Visit our Popular Forums

Eagleuh1 · 12-11-2011, 08:40 PM

I bought a 68 Ambassador International back in Sept. Went back to working 72 hour weeks 2 days later, so I'm just getting to do some work on it now. I replaced all tires with new GY Marathons after towing it 60 miles. The tires were so hot couldn't keep finger on it. Towed from Tulsa Ok to Dover Ar. with no problems. Only had driving lights and 2 running lights. No electric brakes. Didn't realize wiring was so different on old AS's. So far i've stripped most of remaining Clear coat. Reolaced heater and stovetop. Will be replacing kitchen counter soon. Replaced elctrical converter with one with charge wizard. Pics soon.

Blue Pearl · 12-12-2011, 12:38 AM

Welcome to the Ambassador club. We just love ours. They polish up real nice but take time. My husband called it his workout program.

Eagleuh1 · 12-12-2011, 05:02 AM

Thanks BluePearl. Mines still got a lot of work ahead. DO you have a switch above the door on your 68. I haven't been able to figure out what mine is for. It isn't the porch light or any of the inside lights either.

Eagleuh1 · 12-12-2011, 05:37 AM

Pics of the AS so far. My TV is a 68 Chevy C20 with drivetrain from a 2005 Suburban.

Eagleuh1 · 12-12-2011, 05:56 AM

Some more pics. Also replaced all the plumbing vent stack covers. Waiting to replace fridge vent cover and redo sealing on the vents and skylight. Stripped most of the clear coat was none on roof area.

kevinb · 12-12-2011, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eagleuh1

Thanks BluePearl. Mines still got a lot of work ahead. DO you have a switch above the door on your 68. I haven't been able to figure out what mine is for. It isn't the porch light or any of the inside lights either.

On my 68 the switch over the door controls one overhead light, possibly the rotary switch at the light itself is bad, they have a tendency to fail.

kevin

Eagleuh1 · 12-31-2011, 10:09 PM

Finally got around to the axles yesterday. replaced both with 3500 lb axles from Inland RV. Thanks Andy. Fit perfect, no drilling or other mods required . Couldn't have gone easier unless I wasn't on a sloped gravel driveway. Raised the trailer about 2 inches or so. Got my kitchen counter in also with new stove. Hooked up all the PEX plumbing but the toilet. Had to put new tiles down today in the bath area, so tomorrow the toilet goes in and I can air test the system then add water. Got my fingers crossed no leaks.

Eagleuh1 · 12-31-2011, 10:19 PM

Heres more pics of the action. I'm surprised I'm not much sorer this morning than I am. Most physical activity I've done in a while. All went great until the last wheel. Sliced my middle finger wide open picking up the wheel. It had a half inch long burr on one of the lug holes. Thought I got stung by a bee so I jurked back and fillade my finger open. Lots of blood, slowed my good progress down a little. Got a tetnus booster this morning.

kevinb · 01-01-2012, 08:00 AM

congratulations, thats a job I have been putting off for a while. Did you install new shocks? Either way I'm sure it will pull a lot better.

Kevin

Eagleuh1 · 01-02-2012, 08:22 AM

Yeh, new shocks too. I was surprised how easy they went in, other than pushing them on a board under the trailer, and dragging the old ones out on the board. Used a hand truck with a 4x4 on the bottom to move them out of the way once out from the trailer. Bolted the shocks up before putting axles under trailer. Then rolled it up level with floor jack in middle. Lifted each end up a little at a time with bottle jack and placed on 2x4 block under brack backer plate. Did this until bracket was against frame. Bolts went right in. Then connected shock to frame mount. Also, no leaks in plumbing except the drain valve on the water heater. The old rubber disk fell apart when I closed it. Of coarse, the local hardware store was closed today. Why did they run the gas line under the axles instead of over it?

kevinb · 01-03-2012, 08:25 AM

You didnt have to weld shock brackets on to the new axles? That was a part of the project I was really dreading.

I think they were trying to protect the gas line, by going under the axles, but I have seen it done both ways on airstreams,so its anyones guess.

If you have the space, rather than trying to remove the old water heater valve, just thread a new one right on to the old one.

Kevin

Eagleuh1 · 01-05-2012, 04:28 AM

No, shock brackets were already welded onto the trailing arms. I just bought a new rubber gasket/disk for the drain valve. Easy fix, just didn't wan't to drive all the way into town just for that. Sanded the A frame and back bumper/ frame yesterday. Primed the A frame and getting ready to paint today. Supposed to be in the 60's today. A frame will be Sail Blue and the back bumper I'm using Rustoleam Hammered silver for. Gotta find a roller blind for the bathroom window today also. Size is being hard to find. Got one fitting in kitchen window already.