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gmehal · 01-21-2010, 09:13 PM

Just bought a 1975 Argosy 26ft. Been sitting for a few years so its going to need new brakes, hoses, radiators, front springs, ball joints etc. Where is the best place to purchase these things? Napa seems clueless as does my local airstream dealer. Would a Chevy dealer be a good choice? Hopefully I wont have to take in every part for a visual match, that would be a major pain.

Thanks all

Inland RV Center, In · 01-21-2010, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmehal

Just bought a 1975 Argosy 26ft. Been sitting for a few years so its going to need new brakes, hoses, radiators, front springs, ball joints etc. Where is the best place to purchase these things? Napa seems clueless as does my local airstream dealer. Would a Chevy dealer be a good choice? Hopefully I wont have to take in every part for a visual match, that would be a major pain.

Thanks all

A Chevy dealer, is the only choice.

Andy

Airslide · 01-21-2010, 09:40 PM

Hi there,

Maybe you already have jumped into this thread before http://www.airforums.com/forums/f341...ppp-59243.html

If you work you way towards the end there are a couple of guys that are pretty knowledgeable about these chassis. Maybe one of them could direct you towards what your looking for...

Vinnie

Smartstream · 01-21-2010, 10:34 PM

There are a number of shops in your area and it's any body's guess who is good or not. NAPA can get anything you need but unfortunately many of the new younger guys don't know how to look stuff up if it doesn't show up on their computer screen.

There are many Les Schwab shops in your area. The problem is one store may have top notch front end and brake guys and the Schwab store down the street only have kids who have never worked on anything more than 5 years old. Any Schwab shop should be able to do the work.

You may also have good luck looking for a specialty front end and alignment shop and a brake shop. There are also radiator and AC shops.

What I would recommend is to look around for some truck specialty shops. Talk to several and ask if they have techs familiar with the older GM P-30 chassis. Any competent shop can do it it's just a matter of finding an honest shop that takes pride in their work. That front end and suspension has been a GM staple for more than 30 years and is certainly no mystery. Talk to everybody you can, most people have a favorite shop. It's just finding one you are comfortable with.

Good luck

2airishuman · 01-22-2010, 03:05 AM

hi gmehal

the p30/454 was the most widely used moho platform in the 70s and 80s.

while gm shops can get parts 100s of aftermarket shops will have parts.

yes napa or ANY of the chains can get parts, the issue is part #s, and

getting exact FIT will require YOU to do the homework.

the stuff is ALL available, but only an enthusiast for the p30 or classic mohos will know about the right stuff.

y need to be dedicated to the effort and get self taught n up 2 speed on it...

given your location place a call to THIS shop (vinnie are u paying attention)...

ipdusa the volvo turner shop and parts store!!!

yes it's a volvo shop but in the 80s they were the #1 place to go for rv mods on the 454/p30 and especially 'streams.

i had a 79 a/s moho for 25 years and had it totally tweaked out with an 'ipd' suspension package...

it was very very cool.

someone there (if u call) can point u toward local shops that still handle the old mohos.

THIS site hasn't been updated in awhile, so i'm not sure IF they are still in business...

RV advice and store...

they have an extensive archive of classic moho information/parts and upgrade advice...LOT of details on parts.

browse it awhile.
___________

MOST of the original moho guys on this forum aren't here anymore.

they started another forum/community JUST for the classic mohos.

THISOLDRV.COM...

u might wanna ask your question there for better help.

or search the OLDER moho archives here for info, there is a LOT of good stuff in the older threads,

and only a few regulars NOW on the mohos issues here, most have migrated to the other site.

schematics for the p30 are available online, that will help u a LOT with part # and details.

a/s made a lot of modifications to accommodate the rv use.

IF u could find/get an older a/s service manual that would help u a lot,

even a gm shop/service manual specific for the p30 would be useful and they are available if u look around.

best of luck
2air'

overlander63 · 01-22-2010, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmehal

Just bought a 1975 Argosy 26ft. Been sitting for a few years so its going to need new brakes, hoses, radiators, front springs, ball joints etc. Where is the best place to purchase these things? Napa seems clueless as does my local airstream dealer. Would a Chevy dealer be a good choice? Hopefully I wont have to take in every part for a visual match, that would be a major pain.

Thanks all

What you have is a "P32" or Motor Home chassis. You can get most parts from Napa, but it will require some patience, and many parts will turn into "plumbing jobs", i.e., it will take 3 trips to get the right part.
And it's not just your motorhome, it's more the age of the vehicle, and the counterperson's unfamiliarity with it. I run into the same problems with our Suburban.

gmehal · 01-22-2010, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

hi gmehal

given your location place a call to THIS shop (vinnie are u paying attention)...

ipdusa the volvo turner shop and parts store!!!

yes it's a volvo shop but in the 80s they were the #1 place to go for rv mods on the 454/p30 and especially 'streams.

That great info everyone Thanks! Funny I have an account with IPD so that should make it a no brainer. I will start there and look at the other links. Thanks again everyone

Airslide · 01-22-2010, 08:07 AM

given your location place a call to THIS shop (vinnie are u paying attention)...

ipdusa the volvo turner shop and parts store!!!

"yes it's a volvo shop but in the 80s they were the #1 place to go for rv mods on the 454/p30 and especially 'streams.

i had a 79 a/s moho for 25 years and had it totally tweaked out with an 'ipd' suspension package..."

Yup.. Im paying attention...

I once put a set of sway bars and my friends 34' bounder. The rear sway bar was so big and heavy I was almost trapped under whilst installing...
Scott Hart is the owner.. very knowledgeable about this stuff..

Cheers..

2airishuman · 01-22-2010, 09:00 AM

hi 'slide...

figured you'd know of this shop but i wasn't sure if the same guy owned it all these years later.

those anti roll bars make a HUGE difference, along with poly bushings, highly recommended.

terry has opened the p3 "something" discussion, and it appears to be popular on the rv sites...

Help me please - Topic Barthmobile.com

P-30 vs. P-32 Chassis - Topic Barthmobile.com

from the sister site HERE...

What Chassis Do I have P30 or P32?? - iRV2 Forums

so i agree it's a p30x32 thingie

cheers
2air'

Mike Leary · 01-22-2010, 09:49 AM

Commercial junkyards are a good source for P-30 parts; look for the rigs that say "Wonder Bread" on them; that will be a P-30.

gmehal · 01-22-2010, 10:40 AM

Seems like Mills Supply has an easily navagable website for the P30 parts. Are they a good company? Prices seem to be good

ROBERT CROSS · 01-22-2010, 10:42 AM

Workhorse...

ROBERT CROSS · 01-22-2010, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airslide;

i had a 79 a/s moho for 25 years and had it totally tweaked out with an 'ipd' suspension package
Cheers..

IPD....now THAT brings back memories....

ALANSD · 01-22-2010, 11:04 AM

Chevy P30 Chassis Parts, Grumman, Utilimaster
Chevrolet P30 Parts - Chevrolet P30 Accessories: In Stock
Parts that fit GM P-30 Chassis

Just a few. when I had my 82 moho I had a longer list

Airslide · 01-22-2010, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

IPD....now THAT brings back memories....

Robert... That 1800 is sweet! Was that yours? These cars are heavily sought after and I used to dread working on them.. especially under the dash!

Thanks for sharing..

Vin

gmehal · 01-22-2010, 12:46 PM

Ok so thanks all for your suggestions on parts places. My first task will be to replace all radiators seeing as they crumble to the touch! I have been looking at threads to find out how to remove the front end to gain access to the engine bay but haven't found much. Anyone know of a specific thread for this kind of removal on my 75 argosy?

Briefly looked at it yesterday and could not easily determine how to unbolt it.

Thanks gents

2airishuman · 01-22-2010, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmehal

...My first task will be to replace all radiators seeing as they crumble to the touch! I have been looking at threads to find out how to remove the front end to gain access to the engine bay but haven't found much. Anyone know of a specific thread for this kind of removal on my 75 argosy?...

front end removal...

if only it were that easy.

here are 21 threads on the issue, not specific just to 75 but all useful

http://www.airforums.com/forums/sear...archid=1681087

it is worth your time to LEARN how to use the ADVANCED search tool.

for example the link above came from searching the R word only in titles,

then LIMITING the search to the moho forum only.

this took me less than a minute 2do...

if you want MORE stuff, search the R word anywhere in a post from the moho section only...

about 300 threads will appear...

trust me it's ALL in there, it's all been done before and much of is it documented with words and photoz...

now go back to my first reply and follow the link to the MOHO COMMUNITY for more help...

cheers
2air'

gmehal · 01-22-2010, 01:30 PM

I see, advanced search is the ticket. Was using the basic search and coming up with bubkiss. Thanks for your patience

2airishuman · 01-22-2010, 01:36 PM

no problemo...

given most of what u need will be in the one forum on mohos,

using advanced to JUST search those areas will greatly reduce static.

each of the features in advance are useful

for example, you will quickly figure out most of the good stuff was posted by just a few folks...

and some of those members used a LOT of photos or wrote good 'how 2s'...

so if U limit hits to that members name in the advanced search, it's like consulting with just ONE expert...

pretty cool.

cheers
2air'

gmehal · 01-22-2010, 04:17 PM

Boy I don't mean to sound like an idiot but I have been searching for the last hour and have found no pictured documentation on the front grill area removal which will allow me to get to my radiator. many people mention it but nobody seems to talk about how it was actually done. As they say a picture is worth a thousand words. If this cannot be found I will surely create one in the forums.

Anybody know of one or where else to look?