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possible 82FC35SB project
01-03-2009, 07:22
Post: #1
possible 82FC35SB project
I am a potential newbie. Looking at a 82FC35 the coach has been damage has 3
broken windows and needs a new entry door. The genset will not crank but turns
over. The coach will run appears to need a new alternator. Anyone know where to
locate parts and cost to repair or replace alternator?

Thank you for the help

Burton
Quote this message in a reply
01-03-2009, 08:12
Post: #2
possible 82FC35SB project
Burton,
It's almost always better to find a coach that's in better condition than to buy one that has a potential to become a "project" coach. 
If you are particularly talented at mechanical repairs ... and you like to do that kind of work ... a project coach might be entertaining to work on ... but they're rarely cost effective (that is, the cost of repairs and replacements will probably exceed the savings in a lower price).
The current RV market is very depressed (due to the economy and the recent high fuel prices), so there will most assuredly be "good buys" in Wanderlodges -- in your price range -- without as many negatives as you described. 
Figure that most parts for a Blue Bird or other heavy duty bus-type RV will be 4 to 10 times more expensive than what they might cost for an automobile.
Pete Masterson
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42 (For Sale)
El Sobrante CA
"aeonix1@mac.com"



On Jan 3, 2009, at 11:22 AM, blackmarjohn wrote:

I am a potential newbie. Looking at a 82FC35 the coach has been damage has 3 broken windows and needs a new entry door. The genset will not crank but turns over.  The coach will run appears to need a new alternator. Anyone know where to locate parts and cost to repair or replace alternator?
Thank you for the help
Burton
Quote this message in a reply
01-03-2009, 10:32
Post: #3
possible 82FC35SB project
Do yourself a favor and don't go down this road unless you are a
professional salvage/rebuilder operation...and even then I would be
careful. These are very complex peices of machinery, and if they have
been neglected and left to rot it is just not worth the headache.
Every man is entitled to his own choices, but as a former 82FC owner,
that is my advice.

The question isn't what condition the coach is in now, it is WHY it is
in that condition and how it got that way.

Scott Forman
86 PT38
Memphis

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "blackmarjohn"
wrote:
>
> I am a potential newbie. Looking at a 82FC35 the coach has been
damage has 3 broken windows and needs a new entry door. The genset will
not crank but turns over. The coach will run appears to need a new
alternator. Anyone know where to locate parts and cost to repair or
replace alternator?
>
> Thank you for the help
>
> Burton
>
Quote this message in a reply
01-04-2009, 05:28
Post: #4
possible 82FC35SB project
Thanks for the sound advice. After careful review this coach has the potential
to be the money pit and never be completely right. I will hold out for an old
bird that is priced close to the current market and is in better shape. I am in
the atlanta area so if anyone knows of a great deal or someone looking for a
partner on an old bird please let me know.

Thank you agin for the sound advice

Burton
Quote this message in a reply
01-04-2009, 05:37
Post: #5
possible 82FC35SB project
Thanks for the sound advice. After careful review this coach has the potential
to be the money pit and never be completely right. I will hold out for an old
bird that is priced close to the current market and is in better shape. I am in
the atlanta area so if anyone knows of a great deal or someone looking for a
partner on an old bird please let me know.

Thank you agin for the sound advice

Burton
Quote this message in a reply
01-14-2009, 22:59
Post: #6
possible 82FC35SB project
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "blackmarjohn"
wrote:
>
> I am a potential newbie. Looking at a 82FC35 the coach has been
damage has 3 broken windows and needs a new entry door. The genset
will not crank but turns over. The coach will run appears to need a
new alternator. Anyone know where to locate parts and cost to repair
or replace alternator?
>
> Thank you for the help
>
> Burton
>
greetings all,....well Burton i bought an 82FC in Buford Ga that
matches the description you gave.... i wonder..could there be two of
these out there? as for me, the price was right and the owner did not
know what he had... i am still sorting out its history and just how
the door came to be missing.....the seller said that the motorhome was
in storage and was auctioned for non payment of storage fees..methinks
that they couldn't get the door opened because of locks and just pried
it open....anyway this is going to be a project and i am thinking of
doing how-to videos of this ongoing process.

as always i welcome input
donn
Quote this message in a reply
01-15-2009, 02:06
Post: #7
possible 82FC35SB project
Donn

that is a big project. I wish you great success and many hours of
happiness. Are you local? I am in Cumming GA. You can reach me
offline at bblackmar(@)signaturebankga.com I would be interested in
following your progress on the bird.

Burton


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "longryder03"
wrote:
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "blackmarjohn"
> wrote:
> >
> > I am a potential newbie. Looking at a 82FC35 the coach has been
> damage has 3 broken windows and needs a new entry door. The genset
> will not crank but turns over. The coach will run appears to need a
> new alternator. Anyone know where to locate parts and cost to repair
> or replace alternator?
> >
> > Thank you for the help
> >
> > Burton
> >
> greetings all,....well Burton i bought an 82FC in Buford Ga that
> matches the description you gave.... i wonder..could there be two of
> these out there? as for me, the price was right and the owner did
not
> know what he had... i am still sorting out its history and just how
> the door came to be missing.....the seller said that the motorhome
was
> in storage and was auctioned for non payment of storage
fees..methinks
> that they couldn't get the door opened because of locks and just
pried
> it open....anyway this is going to be a project and i am thinking of
> doing how-to videos of this ongoing process.
>
> as always i welcome input
> donn
>
Quote this message in a reply
01-15-2009, 12:02
Post: #8
possible 82FC35SB project
i am local in marietta . the bird is a project, but it is one i have
been looking for. one where price and creativity converge. I have
been searching for a bird for quite some time now and have never come
across one that the elements seemed to be harmonious with my minds
picture. if you looked at this one you probably remember that the
interior is not your standard dark element design, meaning that the dark
wood finish is not there. and neither is the shiny laminate with gold
hardware that one finds in the coaches of the present day. the matte off
white wood is very contemporary and does not have that 80's dated look
and brightens up the interior. I have never seen this in this vintage
of Bluebird before and cannot not find it in the normal floor plans
offered for the year model. I think that it was a custom build and from
the looks of it, it is from bluebird. the fit and finish is typical
bluebird quality. I have not verified it through Bluebird however.

The engine and trans works very well and it is a turbo version. I
believe that the engine has been replaced as the turbo was not listed as
the engine type in the information materials that i got with the coach.
and as a reference the alternator worked fine on the 60 mile run to the
new birdnest. the only real problem was the fuel system was blocked and
we had to change main fuel filter enroute to the nest. ( which was an
adventure in itself). Overall i was pleased with the drive home after
we got the fuel system thing worked out. The power was good, the road
speed was good, the trans shifted as it should and the overall ride
quality was very good.

this project begins with new battery banks and working out the minor
electrical glitches. after that its in search of a door and glass which
i may take it to fort valley for and let them do it if its still
available.... i spoke with the parts guy down there the other day and
got the impression that they are very shorthanded due to the layoffs
there..... so we will see.

if you are still looking for one and want to know more about these
amazing machines, feel free to contact me and i'll let you poke around
on this one.


donn



--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "blackmarjohn"
wrote:
>
> Donn
>
> that is a big project. I wish you great success and many hours of
> happiness. Are you local? I am in Cumming GA. You can reach me
> offline at bblackmar(@)signaturebankga.com I would be interested in
> following your progress on the bird.
>
> Burton
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "longryder03"
> lastamtec2@ wrote:
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "blackmarjohn"
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > I am a potential newbie. Looking at a 82FC35 the coach has been
> > damage has 3 broken windows and needs a new entry door. The genset
> > will not crank but turns over. The coach will run appears to need a
> > new alternator. Anyone know where to locate parts and cost to repair
> > or replace alternator?
> > >
> > > Thank you for the help
> > >
> > > Burton
> > >
> > greetings all,....well Burton i bought an 82FC in Buford Ga that
> > matches the description you gave.... i wonder..could there be two of
> > these out there? as for me, the price was right and the owner did
> not
> > know what he had... i am still sorting out its history and just how
> > the door came to be missing.....the seller said that the motorhome
> was
> > in storage and was auctioned for non payment of storage
> fees..methinks
> > that they couldn't get the door opened because of locks and just
> pried
> > it open....anyway this is going to be a project and i am thinking of
> > doing how-to videos of this ongoing process.
> >
> > as always i welcome input
> > donn
> >
>
Quote this message in a reply
01-16-2009, 01:43
Post: #9
possible 82FC35SB project



Donn,



As a reference point, some of you may not know about my photo web site that covers MOST of the upgrades and modifications that I have done on my 1982 FC35RB 'Bird since I brought it back from Texas to its new homebase here in South Carolina, just a little over 5 years ago. It was one of those project 'Birds that had a great history to go along with it. Taking on a project like this is not for the timid, or a person without some mechanical knowledge, but the help and insight that is available to the new owner from the Wanderlodge related forums on the Internet and their members, was the most important help that I had, so if you are willing and you have the time, go for it, I don't regret doing it myself one bit. The enjoyment and pride of owning a Vintage 'Bird that can still turn heads where ever it goes, is most enjoyable, plus I get to enjoy it every day since I full time in it.



To see the FINN'S INN EXPRESS REMODELING ADVENTURE AND TECH. TIPS go to;



http://www.pbase.com/iamflagman/image/24977457




If you want to see more about how I have used my 'Bird since it became ready to hit the road safely, there are albums of my trips that I have taken and also albums of some of the Blue Bird Rallies that I have attended, you can see them by going here and clicking on the thumbnail image of the different albums to viewtheir contents;



http://www.pbase.com/iamflagman



In all of the albums, to see more just click on "NEXT" at the right of each photo to see the next one.



JOHN FINN
1982 FC35RB BLUEBIRD WANDERLODGE
HOPKINS, SOUTH CAROLINA

VISIT THE FINN'S INN EXPRESS REMODELING ADVENTURE AND TECH. TIPS

http://www.pbase.com/image/24977457

[b]REMEMBER 9/11



///////////////////////////////////////////////////////

[/b]
[url=http://www.pbase.com/iamflagman][/url]


--- In "WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com", "longryder03" wrote:
>
> i am local in marietta . the bird is a project, but it is one i have
> been looking for. one where price and creativity converge. I have
> been searching for a bird for quite some time now and have never come
> across one that the elements seemed to be harmonious with my minds
> picture. if you looked at this one you probably remember that the
> interior is not your standard dark element design, meaning that the dark
> wood finish is not there. and neither is the shiny laminate with gold
> hardware that one finds in the coaches of the present day. the matte off
> white wood is very contemporary and does not have that 80's dated look
> and brightens up the interior. I have never seen this in this vintage
> of Bluebird before and cannot not find it in the normal floor plans
> offered for the year model. I think that it was a custom build and from
> the looks of it, it is from bluebird. the fit and finish is typical
> bluebird quality. I have not verified it through Bluebird however.
>
> The engine and trans works very well and it is a turbo version. I
> believe that the engine has been replaced as the turbo was not listed as
> the engine type in the information materials that i got with the coach.
> and as a reference the alternator worked fine on the 60 mile run to the
> new birdnest. the only real problem was the fuel system was blocked and
> we had to change main fuel filter enroute to the nest. ( which was an
> adventure in itself). Overall i was pleased with the drive home after
> we got the fuel system thing worked out. The power was good, the road
> speed was good, the trans shifted as it should and the overall ride
> quality was very good.
>
> this project begins with new battery banks and working out the minor
> electrical glitches. after that its in search of a door and glass which
> i may take it to fort valley for and let them do it if its still
> available.... i spoke with the parts guy down there the other day and
> got the impression that they are very shorthanded due to the layoffs
> there..... so we will see.
>
> if you are still looking for one and want to know more about these
> amazing machines, feel free to contact me and i'll let you poke around
> on this one.
>
>
> donn

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