370 LE start to finish.....

[bobmiller1]

I finished degreasing the front end, primed and painted and ready for reinstallation. Onto the dash, removed, now I have to move slow, label everything and discard all the wiring that is not needed, which there is a lot of. New dashboard will be made of 1/2” oak to match the overhead and cabinets, new gauges, switches etc.Attachment 1

[Kota]

You’re a brave man Robert!

I need to redo my dashboard. Plastic is cracked and I want to redo it in aluminum. Real mess behind those gauges.

[Waipio Rim]

Originally Posted by Kota

You’re a brave man Robert!.

Yes you are. If I ever get that deep into my dashboard I am pretty sure the coach will never run again.

[mayco]

Originally Posted by bobmiller1

I finished degreasing the front end, primed and painted and ready for reinstallation. Onto the dash, removed, now I have to move slow, label everything and discard all the wiring that is not needed, which there is a lot of. New dashboard will be made of 1/2” oak to match the overhead and cabinets, new gauges, switches etc.Attachment 357734Attachment 357735Attachment 357736Attachment 357737Attachment 357738Attachment 1Attachment 357739Attachment 357740Attachment 357741Attachment 357742

OH DEAR LORD, you did NOT!

[bobmiller1]

LOL....Oh yes I did....what a mess ! I figure I'll be done with the wiring by the end of Feb. I'm heavy into the kitchen design right now....found an extra 3 inches... The dishwasher, roll out dual garbage cans, dual 5 gallon water jugs, 3 new drawers, an extra wide/deep drawer under the dishwasher and the new 33" farm sink all work. I actually have 24" of depth to use which will make the cabinet maker's job a lot easier. The dashboard design is coming out great, I'm going with 4.5" speedo and tach, an anolog clock in between them, 6 new gauges will go into the approximate original location with the addition of 3 new gauges below them. I'm switching over to an electrical climate control system (Ford) and a custom 8 switch panel to replace the existing rocker switches that are below the 6 smaller 2" gauges on the top. Still waiting to get the engine back from Jasper, but I have enough to do for a while. I hope to remove the rest of the dash this weekend so I can get it to my upholstery guy to match the rest of the interior. Regards, Bob

[Magnet18]

Yes, love it! Painstakingly label every wire and you'll be fine

Converting everything to LED as well I assume


Interested to see how your dash looks, once I get my old cnc machine put back together in the new shop I plan to mill one out


Ps. I don't approve of the farm sink, as it'll give my wife ideas

[bobmiller1]

Don’t show her the pictures.....Regards, Bob

[Keyair]

Wish I could find an extra 3"...

[bobmiller1]

All I can say is .....LOL !

[bobmiller1]

Honestly, this is one if the jobs I really didn’t want to do, but had to be done. I least now I know why the defroster didn’t not work that well. I also cut out about another 200 feet of wire that is not necessary. I now have a better knowledge of how things work underneath the dash. Although I let a little smoke out in the process. Both engine and body batteries come into play behind the dashboard and it’s a real mess. 2 more full days should have everything sorted out. Regards, Bob

[rmkrum]

You will be tearing your hair whilst trying to figure out what manner of animal made a nest in the wiring. One of the corollaries if Murphy’s Law guarantees that will happen.

All I can suggest is lots of wire tags, a hand-drawn schematic, and lots of patience. Plus a BOYC** when done...

I used to think a rats nest of network cables three feet deep in front of the lab patch panels, all the same color was the worst I’d ever seen. Your project looks to be a bit harder...



**Beverage Of Your Choice. Repeat as needed until the pain abates.

[Isuzusweet]

This is one of those projects that you close your eyes the very first time you twist the key to the run position; praying that the Airstream God's have been lieniant.[emoji18]

I pray everything goes well for you Bob.

Cheers
Sidekick Tony

[bobmiller1]

I’m not sure that the spray in foam insulation underneath the dash pad is for an insulation value but rather for rigidity. I’m going to fabricate new upper and lower panels for the defroster shelf out of 1/8” aluminum, and going to cover all interior dash with 1/2” dyna-mat. Still moving forward with removing unnecessary wiring, and have disconnected all electrical as I don’t want to let any more smoke out ! The upper air distribution box needs to be completely reworked so that it functions to the best of its ability. I will get the dash components, sun visors, and pillar covers to my upholstery guy this weekend. Regards, Bob

[Keyair]

Bob....
Is that a rust hole I see in the dash support?

[mayco]

Originally Posted by bobmiller1

All I can say is .....LOL !Attachment 358081Attachment 358082Attachment 358083Attachment 358084Attachment 358085Attachment 358086Attachment 358087Attachment 358088Attachment 358089Attachment 358090

MAN AIRSTREAM! That’s not even tryin!

[bobmiller1]

The dashboard is with the upholstery guy to make it look like the rest of the interior, as well as the window pillars and sun visors. The backup camera surround will have to wait until next year. I should have the final measurements done for the new dash wood, glovebox wood, passenger AC outlet and side door panels as well by Sunday. All the replacement vents came in for the air distribution box under the dash. Switching over to electrically controller heater control valve with the new climate controller as well. More pictures to follow. Regards, Bob

[shepherd57]

Wow it is going to spectacular Bob. Larry Hagman is going to be proud 🤗🤗🤗👍

[bobmiller1]

When I add up all the air leaks from under the upper dash cover, I figure I was losing about 30% of the air flow. The components that were used in manufacturing are good, it’s just that due to the poor workmanship and installation that leads to these problems. I repaired the “Air Box” installed 2 new 2 1/2” cents in the plenum, reworked the 2 vacuum controlled doors and resealed the entire box. I had to replace the entire upper dash due to rust and about 30 % of the underneath dash in the right side. I reworked both defroster vents for proper air flow. Regards, Bob

[bobmiller1]

[bobmiller1]

Saturday I spent the morning with one of my customers at my Ford dealership. We disassembled the drum parking brake on the transmission to find a small seal leak allowing some ATF to leak into the brake cavity, but the major cause of the parking brake not holding was found to be the brake linings were all cracked with pieces missing. I purchased the drum assembly used and it appears that the previous owner had driven it with the parking brake applied, my fault for not inspecting it as I should have. Regardless I ordered the new seals, bearings, races, springs, and drum today. Upon further disassembly of the distributor the nylon bushings that the weights ride on are shot and the one weight has ground out a good portion of the distributor housing. I have decided to go with a single wire GM HEI distributor and eliminate the Ford set up. I will be removing the external mounted coil from the intake manifold along with the external mounted ICM which is located in the front right wheel well which I never liked. Last year I switched mover to a single wire Power Max 200 amp alternator and eliminated the external mounted regulator which was also mounted in the front right wheel well and all that wiring. Boy.....I sure hope this thing runs when I’m done......Regards, Bob