Breaking-in the new 77FC on Thanksgiving

[Gardner Yeaw]

Brent,
I got the pictures up under genset in/out. There are 4 bolts
securing the generator base to the bottom of the bay. Across the
front of the bay there is a large angle iron attached with three
bolts. Also there is the gas line, electrical connections, battery
and exhaust connections.

I built a platform the same hdight as the bay floor so I would
have a solid place to slide the generator onto. It ain't light, so
build solid. I used 2X10's and three inch screws.

I built another tool from a piece of oak hardwood with a slot
about two inches from the end across the face. The slot fits over the
generator pan edge. I drilled several holes and widened them so I
could put a screwdriver through the holes and pry against the front
edge of the bay. That way I could pull the generator out in a
controlled fashion rather then wrench my back. Others will put a
jack under the entire bay floor and unbolt the whole floor and lower
it down. I was concderned that I might dump it off the jack and
damage it or myself in the process.

Gardner
78FC33



--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gardner Yeaw"
wrote:
>
> 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
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>