Advice? 81 Excella 28ft MoHo getting work done.

[jugbandman]

Hi folks I'm a noob here.

A couple weeks ago I picked up a 28 ft 81 Excella Moho which is in great shape... Interior is pretty much all original but it's been well cared for. 454 was rebuilt, new 350 turbo trans, belts batts and brakes. Plumbing is pex, everything in the home-part is functioning well.

It's in the shop now b/c on my trip home we ran into fuel filter problems. The gas tank is shot, I'm having it replaced, at the same time I'm also having the front airbags replaced and the fridge converted to an AC/110v.

What are some other things to check out? Has anyone put captains chairs into either the front or back? I need seat belts for my rugrats. also want to rip out the carpet and put a hardwood looking laminate down.

Any ideas or words of caution would be great.

My bud named her "Steely Van". Not sure that's gonna stick around tho.

Cheers!
andy

[mayco]

Check out this thread by Isuzusweet for captains chairs in the lounge area. First link is to his pictures. Second link to the entire thread.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/atta...6&d=1413165611

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f311...ess-97332.html

[bkahler]

Andy, welcome to Airforums!

Nice looking 280. When you say you're installing an AC/110v fridge, does that mean it's only 110v or does it have propane as well? If it's only 110v you might consider rethinking that as having propane is a really nice feature for keeping your food/beverages cold when you don't have access to 110v or when driving.

Post more pictures when you have time. We all like to see pictures here!

Brad

[bpg_austin]

Welcome aboard Andy. This forum is THE place to be man. There will most likely be a whole host of things that get on your 'to do list' once you get a chance to get the old girl home and do some inspecting. Your pics look fantastic though, what time capsule. I had quite a bit of mechanical 'catch-up' to do on my Argosy even though it was a fine running and driving motorhome. Feel free to post up anything here, as this crew is pretty amazing at troubleshooting.
Seatbelts: Do some digging underneath the cushions of your fold down couch. There should be 2 seatbelts in there. At least originally. We motorhomed up to Minnesota from Texas in ours this past summer with 2 minions in carseats. Worked great when required. Just a starting point! Ben

[jugbandman]

Originally Posted by bkahler

Nice looking 280. When you say you're installing an AC/110v fridge, does that mean it's only 110v or does it have propane as well?

Brad

Hi Brad, ya... I mistyped. What I meant by AC/110v was a 12v/110v inverter so that it runs off of the batteries when driving/non-city and can be switched to 110v when plugged in or on the generator. The guy doing the work said that is how most of them (Motorhomes) are set up now, and when I bought this, there was only an electric fridge in there. It's not my ideal state, but will save me some money in the short term and make it more functional.

Here's a pic he sent me with the crappy cheap fridge (came with it) framed in and a switch that allows me to choose 12v or 110v source.

[bkahler]

Ah, that makes more sense!

For some reason your picture didn't come through. You might try posting it again.

Brad

[TomKirk]

Turbo 350??.....are you sure??

1) From the factory, one ton P-series used Turbo 400's exclusively.

2) From the factory, Big Block Chevy one tons had Turbo 400's behind them.

Tom

[jugbandman]

Originally Posted by TomKirk

Turbo 350??.....are you sure??

Tom

No, I am not certain. I do know that it was recently rebuilt in the last 6months and the last owner told me it was a turbo 350 transmission. I had a mechanic verify that it was recently rebuilt, he still has it so I can ask. It does not have overdrive, which is a bummer. From what I understand the 400s have overdrive.

Andy

[jugbandman]

Originally Posted by bkahler

Ah, that makes more sense!

For some reason your picture didn't come through. You might try posting it again.

Brad

Ya you right!

I didnt post the "public link"

Here's the fridge (i'll upload some more later)

[jugbandman]

Hey here is a question...

I need a bracket for the guacho bed. One side of it is disconnected. Can anyone recommend where I could search for an odd-ball part like this? Or does anyone have one they dont need

(Finger on it for size, not pointing)

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by jugbandman

No, I am not certain. I do know that it was recently rebuilt in the last 6months and the last owner told me it was a turbo 350 transmission. I had a mechanic verify that it was recently rebuilt, he still has it so I can ask. It does not have overdrive, which is a bummer. From what I understand the 400s have overdrive.

Andy

Andy, the turbo 400 does not have overdrive. They are 3 speed transmissions like the turbo 350, the 4L80E transmissions from later vehicles have overdrive. You can tell a 350 from a 400 by looking at the transmission oil pan.

Turbo 350


Turbo 400


From everything that I have read there are differences between the 400 transmissions that were used in motorhomes vs the standard P30 chassis 400 transmission. Supposedly the ones Airstream used are Turbo 475 transmissions and the major difference is supposed to be the 400 uses helical cut gears and the 475 uses straight cut gears which are stronger.

Keep in mind this is what I've gleaned from the internet and everything you read on the internet is true...right?!

Brad

[Gregsch]

Nice find jugbandman. Welcome to the insanity!

[kjcurtis]

I personally LOVE the name "Steely Van"! I'd totally steal it if mine didn't already have a name. Grew up listening to Steely Dan. Good memories with my folks.

[Isuzusweet]

Welcome Andy and a very nice Excella.

Seat belts for the rug-rats are highly over rated as the subfloor is probably rotted and the chairs will probably rip out of the floor in an emergency braking situation anyway.

He doesn't believe me. If you value your sleep, don't open page 2.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f311...me-106269.html

Cheers
Tony