Breaking-in the new 77FC on Thanksgiving

[Gardner Yeaw]

Brent,
I just happened to pull out my Onan to fix it yesterday. I have
pictures but am having a problem getting them uploaded. Somethinfg is
happenning with Yahoo Groups since I have the same problem on another
forum from two different PC's and two different networks.

I builot a platform from 2X10's and plywood and slid the generator
out onto it. It is a pain in the neck but you shouldn't need to do it
that often.

Gardner
78FC33 (with no slide)


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "one_dusty_hoot"
wrote:
>
> Brent,
> The original 6.5KW Onan sits on a plate with about
> a 6" lip on the front side. Secured in place with
> 6-1/2" stud bolts, 3 each side.
>
> I use a floor jack finding Center of Gravity, lower
> and drag it anywhere, set it down on 2 concrete blocks
> either end to work on it.
>
> Carbon should be removed from cylinder heads every
> 500 hours. Here you cannot buy just the head gasket
> anymore, have to buy the whole kit, about $140 +/-?
> You can't get the manifold heated choke anymore. Use
> a choke cable and manual choke. Check the generator
> brushes when you have it out.
>
> LaPaz Baja is in Mexico, right? You have the testicles
> of a brass monkey if you think you can make it there
> and back without problems. If you are taking anyone
> along that you care about, you would be changing out
> those 8 year old tires. You will not get ANYONE on this
> forum to agree with you that they will be fine for the
> trip. You have 27,000# in your hands, precaution is the
> word of the day.
>
> Bob Janes, Greenville, SC
> '87FC35 "Traveller"
> '77FC31 "Ruffin it EZ"
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Brent Swartzentruber"
> <swartzentruber1@> wrote:
> >
> > 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
> > > >
> > >
> >
>