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dye904 · 12-29-2005, 07:44 AM

I just bought a '79 24' excella moho and after inspection need the drive train, breaks and ball joints replaced to be safe. My question here is if antone have gone through this and what costs should I expect?
Thanks to all who respond.
-Bob

axleman · 12-29-2005, 08:14 AM

Bob,

I believe that Steven - forum name "swebster" - has been through most of this! Perhaps you can PM him!

Good Luck,
Henry

87MH · 12-29-2005, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dye904

I just bought a '79 24' excella moho ...what costs should I expect?

I did the rear brakes and replaced the Master Cylinder a year and a few months ago. Total parts for the rears brakes (one rotor replaced), new (flexible) brake lines, and a new master cylinder was $620 - I have no idea what labor would be for this work.

Details here:
http://www.airforums.com/forum...akes-4658.html

I replaced the "new manufacture" MC installed above with a rebuild shorty before this thread:

http://www.airforums.com/forum...-up-14245.html

Tranny cost here:

http://www.airforums.com/forum...ost-11383.html

Chaplain Kent · 12-29-2005, 09:45 AM

Bob-
Congratulations on your purchase, I can not help with your current questions but am very happy to hear that you will be bringing another classic back to life. I hope I can be of help to you in the future.
Kent

swebster · 12-29-2005, 05:02 PM

Bob,
When you say "Drivetrain" what exactly do you mean? Engine/Tranny and all of the running gear or just from the tranny back, breaks, suspension, etc.?

While I have not had the pleasure of replacing an engine and transmission I've spent some quality time with the rest of my chassis and would be happy to throw in my 2 cents where helpful.

As far as the rest, there are menay members on the forum with far more knowledge than I when it comes to engines, transmissions, chassis, etc. who can help lend their collective brainpower.

Congradulations on your motorhome. I agree with Chaplain Kent in that its nice to see others who keep these things on the road.

overlander63 · 12-29-2005, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dye904

I just bought a '79 24' excella moho and after inspection need the drive train, brakes and ball joints replaced to be safe. My question here is if anyone have gone through this and what costs should I expect?
Thanks to all who respond.
-Bob

Ball joints should cost around $40 each, plus installation.
Front pads (good ones) should also run around $40 in parts.
Rear shoes will probably run about the same, plus a core charge. If you do this yourself, make sure you only do one side at a time, so you can go to the other side and see how all those little clips and springs go back together.
Wheel cylinders should run about $30 or so, also plus labor, of course.
A front end alignment after the ball joints are replaced should be about $150.
Front shocks are about $40 each, rears should be about the same price.
Let me know if there is anything else you would like a ballpark price on.

GlenCoombe · 12-29-2005, 06:24 PM

dye904, welcome to the money pit!! Actually you'll never be so happy as to part with your hard earned cash. It's a labor of love.
After attempting to source parts at NAPA first for local supply you may also want to check with www.millsupply.com their Step Van parts supply is great.
Tell us more about the coach. How many miles? What condition is she in? Every MOHO has a story. We're all ears ... and a few of us have opinions too

.

dye904 · 12-30-2005, 06:33 AM

Hey, Thanks to all with your support and giving me a heads-up on costs. The "Beast" is at the shop and I'm waiting to hear what they will charge.

This '79 has been setting in a marina for 3 years as someone elses project. It has on the odometer 87k miles but I suspect more, the odometer needle bounces around (note to self-have replaced...) and makes a grinding noise.
Lots of rust, nothing seems to work, gen-set is there but needs rebuilt too.
Seats are worn, carpet has to go, fridge stinks(note to self-don't open again, just get a new one), toilet and plumbing are cracked and faded, no roof A/C, just a covered hole.....Outside is in great condition, no dents...just to start...
But, what I see, is one unique oppertunity, to see how much fun I can have, without scareing my wife too much...... We will both enjoy the trip, even if it ends up in the backyard as a spare room.....

ALANSD · 12-30-2005, 03:33 PM

The "shop" prices may scare you a bit, but we have all been thru that. You may find with coaching you can do a lot of the work yourslef, IF you are up for it. If you are not mechanically minded , there are still many things you can do to improve your rig cosmetically of course. Good luck and ask away as needed!

85/345 · 01-01-2006, 08:01 AM

"But, what I see, is one unique oppertunity, to see how much fun I can have, without scareing my wife too much...... We will both enjoy the trip, even if it ends up in the backyard as a spare room"

These things are definitely unique and in my mind worth every penny. I have found that if everytime you buy something or fix something on the moho you do the same for the misses it helps, or at least in my case it does. Good luck!

overlander63 · 01-06-2006, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 85/345

I have found that if everytime you buy something or fix something on the moho you do the same for the misses it helps, or at least in my case it does. Good luck!

So how did installing clearance lights on your wife turn out?

85/345 · 01-08-2006, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by overlander63

So how did installing clearance lights on your wife turn out?

Thanks we both needed that, I guess I should have phrased that a little different.

dye904 · 01-17-2006, 06:22 AM

Hey Guys!
I got a prelim quote the other day of $2500.00. This will rebuild the front end, new shocks, turn rotors, and new breaks, rear end new drums,shocks and breaks. front and rear u-joints, also includes a rebuilt carburator, and all labor..... He says may need a new master cylinder to add app.$300,00.

So far I feel good with this cost..

I told him am gonna replace all the tires and go with aluminum wheels (16"),
He suggested that I go up to 19" wheels, didnt think I could do this...
Has anyone done this to a 24' p-30? What would I gain by doing it?
Any thoughts about what he is doing or missing? You guys have been very helpful, thanks again in advance!
Bob and Rosie

swebster · 01-17-2006, 06:41 AM

Wow - I paid a shop $1000 for just a front caliper replacement. (That was the last time the MoHo went to an RV Dealership for work). If the mechanic is reputable and knows the P30 then it seems like a great price to me.

I've done almost all of the work decribed myself and none of it is fun or glamorous (read heavy lifting, dirt, grease, skinned knuckles and about a million trips to the parts store to get everything I needed).

I didn't do everything at once so it wasn't a single huge project. But the labor hours involved is huge.

The larger MoHos (325, 345) came with an option for the Alcoa 19.5" wheels. They make them for the GM ten bolt rear and five bolt front hubs. Of course this means new tires.

Not sure if you would gain anything functionally with the Alcoas. I think they have a higher weight rating (2750 lbs per rim) but your chassis/suspension would hit it's limit before the wheels did.

I personally like the "look" of the 19.5" wheels. They seem to fill the fender well better and just look" right" to me.

ALANSD · 01-18-2006, 05:38 AM

What would going to 19.5 wheel do to your speedometer calibration? Might have to ask before doing the change.

dye904 · 01-18-2006, 12:17 PM

My repair shop is having trouble finding a replacement carburator for the 454.
Seems like it would be a common item..........

thenewkid64 · 01-18-2006, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dye904

My repair shop is having trouble finding a replacement carburator for the 454.
Seems like it would be a common item..........

Edelbrock makes a bolt on replacement(1304??). It is not a quadrajet, but it works great and parts are not an issue. I converted form the hot air choke to an electric choke with a minimum of fuss. The biggest hassle is getting the jetting set right because the ports face forward and you are sitting behind the engine to do it.

GlenCoombe · 01-19-2006, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dye904

My repair shop is having trouble finding a replacement carburator for the 454.
Seems like it would be a common item..........

Try http://summitracing.com/ they've got what you need.... and lots of stuff you don't need. But if you're into performance they can't be beat.

swebster · 01-19-2006, 07:01 AM

Summit or Jegs (www.jegs.com). They have a replacement QJet as well as "tuned" rebuilts for towing.

You can also get a rebuild kit for about $50 from NAPA. Just bring them the number from the casing. (Of course, paying your mechanic hourly to rebuild a carb would likely exceed the cost of a bolt on replacement)

dye904 · 11-08-2006, 07:02 AM

Well I finally got my rv back today. Started out as a $2500 rebuild ended up just over $6700. I now have an almost new drive train, carb., airbags, shocks, springs and all. Has taken over a year but now the next phaze starts.
I will need, Driver/ passenger seats, sleeper sofa, gen-set, window slider stuff, toilet seat, shower, fridge, and many many more....
Best news is it fits under the RV port I had built.
I am still smiling, and have the most understanding wife a man could ask for!
And.... I will be back here searching this great website.
-Bob