Peanut lives on!

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by bkahler

Well whatever was causing the pressure on the low side wasn't Freon or if it was it was only a trace. I cracked a fitting on the low side to get an idea of how much pressure was really involved and other than some hissing nothing came out of the line. If there was Freon coming out I couldn't smell it or see it. The hissing lasted all of about 8 seconds. I might have to get my gauges checked!

I've now started the task of removing the radiator. So far it hasn't been to bad. I ended up removing the oil cooler as the lines were to stiff for it to move out of the way. Most of the mounting bolts for the radiator support frame have been removed and the condenser is out as well. With luck the radiator will be out before the end of the weekend.

Attachment 261536Attachment 261537

That radiator looks like the one in my old 79 Excella. I was able to pull it out from underneath by raising front axle enough (ramps). But it looks like you already have the entire front end dismantled ?

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by PeterH-Airstreamer

That radiator looks like the one in my old 79 Excella. I was able to pull it out from underneath by raising front axle enough (ramps). But it looks like you already have the entire front end dismantled ?

That's what it looks like with the center grille section removed. If the bolts holding the grille section in place hadn't been so rusty it would have been an easy removal. Unfortunately all 8 of the 1/4-20 bolts holding the side sections to the center section were extremely rusty and fought me on every turn of the wrench

I sure wish the 74-76 Argosies had this style of grille instead of the riveted in place plastic grille.

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by martin300662

I would keep you head down Ben... Austin area is one of the places we are looking at for our 'home away from home'!

I am a little late to the peanut party, but Martin you do know that you have a standing invitation to make my home your base to find something to your liking in the Greater Austin area. 3 point hookup is waiting for Bella.

[martin300662]

Originally Posted by PeterH-Airstreamer

I am a little late to the peanut party, but Martin you do know that you have a standing invitation to make my home your base to find something to your liking in the Greater Austin area. 3 point hookup is waiting for Bella.

I'm surprised your ears weren't burning early Peter. Brad and I were 'discussing' how we could either get Peanut to you, or you to Peanut to get your input on how to repair the front curbside quarter!

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by martin300662

I'm surprised your ears weren't burning early Peter. Brad and I were 'discussing' how we could either get Peanut to you, or you to Peanut to get your input on how to repair the front curbside quarter!

Thats nuts, Martin. My ears were burning, but I thought it was because of all the pecans I found in the trailer I restored. Some critter used it as a storage facility. Never crossed my mind that it was because of Peanut.
in ref to that front lower panel. I have seen it been repaired by overlaying a new panel more than once, rather than tearing everything apart.

[bkahler]

Morning Peter,

The plan is to remove the rub rail and cut the existing panel underneath the rub rail (red line), remove the old panel and use it as a pattern for the replacement panel.


There is also damage to the lower aluminum curved plate. We have no source for an exact replacement but the donor has a section large enough to cover the area and I've got an idea on how to make it fit which hopefully will suffice.


Do you know how to get access to the evaporator under the dash? I need to get access to the AC hoses to replace them.

Brad

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by bkahler

Morning Peter,

The plan is to remove the rub rail and cut the existing panel underneath the rub rail (red line), remove the old panel and use it as a pattern for the replacement panel.
Attachment 261551Brad

That should work. Door frame has to come out, front light assembly, too.

Originally Posted by bkahler

There is also damage to the lower aluminum curved plate. We have no source for an exact replacement but the donor has a section large enough to cover the area and I've got an idea on how to make it fit which hopefully will suffice.
Attachment 261552Brad

Airstream used a thicker aluminum, somewhat pre-curved for those lower skirt sections. I have used the standart 040 to replace sections, but I had to use a horizontal reinforcement bar to keep it from curving at the bottom.
The sections I replaced is the one you have to replace and all to the left of the entrance

Originally Posted by bkahler

Do you know how to get access to the evaporator under the dash? I need to get access to the AC hoses to replace them.

Brad

On my 79, I had to get to the blower fan of the AC unit. It was a pain, but I think I was able to reach it by removing the entertainment center and a metal plate behind it. I never had to remove the lines, so I am not sure

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by PeterH-Airstreamer

That should work. Door frame has to come out, front light assembly, too.

Why would I have to remove the door frame? It's now where near the seam for this panel.

The remains of the headlight assembly are hanging on by one rivet at the moment so removing it shouldn't be a problem!

Airstream used a thicker aluminum, somewhat pre-curved for those lower skirt sections. I have used the standart 040 to replace sections, but I had to use a horizontal reinforcement bar to keep it from curving at the bottom.

It's a shame Airstream doesn't stock the front sections anymore. As near as I can tell most other panels are available except for the solid front end cap and the two front quarters.

Thanks for the tip on the reinforcement bar. I'll be watching for that problem.

On my 79, I had to get to the blower fan of the AC unit. It was a pain, but I think I was able to reach it by removing the entertainment center and a metal plate behind it. I never had to remove the lines, so I am not sure

I'll look closer at that area this afternoon. I'm just about to the point where I need to disconnect the radiator hoses and unbolt the shroud. Once those are done I've got four bolts remaining that hold the radiator in place. Hopefully it won't be to much of a problem lifting it out of there.

Thanks!

Brad

[GWallace]

Brad,

I made a poor assumption in regards to the clutch. The two AC controls in the dash are for the fan and temperature. The fan switch is fed from the ignition switch via the 12 volt fuse panel on the firewall and then the temperature control is fed from the fan switch. From the temperature control there is a single wire to the compressor clutch. If the AC fan runs and no wiring has been disconnected then the clutch should engage. (I've got to figure out the sequence to attach pictures to these comments!)

Gregg

[GWallace]

In regards to the unusual pressure readings. I have had trouble with the 134a adapters in the past. Possible the adapters were not working properly and you got false readings while the system was essentially empty. Also the newer generation gauge/manifold sets have check valves in several places and the "reading" that you saw was from an earlier time connected to another system properly charged and you read a pressure from refrigerant "trapped" in your hoses and gauge set. Just a thought.

When I changed my system over, the new hoses had full fledged 134a fittings instead of "adapted" fittings and after that I didn't have any more trouble with those adapters.

Gregg

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by GWallace

Brad,

I made a poor assumption in regards to the clutch. The two AC controls in the dash are for the fan and temperature. The fan switch is fed from the ignition switch via the 12 volt fuse panel on the firewall and then the temperature control is fed from the fan switch. From the temperature control there is a single wire to the compressor clutch. If the AC fan runs and no wiring has been disconnected then the clutch should engage. (I've got to figure out the sequence to attach pictures to these comments!)

Gregg

Gregg, thanks for the tips on how the AC is wired. My 74 Argosy has a totally different system so it's another learning curve for me!

To add pictures use the paper clip button at the top of the editing window. Click on and it should open a popup window that let's you select pictures to upload.

Thanks!

Brad

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by GWallace

In regards to the unusual pressure readings. I have had trouble with the 134a adapters in the past. Possible the adapters were not working properly and you got false readings while the system was essentially empty. Also the newer generation gauge/manifold sets have check valves in several places and the "reading" that you saw was from an earlier time connected to another system properly charged and you read a pressure from refrigerant "trapped" in your hoses and gauge set. Just a thought.

When I changed my system over, the new hoses had full fledged 134a fittings instead of "adapted" fittings and after that I didn't have any more trouble with those adapters.

Gregg

Nothing would surprise me about the R134a adapter fittings for the gauges. My gauges are cheap Harbor Freight ones that are probably not overly accurate to begin with.

I had a hunch there was something wrong with the readings I was getting because after X number of years I would have thought even with a blockage the system would still have equalized over time.

I don't plan on re-using any of old fittings unless I absolutely have too.

How do I gain access to the hoses at the evaporator ?

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by bkahler

Why would I have to remove the door frame? It's now where near the seam for this panel.

The remains of the headlight assembly are hanging on by one rivet at the moment so removing it shouldn't be a problem!
Brad

Is this not the door frame I see?

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by PeterH-Airstreamer

Is this not the door frame I see?

Nope.


The generator is between the entry door and the front fender. Oddly enough this is the only picture of the right side of Peanut that I have taken so far!

[martin300662]

It's a little clearer on a an old photo of Peanut during the 'Balgrn years'.

[bkahler]

When it rains outside in rains inside

Unfortunately Peanut leaks like a sieve especially up front around the windshield. There is a constant fast drip from the rear view mirror that's pretty impressive. Not sure where it's coming from but my guess is at a minimum the overhead light housings need sealing and I would imagine the windshield gasket is probably a big cause as well. I also found that the bathroom ceiling vent is apparently busted as there's a nice puddle of water on the floor in the bathroom and I can see day light when looking up


The AC compressor is now removed and that gave a better view of the radiator core and it's not looking to good. But we were sort of expecting that.


The steel fuel line running from the fuel pump to the carburetor has been cut and a section replaced with a rubber hose. I have a spare tube laying around so we'll replace the old one with my spare. I don't like the idea of a rubber fuel hose in that area.


A bit of good news for a change is the two AC hoses to the evaporator appear to be relatively easy to get to. I'll have to remove the passenger seat to get proper access (and if you believe Peter I'll probably have to remove the aluminum skin on the drivers side as well!) but I think I should be able to get wrenches in there.


And finally this is how things look so far


I still have to disconnect the lower radiator hose, transmission cooler lines, the bottom two shroud bolts, two bolts on the oil filler tube and the final four mounting screws for the radiator frame. Since it's raining and I don't feel like laying in the rain I probably won't get to these last items until tomorrow or Monday depending on the weather.

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by bkahler

..
A bit of good news for a change is the two AC hoses to the evaporator appear to be relatively easy to get to. I'll have to remove the passenger seat to get proper access (and if you believe Peter I'll probably have to remove the aluminum skin on the drivers side as well!) but I think I should be able to get wrenches in there.
.

and the rear axle ??? You are making that up to make to cloud the truth....

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by PeterH-Airstreamer

and the rear axle ??? You are making that up to make to cloud the truth....

Peanut doesn't need a rear axle. I think Martin is just going to park it here and use it as a home base

[martin300662]

Originally Posted by bkahler

When it rains outside in rains inside

Unfortunately Peanut leaks like a sieve especially up front around the windshield. There is a constant fast drip from the rear view mirror that's pretty impressive. Not sure where it's coming from but my guess is at a minimum the overhead light housings need sealing and I would imagine the windshield gasket is probably a big cause as well. I also found that the bathroom ceiling vent is apparently busted as there's a nice puddle of water on the floor in the bathroom and I can see day light when looking up
Attachment 261590Attachment 261588

The AC compressor is now removed and that gave a better view of the radiator core and it's not looking to good. But we were sort of expecting that.
Attachment 261586

The steel fuel line running from the fuel pump to the carburetor has been cut and a section replaced with a rubber hose. I have a spare tube laying around so we'll replace the old one with my spare. I don't like the idea of a rubber fuel hose in that area.
Attachment 261587

A bit of good news for a change is the two AC hoses to the evaporator appear to be relatively easy to get to. I'll have to remove the passenger seat to get proper access (and if you believe Peter I'll probably have to remove the aluminum skin on the drivers side as well!) but I think I should be able to get wrenches in there.
Attachment 261589

And finally this is how things look so far
Attachment 261585

I still have to disconnect the lower radiator hose, transmission cooler lines, the bottom two shroud bolts, two bolts on the oil filler tube and the final four mounting screws for the radiator frame. Since it's raining and I don't feel like laying in the rain I probably won't get to these last items until tomorrow or Monday depending on the weather.

I am coming to the conclusion that Brad prefers the look of these motorhomes in pieces.....and Peanut looks more like his motorhome everyday!

[Isuzusweet]

Originally Posted by martin300662

I am coming to the conclusion that Brad prefers the look of these motorhomes in pieces.....and Peanut looks more like his motorhome everyday!

SHOTS FIRED!!! PING,PIONG, PING!