New house

[Hank70SS]

Ok, maybe I should have bought a new motorhome. Not that I could afford one but it sure would be a lot less work. This one is in pretty could shape for 16 years old but after 16 years there are lot's of little things that need to be taken care of. Guess I could just use it and not worry about it but that's not me.

Roof was leaking around the skylight over the shower. I cut out all the old sealer there and around other seams on the roof and sealed them up. No leaks this morning and we had a downpour last night.

Pulled all the roof vents apart and cleaned them up. Lot's of crude in them and on the screens.

Scrubbed and scrubbed the awning. It's a little worse for wear and had lot's of dirt and mildew on it from being closed up wet. looks decent now, not great but a lot better than before.

Tried changing the donut gaskets on the exhaust manifolds. Of course one stud snapped. I soaked it with PB Blaster and been soaking it more. Put the other nuts and springs back on, don't want to take it all apart until I can get the broken stud out and replace it.

FedEx delivered 5 gallons of Liquid Rubber today, that's the next project. The roof is a sheet of EDPM rubber. It's flat, no ripples, cracks or tears but the top layer of white is wearing off. The Liquid Rubber is also EDPM rubber, white, that will bond to the existing roof and strengthen it. Not looking forward to that project but it needs to be done while the existing roof is still in good enough shape.

Kind of like buying a Chevelle. Lot's of things you want to do, lot's of work but kind of rewarding as you make progress.

[RBeckman]

Originally Posted by Hank70SS

Ok,
Tried changing the donut gaskets on the exhaust manifolds. Of course one stud snapped. I soaked it with PB Blaster and been soaking it more. Put the other nuts and springs back on, don't want to take it all apart until I can get the broken stud out and replace it.

Hooker headers with electric cutouts would be real cool on your BIG BLOCK motor home, and don't forget your MSD electronic ignition (I think Tony will give you a good deal on one that has spare parts) and maybe Lynda with get you a nitrous setup for Christmas.

[Highway Star]

You could still put headers, and do so with no gaskets. For that matter, you could have the late model style spring loaded ball-joint like connections welded in and not ever worry about leaks.

Cutouts on an RV would be awesome.

[Hank70SS]

Originally Posted by Highway Star

You could still put headers, and do so with no gaskets. For that matter, you could have the late model style spring loaded ball-joint like connections welded in and not ever worry about leaks.

Cutouts on an RV would be awesome.

That's what I've been looking at. Some of the header kits come complete with Y-pipe which I think would be worth it. That or you have to do a lot of cutting and welding or go dual exhaust which is still custom and more costly. The exhaust system is 20' long and still in good shape, don't want to replace any more than I have to.

[fst64_v8power]

On the road again..... I cant wait to get on the road again...

[Highway Star]

Hank,

Which one of these looks more like your RV?

This one...



or this one?

[Hank70SS]

More like a cross between the two Jake.

[Hank70SS]

I may have found the problem with the loose steering, and it was a cheap fix. The steering gear box connects to a bell crank bolted to the frame rail. There is another bell crank on the passenger side that serves like an idler and also attaches to a steering stabilizer.

So while my son cranked the steering wheel side to side I watched the front suspension. At first I thought the bell crank support bearings on the driver's side were shot. From another angle I could see it was the frame rail twisting top to bottom. There is a cross-member between the frame rails right at the bell crank supports. The bolts that attach the cross-member were loose on the driver's side. Tightened them and anything else I could get a socket on and no more flex in the frame rail.

I don't think it's really a permanent fix. The bolts that hold the cross-member aren't that big. If it's better but works loose again I'll tack weld the cross-member to the frame rail. I can always cut the weld if the cross-member ever needs to be removed.

I feel a lot better now. The bell crank supports on these chassis are known for wearing out. This motorhome already had new ones installed, Henderson Super Steer bell cranks with tapered roller bearings, about $300 a piece. I didn't want to have to replace those again.

I know you guy's don't give a shit but I thought I'd share anyway!

[grandsport]

Thought for a while I was gonna have to get me one of them too.

[Hank70SS]

Originally Posted by grandsport

Thought for a while I was gonna have to get me one of them too.

Just buy a new one then you won't have to deal with all the issues that come with an older one. I suggest a diesel pusher, 34' would be a good size. Then you could tow an enclosed car hauler with the Chevelle in it. $250,000 should get you into a nice unit.