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SilverDollar · 12-04-2008, 04:36 PM

The MH as it rolled in.

SilverDollar · 12-04-2008, 04:46 PM

And the fun begins!!!! Excessive corrosion on the untreated steel on the underside and pockets everywhere to collect debris (mud and water) to start corrosion. May have to do some re-engineering..... Hummmmm!

**Kevin245** · 12-04-2008, 04:48 PM

Gee...You don't believe in starting small do you? Love the 70's fabric print on the gaucho and chair. Let us know what your plans are.

SilverDollar · 12-04-2008, 04:54 PM

And the teardown continues. Here's the grease I found on the inside of the outer skin under the insulation presumably to stop leaks during the infamous "water test"! Grease is everywhere!!!

SilverDollar · 12-04-2008, 05:07 PM

And the donor chassis has arrived. A 1992 Oshkosh forward control chassis with an intercooled 5.9 Cummins 12V 190hp. and a non-lockup 4 speed Allison. Already bought a MD3060 six speed for it and will yield 80MPH @ 2000RPM in 6th. Just about right...

I hate to junk the 32 passenger bus that's on the chassis but oh well. Anyone need seats or windows? All in excellent shape and free.

SilverDollar · 12-04-2008, 05:35 PM

And the teardown continues noting structural integrity issues and more corrosion. I'm going to have to make some structural repairs on the shell before I lift it and I'm kind of debating wheather or not to leave the windshields in. Anyone have any input? The weather is getting cold outside and I probably won't do much to it until spring anyway so I'll have some time to prepare.

Note real estate signs and muffler tubing on driver seat post. It was just jammed on there and probably would have split on a collision and dumped the driver on the gaucho or through the windshield if he didn't have his belt on! Glad I'm looking at it.

1953 Flying · 12-04-2008, 05:38 PM

All I can say is wow.....

87MH · 12-04-2008, 05:39 PM

Can't wait to see more pics as your project progresses.

SilverDollar · 12-04-2008, 06:03 PM

I'm planning to re-design the very poorly designed and constructed floor structure that supports the whole shell. It is topped with 1/2" plywood and I'm going to look at putting 3/4" marine grade.

I'm also going to eliminate the louver on the fridge access panel and install one in the floor like my Overlander had. This is a source for major water collection driving in the rain. My fridge compartment had some drain holes drilled in the floor to correct the problem..... Note the road grime.

bkahler · 12-04-2008, 06:32 PM

After seeing the pictures of the corrosion I'm beginning to wonder what our 1974 20' Argosy motorhome is like. It spent most of its life in Maine and I can't imagine that was overly healthy for any exposed steel.

Good luck on your project and keep the pictures coming.

Brad

jerrypeterma · 12-04-2008, 06:39 PM

seems like a great project.
good luck
Jerry

SilverDollar · 12-04-2008, 08:02 PM

After seeing the pictures of the corrosion I'm beginning to wonder what our 1974 20' Argosy motorhome is like. It spent most of its life in Maine and I can't imagine that was overly healthy for any exposed steel.

I'd at least look at the roadside rear frame if you are planning to do any towing if yours is a rear bath like mine. There was very little left holding that side of the bumper after all of the holes cut in the frame for drain lines to the grey tank. Here's a pic from that area.

bkahler · 12-05-2008, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverDollar

I'd at least look at the roadside rear frame if you are planning to do any towing if yours is a rear bath like mine. There was very little left holding that side of the bumper after all of the holes cut in the frame for drain lines to the grey tank. Here's a pic from that area.

Ours is a center (right behind the drivers seat) bath and 8' shorter than yours. I'm 1,700 miles from the motorhome right now but I have a bunch of pictures of the underside. I'll have to dig them out and see if anything is evident.

Brad

SilverDollar · 12-05-2008, 04:30 PM

I looked at some of your pictures. The ones with the grill missing and your frame isn't nearly as rusty as mine is. My worst spots were around the rear wheelwells and under the plywood cover on the aft edge of the upper floor. If you have some time, that area is worth looking at. Anyway good luck, hope yours is better than mine.

SilverDollar · 01-22-2009, 08:21 PM

The snow is gone and the teardown continues. The scrap metal lady (who's about 75 years old) is very happy every time she comes here. Wait till she gets the generator!

bkahler · 01-22-2009, 08:40 PM

Tell me more about the generator. Our argosgy could use one!

Thanks!

Brad

SilverDollar · 01-22-2009, 08:55 PM

I never ran it because I never put enough fuel in the tank to do so. Most motorhome generators are set up so they won't run the main fuel tank dry so they run out of gas about 1/4 tank. The PO told me it ran and worked just fine. It's a 1 cylinder Kohler 4K and I have an Onan 2 cylinder 5K that's going back in runnung on Propane as the new chassis is diesel and I'd rather have a low RPM 2 cylinder than a 1 cylinder lawn mower engine generator. I wasn't sure if you can get a propane conversion kit for that old of a generator and I already had the Onan... Yours if you want it but it's probably not worth shipping to KY.

SilverDollar · 03-22-2009, 06:06 PM

I have to move across the country due to the economy and I have the shell available to whoever comes and gets it here in Vancouver, WA. I'd like to get a little money out of it but I know how times are for people. I won't be at a computer until the middle of April so send me a PM and let me know when you can come get it and maybe an offer?

It's still on the P60 chassis with drivetrain installed and will not run but it will roll. All windows are still installed and all of the interior skin is removed but I still have it. Would have to be towed or transported via flatbed.

I also have the running 32 passenger diesel Cummins bus (The future chassis) for sale for $5K.

Best of luck to everyone here, I'm going to Texas for a couple of weeks to camp in my Overlander, ride some mud on my 4 wheeler and forget about life for a while....

Larry

bkahler · 03-30-2009, 09:43 AM

Larry,

Really sorry to hear about your having to move and not being able to finish the Argos project. Times are definitely tough right now and I hope everything works out for you down the road.

I wish I was closer to Washington, I'd take the Argosy off your hands.

Oh well.

Good luck to you.

Brad

SilverDollar · 04-12-2009, 10:20 AM

Yeah, it kind of sucks. I hate to scrap it but if i don't get any interested takers I have no choice. There are alot of good parts there, mouldings, trim, dash, etc. The clock is ticking.........

Larry