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09-29-2016, 08:21 AM
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#121
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"Contact!"
1981 28' Airstream 280
Pierre
, South Dakota
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 64
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I'm excited for you, that sounds like a great plan! Good luck!
Kevin
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03-30-2019, 09:04 PM
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#122
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New Member
1983 27' Excella
Andover
, New Hampshire
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 4
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454 to 502
Chief air! I’m looking at a 1983 Excella with a 454 engine. People are telling me I’m nuts. Do I need to switch it out ? Gas guzzler? Has the 502 worked? I have less than 24 hours to refuse or buy? Love to hear from you!! I’m 40 min from Henniker. I seee you did work on your own do you work on others or suggest someone in the area? Thank you.
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03-31-2019, 07:15 AM
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#123
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Rivet Master
1974 20' Argosy 20
Richmond
, Kentucky
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,116
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Digwitch
Chief air! I’m looking at a 1983 Excella with a 454 engine. People are telling me I’m nuts. Do I need to switch it out ? Gas guzzler? Has the 502 worked? I have less than 24 hours to refuse or buy? Love to hear from you!! I’m 40 min from Henniker. I seee you did work on your own do you work on others or suggest someone in the area? Thank you.
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No you're not nuts, a little crazy maybe but not nuts
Contrary to what some people might tell you, there's nothing wrong with a 454 engine. The mileage will be less than a diesel but in general diesel is more expensive than gasoline. Tony will likely chime in soon describing all the benefits of a diesel and for the most part he's right with one exception, the conversion cost.
If the 83 you're looking at has a good 454 then drive it as is. If the 454 is shot then consider a diesel conversion but make sure you buy the coach at a good discounted price to help cover the cost of the diesel conversion.
Good luck with your decision!
Brad
__________________
Air forums # 1674
1974 20' Argosy Motor Home
1975 24' Argosy Motor Home
1974 31' Excella trailer (parting out, as of 4/1/2015 I have wheels & windows left to sell)
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03-31-2019, 08:22 AM
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#124
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Dazed and Confused
Currently Looking...
1983 31' Airstream310
Hillsburgh
, Ontario
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,805
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Chiming
Cheers
Sidekick Tony
PS Everything Brad said is right. My 24' Argosy cost me $1,000, (not including parts and pieces I needed to get it running; most I would have had to gotten anyway), and $1,500 each for two running Cummins P-pump's; one with Allison transmission and the other a Dodge RH47, makes the conversion doable.
I just wish I had the know how to do the conversion myself; I know how to swing a wrench, but welding and fabricating metal is not my forte.
__________________
Per Mare, Per Terram and may all your campaigns be successful.
“It’s a recession when your neighbor loses his job; it’s a depression when you lose your own.” "Harry S Truman"
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03-31-2019, 10:41 AM
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#125
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3 Rivet Member
1982 31' Airstream 310
Henniker
, New Hampshire
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 215
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I am very happy with the new motor however, the 454 would still be there if it hadn’t self-destructed.
I considered a diesel swap but I was more interested in getting back to camping! The diesel swap is much more involved and more than I wanted to tackle in my driveway.
The fuel economy is horrible. If that is a concern, I would recommend another hobby! The 502 is basically the same as the 454 on gas- maybe slightly better. There is no comparison power-wise.
I’m not looking to work on others but feel free to PM me if you want to come for a look at mine.
Are you looking at the Excella in Concord NH? I have seen that around Concord several times so I know it moves under its own power!
__________________
1982 310 motorhome 502
Henniker New Hampshire
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04-01-2019, 03:05 PM
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#126
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New Member
1983 27' Excella
Andover
, New Hampshire
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 4
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Thank you Brad, Tony and Chief. yes, Chief. It is the Excella in Concord but I lost the sale to inexperience. I will not fret but assume it was not the one for me. However I did find a gutted 20' Argosy last night but that just sold too. It's going to happen, right? I thought I wanted a MH but I am beginning to lean toward a trailer...still sticking with the vintage. I appreciate all of your words of wisdom and humor!
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04-01-2019, 04:59 PM
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#127
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Dazed and Confused
Currently Looking...
1983 31' Airstream310
Hillsburgh
, Ontario
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,805
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Digwitch
Thank you Brad, Tony and Chief. yes, Chief. It is the Excella in Concord but I lost the sale to inexperience. I will not fret but assume it was not the one for me. However I did find a gutted 20' Argosy last night but that just sold too. It's going to happen, right? I thought I wanted a MH but I am beginning to lean toward a trailer...still sticking with the vintage. I appreciate all of your words of wisdom and humor!
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The biggest words of wisdom I could ever impart to you, would be this........never buy a gutted Airstream. You'd be surprised at the bits and pieces that you reuse; or use as templates; or at the very least show you how Airstream built these coaches. Always look for one with an unmolested interior.
PS The 310's are the best.
Cheers
Sidekick Tony
__________________
Per Mare, Per Terram and may all your campaigns be successful.
“It’s a recession when your neighbor loses his job; it’s a depression when you lose your own.” "Harry S Truman"
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04-02-2019, 04:18 AM
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#128
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New Member
1983 27' Excella
Andover
, New Hampshire
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 4
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Thanks, Tony. They did say they had all the parts they took out but I suppose you never know? Price was pretty high but it went! I will def heed your words about a gutted AS . I have become mildly obsessed (oxymoron) looking on-line but one must work too. Again, thank you!
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10-27-2019, 05:56 PM
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#129
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
_
, _
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,385
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bkahler
Those clocks with the blue dashes are Teleflex clocks.
It's interesting that none of the clocks seem to have survived!
Dean, you could always remount that laptop or tablet to your steering wheel if you need to see the time
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Oh my! I'm reading through Chiefair's thread again to learn about his awesome engine swap and here I am laughing my ass off over that post I made on my "new tablet steering wheel mount". Oh my how gullible people are!
__________________
May a Firefly land upon your shoulder
and bring you good luck, good fortune, and abundance.
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10-28-2019, 05:18 AM
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#130
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Rivet Master
1974 20' Argosy 20
Richmond
, Kentucky
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,116
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dadstoy
.... Oh my how gullible people are!
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YES we are.....
__________________
Air forums # 1674
1974 20' Argosy Motor Home
1975 24' Argosy Motor Home
1974 31' Excella trailer (parting out, as of 4/1/2015 I have wheels & windows left to sell)
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11-29-2021, 02:18 PM
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#131
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3 Rivet Member
Rockton
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 103
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Engine
Quote:
Originally Posted by chiefair
I am very happy with the new motor however, the 454 would still be there if it hadn’t self-destructed.
I considered a diesel swap but I was more interested in getting back to camping! The diesel swap is much more involved and more than I wanted to tackle in my driveway.
The fuel economy is horrible. If that is a concern, I would recommend another hobby! The 502 is basically the same as the 454 on gas- maybe slightly better. There is no comparison power-wise.
I’m not looking to work on others but feel free to PM me if you want to come for a look at mine.
Are you looking at the Excella in Concord NH? I have seen that around Concord several times so I know it moves under its own power!
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Great topic. I’m looking at a 1982 Airstream 310 myself. But guess what, it needs an engine. I need to find someone near Joliet where it’s sitting to replace it. Before you replaced yours did you consider rebuildingThe transmission? I think I better get the checkbook out lol
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11-30-2021, 01:33 PM
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#132
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3 Rivet Member
1982 31' Airstream 310
Henniker
, New Hampshire
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 215
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The transmission in mine had been rebuilt by the previous owner, so that was not an issue for me - It was still pretty fresh.
__________________
1982 310 motorhome 502
Henniker New Hampshire
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09-01-2023, 11:03 AM
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#133
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New Member
1988 34.5' Airstream 345
Spokane Valley
, Washington
Join Date: Jun 2021
Posts: 1
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Rear end
Did you have to get a new rear end for your 454 to 502 engine swap?
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09-03-2023, 12:48 PM
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#134
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3 Rivet Member
1982 31' Airstream 310
Henniker
, New Hampshire
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 215
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jdavidmadsen
Did you have to get a new rear end for your 454 to 502 engine swap?
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I did not. More gears would be nice. It will roll along at 70 but the RPMs are up there around 3200. It would be a lot quieter with an overdrive or different rear end ratio.
__________________
1982 310 motorhome 502
Henniker New Hampshire
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09-03-2023, 12:52 PM
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#135
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3 Rivet Member
1982 31' Airstream 310
Henniker
, New Hampshire
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 215
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Finally found some time for a weekend escape.
__________________
1982 310 motorhome 502
Henniker New Hampshire
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