1988 Airstream 290

[Tomamber]

Hello I have the opportunity to buy a 1988 290 Motorhome. A couple questions about the Airstream world.
1. Where is the best place to buy used and/ or replacement parts.
2. The Chevy 454 Big Block. I know it’s the work horse of the Gm fam, any great concerns I should be advised on. The A/C on the motor for the dash is not working.
3. Fuel gauge replacement any links would be help ful.
4. Price??? Where and how to determine the value of this coach.
Worried about going down a dangerous rabbit hole again, after a 3 year restoration project on our 1959 canned ham trailer I have learned a lot and also I know how costly it can get quickly.

[Magnet18]

Originally Posted by Tomamber

Hello I have the opportunity to buy a 1988 290 Motorhome. A couple questions about the Airstream world.
1. Where is the best place to buy used and/ or replacement parts.
2. The Chevy 454 Big Block. I know it’s the work horse of the Gm fam, any great concerns I should be advised on. The A/C on the motor for the dash is not working.
3. Fuel gauge replacement any links would be help ful.
4. Price??? Where and how to determine the value of this coach.
Worried about going down a dangerous rabbit hole again, after a 3 year restoration project on our 1959 canned ham trailer I have learned a lot and also I know how costly it can get quickly.

1. Depends on the part
2. How many miles? I think it's pretty rare for these to make it to 100k before replacement, usually killed by something in the cooling system failing, they run hot
3. Could be sender, wiring, or gauge. If gauge, watch ebay. I replaced all my gauges with new.
4. Really depends on the condition, anywhere from -$3k to $30k, there is a bit of a guide in the sticky thread to help estimate cost of various replacements. Post pics!

Rabbit hole - there is a reason we call this part of airforums the asylum

[martin300662]

Originally Posted by Magnet18

1. Depends on the part
2. How many miles? I think it's pretty rare for these to make it to 100k before replacement, usually killed by something in the cooling system failing, they run hot
3. Could be sender, wiring, or gauge. If gauge, watch ebay. I replaced all my gauges with new.
4. Really depends on the condition, anywhere from -$3k to $30k, there is a bit of a guide in the sticky thread to help estimate cost of various replacements. Post pics!

Rabbit hole - there is a reason we call this part of airforums the asylum

4. There is a reason for the x10 price range...and don't think you can buy a $3k unit and turn it into a $30K without spend $27K of time, materials and patience. Buy one (or two) for the 'journey' and to use, but in many ways the cost of renovating an (Airstream) motorhome is more than x2 an (Airstream) trailer and I would bet that is x2 what you encountered on your canned ham.

[kidjedi]

What you learned from the canned ham should be multiplied for the motorhome. With an Airstream trailer, you can recoup your renovation costs or even profit. With a motorhome, the money you put in should be viewed as an investment in the adventure, not the vehicle. It's fun if you like to tinker, but a vintage motorhome is a "living thing," not something you can really just "fix and enjoy." For an idea of what you might be getting yourself into, read Magnet's build thread (or just the stuff from this year).

[kidjedi]

p.s. Research shows that the dash a/c in older Airstreams is best for being in the way of other repairs and causing overheating. I removed mine completely. I haven't traveled in the southeast in the summer (yet), but from what I've read, most people use the generator and roof a/c while driving. That '88 might be "new" enough that it's story is different, but the 70's dash A/C's are fairly worthless.

[Magnet18]

Originally Posted by martin300662

4. There is a reason for the x10 price range...and don't think you can buy a $3k unit and turn it into a $30K without spend $27K of time, materials and patience. Buy one (or two) for the 'journey' and to use, but in many ways the cost of renovating an (Airstream) motorhome is more than x2 an (Airstream) trailer and I would bet that is x2 what you encountered on your canned ham.

Not 10x, infinity x... that was a negative $3K on purpose

[Magnet18]

Originally Posted by kidjedi

For an idea of what you might be getting yourself into, read Magnet's build thread (or just the stuff from this year).

Admittedly the fuel injection system was a splurge...

If this was just for a couple weekends+ maybe a 1 week trip every year I'd be treating it very different. Likely wouldn't have done the springs. Probably would have cleaned out the fuel tank and just gotten the carb tuned.

But the sentiment remains. Not sure who said it first but it's a truth, the to-do list never ends, and the machine itself is a way of life

[Tomamber]

Thanks for all the replies, living in southern Az it’s the only second Airstream Motorhome I had seen and when he said it was for sale I lost my mind for a bit. Thanks for the reality check I needed it.

[kidjedi]

Originally Posted by Tomamber

Thanks for all the replies, living in southern Az it’s the only second Airstream Motorhome I had seen and when he said it was for sale I lost my mind for a bit. Thanks for the reality check I needed it.

It's easy to do. They are SO shiny!

Lot's of fun.

Lot's of work.

[Tomamber]

I wanted to post pics of the find but this web site is a little out date, any easy way to do it.

[Magnet18]

Originally Posted by Tomamber

I wanted to post pics of the find but this web site is a little out date, any easy way to do it.

Go advanced button, then paperclip icon or manage attachments button

[Rivers07]

Okay this is a big question Do you know What kind of Wire harness went into a 1986 Airstream 290 , l believe its a Chevy Truck wire harness...? Or do you know where l can get a map for the original harness... Mine is like a rat nest and l am just thinking do l replace the whole thing or try and fix the current one but its a total mess.... Can you PLEASE HELP l not able to find anything anywhere?

This is the Wire-harness for all the gages, AC , Wiper, The Drive part;-)

l hope you can help

[Schreins]

I agree with this comment.

[Schreins]

First, sorry for my previous comment. I was trying to agree with the comment on running the generator and roof top air. My engine AC never did work and there seems to be enough load on the motor without adding AC.

There are no useful wire harness' or diagrams. My dash wiring was so heavily modified, and messed up, that you just have to start over and customise it to work for you. Wiring is a skill you will need to have when you own an old MH.

[LM782]

See thread regarding wiring diagrams for details https://www.airforums.com/forums/f31...5-a-76043.html

The Chevy P-30 chassis service manual, good resource, applies to engine (the drive part?). The Airstream factory 1984 motorhome service manual has diagrams on the gauges, wipers... and a little (fairly sparse) on the AC.

I got our cab AC working (1985 345). It had two disconnected wires, both inside the dash (one at the rear of the control panel, and the other to a thermostat in the air box in front of the passenger's feet). Took a long time to figure out. Then the compressor gave out.

My guess is the oil mixed in with the refrigerant settled out over the 12-15 years since it had last been used. When the compressor started turning, without oil in suspension, the system self destructed shortly thereafter.

It may look like a rat's nest, but depending on how many people have been in there, it could be close to original. They inside of the dash is not tidy.

Luis