After the Winter was over last year, it passed a Smog Check. Other than the fuel hose being off at the generator, it passed with flying colors. To register it in CA, I had to have the VIN inspected by the DMV or Police officer. No one could find it and on its 2nd trip to the CHP office, I moved an A/C hose that was in front of radiator support. The VIN appeared; the officer signed the paperwork; and I got the clear CA Title.
Last October we bought a house in San Jacinto, CA, which is in the valley below our cabin. I bet if I used a telescope I could see the rooftop from our cabin. It is kind of sad, but she's hardly been used since I bought her. When there wasn't snow last year, the wife wanted to be in her house. So we didn't spend much time in her last year and never used her until we stayed in it a few nights while we were painting the new house last Fall. Since then she's been sitting. As a matter of fact, we drove it only from Lake Havasu (place of purchase) to our cabin; down the hill to the RV park; to Triple AAA to try to get the VIN verified; and to the Highway Patrol office twice.It doesn't make sense to just have her parked. Perhaps someone can appreciate all of the hard work that was put into her. Therefore, we are selling the "Old Girl is back". If anyone is interested, my phone number is 951-665-3712.
* This post was
edited 04/02/12 06:53pm by oldgirlbuyer *
Wow....the saga continues! I hope someone buys it and keeps documenting the Old Girls life as we all were consumed by the story!
2004 Damon Intruder 369W Workhorse Chassis
Mods: LCD TV in Bedroom, Steer-Safe, Winegard Wingman, Bulk LP Gas Adapter for my Camp Chef Grill, Cobra 29 LX LE CB 50th Anniversary Radio with a 3' Firestick NGP Antenna, EEZRV Products TPMS
Being new to the RV world and this forum, I have only recently found this thread. It is a fascinating story to say the least. I am in the process of buying an older Class A unit and would say thanks to the owner for chronicling his process. I too wonder where the old girl ended up? I wish I had known about this a month or so ago. It gives me hope for buying a MH that you can measure the age in decades. Great story and I hope all is well for all of the parties.
Stay safe out there.
Ken
The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings;
the inherent virtue of socialism is the equal sharing of miseries. Winston Churchill
I think the whole thread should be put in a book form for people with older motorhomes that think owning one is going to be a piece of cake. It is an unending labor of love that you either enjoy or get rid of. A good roadside assistance service is a good thing to have and patience to wait for it. It helps to have some mechanical ability and a source of income. Yes, I would like to have a newer MH but they have their problems, too. I like my shoebox and spend quality time with her all thanks to Steve and his Monaco. If you have done something to your motorhome that Steve didn't do, why don't you post it here and we'll keep the thread going. I'm working on the trim around the windshield. I'll post some pictures this weekend.
Daniel Miller
1984 Holiday Rambler Imperial
1982 Tioga Arrow Class C
I also followed this project from start to finish. I also have an older coach. I also am in the middle of a major project with it.
I am changing it from a gas coach (Chrysler 440) to a Duramax 6.6L Turbo diesel with six speed double overdrive. If you want to follow my several year decision process go to this thread on the The Diesel Page website.
If you want to follow the end decision in pictures with commentary, go to the Webshots Album.
This is an ongoing project and I will be updating the album and thread as I progress. Updates will be posted weekly or biweekly as I have time to work on the project. I expect that it will be about another 6 months before the test drive.
The coach will go from 225 hp to 350 hp and torque will go from about 350 ft lbs to 650 ft lbs. I am expecting mileage to go from 7 mpg to about 14 mpg.
Thank you,
BigRabbitMan & DiamondGal Diatomaceous Earth for health
76 FMC #1046, Gas Pusher W/Chrysler 440-I
Edelbrock MPI fuel injection, Allison 545
Toad: Red '87 4x4 Subaru Brat, '95 Honda Accord
DataStorm Satellite internet / I am here-click to see
BigRabbitMan wrote: I also followed this project from start to finish. I also have an older coach. I also am in the middle of a major project with it.
I am changing it from a gas coach (Chrysler 440) to a Duramax 6.6L Turbo diesel with six speed double overdrive. If you want to follow my several year decision process go to this thread on the The Diesel Page website.
If you want to follow the end decision in pictures with commentary, go to the Webshots Album.
This is an ongoing project and I will be updating the album and thread as I progress. Updates will be posted weekly or biweekly as I have time to work on the project. I expect that it will be about another 6 months before the test drive.
The coach will go from 225 hp to 350 hp and torque will go from about 350 ft lbs to 650 ft lbs. I am expecting mileage to go from 7 mpg to about 14 mpg.
Thank you,
Hey BigRabbitMan
Awesome looking project you have going on there. I hope you keep up the posting so we can see the finished product one of these days. New to the world of RV's but this seems like it would be fairly straight forward and just about a perfect choice for your motorhome. I have an LBZ but mine is still under the hood of my truck where I hope to keep it. One of those in an older coach would be sweet. Keep us posted. I think the classic motorhomes are the way to go and this just makes them last even longer.
Stay safe out there.
Ken
07blacktruck wrote: Hey BigRabbitMan
Awesome looking project you have going on there. I hope you keep up the posting so we can see the finished product one of these days. New to the world of RV's but this seems like it would be fairly straight forward and just about a perfect choice for your motorhome. I have an LBZ but mine is still under the hood of my truck where I hope to keep it. One of those in an older coach would be sweet. Keep us posted. I think the classic motorhomes are the way to go and this just makes them last even longer.
Stay safe out there.
Ken
Ken, there are basically three aspects to a coach in my mind: running gear, body, and interior. You can change the running gear and the interior as generally straight forward projects in most cases. The body is the one you really can't change very easily. That means that if you are looking at an older coach, you must ensure that you get one with a sound body.
You are correct that the engine change I am doing is rather staight forward. Has a lot of detail that needs to be done correctly, but no magic to it. Given the engine tranny combination I am using, I don't have to make any changes to differential or wheels, etc.
The body on an FMC is a steel custom frame, an aluminum body framework with an aluminum interior skin for the interior wall and one piece fiberglass roof and sides half way down. No end caps. No seams. No leak prevention needed except for roof peneterations and windows. No wood to rot even if it did have a leak (other than floor and cabinets). I like the size at 29', rear engined, low height at 9'3", four wheel independent suspension and low floor (16" from ground). There is no modern coach that fits that description so if I like that description, my only choice is to R & R as needed. I can't go buy something like it, but newer as it doesn't exist.
I was just ready for a more modern power plant that would give me more power and more mileage and still keep the coach balanced. The Duramax and Allison fit the bill. When done, I will have a "new old coach"!
A previous owner did one change to the interior and I have done another by changing the stove,oven out as you can see in that album.
If you have a coach with a sound body design, you can change it to fit your likes. I expect that at this point, most FMC coaches have been modified to some degree. Some a whole lot and some just a little. I know of a couple of nice ones for sale due to owner age should you want to take a look (send me a PM if you do).
Yes, I will keep updating the two files on this project until I am back on the road with results to report.
This won't be very popular, but does anyone else shake their head at this thread and others that glorify spending more hours working on a Class A then spending time driving them?
Sounds like to me the intent is to restore a Class A and then drive off happy ever after. Seems like that never happens since the fun for some is the working on them, and not the use of them.
Again different strokes for different folks, and if that floats your boat so be it, it's just that I don't get it. There are so many things to restore, why a Class A? A person will never recover the time spent or money put into a MH restore.
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