Charlie the Airstream

[Kvsterling]

We didn’t get reservations, but went to the visitors venter and was able do a self guided tour to see this!

The national parks do a great job preserving sites like this. One of the rangers was career Air Force and flew the missions over the minutemen silo sites for security!

[Eric914]

Just finished reading through your build thread. Beautiful job. We purchased a 1993 Classic the last weekend in June. Previous owners took good care of it and kept up on all routine maintenance. I am currently rebuilding the front end as it was a little tired after 90K miles. We are just north of you in Springboro.

[Kvsterling]

Thanks Eric, would be nice to meet up and take a closer look. That’s a cool late generation classic! Hope you consider starting g your own thread and share your adventure

We just returned from a trip to/from Badlands SD area. Covered about 3k miles, burned only 1 qt of oil after switching to recommended 30w oil. Planning another Blackstone Lab analysis to compare with few years ago

I would say, the trip was mostly event free! We were off grid 6/11 days and never found ourselves <80% battery discharged. Ran the generator for 1 afternoon and the coach AC did a nice job keeping it from being too hot while driving. Front window tint may be a good project!

MPG varied between 7.5-9 depending on elevation and cruise control use. Overall, the suspension work has really paid off! The front springs are original
with the “helper bags”, but a spring upgrade would probably further reduce the bottoming out on larger bumps.

Next trip will be fall foliage through the smokies. Few small fixes in the meantime, but otherwise a great rig for these adventures!

[Kvsterling]

I found a used USGear overdrive for TH400. It has the wire harness and housing. I’m considering buying and doing a bit of problem solving. Do any of you use this on your classic?

[cmadmaxman]

Know there are many in use on the classic, have had no experience with them, will leave that for someone else.
When I had our rear end out, I changed the gears from the 4:56 to 4:10. That drop my rpm's about 300 cruising.
The GV or US gear definitely gives you better gear selection, but what I have seen, comes with more problems as well. Just my 2 cents worth![emoji2957]

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by Kvsterling

I found a used USGear overdrive for TH400. It has the wire harness and housing. I’m considering buying and doing a bit of problem solving. Do any of you use this on your classic?

Kyle, as I understand it the USGear (was) is the best most robust over/under drive made for the 80/90 GM drive trains. It is far more stout than the GVO and rated at 35k pounds
They were not just limited to the TH400. My 350 had the USgear installed behind a 4L80E. I removed it for 2 reasons: the gear engaging Motor was not working and Hughes Transmissions advised me not to use it on the Heavy duty 4L80E they were building for me. Their words: you will not need it with your 4thgear OD

It requires minimal mods on your rig.
To be specific, you will need:
1. a different housing, new gaskets and new rear out shaft seal seals for both the housing and the USgear.
2. shorten your driveshaft
3. source the right length Ebrake cable
4. you may have to modify your exhaust cross over pipe
5. you HAVE to verify that the unit is the 32 spline GM one and matches what you have, because it slips over your trans output shaft and as you can see in the parts diagram, many different ones were made.
The slip joint is the only draw back I observed, since it slightly distorted the trans output shaft.

The unit uses 90w gear oil. The eletronics should be tested thoroughly before doing all the mods. The control module is the most thought after and NLA, I have a tested/working one .
Tons on info incl trouble shooting:
https://www.oilburners.net/threads/u...sh-info.65234/

[Kvsterling]

From what I can see, it looks like it comes with the correct 6 bolt tail housing. My other question would be how does the trans mounted e brake go? The unit does not have the output housing with those mount points

I may pass on this one. The ring/pinion option had crossed my mind before. When changing out the ring/pinion, did you regret losing the range in first gear? I don’t tow, but do use ramps to level when camping

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by Kvsterling

From what I can see, it looks like it comes with the correct 6 bolt tail housing. My other question would be how does the trans mounted e brake go? The unit does not have the output housing with those mount points

I may pass on this one. The ring/pinion option had crossed my mind before. When changing out the ring/pinion, did you regret losing the range in first gear? I don’t tow, but do use ramps to level when camping

yes, the tail housing your unit comes with mounts in between the th400 and the US gear AND is the new rear trans mounting point. The UsGear does have the correct ebrake mounting points

[Kvsterling]

Here are some pics of the unit. The seller hasn’t responded to my questions yet, but I don’t see how our parking brake mounts to this unit

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by Kvsterling

Here are some pics of the unit. The seller hasn’t responded to my questions yet, but I don’t see how our parking brake mounts to this unit

You are correct, that is a rear drum brake unit and not a driveshaft mounted ebrake. I also do not see the control unit box, nor the operation switch. Stay away

[Kvsterling]

Getting ready for our next trip with some regular maintenance (fluid changes), cleaning, and packing. Don’t forget the “fix-it” list from the last trip!

I discovered a couple little leaks from my heavily modified black tank…turns out plastic welding takes a little practice…

Based on my progress, I am quite confident that these holding tanks can be repaired and used indefinitely[emoji106][emoji106]

[Kvsterling]

Before the current trip, received Blackstone Lab report. Feeling optimistic about the health of this engine
[ATTACH]405888

Also, did our first COVID modification…we are both in healthcare so this felt like the right move as we are traveling more

[ATTACH]405889

[Kvsterling]

Down in SC seeing Congaree NP, very cool old growth forest!

While driving down a backroad to camp about 40 mph, I noticed temp gauge creeping up a bit (ac was on) and some engine hesitation attempting to accelerate. I’m going to do a fluid, hose connection, fuel line check. Maybe check the fuel filter? Anything else I should rule out?

Hoping this just occurred due to a high-temp condition, will see how she does leaving camp Sunday (fingers crossed)

[Airdelroy]

Whats high? Last trip out I noticed that my temp seemed mostly ride a bit high at 212. It did even push 220 some when pushing it a bit. But also fell down close to 200 at times. Didnt notice any other issue and no trouble driving. I would just prefer a bit lower, but perhaps the gauge/sensor is just a little off.


Aaron

[Kvsterling]

Good question. Changed the radiator and thermostat earlier this year. As a result, temp while cruising is 200, and up to 215 at load.

Usually it cools off when we slow down but yesterday stayed about 210 (according to the gauge) and power a bit down for last 10 minutes of drive. This is SC, so it was a flat drive

I’m suspecting fuel delivery or carburetor

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by Kvsterling

Good question. Changed the radiator and thermostat earlier this year. As a result, temp while cruising is 200, and up to 215 at load.

Usually it cools off when we slow down but yesterday stayed about 210 (according to the gauge) and power a bit down for last 10 minutes of drive. This is SC, so it was a flat drive

I’m suspecting fuel delivery or carburetor

Seeing how you do things always to best of your ability, I would go back to what you changed. New or reconditioned 4 core radiator? Did you test (which temp) thermostat in hot water before you installed it? Ignition timing maybe a temp issue, fuel delivery I doubt.

[Kvsterling]

The thermostat was checked before install, and the coolant system changes have about 5k miles on them this year without any obvious issues

Also, the coolant is full.

I’m thinking the temp may be unrelated to the power drop. Luckily I’m camped 5 miles away from 3 auto parts stores[emoji106]

[Kvsterling]

Stuck my head under the doghouse and found, on the side of the Carburetor body, 2 vacuum port caps split and one cap end fallen off. After replacing them, it seems to run well

Not sure if this totally accounts for the power loss I experienced yesterday, but must be part of it…will know tomorrow morning. Driving straight to the parts store just in case :-)

[bobmiller1]

Remember……most of the Classic motor homes came with 5 blade fans…..Chevrolet delivered bare chassis to Airstream with no AC. AC was installed by Airstream without the required 7 blade fan. Makes a huge difference. Regards, Bob

[Kvsterling]

Thanks bob, the PO actually installed a 7 blade with the AC system

This was a new problem as many changes I made have >3000 miles without an issue. I’m hoping this was a vacuum leak issue that was corrected