New AS Motorhome Owner from NorCal

[81 MexCella]

New member here from Northern California. I had been searching an Airstream trailer for a few years, just couldn't find one in my budget. Last Sunday I discovered a 1981 Airstream Excella 28' Motorhome with a 6cyl Diesel 58k miles at an estate sale. 3 days and $6,000 later it followed me home. I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction to where I can find a replacement driver side windshield.
Any help is appreciated!
EP

[Smartstream]

Welcome to the insanity of Airstream Motorhome ownership. From the looks of the outside you have a pretty nice coach. You will find lots of help here on the forum.

For the windshield any competent windshield shop can source and install the windshield. Look for a local trucking business in your area and ask who does their windshields. You can buy from Airstream and other venders but then you have to deal with shipping and the other hassles. Your glass installer does this every day and has the equipment to do it correctly.

Your little diesel is an industrial/marine Isuzu engine. The truck shops don't want to deal with it but Hamilton Engine Sales in Portland Oregon is your go to shop. They know these engines well. Their number is (503) 280-1353. It is a great little engine that will live forever if you treat it right.

We like lots of pictures.

[Isuzusweet]

That's a heck of a steal for what looks like a pretty sweet coach!

Come on over to the motorhome sections (hover over the forums tag until you see the drop down menu) and introduce yourself to the Classic motorhome section where all your questions will be answered and you will discover things you didn't know but need too, like parts such as this:

http://airstreamsupply.com/Airstream...dshield-106828

I maybe partial to the Isuzu motor myself.

Dan above has the TD as well and is one of our resident inmates.......I meant experts.

Is it just me, or has a gaggle or bushel of 280 TD's suddenly come onto the market? One up here in Edmonton, another just recently as well in the states somewhere.

Cheers
Tony

[Smartstream]

Come on Tony, you aren't supposed to mention "inmates" until he learns the secret handshake.

[Isuzusweet]

Originally Posted by Smartstream

Come on Tony, you aren't supposed to mention "inmates" until he learns the secret handshake.

Ooops, my bad.

Cheers
Tony

[81 MexCella]

Lol, thanks guys. I'm excited for my new toy, and learning the handshake. The Excella hadn't been moved in 15 years but was routinely turned on and raised on blocks while it was used as a guest room. We aired up the tires and drove it home! No problems. I haven't gone through the entire owners manual but I intend to. I know I have disc brakes and air ride all around. I see hydraulic leveling jacks too! I'm steam cleaning the bottom after I throw it on the lift tomorrow before I start trouble shooting. I'll mosey over to Motorhome "Cellblock". Here are some before pix of the inside, needs deep cleaning.

[Isuzusweet]

Okay....you might want to date code those tires; 10 years is usually the max as blow outs will cause huge amounts of damage. Very glad you made it home in one piece but that's about how far I would push your luck.

The Isuzu is amazing really....add some new fuel and away she'll go, even after years of immobility. You couldn't get away with that with the 454.

However that being said I would be swapping in some new metric fan belts; (don't get the 1/2" Gates belts, you want the 17mm metric belts.), greasing up the water pump and most likely inspecting and replacing the lower ball joints along with lubricating all grease points (don't forget your carrier bearing and U-joints).

Don't forget to change the oil and remember to put the oil filter cartridge the same way you take it out; if you turn it upside down it will shut off oil to the engine and you'll blow a turbo.

That's just to start......but she looks pretty good; and she even has hydraulic levellers, WOW.

Cheers
Tony