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Minnie's Mate · 10-07-2010, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmehal

The initial cleaning works great, like new! It's a few weeks later that the stickiness slowly starts to return. It's like there's a chemical breakdown happening.

It is possible that the PO had a faux-leather steering wheel wrap on it...the kind you get from WalMart. They used to have a foam padding on the inside that would melt in the heat and stick to the wheel. I never had one, but I've seen the residue on other's steering wheel and they also felt gummy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by projector

I'm planning on getting a steering wheel from a junk yard. They're full of cash for clunkers so there should be one arround. I liked the wheel that was on my '87 Suburban. It was the same diameter and ring size, and comfortable. I loved that truck. sniff

I like the idea of having the steering wheel wrapped by an auto upholstery shop.

PLDodd · 10-07-2010, 04:09 PM

wow thats old! vari-jection was a setup to "inject" water, alcohol, jet fuel or whatever into a vacuum hose near the base of the carb in order to get even distribution across all 8 cylinders. haven't seen one in years (lots of years) all the so-called motorheads that used it only thought they had something there instead of doing something real to that "hotrod" trans am of theirs (haha). Piece of advice: when you do get it going for good, if the carb acts funny and the idle stays high from wear in the throttle plate do NOT replace the carb with an across the counter type reman carb. While a quadrajet 4 bbl carb is a quadrajet 4bbl carb they are not all the same (jets, etc. are for certain vehicles and even though physically it is the same, internally it isn't and it will never run right unless it's jetted for the HD 454) If all is well, that camper will roll just as fast as any and will have PLENTY of power!

PLDodd · 10-07-2010, 04:33 PM

I don't think the steering wheel will ever stop getting sticky once it starts doing that. You are right, it is some kind of wierd chemical breakdown that comes from years of oil from hands, heat, sun etc & then never being touched for a long time. I even had an old set of snap on screwdrivers (old old set, originally purchased in the 60's) that I stopped using when I bought a new set and after a couple of months they started getting sticky & gooey in my toolbox. Good thing is its the same as any old chevy truck or van so finding a good one is probably going to be easy. I even replaced my steering wheel in my 85 Suburban (same wheel you have) with a wheel out of an older Chevy Astro van. I used the sport style wheel, got the tilt levers and all. It fit perfect and looked great, plus it was all oe, no dumb stuff.

PLDodd · 10-07-2010, 04:38 PM

Whoops! little late on that one. Big Holley carb is good. Just give 'r all the gas she needs and that baby will run like a top. All those old big blocks just needed FUEL! Helps it run cooler too.

gmehal · 10-16-2010, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PLDodd

Whoops! little late on that one. Big Holley carb is good. Just give 'r all the gas she needs and that baby will run like a top. All those old big blocks just needed FUEL! Helps it run cooler too.

Since I put the holly carb on it runs like a champ! Double pump as well so plenty of fuel

gmehal · 10-16-2010, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PLDodd

I don't think the steering wheel will ever stop getting sticky once it starts doing that. You are right, it is some kind of wierd chemical breakdown that comes from years of oil from hands, heat, sun etc & then never being touched for a long time. I even had an old set of snap on screwdrivers (old old set, originally purchased in the 60's) that I stopped using when I bought a new set and after a couple of months they started getting sticky & gooey in my toolbox. Good thing is its the same as any old chevy truck or van so finding a good one is probably going to be easy. I even replaced my steering wheel in my 85 Suburban (same wheel you have) with a wheel out of an older Chevy Astro van. I used the sport style wheel, got the tilt levers and all. It fit perfect and looked great, plus it was all oe, no dumb stuff.

Agreed 100%

I have cleaned it more than once and it just keeps getting sticky. I used to have an old VW eurovan with the same problem, the entire interior plastic panels did the same thing, I eventually sold it because of that

gmehal · 12-12-2010, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

GMEHAL and TODBOT

So far, I cannot do anything with Airstream about the fading.

However, if both of you PM us your regular name and address, we will replace that material, at no charge.

Andy

Andy I never heard back from you on this and also did not receive any material, did you get the pm I sent you?

gmehal · 12-12-2010, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by todbot

I too had fading a few months after installing the new orange trim and purchased through Inland. Although I have no gripe with Inland, I sure wish it stayed true to the original color. I've never said anything other than a grumble under my breath because I assume nothing could or would be done about it.

Did you ever get your material?

Inland RV Center, In · 12-12-2010, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmehal

Andy I never heard back from you on this and also did not receive any material, did you get the pm I sent you?

No, we did not receive a PM.

Andy

gmehal · 12-12-2010, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

No, we did not receive a PM.

Andy

Just resent you the pm again, let me know if you receive it. Thanks

Inland RV Center, In · 12-12-2010, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmehal

Just resent you the pm again, let me know if you receive it. Thanks

Received your PM ok.

I will contact the powers that be at Airstream tomorrow, and will report back.

Andy

gmehal · 12-12-2010, 12:55 PM

Got the heater finally working. Was easier to get out than I thought. Shown here is the guilty auto ignition board, dinosaur electronics got me a new one for $100 and now it works great. The other photo is my youngest helping with the dissabbemble and the volt meter. Nice to have heat again

Inland RV Center, In · 12-14-2010, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmehal

Just resent you the pm again, let me know if you receive it. Thanks

FINALLY.

Please send us your invoice number, for the inserts.

We will then forward replacement insert at no charge.

Please indicate belt line or rub rail, or both, as well as MH or trailer.

Andy

gmehal · 12-18-2010, 05:18 PM

Upgraded the headlights last week to some nice hella's with replaceable bulbs. This way I can upgrade the bulbs or convert to hid's. Also significantly better optics

gmehal · 12-18-2010, 05:24 PM

Fixed the front bumper today, way mor involved than we thought. Both front main supports were broken from the main frame. Both side attachment bolts were also not attached! Basically the bumper was hanging on by a thread, literally a couple of small screws. So we re welded the main supports an attached the bumper side bolts. No it might actually do something in the event of a bump.

gmehal · 12-18-2010, 05:30 PM

New developments, burst pipe and floor under water tank disintegrated. Floor should be n easy fix along with the burst pipe. Hopefully the burst pipe is only in the spot where I can see. I drained the whole tank but apparently I need to do some winterizing research going forward.

projector · 12-20-2010, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmehal

New developments, burst pipe and floor under water tank disintegrated. Floor should be n easy fix along with the burst pipe. Hopefully the burst pipe is only in the spot where I can see. I drained the whole tank but apparently I need to do some winterizing research going forward.

I need to research that also. We had a recent cold snap that made me nervous. Not as bad as up north but cold for us. I put a light in the back to keep the temp up a little.

Inland RV Center, In · 12-20-2010, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

GMEHAL and TODBOT

So far, I cannot do anything with Airstream about the fading.

However, if both of you PM us your regular name and address, we will replace that material, at no charge.

Andy

GMEHAL.

Today, we shipped to you, via USPS, 3 rolls of the Orange insert, at no charge.

Sorry it took so long to get Airstream's approval.

Andy

gmehal · 01-28-2011, 09:57 PM

Hedman headers arrived, now I just have to get them on. Trouble is the custom exhaust I had made now needs to be modified for the long tube headers, think I will have to have the same shop install them again and modify the system. Should be good for another 20hp.

gmehal · 01-28-2011, 10:01 PM

I'm also thinking it's time to overhaul the gererac generator. It needs a new exhaust system for it so the real questions are,

Is it cheaper to replace? maybe with a similar sized used Onan?

Or do a lite rebuild and make a new exhaust for the generac?

How do you get that thing out anyway?