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ASTailgate · 02-17-2014, 03:29 AM

I'm trying to find other owners of 81 Excella MoHo. 25'

crazeevw · 02-17-2014, 06:46 PM

Hi, 25 footer, or 28 footer? Looking at Airstream.com, they don't show a 25 footer.

Thanks, Derek

ASTailgate · 02-18-2014, 04:34 PM

Sorry typo 28 f

dieselblimp · 02-22-2014, 05:57 AM

Hello,
I have a 28fter Excella. 1981. Bought it last summer. Its awesome.

ASTailgate · 02-23-2014, 08:40 AM

So was it already restored ? If not what what've u done to it? Have Pics?

dieselblimp · 02-25-2014, 03:09 PM

I changed the oil pressure sender and gage, pumped up the front air bags that were at 30 psi back to 55psi They seems to have help pressure at least for a few weeks until I put it in storage. Tighten the alternator belt. Determined that the diesel tank sender is bad and not the gage. I have a list of things to replace for the coming season. The trunks are very rusty and pitted and will get fiberglassed, and the plan is to wire brush the frame and all steel chasis parts and paint with POR15 this summer. (Good project for my son). The bright lights flicker so i will start with adding a new relay. Regular driving lights are ok.

I have a injector pump oil leak in the front at the timer shaft that I will have fixed next week hopefully by a local mechanic( its to cold out for me right now). I also just received the new monroe shocks and steering stabilizer today. I noticed that at some point the rear suspension lost pressure and the previous owners must not have had the stabilizers on. There is an interferece fit with the frame and the shock on the drivers side rear. Big dent in the bottom of the shock. I need to look at it closely and make sure it is all correct, and if so, figure out a bump stop of sorts to avoid damage when it happens again. (cuase it will happen again if it happened once)

The rig seems to work fine and everything works on the inside. It needs some TLC but that is to be expected for a 1981. The plan is to keep it in the family for a long time. Taking it on spring break for a week to MO & TN & KY. Hopefully it makes it.

I am happy to help out with any questions.

dieselblimp · 02-25-2014, 03:15 PM

I also put new weather stripping in the front windows. This actually takes longer than it sounds. Kind of a pain to dig the old stuff out then clean out the channels. Just takes some time. Patience seems to be a good word for working on the old girl.

The threads on the forum here were a huge help, and the folks at Inland were great in helping me pick the right parts. I will probably do the rest of the windows this summer.

bullet81 · 03-09-2014, 07:26 AM

We've owned our 28' 81 Excella for about 18 months, rear bath model. We've redone the interior, goodby carpet hello Alure flooring from home depot, LOVE IT, looks good and relatively easy to install. We found a blender, motor & accessories for the built in, new porcelain toilet, new bathroom sink & wood counter. The only part we cant seem to source or make is the cylinders for reclining the front seats, I've just made aluminum bars to replace them. We've replaced the front window channels, kind of a tedious job but worth it. Upgraded the roof vents and put AirMax covers on them. The old ONAN gen was very loud due to a missing exhaust pipe & muffler, when I found out the price of the muffler & intermediate pipe I nearly had a coronary, off to the muffler shop I went, we made our own intermediate pipe, then a 90* bend in another pipe and routed it to the drivers side,,hmmm what to do about a muffler,,being a Harley rider I had a few mufflers kicking around, a fully baffled decker muffler works amazingly and looks brilliant peeking out of the drivers side. The gen runs great but, does not make power on a consistent basis, microwave popcorn isn't happening and you should hear it reving up & down trying to run a coffee maker, we're probably just going to use a backup mounted in the trailer we pull,,yep a 10' trailer there just simply is not nearly enough room in the old girl for lawn chairs and other camping stuff. We replaced the rear airbags and re sealed all the old fittings a new Viaair 450 air compressor and installed shutoff switch and dump valve, we mounted it all on an isolated platform in the rear drivers side compartment..... This year we plan on a 24' rope & pole awning,,,,,,,We love working on and camping in our bullet!!!!!!

ASTailgate · 03-09-2014, 08:57 AM

Can you please post some pics. The rear window on the passenger side ( the non slider) as broken into tiny bits but is still holding together I believe because if the tint it has on it. Do u by any chance know where I can get a replacement? I went to camper clinic II in Buda Texas an airstream dealer and they have not been able to locate one for me. Also where did you find your front window frames.

ASTailgate · 03-09-2014, 08:57 AM

Mine is a rear bath model as well. But I believe all the 81's are rear bath.

ASTailgate · 03-09-2014, 08:59 AM

Where are you from? I'm in Austin Texas

ASTailgate · 03-09-2014, 09:05 AM

Diesel blimp let me know how replacing the other weather striping goes. Mine need to he replaced as well. Pics would also be helpful

dadstoy · 03-09-2014, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bullet81

We've owned our 28' 81 Excella for about 18 months, rear bath model. We've redone the interior, goodby carpet hello Alure flooring from home depot, LOVE IT, looks good and relatively easy to install. We found a blender, motor & accessories for the built in, new porcelain toilet, new bathroom sink & wood counter. The only part we cant seem to source or make is the cylinders for reclining the front seats, I've just made aluminum bars to replace them. We've replaced the front window channels, kind of a tedious job but worth it. Upgraded the roof vents and put AirMax covers on them. The old ONAN gen was very loud due to a missing exhaust pipe & muffler, when I found out the price of the muffler & intermediate pipe I nearly had a coronary, off to the muffler shop I went, we made our own intermediate pipe, then a 90* bend in another pipe and routed it to the drivers side,,hmmm what to do about a muffler,,being a Harley rider I had a few mufflers kicking around, a fully baffled decker muffler works amazingly and looks brilliant peeking out of the drivers side. The gen runs great but, does not make power on a consistent basis, microwave popcorn isn't happening and you should hear it reving up & down trying to run a coffee maker, we're probably just going to use a backup mounted in the trailer we pull,,yep a 10' trailer there just simply is not nearly enough room in the old girl for lawn chairs and other camping stuff. We replaced the rear airbags and re sealed all the old fittings a new Viaair 450 air compressor and installed shutoff switch and dump valve, we mounted it all on an isolated platform in the rear drivers side compartment..... This year we plan on a 24' rope & pole awning,,,,,,,We love working on and camping in our bullet!!!!!!

Sounds like you have done a lot! I would love to see some photos! I have an '82 28 foot with the rear bathroom. I've always been curious as to what the Excella model is. I've renovated the cab, salon, galley and bathroom. Now I would like to do something with the bedroom area.

ArtFJ1 · 03-09-2014, 10:50 PM

I've got a 1981 Excella. Diesel, 28', rear bath. Bought it last summer in North Carolina and am working on it and trying to get it roadworthy by this summer.

ASTailgate · 03-09-2014, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArtFJ1

I've got a 1981 Excella. Diesel, 28', rear bath. Bought it last summer in North Carolina and am working on it and trying to get it roadworthy by this summer.

I would really like to do more to the small shower area. Anyone have any pics

bullet81 · 03-10-2014, 05:13 AM

Notice the floor mats & seats, we had our embroiderer do the material before the upholsterer started stitching

We went with a old school looking cloth, we could have done leather but we didn't want to stray too far from the original look. We did upgrade the stereo to a cd player and it has ipod input and a rearview camera to lessen the chance of an oops.
We have 4 pieces of birch plywood that store under the curbside bed and we pull them out over the walkway, fold down the beds and presto a king size bed

)) My wife made "roman blinds" and pillows from matching material. While she may not be restored to original, we have tried to keep with the spirit of the old school looks.
We do not yet have an awning,,we're thinking of a 24' X 10' rope & pole, for now we're happy with our pop up canopy and home made silver bullet beer can patio lanterns

The propane campfire is nice too, we are allowed to use it even during firebans.
No matter were we are, rollin down the road, in a campground or at a music festival our "Bullet Eighty1 " gets lots of looks and positive comments.

Chris & Denise

ASTailgate · 03-10-2014, 07:41 AM

Looks great? Have a question though. With the laminate over the engine / cockpit area does it make it louder inside the MOHO when I the road? I use carpet and a sound deadner to help with noise.

bullet81 · 03-10-2014, 08:22 AM

I guess its a bit louder, but not noticeably, it came with sound deadener under the doghouse but its kinda ratty, we are going to replace it with a good quality sound deadener. I think the plywood floor from the factory deadens most of the racket. We also have matching custom floormats that cover almost the whole driver & passenger floor so I guess that helps.
When you really think about it your driving a very fancy aluminum barrel down the road, there is only so much you can do

I also like the sound of a Chevy big block and would prefer to hear any oddball sounds before they become major sounds