My new to me 1986 motorhome

Thanks, but the problem with most campgrounds is there is other people. So I was going to ignore those commercial campgrounds. Lol
But I'm not hitting the road in it until it's completely cleaned up.
 
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robvious said:
well... I was thinking that you might need another project vehicle.. lol
good luck with the Torino/ Cleveland project too... looking forward to seeing it run.
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Yeah… I was not looking for another project at this point of my Torino project. I was in the market for a classic motorhome. But I didn't attend to getting one this early in the year. I was originally looking for a Winnebago from 1968-1977. But those are surprisingly unpopular in my region of texas. Other classic ms usually missing most of their equipment regardless of its condition. This one has everything in it.
My fifth wheel is also needing a lot of work and I can't wait to move out of it. I have to move before summer so this Allegro is my best bet. I am not putting my Torino project to the side
 
Back when we decided we needed a bigger horse trailer than our bumper pull, my wife dragged me around to all her horse loving friends to see what they had as tow vehicles. The bulk were 454 Chevys and 1 460. Somewhere on the way home she asked if I'd learned anything.

Me: "Well, we visited 6 places where they had Chevies with 454s, did YOU notice anything?"

Her: "What are you talking about"

Me: "5 out of 6 engines were in the shop because they blew up. So did the lone Ford"

We got a diesel. Weight would likely be an issue for a diesel here, plus having to find a tranny that would stand up. No clue what weight you're dealing with, but given the age, I'd drop a new drive train in it. Or at least do overhauls before you do anything else.

Still got the diesel. AND the bigger brother when my wife overbought the next trailer.

BTW: my late younger son was a Ford trained mechanic and HE wouldn't buy a currently built Ford V8.
 
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My good friend Bryan had a big motor home with the Ford V10 gas engine and we took a lot trips in it and there seemed to be plenty of power and the gas mileage wasn't as bad as you would expect either. He drove the heck out of it for many years and sold it for about what he had in it during Covid.
 
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Racer X said:
last year of the QuadraJet I bet.
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I checked last night. That's exactly what is on it!

robvious said:
so... do you need to change your forum name from Ghostmagnum to Lone Starr.. Spaceballs was on last night and a giggled a little... may the swartz be with you
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I think lonestars rv was a wennibago. It's still funny though!

WR Moore said:
Back when we decided we needed a bigger horse trailer than our bumper pull, my wife dragged me around to all her horse loving friends to see what they had as tow vehicles. The bulk were 454 Chevys and 1 460. Somewhere on the way home she asked if I'd learned anything.

Me: "Well, we visited 6 places where they had Chevies with 454s, did YOU notice anything?"

Her: "What are you talking about"

Me: "5 out of 6 engines were in the shop because they blew up. So did the lone Ford"

We got a diesel. Weight would likely be an issue for a diesel here, plus having to find a tranny that would stand up. No clue what weight you're dealing with, but given the age, I'd drop a new drive train in it. Or at least do overhauls before you do anything else.

Still got the diesel. AND the bigger brother when my wife overbought the next trailer.

BTW: my late younger son was a Ford trained mechanic and HE wouldn't buy a currently built Ford V8.
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I thought about that. But I checked the mileage. My RV has less than 47,800 miles on it.
 
Racer X said:
probably a 4L80E transmission too.
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Probably. I'm going to start working on it tomorrow morning. It would be so nice if I can get her running. Then I can get it to a shop to go through all the mechanicals without the need to tow her.
 
Ghost Magnum said:
Probably. I'm going to start working on it tomorrow morning. It would be so nice if I can get her running. Then I can get it to a shop to go through all the mechanicals without the need to tow her.
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4L80Es have some serious weaknesses, but if you get to them before they let go, they are good transmissions.

I want to transplant a 700r4 into my Skylark droptop for the 3.0 first gear.
 
Racer X said:
4L80Es have some serious weaknesses, but if you get to them before they let go, they are good transmissions.

I want to transplant a 700r4 into my Skylark droptop for the 3.0 first gear.
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What's the weakness?

I got some progress done!
I spent the day chasing corroded connections and grounds. I have more work to do. But I did got the windshield wipers and headlights working. I did get the 454 to turn over. But I kinda got over excited and stopped it before it started. Lol I jumped up and started cheering
It won't even try to start now. Tomorrow I will track the cable to the starter and check their connections. Probably came loose or heavy corrosion.
 
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Good luck with your new motor fun!
We had a 2000 Bounder (by Fleetwood) and traveled extensively. every year. Wintered in AZ and even went full time for a couple of years.
One warning... Don't insure it with National General. Ours was parked next to the house when the neighbors place burned to the ground. The fire was so hot it melted the rubber roof and there was a lot of water damage inside from the fire department keeping a hose on it in an attempt to save it. The insurance claimed the roof was already leaking and deigned the claim and only paid for the melted air condition covers.
I did get a little from the deceased neighbors estate, but nowhere near enough to fix the Bounder.
 
Good luck with your new motor fun!
We had a 2000 Bounder (by Fleetwood) and traveled extensively. every year. Wintered in AZ and even went full time for a couple of years.
One warning... Don't insure it with National General. Ours was parked next to the house when the neighbors place burned to the ground. The fire was so hot it melted the rubber roof and there was a lot of water damage inside from the fire department keeping a hose on it in an attempt to save it. The insurance claimed the roof was already leaking and deigned the claim and only paid for the melted air condition covers.
I did get a little from the deceased neighbors estate, but nowhere near enough to fix the Bounder.
 
Congrats on your new project.
Last fall, my Bride & I said goodbye to "Geraldine". She was (is) a 1973 GMC Glacier. A dream to drive with the 455C.I. Tornado engine, front-wheel drive and air-bag suspension. She was very well maintained during her life and still mostly original. Storage issues prompted her sale but we found her a great home. New caretaker is not only a car-guy with a place to keep her. He's going to bring her back to original glory.
Be well Geraldine. Fair winds & following seas!
XxrcQoI.jpg
 
Just a few thoughts. My guess is that most of the gas engine problems are caused by a failure to adequately do the systems engineering. The coach builder buys a running chassis and then "has at it." When it comes to engine cooling, pay careful attention to airflow management, making sure that ALL of the inlet air goes through the radiator and doesn't leak out around the edges. Sealant tape/foam can work wonders. The other cooling consideration is how to get the airflow out of the engine bay. That big 500 pounds of cast iron doesn't know the difference between 220 degrees F and 260 degrees F. The trick is to keep the coolant in place. A high pressure cap (15-17 psi) is recommended. Before you attempt to start the engine, be sure and replace the sour fuel with some fresh fuel. Just a few comments.

Tom H.
 
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