My new to me 1986 motorhome

Ghost Magnum

Ghost Magnum

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I just bought myself a 1986 allegro. It's in solid condition. Just need some work. I'm going to remodel it anyway. So the work it needs doesn't bother me. I'm going to take it to a mechanic friend of mine to have everything looked at and repaired. Then I'm going to get a carpenter to work on the inside. I'm going to repaint it later. I actually thought about doing a LS Swap lol

I might name her marathon
 

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Rustyt1953 said:
That seems like a satisfying project for you. My late brother had an RV. He was an avid fisherman and if he wasn't working he and his wife were on the road heading for a fishing hole.

Have fun.
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Thank you! I hope to be living in it soon. I have most of my living conditions taken care of. So hopefully I will get back to my Torino soon. It's not just going to be my house on wheels. It's also going to be my office.
 
KalamazooKid said:
Cool project, good luck GM! RV's can be a ton of fun, we enjoy the heck out of our travel trailer. Just be careful, as I'm sure you know they can be money grabbers!
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Yeah, I know they can be expensive. The upstart on this one will be pricey. But I will definitely get my use out of this motorhome.
I might actually track down a new engine to put into it before I hit the road in it. I don't want my house breaking down on the road.
 
Ghost Magnum said:
It's a 454. I'm going to let my mechanic go through it
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Re the LS swap, isn't the 454 better for low end grunt? I recall when I first came to the US that people were still griping about the LT1, saying it was torqueless compared to the L98. Then GM went to the LS, which had lots of top end in my Tahoe, but didn't have the low-end grunt of a buddies LT1. Then I drove a 454 for work. Breathless above 3500 rpm, but the low end pull was eye opening for me being used to using revs, revs, and more revs in most of my previous vehicles.
 
LVSteve said:
Re the LS swap, isn't the 454 better for low end grunt? I recall when I first came to the US that people were still griping about the LT1, saying it was torqueless compared to the L98. Then GM went to the LS, which had lots of top end in my Tahoe, but didn't have the low-end grunt of a buddies LT1. Then I drove a 454 for work. Breathless above 3500 rpm, but the low end pull was eye opening for me being used to using revs, revs, and more revs in most of my previous vehicles.
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Yes, that's true. But the 454 put into RVs in the 80s and 90s was extremely underpowered for what was expected of them.

Edit: a diesel swap might actually be better
 
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In the back of my memory, I seem to recall that the GM 454's had a tendency to build up so much heat in motor homes that they were notorious for warping heads.
 
Wow... This is gonna be like rebuilding a boat and a house. Luck to you. Had a friend with a motorhome with a 454. The home part was great...the motor not so much. If I remember right it did have an over heating problem...somehow he got it working though. He had it for over 15 years. He was handy...like I think you are!
 
Skeet 028 said:
Wow... This is gonna be like rebuilding a boat and a house. Luck to you. Had a friend with a motorhome with a 454. The home part was great...the motor not so much. If I remember right it did have an over heating problem...somehow he got it working though. He had it for over 15 years. He was handy...like I think you are!
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Yes, this is going to be interesting. But I'm looking forward to it! I know the motor will suck. I will figure it out. I'm looking forward to getting back on track with my Torino too. I have lots of overtime coming up. It won't take long to make this rv move in ready and finish my Cleveland project.
 
LS swap?? NOOOO! Not for a Ford guy! :p

In all seriousness, I would look at the Ford 7.3 gas engine (Godzilla). Designed for HD/commercial truck use, and perfect for your project.

7.3L V8 430HP SUPER DUTY CRATE ENGINE| Part Details for M-6007-73 | Ford Performance Parts

You can probably find a low-mile pullout from a crashed truck for far less than the crate engine. And it would be a lot less complicated than a diesel conversion.

Old motorhomes are not only cool, they are much better built than current production stuff. That said, be prepared to be working on something... all the time!

We bought a 2004 Holiday Rambler a couple of years ago, and it's a very solid rig, but something always needs a little love. ;)

53247538450_b3d5819fae_c.jpg
 
I might just do some basic upgrades on the 454 and leave it in.
I need to fix the roof and renovate the interior. The floors are solid. The couch got ruined by the leak. I am going to rip that out and put a desk in its place. Pull out the carpet and replace it. Just basic stuff like that
 
A point to be aware...Some commercial 'campgrounds' do not permit campers that are 10 years or older....Regardless the condition.
Check prior to arrival...
Looks like a nice project...
 
tinkerer said:
A point to be aware...Some commercial 'campgrounds' do not permit campers that are 10 years or older....Regardless the condition.
Check prior to arrival...
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This is becoming more common, especially with the newer RV parks, and it is definitely something to be aware of.

Often a photo via email to show that your rig is not a hillbilly express is sufficient, but some parks want to be "exclusive" and you're not getting in without a Prevost or equivalent. Usually their nightly fee is equivalent to a 5 star hotel, so it's not someplace we would have stayed anyway.
 
Rodan said:
This is becoming more common, especially with the newer RV parks, and it is definitely something to be aware of.

Often a photo via email to show that your rig is not a hillbilly express is sufficient, but some parks want to be "exclusive" and you're not getting in without a Prevost or equivalent. Usually their nightly fee is equivalent to a 5 star hotel, so it's not someplace we would have stayed anyway.
Click to expand...

Sounds like its a legal way of keeping out people that they think are not in their class!
 
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