'74 Argosy 20' Motorhome restoration/rebuild

[gmehal]

Maybe some black domed rubber plugs. Try McMaster Carr
http://www.mcmaster.com/#sundry-plugs/=o3y8c9

[bkahler]

I thought about using some kind of plug but rubber deteriorates and these would be in direct sunlight. I decide to go ahead and use the stainless pan head screws and if something better comes along I can always change.



I need to finish up the interior step installation on both the Argosy and the 310 as well as reseal the 310 windshields so I decided it was time to park them side by side

Did you notice the resemblance...

[gmehal]

Your as bad as me! My count is 2 air streams, 1 Argosy and 1 spartan

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by gmehal

Your as bad as me! My count is 2 air streams, 1 Argosy and 1 spartan

Maybe worse Did you notice the nose of the Excella trailer sticking out from behind the shop? Current count is an Argosy, 310 and Excella trailer. A year ago at this time there was a 345 added into the mix.

Brad

[bkahler]

If you've read my last few posts you'll know that I've been fighting a leak in the left cockpit window. I thought I had found the source yesterday when I plugged two screw holes that a PO had used for mounting a side view mirror.

Well, it's drizzling out right now so I went and checked out the window to see if the window was leak free. Nope, leak was still there

I started looking closer at where the water seemed to be appearing in the window track and after looking real close I realized the water wasn't coming from above

I went back outside and was looking at the frame and then it hit me, the drivers side window frame didn't have any drain slots The factory's failure to put the drain slots in the window frame has kept me looking for months for a possible source for the persistent leak.

Here's a picture of the RH window, notice the drain slots...



Here's the LH side, notice there AREN'T any drain slots



I have two choices, one I can figure out a way to route four slots into the window frame or I can replace the whole assembly with a spare frame that I have available. Replacing the frame is a whole lot of work but it's something I will likely want to do one of these days anyway as the fixed pane is scratched really bad on the inside.

My problem is I didn't want to replace the window frame at this time. I was hoping to replace it this winter once I pull the Argosy into the shop for some exterior renovation. I guess another option would be to drill a series of holes to allow the water to drain to the outside which is exactly how it works on the RH window.

Decisions, decisions

[PeterH-350LE]

I willing to bet that your windshields are water tight now.
IMHO, the driver and passenger window assembly are one of the weakest link in the classic design. Not just the (lack of) smooth operation, no matter how new the seals are, but also the seemingly fruitless efforts to get them 100% sealed. I got so desperate on my 79 about my failure to locate a leak on the passenger side, that I mounted a small funnel inside the wall with a hose leading to the outside. Now I think that it was a cracked or broken weld of the window frame on the forward lower end of the fixed pane.

[bkahler]

Peter,

You're right, no leaks from the windshield!

I was starting to curse you there for a few minutes when I first started trying to squeeze the handle of the caulk gun. I couldn't believe that stuff could be that hard to get out of the tube and I was surprised you didn't warn me about it. Then the light bulb went off and I thought it might be the caulk gun that was the problem. Fortunately I had a new caulk gun that apparently has a slightly smaller piston which made all the difference in the world

I agree, these cockpit windows are a real nightmare to work with. I have yet to have any working cockpit windows in either the Argosy or the 310. Have all the seals, just haven't had time to install them. One of these days....

This afternoon I spent a little time removing the remaining cabinets and counter top on the right side of the coach. It's nice and roomy inside now

There was one layer of carpet and two layers of tile. The bottom most layer of tile has a checker board pattern. I wonder if it's original?



Here's a couple of views with me sitting on the dog house looking towards the rear.



Next step is to tear up the wood flooring, reinforce the framework by adding more 1"x2" steel tubing and then laying down 3/4" plywood. Original was 1/2" plywood and it was sagging all over the place. One thing I really hate is spongy floors.

[gmehal]

Roomy is right!

[bkahler]

Finally got around to cutting the weep holes in the drivers side cockpit window that Airstream conveniently left out

The first step was to locate where the slots needed to go and then drill 3/16" holes at each end.



I used a dremel tool with a cutoff wheel installed. The first slot went just fine...



...but I must have gotten in a hurry on the 2nd one



Are the slots perfect? No. Are they functional? Yes.



I don't think they look to bad. They aren't perfect but they'll work. Once the window trim gets painted black again they won't be near as noticeable. Now on to the next project...

[wxbuoy]

Brad,

Do you have the little weep hole covers to keep the bugs out? Looks like progress!

[bkahler]

Dave,

To the best of my knowledge the Argosies never had weep hole covers on any of the windows. The cockpit weep holes are the same on all of the Argosies and Classics but the covers are NLA.

Brad

[wxbuoy]

I wonder why they put them on the classics then. Hmmm As far as NLA, wasn't there someone on the forum that had a run made. I don't know if they did the smaller ones. But from what I have seen it would be a pretty simple process to make. But then again, why make something that hasn't been needed for almost 40 years!

[bkahler]

Other than to keep bugs out I don't know why they put them on the Classics. As far as I'm concerned they make things worse by clogging up.

The weep hole covers that were made recently were the large covers for the side windows.

[wxbuoy]

Yeah your right. Beside nothing a little piece of nylon screen wont fix. As for me I have far bigger wholes to worry about!!

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by wxbuoy

Yeah your right. Beside nothing a little piece of nylon screen wont fix. As for me I have far bigger wholes to worry about!!

That makes two of us

[wxbuoy]

I wished we lived closer. We could switch weekends working on the motorhomes. I think the biggest issue is the lack of moral support or someone to say "What the hell, go for it" instead of constantly second guessing myself! Right now I am stuck on the bed design.. But more about that on my thread

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by wxbuoy

I wished we lived closer. We could switch weekends working on the motorhomes. I think the biggest issue is the lack of moral support or someone to say "What the hell, go for it" instead of constantly second guessing myself! Right now I am stuck on the bed design.. But more about that on my thread

That might not be a good thing (for me) as I tend to work on other peoples things before I work on mine That means mine would never get done!

[bkahler]

I've been trying to figure out what to do about the original tail light housing assembly that was on the Argosy. The plastic housing itself is in pretty rough condition with large cracks all over the place. What makes it even less appealing is the fact that the lens themselves are no longer available so if one gets broken at some point I'm hosed.



I then acquired a replacement plastic housing from a 78 Argosy motorhome via a forum member. While it's complete it also has some cracks that need to be dealt with although not near as bad as my original plastic housing. The following picture shows the style I'm referring too. I do like the square light assemblies which are readily available as replacement items.



Then a while back I ran across an auction on ebay for a pair of pre-74 Excella tail lights so I bid on them on won. The only thing I don't like about these lights is the fact that the lenses are slightly smaller than the square ones.



Since I have a 74 Excella trailer that will likely be parted out I decided to remove it's tail lights in case I decide they would be a better option. So today I spent about an hour removing the two Excella tail light assemblies. These lights would likely be the best choice because they use the square lights and as a bonus there is an extra light on each side for better lighting from the rear.






What really surprised me was both of the Excella trailer lights were held in by rivets and not screws. It appeared to be a rigid installation but it still makes me wonder whether that's the best method available

So now my decision is which tail light setup to use. The original setup is out, it's just not worth the hassle of repairing the plastic housing and then worrying about breaking a lens.

I like the later Argosy lights but again the plastic housing is a worry because no matter what they will always crack. It's just a matter of time. The good thing about this housing is there are no large holes to cut in the outer shell unlike either of the Excella trailer lights which require large rectangular openings.

Decisions decisions

Brad

[wxbuoy]

Good Luck in your decision! I am personally going for sustainability. So if I am redoing something, I am doing it to where parts are readily available vice putting it back to original. It is going to be harder and more expensive in the near term, but I am hoping it pays off in the long run!

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by wxbuoy

...I am personally going for sustainability. So if I am redoing something, I am doing it to where parts are readily available vice putting it back to original...

Sustainability was the primary reason we bought the 345 to use as spare parts. So many things are no longer available buying one for parts seemed the best alternative.