370 LE start to finish.....

[mayco]

We are going to get to see the 370....WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

Looking forward to it Bob!

Mike

[bobmiller1]

A really nice way to end our camping season in Cooperstown, NY. Although it's supposed to rain all day tomorrow, yesterday and today have been sunny and in the 70's. The long list for phase 2 of the overhaul will start in 2 weeks. The big items are new navy blue carpeting fire and aft, new "real 5/8" hardwood if-ship, coriander countertops, complete re-upholstery, R&R all windows and replace all felts/gaskets, remove and re-align exterior entrance door, install new electric horns and wiring to roof, and if I have the time the diesel conversion, I was looking at small diesel generators this morning and found 2 that might work. Regards, Bob

[Keyair]

Bob....
I would really love to hear an "Expert Opinion" on the 325 vs 370 driving experience...
I have heard various opinions, but none that would be as valid as your own, as an owner/user of both.
Anyone else who want to hear?
Please pipe up!

[bobmiller1]

Well I couldn't wait till Sunday so I disassembled the entry door to see what's inside and make a game plan for adjusting the hinges. It's apparent to me that I am going to have to move the striker down 1/4" as well as tilting the door by hinge adjustment. Maybe when I'm done the door will close properly and I won't have to hold it closed with a bungee cord. While I'm in there I am going to replace the insulation and window shade.

[mayco]

Are you sure you don't need new hinges Bob? Those doors aren't really made to be adjusted IMHO. Do you have any play n the hinges when you lift on the outside edge of the open door? Make sure your hinge bolts are tight, gotta access them under the interior door trim and skin. You probably know all this already. If the bolts are tight on the the door and on the body side and you still have play, probably need to replace the hinges.

[Isuzusweet]

The biggest question I'd have is......does the 370 take the same door hinges as our Classics do........you'd think they would.......but you never know.

Mmmmmmm............

Remember, upper hinge goes to the bottom and lower hinge goes to the top; ask me how I know.

Cheers
Tony

[mayco]

Originally Posted by Isuzusweet

The biggest question I'd have is......does the 370 take the same door hinges as our Classics do........you'd think they would.......but you never know.

Mmmmmmm............

Remember, upper hinge goes to the bottom and lower hinge goes to the top; ask me how I know.

Cheers
Tony

There I go making assumptions again! I'm assuming same hinges. Plus you can get some adjustment I suppose, depending on how big the holes are for the hinge bolts. If they are a bit over sized you could get some adjustment. And yesssssssss, the upper and lower marks about pushed me over the edge.

[bobmiller1]

I had vertical play last year in the hinges, so I drilled through the bottom of the hinges and punched the pins out so that I could put spacer shims in to restore the height. That worked out OK but somewhere before I owned it the door must have gotten sweaked. The factory door strike was missing when I purchased it, and the only way the door could stay closed was to use the deadbolt. I'm just trying to fix it so it will work the way it was designed to. LOL. Regards, Bob

[bobmiller1]

[mayco]

When I put my new hinges on I had a second person on the inside and me on the outside. Got all the nuts finger tight then used wooden shims under the door and on the strike side to try and get the gap even all the way around. Then had them tighten the nuts on the inside. It was a CLUSTER ---- to say the least. Ive hung a whole lot of doors, 100s, and that sucker was the biggest PITA I'd ever worked on. Frustrating to try and get it just so.

[bobmiller1]

I am traveling to the Boston, Ma. area this weekend solo to work on Charlie's 370LE. I need to break away for a few days and relax......I can think of nothing better to do while relaxing......will someone please get me a gun.....Regards, Bob

[Keyair]

Lol, Bob!
Very cool that you are helping a fellow 370 owner!
Kudos!

[mayco]

Originally Posted by bobmiller1

I am traveling to the Boston, Ma. area this weekend solo to work on Charlie's 370LE. I need to break away for a few days and relax......I can think of nothing better to do while relaxing......will someone please get me a gun.....Regards, Bob

I'm trying to figure out if you need some type of award for your help, advice, rally wrangler, fine examples of excellent work OR a straight jacket Bob. YOU MAKE THE CALL! (awfully cool of you to jump up there to help Charlie out, you da man Bob.....you da man!!!!!)

[streamquest]

Who but Bob Miller, would drive five hours to spend about 18 hours over a weekend sharing their expertise, knowledge, and experience to work on someone else's motorhome??? No one else that I know!!
Bob rolled in just after noon on Saturday, and cranked until almost midnight. We were back at it by mid day Sunday until past dark, then he drives the five hours back home and probably worked on his own 370 for a while!

What got done?

Repaired the tranny line that blew out en route to the Cooperstown get-together.
Changed the engine oil.
Powered up and examined all components of my presently defunct leveling system, including compressor, rams, and controls, and pin pointed numerous repairs needed.
Removed front wheels, disassembled and cleaned the calipers, examined pads and rotors.
Checked wheel bearings, tie rods, etc, and lubed the front end.
Gravity bled the entire brake system, and refilled with fresh fluid.
Gave me a beginners course in the use of a Power Probe.
Checked belts, water pump, and everything else that could be seen underneath.
Assessed the functionality of the tag axle braking control system under the dash.
Disassembled the tag axle bearings, and brake assembly, in preparation of complete restoration of system.
Diagnosed non working dash Air Pressure gauge.
Repaired some dead bulbs on compartment lights, and fired up the driving lights.

...... And probably about a half dozen OTHER things that I can't even remember just now.

And throughout all of the head banging and knuckle busting repairs, he provided a simplified tutorial explanation of how all of the various systems on the 370 are supposed to function. AMAZING.

Bob, I can never thank you enough!

Charly

[bobmiller1]

Thanks for the effort on the coffee sunday morning, and the delicious hamburger on Sunday....you have a great shop, a cool restaurant, and a really cool house. Regards, Bob

[bobmiller1]

[Keyair]

It’s great to hear that the brotherhood is strong!
Good job Bob, kudos to you, and sounds like Charlie was appreciative which is the other half of the equation!
I am also pleased to hear that the Powerprobe is gaining traction amongst us. I have been a huge fan for a while, and was still learning it’s full range of functionally before I upgraded to the 4 version which is even more capable!

[bobmiller1]

Alrighty then, it's time to get serious about phase 2 of my restoration. After practicing on Charly's 370LE last weekend, I have my tag axle stripped down and ready to install the replacement parts. I have hooked up with my upholstery guy and in 2 weeks will be gutting the interior as well ( Oh Boy !) All windows will also be removed and re-sealed, Is that what they call it ??? Central Vac is halfway installed. Got the part numbers to finish the repair of the dash AC. Funny thing when I left Boston last Sunday night, Charly commented that when I got there he could drive his 370LE and now that I am leaving he cannot ! LMAO!!!!

[streamquest]

Bob,

That may be true, but the next time it rolls out of the garage, I know it will be in the best shape that it has ever been, and I'll be a far more knowledgable and confident owner!

Thanks for the ongoing educational experience!!

Charly

[bobmiller1]

Just some tag axle pictures, the shoes were original, someone replaced the right side grease seal and the left side was overdue for service, both Charly and I are replacing both inner and outer bearings/races and seals and a new set of self adjusting shoes complete with new backing plates, next project will be removing all the windows, Regards, Bob