Argosy 20' MH restoration

[lwgallant]

Hi all! This is my first post. I have a 1974 Argosy 24 which runs and drives (up until yesterday) - the alternator has gone on it and I am having trouble figuring out what ampage to get for it. Does a standard 63 amp alternator suffice? Thank you!

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by lwgallant

Hi all! This is my first post. I have a 1974 Argosy 24 which runs and drives (up until yesterday) - the alternator has gone on it and I am having trouble figuring out what ampage to get for it. Does a standard 63 amp alternator suffice? Thank you!

Welcome to Airforums. The 74 would likely have had a 95 amp alternator installed originally. A 63 amp alternator would be to small. I was on a trip and the alternator went out on me and the only thing I could find in the small town I was in was a 63 amp and while it worked, it didn't keep the batteries charged.

When you have the opportunity you should start a new thread about your Argosy and add pictures. We like pictures

Brad

[lwgallant]

Originally Posted by bkahler

Welcome to Airforums. The 74 would likely have had a 95 amp alternator installed originally. A 63 amp alternator would be to small. I was on a trip and the alternator went out on me and the only thing I could find in the small town I was in was a 63 amp and while it worked, it didn't keep the batteries charged.

When you have the opportunity you should start a new thread about your Argosy and add pictures. We like pictures

Brad

Thank you so much!

That's a great idea - I will do!

[tallytwo1994]

Originally Posted by GREEN ARGOSY

Thank you
My Argosy is still sitting on the jack stands. I'm not sure when it will be landing on the ground, however, my project has been progressing steadily!

Hello Yuki,

What’s going on, are you about ready to put the wheels back on the ground? I have been thinking about your project lately. Wondering if you are still working or if you have been distracted by life? Hope things with the Argosy, and you, are well.

Carol

[GREEN ARGOSY]

Originally Posted by tallytwo1994

Hello Yuki,

What’s going on, are you about ready to put the wheels back on the ground? I have been thinking about your project lately. Wondering if you are still working or if you have been distracted by life? Hope things with the Argosy, and you, are well.

Carol

Hi Carol,

How's it going? Actually, my Argosy is still floating in the air...
I have never done any working on the Argosy for the past half year because I have a lot of things to do. However, no worries, I will never abandon my restoration project. I'm hoping I will be able to restart my project next month or near soon!
I bought some parts from the USA even though JPY is very weak against the USD recently. I would like to put those parts on the Argosy right away!!

[tallytwo1994]

Originally Posted by GREEN ARGOSY

Hi Carol,

How's it going? Actually, my Argosy is still floating in the air...
I have never done any working on the Argosy for the past half year because I have a lot of things to do. However, no worries, I will never abandon my restoration project. I'm hoping I will be able to restart my project next month or near soon!
I bought some parts from the USA even though JPY is very weak against the USD recently. I would like to put those parts on the Argosy right away!!

Yuki,

Things in Florida are HOT! I need to get busy with a couple projects on my house but I have almost waited too long to be able to work outdoors, unless I do so at night. Since I live next door to a National Forest, that’s not happening. But otherwise I’m plugging along. I decided I want a smallish 1970’s motorhome so I’ve been looking online. I really don't want my first trip to be bringing one home from halfway across the country, so there are not too many options. Luckily I’m a pretty patient person, so I will wait for the right one to come along.

Glad to hear you are still planning to finish that beauty. I’ll keep reading, watching, and waiting to hear you are ready for the maiden voyage. I don’t post much on here but I read everything and really enjoy the work you do.

Take care and my regards to you and your family,
Carol

[GREEN ARGOSY]

Originally Posted by tallytwo1994

Yuki,

Things in Florida are HOT! I need to get busy with a couple projects on my house but I have almost waited too long to be able to work outdoors, unless I do so at night. Since I live next door to a National Forest, that’s not happening. But otherwise I’m plugging along. I decided I want a smallish 1970’s motorhome so I’ve been looking online. I really don't want my first trip to be bringing one home from halfway across the country, so there are not too many options. Luckily I’m a pretty patient person, so I will wait for the right one to come along.

Glad to hear you are still planning to finish that beauty. I’ll keep reading, watching, and waiting to hear you are ready for the maiden voyage. I don’t post much on here but I read everything and really enjoy the work you do.

Take care and my regards to you and your family,
Carol

Carol,

It's getting hot here in Japan too but I guess Florida is hotter than here. I'm not sure about Florida, it's just because. (I have been there only once when I was child. However, it's about 30 years ago....)

I decided I want a smallish 1970’s motorhome so I’ve been looking online.

That sounds really good! I'm looking forward to hearing what's going on and hoping you find a great one!!


I became more motivated by your words. I should be back working on the Argosy ASAP!
Stay tuned!

[GREEN ARGOSY]

I cleaned my garage up yesterday. There were a lot of dust and dead bugs on the floor because it had not been cleaned for over half a year! Anyway, it's prep for working on the Argosy.


I have extended the garage space at behind the Argosy recently. So I can take a photo from back easily, and it also helps to access the rear end.

Yes, I know. I should clean the Argosy up first and foremost!!

[tallytwo1994]

Originally Posted by GREEN ARGOSY

I cleaned my garage up yesterday. There were a lot of dust and dead bugs on the floor because it had not been cleaned for over half a year! Anyway, it's prep for working on the Argosy.

Attachment 445423
I have extended the garage space at behind the Argosy recently. So I can take a photo from back easily, and it also helps to access the rear end.

Yes, I know. I should clean the Argosy up first and foremost!!

Hooray!

[GREEN ARGOSY]

This is the first time I'm working on my Argosy in 2024, even though it has been seven months since this year began. Time really flies... As far as I remember, I installed fluid coolers and made some hoses the last time. But all of the hoses hadn't been completed yet, so I continued to make it.


I decided to use a thermostat into the cooling line, because I don't need cooling the engine oil when it keeps low temperature. According to the instruction sheet, this thermostat bypasses connected cooler until fluid temperature reaches 180°F.


The engine oil cooler hoses are routing very close to headers! It looks like these hoses will be heated by the headers easily. I prefer cooling to heating engine oil, so I'm going to wrap heat barriers for protection.


On the trans fluid cooling line, I added extra fluid filter. I'm believing that a lot of fluid amount will help to keep low temperatures.



There is a thermostat into the trans fluid cooling line too, it's the same reason as the engine oil cooling line.




Finally, the engine oil and the trans fluid coolers are hooked up with hoses completely now. The next task is wrapping heat barriers on the hoses where the area around the headers.
Stay tuned!!

[GREEN ARGOSY]

It's time to wrap the headers with insulation. Actually, I don't like this task because my body will be itchy after doing it!


I prepared four 50' rolls of insulation wraps, then I wrapped the headers a lot of times.......







Eventually, I used three of rolls for wrapping the pair of headers. It's more than I expected.


An engine cooler line is very close to the headers. I hope this insulation will reduce heat radiantion from the headers. I'm going to wrap insulation the cooler line too.


Power steering pressure line is close to the headers as well. I'm going to make this hose next time.

[tallytwo1994]

Originally Posted by GREEN ARGOSY

It's time to wrap the headers with insulation. Actually, I don't like this task because my body will be itchy after doing it!

Attachment 446368
I prepared four 50' rolls of insulation wraps, then I wrapped the headers a lot of times.......
Attachment 446369
Attachment 446370
Attachment 446371
Attachment 446372
Attachment 446373

Attachment 446374
Eventually, I used three of rolls for wrapping the pair of headers. It's more than I expected.

Attachment 446375
An engine cooler line is very close to the headers. I hope this insulation will reduce heat radiantion from the headers. I'm going to wrap insulation the cooler line too.

Attachment 446376
Power steering pressure line is close to the headers as well. I'm going to make this hose next time.

Yuki,

Good to read your message. I now know you survived the earthquake and so did the Argosy. The wrapped pipes look good but it sure took a lot more wrap than I would expect. Keep it coming.

Carol

[GREEN ARGOSY]

Originally Posted by tallytwo1994

Yuki,

Good to read your message. I now know you survived the earthquake and so did the Argosy. The wrapped pipes look good but it sure took a lot more wrap than I would expect. Keep it coming.

Carol

Carol,

Thank you for your message. Yes, there were an earthquake last week. Fortunately, our area is far from the epicenter so we are survived! However, I'm worried about the Argosy falling from the jack stands due to earthquakes.

[GREEN ARGOSY]

It's time for making a power steering hose.



I replaced a power steering pump. The original pump has an inverted flare port on the pressure side but the new one has an O-ring port. I think the O-ring style is newer than the inverted flare style. Anyway, I cannot use existing hose so I need to make a conversion hose.


I bought Russell PowerFlex hose and fittings. My plan is installing an O-ring to -6 AN adapter for the new pump and an inverted flare to -6 AN adapter for the existing brake booster then connecting both with a -6 AN hose, that's it!



Just curious, these fittings are the same standards as M16 x 1.5 (Metric) O-ring. However, there are different lengths beyond O-rings. I have no idea...






Anyway, the pump and brake booster have been connected with a homemade hose. I'm hoping the homemade high pressure hose would not be leaking!!

[tallytwo1994]

Originally Posted by GREEN ARGOSY

Carol,
I'm worried about the Argosy falling from the jack stands due to earthquakes.

Good reason to get wheels and rubber tires back on that bad boy quick. Earthquakes, no problem. It will bounce in place.

Carol

[GREEN ARGOSY]

Originally Posted by tallytwo1994

Good reason to get wheels and rubber tires back on that bad boy quick. Earthquakes, no problem. It will bounce in place.

Carol

Exactly!! I need to get rubber shoes back on my Argosy as soon as possible. I'm guessing the bad boy wants to land on the ground immediately too.

[GREEN ARGOSY]

A fuel tank was installed on my Argosy. The Argosy gets the fuel tank for the first time in almost six years!!



The fuel tank has been installed a new fuel pump, a new filter and a new sending unit. Also new painted.



The fuel tank was installed on the suitable position. Next I made some fuel hoses.


These are new items for my new fuel lines.
I'm going to go with a return style fuel system, so it needs more hoses than a return-less style.



Feed and return fuel hoses were connected between the fuel tank and the Atomic EFI.


There are some tasks left, connecting a vent line, a filler neck and electric wires. I'm going to make a vent line next time.

[GREEN ARGOSY]

I forgot to post about my new fuel sending unit. The original sending unit was worked well but I dropped and broke it..

Its housing came off and the resistor unit got damaged.


So I bought a universal sending unit that has the same resistance range as my new fuel level gauge. My plan is install the new sending unit on the original sending unit's base plate.



I don't need any fuel feed and return pipes on the sending unit I just need its mounting plate. Eliminated whole parts from the mounting plate then made some holes.


My fuel tank depth is about 29cm.

It's time for checking and adjusting the new sending unit.





When a float position is at the top, a fuel level gauge indicates "F". When the float position is at the bottom (29cm), the fuel level gauge does "E". It seems working well.



Cut the float arm once the adjsting was finished.


Finally, applied bunch of sealant between the original and new sending unit.


Finished! It looks clean. I'm satisfied!

[martin300662]

Hi Yuki

I'm working in Kyoto, Tokyo, and Osaka this week into next, and it has really struck be the number of 3.5 and 5t dually truck in use, they seem still available new.

Were you never tempted by a chassis swap to also give you right hand drive?

I am tempted to pick up a truck to export to UK as the really small duallies are not available there.

- Martin

[GREEN ARGOSY]

Originally Posted by martin300662

Hi Yuki

I'm working in Kyoto, Tokyo, and Osaka this week into next, and it has really struck be the number of 3.5 and 5t dually truck in use, they seem still available new.

Were you never tempted by a chassis swap to also give you right hand drive?

I am tempted to pick up a truck to export to UK as the really small duallies are not available there.

- Martin

Hi Martin,

That's great! There was a typhoon last week, it was terrible weather especially west of Japan. The typhoon went away so there are good weather days now!

Light duty dually trucks are very common here in Japan. Most of over 2t trucks have double tires on the rear axle. We can see them anywhere on the road!

I have never thought to swap a JDM chassis. Comes with a JDM motor (Especially a diesel one) is very tempting. It reduces taxes and fuel costs. However, if I swap a chassis, it would be necessary a lot of documents and inspections for registration. That's a very high bar to me.. Also I'm not much stick to right hand drive so far.

You are able to choose whatever small dualles you like from Hino, Isuzu, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Toyota and Mazda!