Argosy 20' MH restoration

[bkahler]

Yuki,

Do you plan on carrying a lot of extra weight in the Argosy?!

I installed air bags like those on a 1976 Coachmen motorhome to fix a leaning problem. They worked out quite well.

Looking at the pictures from underneath is like deja vu for me!

Brad

[GREEN ARGOSY]

Originally Posted by bkahler

Yuki,

Do you plan on carrying a lot of extra weight in the Argosy?!

I installed air bags like those on a 1976 Coachmen motorhome to fix a leaning problem. They worked out quite well.

Looking at the pictures from underneath is like deja vu for me!

Brad

Brad,

No, I don't. I would rather not increase extra weight in the Argosy.
But it has long rear overhang also water tanks sit on there.
I think the rear end was leaning a little bit when it's full loaded. I'm not sure, my memory is vague..

And I want to load a minibike on a hitch carrier some day.


To tell the truth, it's just curiosity to install air bags in the Argosy!

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by GREEN ARGOSY

Brad,

No, I don't. I would rather not increase extra weight in the Argosy.
But it has long rear overhang also water tanks sit on there.
I think the rear end was leaning a little bit when it's full loaded. I'm not sure, my memory is vague..

I would not be surprised if it was leaning. Mine had a lean to it as well which is why I ended up buying new springs. I'm hoping that corrects the problem.

And I want to load a minibike on a hitch carrier some day.

That should be no problem at all.

To tell the truth, it's just curiosity to install air bags in the Argosy!

That means you have so much money you don't know what to do with it so you spend it on the Argosy

[GREEN ARGOSY]

I would not be surprised if it was leaning. Mine had a lean to it as well which is why I ended up buying new springs. I'm hoping that corrects the problem.

Replacing springs should be better solution. Probably mine is also deteriorating.
However, I guess leaf springs are so heavy, if I buy it need to pay much international shipping cost..
So I'm not going to replace it at this point.

That means you have so much money you don't know what to do with it so you spend it on the Argosy

I wish it were so, but unfortunately I'm not!!
I've been spending most of my salary on the Argosy. That's because I caught a disease, I'm not alcoholic, but absolutely I'm "Argoholic"!!

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by GREEN ARGOSY

Replacing springs should be better solution. Probably mine is also deteriorating.
However, I guess leaf springs are so heavy, if I buy it need to pay much international shipping cost..
So I'm not going to replace it at this point.

Replacing the springs was a really nasty job. I'm glad I did it but I do NOT want to do it again!

If you do want to replace your springs you could just as easily take the springs to a shop that does suspension repair and have the re-arch the springs for a lot less money.

I wish it were so, but unfortunately I'm not!!
I've been spending most of my salary on the Argosy. That's because I caught a disease, I'm not alcoholic, but absolutely I'm "Argoholic"!!

Argoholic, that's a new one but you're right, it's a disease

Brad

[GREEN ARGOSY]

Originally Posted by bkahler

Replacing the springs was a really nasty job. I'm glad I did it but I do NOT want to do it again!

If you do want to replace your springs you could just as easily take the springs to a shop that does suspension repair and have the re-arch the springs for a lot less money.



Argoholic, that's a new one but you're right, it's a disease

Brad

Brad,

What's the hardest or most troublesome to do things of replacing the spring?
I'm thinking to replace spring bushings.

I haven't heard the re-arch spring method before.
Anyway, I have only replacing and reassembling leaf spring experience in my Datsun, that's for lowering vehicle height.

The reassembling work meant dismantling the springs then assembling middle of springs upside-down. It's a cheap trick, made worse ride quality so I replaced to lowered springs instead of that.

[GREEN ARGOSY]

I made tailpipes today.


It looks like patchwork.
I used four of 45 degree bend pipes, one of 90 degree bend pipe and a reducer adapter (2.5" to 2.25") on each side.


The exhaust pipe fabrication is almost done.

[bkahler]

Are you planning on welding the exhaust pipes once you're got everything fitted properly?

[GREEN ARGOSY]

Originally Posted by bkahler

Are you planning on welding the exhaust pipes once you're got everything fitted properly?

I've welded some part of the exhaust pipes already.
I'm going to use clamps in the other part of connection, because it would be easy detaching the pipes when maintenance.

However, I need to redo welding in several parts.
My welding skill is not that good!

[bkahler]

Welding is nothing more than practice practice practice

For the joints that you're not going to weld you might consider using Band Clamps. They don't distort the metal which makes it a lot easier to separate the pipes when you need to take things apart.

[GREEN ARGOSY]

Originally Posted by bkahler

Welding is nothing more than practice practice practice

For the joints that you're not going to weld you might consider using Band Clamps. They don't distort the metal which makes it a lot easier to separate the pipes when you need to take things apart.

Yeah, I need more practice on welding!
These are patchwork tailpipes.


I bought these clamps already.
But some lap joint clamps appear to be smaller than the 2.5" pipes' OD..



The final Argosy work in 2019 is removal an engine and trans, I hope this is the last time.


I'm going to make a bulkhead (between the engine and trans) and some frame for floors, then paint all of the frame.

I should move the argosy from a garage to outside in the next year.
I must do it!

[Gregsch]

Yuki,
I have been following your thread all along, You are doing a great job. At times it seems overwhelming but, if you keep plugging away one day you will realize your dream of driving down the road. Trust me when I say its worth it. There is no feeling in the world like driving one of these old MH's down the road.
If you have not heard of POR-15 you should check it out. I used it to paint my frame and I am a believer , the stuff is amazing.

[GREEN ARGOSY]

Originally Posted by Gregsch

Yuki,
I have been following your thread all along, You are doing a great job. At times it seems overwhelming but, if you keep plugging away one day you will realize your dream of driving down the road. Trust me when I say its worth it. There is no feeling in the world like driving one of these old MH's down the road.
If you have not heard of POR-15 you should check it out. I used it to paint my frame and I am a believer , the stuff is amazing.

Thank you for your encouragement.
I hope to drive the Argosy again in the near future!


I'm a POR-15 believer too.
I've used it for my cars and motorcycles.
POR-15 Rust Preventive is popular with car geeks who love do restoration work, we can get it easily over here.
But I know it's weak to UV, it needs top coating if paint it where to exposed to sunlight.
I'm going to paint POR-15 Rust Preventive to a frame and hidden places.


And I bought POR-15 Top Coat from the USA.
I can't get that in Japanese market.. (Its shipping cost is pricey, but I was not able to choose other options..)
I'm going to paint the Top Coat to a chassis.

I painted it to some brackets and a gas tank recently.
I'll post my work report later.
Stay tuned! Thank you

[GREEN ARGOSY]

I'm tackling a fuel tank modification.
The first, install an electric pump in a tank, then paint it.


Here is my fuel tank.


I removed a gauge sender unit, it's not bad condition. I'll reuse that.


There's a little bit debris in the tank but not critical damages.


I'm going to use this unit with Atomic EFI.
So I need to make big hole on the top of tank.


I bought a 4-1/4" hole saw just for this.


Opened big hole and lots of small holes.


Welded a little bit in the inner edge of ring, then grinded it.


The fuel pump bracket length is longer than the fuel tank height.


I cut the bracket.


I'll assemble an electric fuel pump to the bracket next time.

[GREEN ARGOSY]

Getting rid of old paint on the tank with scrapers..





Then I painted POR-15 on it.


And an electric fuel pump is ready to go!



I installed the fuel tank to a chassis but a filler neck is not good in the proper place.
Those are close and offset.


I cannot connect it by new filler hose.

However, I don't want to use the original one.
That's terrible shape.


Here is the picture of the original "twisted" fuel filler hose.


I'm thinking about solution of this issue.
If I don't use fuel tank brackets (distance bracket?), the tank will get away a little bit from the filler neck. So it might be able to connect those.

The other option is do not use the original fuel lid and filler neck.
If so, I'll weld the filler neck to the fuel tank directly!
I think that's OK, I'll open a side compartment panel (next to the fuel tank) then filling gas in the tank.

I'm still thinking what I should do.

[bkahler]

Yuki,

You've got the cleanest tank inside that I've ever seen! Nice work

You might check out Filler Neck Supply for hoses and fittings that might work.

Airstream did a horrible job with their fuel tank installs and I'm sure you can come up with a better solution. If possible you should try and use the original fuel door.

We have an old saying, Where there's a will, there's a way

Brad

[bkahler]

Something I forgot to mention is you might want to consider incorporating a vent line from the tank up to the filler neck opening. Look at my thread for examples on how I did this.

Good luck!

Brad

[bibbs]

I don’t know about a direct welded connection, due to vibration, it might crack. You might be able to use , exhaust pipe, ready made bends, and stainless steel clamps, to get it to work. You are doing a great job. We are all having fun watching your project. Thank you. Good luck.

[GREEN ARGOSY]

Originally Posted by bkahler

Yuki,

You've got the cleanest tank inside that I've ever seen! Nice work

You might check out Filler Neck Supply for hoses and fittings that might work.

Airstream did a horrible job with their fuel tank installs and I'm sure you can come up with a better solution. If possible you should try and use the original fuel door.

We have an old saying, Where there's a will, there's a way

Brad

Brad, Thank you

Yes, the inside of tank condition was unexpected. That's not bad!

I'll search those parts later, thank you for the information.

I have already found several horrible jobs in the Argosy.

Yes, I know it would be better way to fill gas with the original fuel door.
But I need to make a hole on the floor and a filler hose cover in the cabin. If possible I want to avoid doing that..

Something I forgot to mention is you might want to consider incorporating a vent line from the tank up to the filler neck opening. Look at my thread for examples on how I did this.

I'm thinking about a vent line right now.
However, my filler neck doesn't have a vent line fitting..


I bought a fuel filler cap which has a relief valve (probably vacuum and pressure) so I was thinking to remove a vent valve from the fuel tank.(My electric fuel pump unit has a rollover vent valve)
I saw your thread, you have a carbon canister in the Argosy.
I'm thinking about I should use that in my setup or not. If I use that, I should keep the vent valve.


Anyway, my Datsun has a carbon canister although it hasn't been connecting anything since was replaced SU carburetors.
(At the bottom right in this picture)


I detached Datsun 5 speed trans because of to replace a flywheel last weekend.
It's very lighter and smaller than a 4L80E so I didn't need a transmission jack, a lift or whatever while at work.
It's so easy

[GREEN ARGOSY]

Originally Posted by bibbs

I don’t know about a direct welded connection, due to vibration, it might crack. You might be able to use , exhaust pipe, ready made bends, and stainless steel clamps, to get it to work. You are doing a great job. We are all having fun watching your project. Thank you. Good luck.

Bibbs, Thank you



I meant direct welding a filler neck on the tank like this!
That style is standard of trucks over here.

If I use that style, do not need some fabrications or modifications at the floor and interior.
But I need to open side compartment door when filling gas in the fuel tank.