Ben's '78 Argosy thread

[bpg_austin]

Made some progress this weekend in getting the old girl back on the road for summer travels.
Steering column.. If you followed my old posts you know my son destroyed something inside the column and I effectively lost the ability to shift into 2nd and low, as well as the column shifter floating around without locking into a gear. Worked, but dangerous to drive like this. I pulled the column out over the weekend to work on in the garage but didn't have much success in a repair. Time to source out another column to drop in.
While I was in there, or under there, it was very easy to remove the rag joint attached to the steering gear. The PO had rebuilt the dual steering belcranks and the rest of my steering system is pretty tight. I'm hoping a new ragjoint further tighten things up a bit. If not, its a good WYAIT item, and only costs 10 bucks. It took a little grinding to remove the old studs, but the new kit comes with hardware to replace it. All in all about an hour of work that should last another 30 years.
Also, over the weekend was polyurethane sway bar bushings. The old ones looked a little worse for the wear. Again, cheap and effective. I should be doing the slalom like a Porsche in the near future.
Oh, and I cleaned the original blower motor and she spun up like a champ. Time to return the non-functioning e-bay unit I purchased. Defrost. Check.

That's the update for now.
BG

[bkahler]

I wasn't aware you could buy rebuild kits for the rag joints. I ended up just replacing the entire joint with a new one.

Live and learn

[bpg_austin]

Just posting up some steering column reference pics for Brad.

[bkahler]

Ben, here's some pictures of my steering column.



Anything else you need to know about it before I start boxing it up?

Brad

[bpg_austin]

Looks pretty close Brad. Connectors are different? but the shaft and tilt assembly looks the same. I should be able to use my turn signal assembly/wiring and upper shroud with your bottom end. Might take a little work but I'm pretty sure I can make one good one out of the two. Sold.

I'll PM you for contact info.

[bpg_austin]

Success! Brad, your column works GREAT. I did have to mod it a bit to accept the reverse brake light switch. Its mechanical and mounts to the column on mine. Your column didn't have a provision for this. But, a little dremel work and the new unit functions perfectly as the old one. Will be installing the 'new' unit this weekend and should be ready for inspection on Monday. She shifts through the gears like a champ now.

Great to get this project wrapped up and get the old girl back on the road where she belongs.

BG

[bkahler]

That steering column sure looks nicer than when it left my place!

I'm glad you were able to make it work for coach. The switch you added to the steering column should also have the neutral safety switch in it as well. Does your transmission have a physical switch for neutral safety or was it originally in the steering column?

[bpg_austin]

Brad, I know for sure I don't have any mechanical switches on the transmission.
I hadn't thought of it, but I think the answer to your question is Yes, the neutral safety switch is integrated into the reverse light switch on the column.

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by bpg_austin

Brad, I know for sure I don't have any mechanical switches on the transmission.
I hadn't thought of it, but I think the answer to your question is Yes, the neutral safety switch is integrated into the reverse light switch on the column.

I'm going to have to look at Peanut (1977 model) and see if it has the transmission mounted switch. I'm betting its on the column like your 78.

[GWallace]

My 77 has a neutral safety switch mounted on the steering column just below the dash. This switch also includes the backup lamp function.
Gregg

[bkahler]

So sometime after 1974 they moved the switch to the steering column from the transmission. I'm glad I had the steering column from the 345 that I could install in my Argosy!

[bpg_austin]

Yep, success! Yet another 3000 mile round trip to MN and back in the Argosy completed. The old girl just keeps chugging along in triple digit temps without missing a beat. The only 'casualty' was having to replace the original steering box in my folks driveway up in Duluth. Not too shabby for a 38 year old motorhome.
Brad, after installing the new steering column I assume I disrupted the system just a bit and started leaking fluid out the top seal of the box. No big deal, had to top off with fluid a couple times on the drive up. 4 hours later and a bit of a headache sourcing a new steering coupler and the job was done.
Oddly enough, my original box had a 16 spline output shaft which has long since been superseded by a 31 spline shaft. Sourcing out the new coupler was difficult, but ended with a happy ending. 3 cheers for vintage iron.

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by bpg_austin

Yep, success! Yet another 3000 mile round trip to MN and back in the Argosy completed. The old girl just keeps chugging along in triple digit temps without missing a beat. The only 'casualty' was having to replace the original steering box in my folks driveway up in Duluth. Not too shabby for a 38 year old motorhome.
Brad, after installing the new steering column I assume I disrupted the system just a bit and started leaking fluid out the top seal of the box. No big deal, had to top off with fluid a couple times on the drive up. 4 hours later and a bit of a headache sourcing a new steering coupler and the job was done.
Oddly enough, my original box had a 16 spline output shaft which has long since been superseded by a 31 spline shaft. Sourcing out the new coupler was difficult, but ended with a happy ending. 3 cheers for vintage iron.

Outstanding! It's nice to see these old rigs keep on rolling

My guess is just wiggling the steering gear input shaft was enough to disturb the old shaft seal. When I replaced my steering gearbox I purchased a Dorman 31015 steering coupler and it worked. This is also the same coupling that is spec'd for the 84 310 although I have not verified that it fits the 310.

The mounting bolts for the gearbox were a bear to get to weren't they!


Brad

[bpg_austin]

Yep, that's the exact coupler I ended up with after a redicoulous search of every auto store in MN. I was 3 hours away from the nearest store that carried one!! I had to re-bolt up my OLD stuff and drive to Minneapolis to do the swap in my in-laws driveway. Pretty comical really.

Yeah, those 4 bolts were a pain since I had to remove the front bumper first. But.. the 2nd time I pulled the old box I did the whole works in under 2 hours. No complaints if that's the only thing I had to do the entire trip.

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by bpg_austin

Yep, that's the exact coupler I ended up with after a redicoulous search of every auto store in MN. I was 3 hours away from the nearest store that carried one!! I had to re-bolt up my OLD stuff and drive to Minneapolis to do the swap in my in-laws driveway. Pretty comical really.

Your idea and my idea of comedy are definitely different!

What's interesting is after the new steering gearbox was installed in my Argosy I was still able to use the original coupler. It wasn't until I decided to swap in the 345 steering column that I decided to replace the coupling while I had things apart.

Yeah, those 4 bolts were a pain since I had to remove the front bumper first. But.. the 2nd time I pulled the old box I did the whole works in under 2 hours. No complaints if that's the only thing I had to do the entire trip.

Like the old saying goes....practice makes perfect

[martin300662]

Is this your Argosy up for sale Ben?

http://austin.craigslist.org/rvs/5699528565.html

[bpg_austin]

Martin, it is. Lots of change down here for the Genovese family in Central Texas and its all happening very quickly. We're embracing this new direction but it sadly doesn't include our motohome. Our teniture has been all too brief but hopefully we're leaving the coach just a bit better than we found it for the next owner to enjoy. Man, we enjoyed EVERY single trip we took the old beast on. It was most certainly used in the way it was meant to be.

[martin300662]

Originally Posted by bpg_austin

Martin, it is. Lots of change down here for the Genovese family in Central Texas and its all happening very quickly. We're embracing this new direction but it sadly doesn't include our motohome. Our teniture has been all too brief but hopefully we're leaving the coach just a bit better than we found it for the next owner to enjoy. Man, we enjoyed EVERY single trip we took the old beast on. It was most certainly used in the way it was meant to be.

I wish you all the best Ben, and hope you get every cent you are asking because it is worth it!

[bpg_austin]

Hey gang, I've been pretty quiet here lately. Lots going on in the Genovese household.
I have a question regarding my air suspension compressor. I had experienced a lack of pressure from my old (original?) air compressor. I purchased a new Viair unit and it sure purrs like a kitten. However, my problem still exists and I have a leading suspect. The new compressor had a flexible line attached with a check valve at the end. I wasn't able to use it since I needed to hardline my pressure regulator in. I suspect, with lack of check valve, that the new unit is bleeding air out at the same pace as its pumping it in, thus not inflating my bags whatsovever. I can't hear any air escaping from the system and I don't have any major leaks. I suspect, without the check valve, the air is simply purging out the compressor and not building any real pressure. I believe the old unit had an integraded check valve in the head that got clogged.
I have a couple options for a new check valve..
So, my question is: Do I need to install the valve before the pressure regulator, or can I splice my 1/4" line after the regulator but before the pressure tank? One solution requires me to purchase a metal valve, the other allows me to use a quick connect plastic valve.
Thoughts?

THANKS as usual.
Ben

[bkahler]

Ben, I think with any compressor system you need a check valve somewhere in the pump outlet piping. I know my two shop compressors have a check valve and I added one to the 310 when I redid it's compressed air system. It was my understanding there should have been a check valve there but some PO removed it.

The check valve can be anywhere in the line between the compressor and where it branches off to other devices.

Brad