1980 FC with Cat 3802 - fan bearing replacement - any history of problems?

[Lewandowski98040]

Gardner -

Thanks for the encouragement. I just visited my Bird in the shop. The
sight of that shiny, newly rebuilt, radiator and hoses are a real
confidence builder. Maybe the radiator fluid level sensor will stop
sending false alarms now that the (formerly collapsed) baffles in the
upper fill tank have been rebuilt.

Nephew Rob is sure that this rig only has 90,000 miles on her, not
190K as the previous owner had speculated. There wasn't enough sludge
and goo built up inside the tranny, the differential, or anywhere else
to support that odometer rollover speculation.

I now have a new question about the water pump. The (presumably) 26
year old water pump doesn't seep or drip, and the shaft feels rock
solid. Rob is willing to rebuild the pump, if I really want to pay
for it, but he warns that it is not always wise to fix what ain't
broke. The old seals are holding and new seals are only as good as
the manufacturer's skill and luck can make them.

What's the history of 3802 water pumps? Are they typically bullet
proof and extremely long lived? I'm running the red Caerpillar
coolant that is supposed to last for hundreds of thousands of miles.
Is the water pump over-built to those same never-say-die standards?

I'm just looking for advice from any opinionated Birder who has put a
few hard miles on one of these old 3802 engines.

- gl

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gardner Yeaw"
wrote:
>
> Gaorge,
> As far as the fan, I have no idea. As far as getting on the road,
> you are off to a tremendous start. Just knowing someone you trust to
> check out the hydraulic things is a major plus. With the trans and
> power stearing fixed up, and the radiator ready for another 200k
> miles or more you are in the 'Cat bird seat'. I agree with getting
> the engine checked out and serviced unless you have documents to
> show it was done before. Beyond that, tire condition(age), required
> systems (water/toilet/generator/refrigerator/stove/lighting), and a
> destination, you are more than ready to begin enjoying your coach.
> Take a short trip, and then longer ones until you gain confidence in
> your self and the coach (the coach will be the easy part). Don't
> think of vintage bird as old and in need of more maintenance. They
> are built better than most and once you clean up things that were
> not maintained, they are more dependable than most. I have a '78 and
> it is pretty solid as far as getting there and back.
>
> Gerdner
> 78FC33
>