow morning. Has anyone ever heard of this "Currahee" RV manufacturer? ~Riverman77

O.K., ALRIGHT, YOU WIN! I will SHUT UP for a while. I was only trying to chime in with my 'very' humble opinion about a V8 engine modified into a small Toyota chassis. It's not something that I see everyday. All joking aside, in the future, I'll simply try to stay out of your thread pools if I don't feel like I am an expert or have first hand knowledge of the given topic. ~Riverman77

No Linda, I too have never been able (or had the desire) to drive my Dolphin like a Mustang. Two totally different vehicles. Derek, I'm glad to know that a company like SBC has worked out all of frame & torque problems (if any) with their conversions. My post was more of a general thought to ponder, not precisely specific. Again, "just sayin'". ~Riverman77

It looks like a pretty clean RV. With the conversion already being complete and if I had the extra money to invest into another motorhome, I would probably 'take a chance' and purchase it. Having all of that extra power, in a Toyota, makes it a very unique RV. If I later felt that I had bought something that I was going to continually be having to 'tweak' special, ongoing problems, I'd sell it and let someone else deal with the problems. My only question: Is it wise to have all of that extra engine torque on a small Toyota (designed) frame? And, all the extra weight of the 350 engine? My example: I remember how the early Mustangs had serious frame twisting problems, during Ford's evolution, as they slowly kept increasing horsepower to their small, little Mustang chassis. Just sayin'. Does anyone else agree? ~Riverman77

Dear owners of "Bert", Some folks think that I'm crazy because of the (religious) frequency that I have my tranny oil flushed on my '88 Dolphin. I am glad to hear how you folks feel the same way that I do, by flushing 3 times before your wonderful journey. These poor little transmissions get beaten to death by heat and boiling trans fluids, not to mention our big ol' huge coaches mounted on top of them. Being a little excessive on the tranny flushes does indeed insure more reliable journeys. It sounds like your family also had a great time. Good going and many more happy travels to you! ~Riverman77

Tiki, To chime in a little with Toybox, you may wish to drive your rig over to an official propane dealer. You know the type of place, that has large and small propane bottles all over the place. A place like that will not only be able to test your regulator for free, but even sell you and install it for you (if you need help) for a real low cost. And, if your problem happens to be something other than a regulator, a good propane dealer should be able to help you find the problem. I went to exactly that type of a propane dealer and had a custom made propane hose made for me (for something else I was working on). The folks were fast, professional and very inexpensive. ~Riverman77

Dear Clovis, Sorry, I was in a bit of a hurry this morning. I re-read your questions and photos tonight. I've seen those V-6's before, and they are real tight to get in there and work on water pumps or the spark plugs. Fortunately (for me), I have an '88 Dolphin with the 4 cylinder. Like Fred said, you probably have a water pump just starting to go out - (if you don't happen to get lucky and find a loose hose or something). Be patient, another member may soon reply to your post with some better tips for you on your engine related questions. As far as your fiberglass question, I took a look at your photos tonight. That is some pretty bad checking and cracking on the striping. For a rig that age (my '88 Dolphin included), it is fairly common. The trim striping has taken its toll from sunshine, age and lack of waxing. I don't believe any type of fiberglass wax will help at this point (as I previously suggested). The fiberglass wax will certainly nourish the rest of your coach body. Either you live with it and enjoy your rig as it is or have a paint shop repaint the striping. I hope that my clarification helps. P.S. You had better move your rig out of the Fire Lane, before you get a ticket! ~Riverman77

Dear Clovis, Welcome to our little forum. You will find nearly all of your questions answered here. The search engine is a very useful tool to answer a lot of previously asked questions. I have only two quick answers for you right now. On your plumbing leaks, you might discover that simply snuggling up some of your fittings might fix the leaks. But, don't over tighten! Some of those old fittings are old plastic and could cause you further grief if you break and have to replace them. If your water pump needs replacing, it is usually quite simple. Remove, take the old one into an RV store, get the same one, then reinstall it. On your fiberglass, any auto part store carries a special fiberglass wax. It removes all of the oxidation - just like waxing a car, but made especially for fiberglass. Sorry, I can't help with a spark tip. I'm sure that other members most certainly 'chime in' with some tips for you. Good luck to you. We look forward to more questions and photos of your progress! ~Riverman77

Toobigboat, I THINK THAT YOU ARE COMPLETELY PULLING EVERYONE'S LEG ON OUR WEBSITE, WITH EACH POST THAT YOU MAKE. I WAS SUSPICIOUS OF THIS, EVER SINCE YOUR VERY FIRST QUESTION THAT YOU HAD POSTED TO US. (I for one, am not falling for your little joke on us). Sincerely, ~Riverman77

Toobigboat2014, I don't wish to sound like a 'Wise Guy' or a 'Smart Alleck' but, you may wish to click back to your original posting: "My 1993 Toyota Seabreeze Gets Only 10MPG Why?" Then, scroll down to my reply to your question: Post #4 on 5 February 2014 at 11:01 PM. My answer to you NOW, is still the same as my Feb 5 reply. I don't plan to be driving down to California from Washington, any time soon. I hope that you get all of your questions answered with some 'local' hands on help. Owning a Toyota RV, involves responsibility and a lot of direct, personal involvement. As much as some of us would like to, we can't do it all for you. Very Truly Yours, Riverman77

Woops! Thanks for the correction. I hadn't noticed the word "LHD". Seeing the photo of the awning and coach door on the left side, is still kind of unique (at least to me). :-)

Wow! That rig really is a 'backwards' unit. I wonder if it also runs in reverse on the 'wrong side' of the road? I've never seen a right hand drive Dolphin before. Thanks for posting something unusual. ~Riverman77

I use WD-40 for starting difficult campfires...really. But, I don't recommend it others - because it is very dangerous!

To add a little more to Montana's post above, I would specifically use "Tri-Flow" Teflon spray lubricant. It is much better than WD-40 and lasts longer. You might also try to get some of the spray lubricant directly up the throttle cable sleeve. Tip: most motorcycle shops have a clamp on type of small tool (very inexpensive) that clamps directly onto any type of a typical motorcycle cable that allows a person to shoot spray lube (with a straw) right into the cable sleeve. If you do what Zach said and also lube up your cable real good, I'm sure that little problem should be all fixed for you. ~Riverman77

Dear Toobigboat, Welcome to the Toyota Motorhome.org. The web designers of this great mini RV forum, built into it a wonderful search tool. It is located at the top right corner of your screen. You might wish to try entering in such terms as, MPG, head gasket recall, miles per hour, valve adjustment, engine tune up, etc. Through the years, many of our members have asked and answered all of these questions; sometimes in painfully great detail. So, try a little R E A D I N G. You might be pleasantly surprised on what you may find on this web site. P.S. Now that I've got my Dolphin running like a top, I wouldn't trade it for anything! ~Riverman77

Derek, Now, that is a cool site! I've got some friends coming in to visit. They're driving from St. Louis to Seattle. They are the type that will 'exceed' that site's averages. Thanks for posting it. ~Riverman77

Derek, I tried using the VIN checker again tonight. I did get a 'little bit' better results this time. But, most of them wanted be to join and send money etc. I never did get the detailed results, as you did, for FREE. Thanks anyway for posting the link. ~Riverman77