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97sx · 06-15-2011, 12:41 PM

Finished product. Now I have the clearance for the 6 volt batteries.

Additionally we have put on a new distrubutor cap, ignition module, replaced the heater control valve in the front, replaced the propane regulator valve that mounts by the tank, and fixed an air leak to the rear air bags. Intalled a new fuel pump to generator and a new external starter switch. Put in the new converter/inverter box. Replaced a leaky tranny pan gasket. Drained all the fluids and refilled. Dropped off the leaky heater core to see if it can be repaired instead of replaced.

Took the coach for a cruise yesterday and the darn step stopped working. So much for having my wiring issues figured out! Not very excited to start working through the vaccum lines.

pdallas · 06-15-2011, 09:07 PM

Welcome to the club! 97 Money pit is a bit harsh, but probably most accurate!

What was the brand and part number on the heater controll valve you used?

Good luck,

PD

97sx · 06-16-2011, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdallas

Welcome to the club! 97 Money pit is a bit harsh, but probably most accurate!

What was the brand and part number on the heater controll valve you used?

Good luck,

PD

I believe I threw the box away with the part number, but I will double check. I picked it up at Car Quest Parts. It is identical to the original....only plastic. I was not able to find a metal one like the OEM.

97sx · 06-17-2011, 01:44 PM

New mirrors. Went for a drive yesterday, and they have nearly twice the field of view compared to what was on before.

97sx · 06-17-2011, 01:48 PM

Started the process of stripping the clearcoat. Going to remove all of the clearcoat and decals. Then I am going to seal this unit up tight once and for all before we start the interior remodel.

I am probably going to give it a little shine for this season and then I plan to bring it to a mirror finish next spring.

jking · 06-17-2011, 07:48 PM

Good looking coach, 97sx! While you;re checking things out have a good look at the transmission fluid level (hot, and level). It might not be too much to look at the transmission filter if the mileage is over 70-80K or so. We just had a tranny failure because we didn't look!

97sx · 06-30-2011, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jking

Good looking coach, 97sx! While you;re checking things out have a good look at the transmission fluid level (hot, and level). It might not be too much to look at the transmission filter if the mileage is over 70-80K or so. We just had a tranny failure because we didn't look!

Thanks! The tranny is two years old and only has a couple hundred miles on it. The gasket was leaking terribly so we just changed that out. Fluid looked great so I didn't change it.

97sx · 06-30-2011, 12:44 PM

So we have been cranking away this week.

Put on a set of Hedman headers. Went with the cheap set. On a budget and couldn't justify the ceramic coated ones. Man they went on easy! The sheet metal cover on the passenger side was damaged so I decided not to put it back on. Figured more air to the engine is probably an ok thing. Pulling all of the smog equipment off as soon as I can figure out what belt I am going to need once things are removed.

Found a set of Bilstein front shocks locally that were basically 2 for one. Couldn't beat the price so I put them on.

Installed brake pads the whole way around. Still planning to bring the coach by a shop and have the master cylinder, rotors, and calipers looked at by a professional.

Tore up all the carpeting and plywood subfloor in the cockpit. Going to have a couple guys bid the job to refloor the entire unit.

The coach is completely stripped of clearcoat. This weekend I plan to start resealing the entire exterior.

Had the dash AC recharged and it's still not working. So I am affraid I will have to bring it into a shop.

I have stripped most everything in the kitchen that once had the vinyl wood look and now it is stainless. Including the bathroom door. I attached a pic.

Added water to the tanks and started turning on the sinks. I had leaks everywhere! Most appears to have only been loose fittings. A little tightening and some plumbers tape has cured that except in the shower. It appears to be a whole different animal.

Keyair · 06-30-2011, 02:03 PM

Is your AC still running r12?
Start by getting a gauge set... like from harbor freight, and see what the pressures are.

97sx · 06-30-2011, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keyair

Is your AC still running r12?
Start by getting a gauge set... like from harbor freight, and see what the pressures are.

Still on the R12. Had it recharged by a guy at a local radiator shop. $70 a pound and it was nearly empty...so that was $210 plus $35 for the service. My neighbor ran my RV down that day because I got caught up at work. I wanted everything double checked for leaks since the refrigerant was nearly gone. They said everything looked great.

Well it ran cool to begin with and now it blows luke warm. I am running the RV down tomorrow morning and going to have them hook up the guages and check things over.

The clutch is engaging and the blowers are working its just not cold.

**DKB_SATX** · 06-30-2011, 04:33 PM

"AC recharged by radiator guy" could be your problem... if there's too much freon in the system you won't get enough expansion to cool, and if you were getting SOME cooling before and none now (after adding a lot of freon) I'm guessing an AC shop may just have to pull it down to the right amount. If they don't know exactly what the amount is, I think experienced people can get a good guess when it's right based on the pressures and temps the system produces in operation.

Keyair · 07-01-2011, 10:40 AM

I wish we lived closer... I could help you with this!
One of my recent purchases...

Mike Leary · 07-01-2011, 02:44 PM

I want you guys to ramp-up these "little projects", I'd like meet you all at the mo/ho rally before they take my keys away!

97sx · 07-07-2011, 10:53 PM

Started the flooring project. Laid new subfloor in most of the cockpit. Tore out all of the original tile. Sealed up the subfloor. Then started laying the new flooring. I will post some pics of the progress.

97sx · 07-07-2011, 11:35 PM

Old tile and carpet.

97sx · 07-07-2011, 11:36 PM

New subfloor. Sealed with primer and latex paint.

97sx · 07-07-2011, 11:39 PM

New flooring. It was dark when I took the pictures. I will take a few more tomorrow to show the actual color.

Keyair · 07-08-2011, 11:46 AM

Looks sweet!
How tricky was the subfloor replacement?

97sx · 07-08-2011, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keyair

Looks sweet!
How tricky was the subfloor replacement?

Not bad when its rotted! Pulls right up. I had to peal back the wall to remove some plywood from underneath and to install the new plywood. I didn't completely remove the sidewall as I was able to remove the bottom rivets and bend the wall up a little to slide the new wood under.

My passenger side flooring in the cockpit had the most rot, so I completely removed that section. Used the old plywood as a jig to drill the holes and size up the new plywood.