Breaking-in the new 77FC on Thanksgiving

[Brent Swartzentruber]

Thanks for the info Bob. If this gen slide-out is an after-market
add-on then it's a poor excuse for one or a bad installation.
Has anyone installed or reinstalled one of these. Any pictures?

If the original gen compartment didn't have a slide-out, how was the
gen accessed? Does anyone have pictures of their original no slide?
I have an Onan Marquis 7KW and I'm considering a better way to mount
it. Some of the original mounting brackets have been cut-off, so new
vertical supports will need to be welded to the frame.

The tires are 8 years old but show no signs of cracking. Do they
deteriorate on the inside? I do intend to replace them before our
first big trip in four weeks - La Paz, Baja.


Brent
Ventura, CA
77FC31

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "one_dusty_hoot"
wrote:
>
> Brent, The '77 FC31 did not have a slide-out, what
> you have is an after market add-on.
>
> Tach is attached to front of engine, could be DC gen.
> The coupling could be broken as well.
>
> Valve to circulate water may be off, manual valve.
>
> Age on tires says that would be priority item.
>
> Tire size larger than std could affect the speedo or
> it may just be off.
>
> Tapping a starter to get the last out of it is a
> sign the brushes are worn out and the armature is dirty.
>
> You'll Love the Adventure,
> Welcome, and happy trails in your new to you bird.
>
> Bob Janes, '87FC35, Greenville, SC
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Brent Swartzentruber"
> <swartzentruber1@> wrote:
> >
> > We are really excited about our new Wanderlodge. I got our new
> 1977
> > FC31 home last Saturday from Eugene, OR. The 900 mile drive home
> > was mostly a pleasure, though my ears where ringing after 12.5
> > hours. I averaged 10 mpg - mostly 60-63 mph. (I think I can do
> > better with practice).
> >
> > here are some pictures of the new rig, my wife Hillary, and her
> > sister at the beach near Ventura, CA where we spent Thanksgiving
> > (bbq'd the turkey)
> > http://www.pbase.com/bajaroad/wanderlodge
> >
> > I must admit the purchase was a stressful process. The generator
> > wasn't as new as suggested, the engine heaters don't work, the
> > instrument panel lights are mostly out, the tach doesn't work,
the
> > speedo is off by about 5%, the front tires are about 8yrs old,
the
> > storage compartment pans are rusting badly, and the previous
owner
> > didn't know the ins & outs of the rig's systems.
> > The interior, the body & paint, brakes, engine, and trans all
seem
> > in good shape and well maintained.
> >
> > The generator worked fine after I got home. In fact I used it to
> > power my saw to trim a low hanging tree. But later in the week
it
> > wasn't cranking over. I could here the starter clicking when I
> > toggled the switch, but no crank. I removed the starter this
> > morning and it is definitely shot. One of the permanent magnets
is
> > broken, but I'm not sure if I did that while initially persuading
> > the starter to work with a few light taps with a wrench. So I
will
> > replace the starter and see if that was the problem.
> > ? Anyone have experience with an Onan non-OEM replacement starter.
> >
> > The issue I am most determined to remedy, but fear could get
> > expensive, is the generator slide-mount. Whoever installed the
> Onan
> > did a hack job and didn't maintain the same level of mechanical
> > structure. I had to use a come-along to pull it out. The Onan
> > doesn't require as much overhead clearance, so I would like to
> raise
> > the whole system while I'm at it.
> > ? Has anyone had experience with these slide supports
> >
> > Brent
> > 77FC31
> > Ventura, CA
> >
>