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Foxbrook · 06-10-2017, 09:02 AM

It runs! :-)

There are some things that I need to get sorted out right away without spending too much money. I already have 3 other Airstream/Argosy projects sitting in my backyard but I am crazy about this little motorhome.

1. I can't reach the pedals to drive it
2. gas pedal is hard to push
3. exhaust coming inside - a lot of it - non-stock dog house might be cause?
4. brakes - 3 work - mostly - sort of - maybe
5. steering feels loose and sloppy

I found an ad for it for sale or maybe sold in 2010 where it had a different kitchen and contact paper all inside but the giant chop/patch out of the side is pretty distinct in a faded pearl blue. Makes me wonder a little bit.

It will be and adventure for sure. ~Shanna

bkahler · 06-10-2017, 10:21 AM

Shanna, congratulations on your little Argosy purchase

Based on the pictures it would appear this one started out life for some other purpose besides camping. It appears to have some sort of large door right behind the driver and it has a window on the right side rear that I haven't seen before.

Can you post more pictures of the inside and outside?

The doghouse cover could very easily be the cause of exhaust smells but the other thing to look for is a leaky exhaust system. I think in general if your exhaust system is solid you should notice heat and noise more than exhaust smell.

As far as brakes and steering go more than likely they all just need to be completely rebuilt.

If the gas pedal is hard to push then you will likely need to replace the cable. Replacement cost for the cable is in the $30-$40 range. The cable isn't all that hard to replace.

As far as reaching the gas pedal, sorry I can't help you there

Brad

uncle_bob · 06-10-2017, 10:37 AM

Hi

On anything of this age, find a mechanic you can trust and work with. Give him the time to go over things carefully. Expect there to be a few surprises. Also don't expect everything to be found and fixed on the first pass. If you intend to keep the MH (I certainly hope you do !!) now is the time to start the systems rebuild process. It is *much* easier to do up front than to work out at some small garage 2,000 miles from anywhere on a Sunday afternoon in the snow

Bob

Foxbrook · 06-10-2017, 12:35 PM

I really want to keep it and enjoy it. The cute factor is high and it seems like a good size for maneuvering. Bashing on the seat rail seemed to make it movable again and now I can reach the pedals. It slides forward/back really nicely now.

It started up this morning after the long ride from Arkansas to North Carolina as I was tinkering. Then it refused to start again. The heat soak solenoid issue was revealed on the ride but it started no problem after wee cool down. Now, it won't jump or anything. :-(

I haven't opened any exterior compartments or exposed where there used to be compartments yet. I am pretty sure that Fred's has early versions of this motorhome. How many have this odd chop out on the side.

http://www.viewrvs.com/motorhome/arg...rgosy_20_g.php

I have added some more images and a video of what happens when I try and turn it over. I am guessing it needs a new starter.

Foxbrook · 06-10-2017, 12:43 PM

Here are a few more images. I don't know why they are sideways and upside down. I haven't found a generator yet but have not done any really invasive exploring. the large patch is definitely made of plywood and I am a little scared to see what it is hiding. I do have a donor Excella that I can harvest ribs or use to make patch panels.

~Shanna

Boom Sounds · 06-10-2017, 01:18 PM

Might be a faulty starter solenoid. You can short the terminals with a large screwdriver, but obviously be extremely careful and I am in NO WAY suggesting you want to try that at home.

Looks cute. I shall watch with interest as you fix it up.

bkahler · 06-10-2017, 02:23 PM

That's quite an arc that shows up while you're trying to start it

The engine looks like a 350 which should be a little easier to turnover and start.

The possibilities are, bad starter and/or solenoid, poor battery ground, poor positive connection at battery or if it has one the remote hot start solenoid is bad. It doesn't look like you have the remote hot start solenoid so that would be something you want to look into installing when you have the opportunity.

The easiest thing to do at this point would be to check and clean all of the connections between the starter and the battery. That includes all battery cable ground connections.

The coach certainly has a unique floor plan compared to other 20 foot Argosies that I've seen.

Brad

uncle_bob · 06-11-2017, 06:37 AM

Hi

In about 40 years since it left the factory, there probably have been quite a few owners. Each has had their own ideas about what to do. One thing to dig into on the floor plan is to work out if it is a factory mod or not. The patch over it likely was not done at the factory

We're in the middle of "build a pipeline mania" around here. One of the features of this is watching all sorts of very highly customized vehicles drive around the streets and through the fields. There are a lot of reasons to do customization ...

Bob

ijustlee · 06-12-2017, 03:03 AM

You have a loose or a bad connection where that arcing is coming from! Clean and tighten and you should be good to go. More photos please!

Foxbrook · 06-12-2017, 05:27 AM

Thanks for the help and advice folks! I have so much to learn! This is going to be fun.

I squeezed in a little time for the motorhome yesterday afternoon. After some poking around, we have discovered a remote start solenoid in the area near the 12v fuse panel. I wonder if the AC Delco starter on the motor is wired correctly taking account for the remote start solenoid.

I hope to be able to work on it for an hour or two this afternoon. I will see if I can get a few more pictures then and uploaded.

Shanna

Outbackga · 06-12-2017, 10:33 AM

This will be an adventure. I have done many of the things on my 1973 Dodge Cayo that you will encounter.

Dave

bkahler · 06-12-2017, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foxbrook

Thanks for the help and advice folks! I have so much to learn! This is going to be fun.

I squeezed in a little time for the motorhome yesterday afternoon. After some poking around, we have discovered a remote start solenoid in the area near the 12v fuse panel. I wonder if the AC Delco starter on the motor is wired correctly taking account for the remote start solenoid.

I hope to be able to work on it for an hour or two this afternoon. I will see if I can get a few more pictures then and uploaded.

Shanna

Shanna,

I'm not so sure that is the remote start solenoid. I believe that is the solenoid that joins the house and start batteries together in the event that the start battery is dead. There should be a momentary toggle switch somewhere on the dash that if you flip the switch the solenoid is energized.

Typically the remote start solenoid is mounted on the alternator top adjusting bracket. The one 77 Argosy that I have worked on did not have the hot start solenoid.

Brad

Boom Sounds · 06-12-2017, 11:31 AM

Looked like starter solenoid

Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

bkahler · 06-12-2017, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boom Sounds

Looked like starter solenoid

Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

Yeah, both solenoids look the same, one should have #2 gauge or larger wires on it. That would be the hot start solenoid. The one shown in his picture is connected directly to the DC house battery fuse block.

Foxbrook · 06-13-2017, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkahler

Shanna,

There should be a momentary toggle switch somewhere on the dash that if you flip the switch the solenoid is energized.

Brad

Thanks, Brad. I will investigate further when I have a bit of free time this weekend. The second you mentioned dash wiring my heart sank because nothing on the dash works. I suspect it will have the usual squirrel nest of wiring that I would like to simplify immensely. I would like to keep vehicle wiring in the dash and maybe have Airstream monitoring elsewhere in the coach. That is the dream anyway.

Any idea where the propane tank is supposed to be on these? I have only ever had trailers with the tanks on the hitch.
Shanna

bkahler · 06-13-2017, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foxbrook

Thanks, Brad. I will investigate further when I have a bit of free time this weekend. The second you mentioned dash wiring my heart sank because nothing on the dash works. I suspect it will have the usual squirrel nest of wiring that I would like to simplify immensely. I would like to keep vehicle wiring in the dash and maybe have Airstream monitoring elsewhere in the coach. That is the dream anyway.

Any idea where the propane tank is supposed to be on these? I have only ever had trailers with the tanks on the hitch.
Shanna

Squirrels nest, rats nest take your pick

Does your coach have a status panel installed somewhere in one of the upper cupboards? That's the usual location for the Argosy models.

My guess is your propane tank is located underneath in the right rear corner of the chassis. That's where it is on Peanut which is a rear bath like yours. The tank might be covered by an aluminum or ABS plastic panel.

Brad

Foxbrook · 06-21-2017, 06:09 PM

Today, I wandered out to the motorhome and it started right up without any trouble.
I motored to the end of the driveway and back without any trouble. Yay!
My brakes need to be replaced right away. I found Brad's renovation of his motorhome and it is very very helpful. Thank you Brad!

I was thinking of trying to find some captain seats from a junk yard or eBay.
The Toyota Siennas have the seatbelt on the seat which would be great since my niece and nephew really want to go on a "driving airstream adventure." They are really excited and keep talking about it, want to help build it and ask to play in it, I will need to lay it out to sleep and buckle 4 instead of 2 as I originally planned.

I was thinking something like the ones in this picture. They don't have to recline but I would like the seatbelt incorporated with the seat. I will have to get the running gear handled first but then safety restraints will need to be made a priority for the kids (4yr old and 6yr old). We can make some fun memories and go on some big adventures once it is all set up.

I hate to sacrifice the space for 2 more seats but long term it might be a good idea. They are only going to get bigger and having separate seats might make a trip survivable. Anyone seen anyone do this type of thing?
Shanna

Overlander & Sea · 06-22-2017, 05:27 AM

That's a cool 20' Argosy MH!! We just sold ours. Good luck with your project!!

bkahler · 06-22-2017, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foxbrook

Today, I wandered out to the motorhome and it started right up without any trouble.
I motored to the end of the driveway and back without any trouble. Yay!
My brakes need to be replaced right away. I found Brad's renovation of his motorhome and it is very very helpful. Thank you Brad!

I was thinking of trying to find some captain seats from a junk yard or eBay.
The Toyota Siennas have the seatbelt on the seat which would be great since my niece and nephew really want to go on a "driving airstream adventure." They are really excited and keep talking about it, want to help build it and ask to play in it, I will need to lay it out to sleep and buckle 4 instead of 2 as I originally planned.

I was thinking something like the ones in this picture. They don't have to recline but I would like the seatbelt incorporated with the seat. I will have to get the running gear handled first but then safety restraints will need to be made a priority for the kids (4yr old and 6yr old). We can make some fun memories and go on some big adventures once it is all set up.

I hate to sacrifice the space for 2 more seats but long term it might be a good idea. They are only going to get bigger and having separate seats might make a trip survivable. Anyone seen anyone do this type of thing?
Shanna

Shanna, hopefully you'll be able to avoid some of the pitfalls that I seem to keep falling into!

The seats look nice but I'm not sure if those leg rests will work out for you. There isn't a whole lot of room in the cockpit foot well area so the could be a problem. If you look through the info I posted in my thread and also if you look at Martin's thread you'll see how the Stow-N-Go seats look and fit in place of the original cockpit seats.

Seating for more than two in a 20' motorhome can be difficult but you have a couch which would allow you to at least seat two more with seat belts. Sleeping is a different story!

I don't know of anyone that has kids with a 20' except for Dane and if I remember correctly he hasn't addressed how to provide seating for his new daughter.

This issue should make for a good discussion

Brad

Foxbrook · 07-14-2017, 10:39 AM

Brad, your posts are very helpful. I am grateful to have them as a resource.

I have been thinking about AC. The motorhome doesn't have any in the driving area of the coach. It is very hot in the south and out west where I am likely to be roaming free. I couldn't resist re-parking the motorhome so it would be on my yard cameras and with the fleet. It was an inferno in there while jockeying around. I was wondering if anyone has heard of AC being installed as an add on feature?

I keep telling myself I won't even start on the motorhome until I clear out the other 2 other Argosy projects I have. I just can't seem to resist tinkering and when I see them derelict somewhere the urge to rescue is strong.

This is how I end up with 2 Argosy trailers, 1 Airstream trailer, 1 Motorhome and one "junker" Airstream destroyed on a tv show that I can harvest parts off of....

Today, we got the motorhome running by using dielectric grease on the battery connections. It seems that one side of the connectors on the battery is not making contact enough to push 12v even though the post on that same side is registering 12v the connector is only registering 10. Maybe the starting issue has been a battery issue this whole time?

I have decided to do a complete gut job of the motorhome since there seems to be weirdness all over, from plywood walls that should be aluminum, chopped and mismatched over head lockers and several other odd choices from previous owners. These issues, added to the fact I would like it to sleep and seatbelt 4 humans, really means a custom build from scratch. Can't wait!

Stay cool out there folks,

Shanna