i must be crazy.

[mbulriss]

Jim, is it(?) - didn't see a signature,

Congrats on "moving on up"! If you change to SOB, a Marathon is a
great choice. Marathon has an active owners group, with rallies and
a great magazine.

Just out of curiosity, why the change to a Prevost rather than a newer
Bird? How much are you asking for the 82 FC?

Good luck,

Mike Bulriss
1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
San Antonio, TX

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "bluebird3208" wrote:
>
> I recently purchased a prevost Marathon conversion. I decided that
> most of our RV use is RV parks and long distance uns. The
> Wanderlodge being only 35 feet was great for the national parks, but
> we rarely seem to camp at one. No one in the family likes to dry
> camp. So I elected for the better ride, power and room. The Prevost
> is not a camping coach, but is certainly a superior Highway coach.
> My 82 that I have upgraded and restored is for sale to a serious
> buyer.
>
> Here is a partial list of the work done on the coach.
>
> 1982 Blue Bird Wanderlodge
> Purchased with 6000 miles on rebuilt 3208T, Transmission, Rear end,
> drive shafts, Brakes, and exhaust system.
>
> From April 2001 to May of 2002
>
> Removed entrance and screen doors.
> Had door skin re welded. Weather proofed and installed
> hardware, adjusted door and installed new weather stripping. Replaced
> inner door cover with oak plywood. Replaced screen in door and re
> poprivited all parts. Rebuilt automatic screen door closer and
> installed new Velcro. Repaired and sealed doorstep light. Replaced
> stairs well cover hardware.
>
> Overhead panel:
>
> Due to lack of functionality (The dash air when working will
> not keep the driver cool on a hot day) Removed dash air and built
> custom walnut overhead. Installed new TV to operate off of the
> inverter. Loomed all wires overhead, and installed new
> inside/outside temp gauge. Installed new back up monitor over driver
> with camera in rear. Trimmed out CB volume controls in walnut.
> Installed new diodes in musical horn to make it operative, and new
> outside speakers for horn and CB. Replaced searchlight with new.
> Fabricated covers for old AC outlets. Installed new sunshades.
> Installed fans and wired them into old AC blower controls. Installed
> automatic speaker relay switch so that front speakers play audio /
> video system through them until the dash stereo is turned on.
>
> Instrument panel:
>
> Replaced all warning lights. (Amber, blue, yellow and red)
> replaced instrument bulbs. Replaced several instrument switches and
> installed relays on all blower motors and running lights to save
> switches. Ordered and replaced one AC blower switch, which was
> burned out. Calibrated Amp meter and adjusted alternator for better
> charge rate. Replace electrical water gauge with accurate mechanical
> water temp gauge. Reupholstered dash and replaced all heat foam with
> soundproofing heat resistant material.
>
> Audio/ Video system:
>
> Trimmed out Audio Video entertainment area and installed new
> coaxes and source switching system. Installed new DVD, VCR, Tuner and
> Satellite receiver. Installed new TV bracket and TV/VCR in back
> berth area.
>
>
> Forward area:
>
> Trimmed out seat switches in walnut. Rebuilt drivers and passengers
> windows had new rubber put in Windshield and drivers and passengers
> windows. Installed new remote control mirrors. Removed and resealed
> all clearance lights. Ran wiring to power lumbar on seats. Installed
> new reeds in air horns. Installed one new air horn cover. Replaced
> block heater switch so is now lights. Cleaned block heater. Resealed
> drivers and passengers outside access panels. Installed a new cruise
> control with vacuum generator system.
>
>
>
>
>
> Interior:
>
> Replaced several florescent fixtures and all the bulbs.
> Installed new blinds in forward lounge and bathroom. Installed
> curtain system for windshield area. Installed new overhead vents and
> trimmed them with walnut. Replaced all non-operational overhead
> locker hold ups. Removed and painted all heating vents. Trimmed in
> refrigerator with walnut. Built ducting for new center propane
> heater. Repaired electric heater in bathroom. Installed new shower
> curtains and doorstops. 3/20/04 Replaced all florescent bulbs and
> replaced 12 ballast in fixtures. Removed carpet and wood from step
> well. Welded up hole for filling leveling jack hydro pump. Replaced
> entry with granite steps and wood flooring continuing through kitchen
> area. 7/05 Replaced carpet.
>
> 5/07to 6/07 Removed rear bunks, stripped to bare floor and water
> tanks. Removed aft dinenet base. Removed carpet from forward
> dinenet base. Installed partition wall with dutch door just aft of
> refridgerator and befor aft bunk area. Partition is constructed of
> walnut veneer with pure walnut edges. Door is made of popular frame
> overlaid with walnut panel to conserve weight. Installed Perko
> marine door hardware, and bladwin dutch door latch.
> Replaced water tank overflow hoses , and cut out new exit
> holes to allow for new bunk base construction. Built up starboard
> bunk base with false bottom above water tank. Installed three
> heavyduty accuride pantry slides with airram so that starboard
> bunk can slide over to port bunk making one bed. Cut into accessory
> air line under port berth and installed air manifold to get air to
> strarboard bunk. Installed air tank with check valve to run air
> ram. Installed air ram control valve under forward dinenet base for
> ease of access and emergency manual operation. Wired 12v dc air
> valve to master switch in starboard aft overhead locked, and three
> momentary switches. Two over bunks and one in aft overhead above
> dinenet. Installed new bunk fans. Built up port rear bunk base.
> Repositioned winterizing controls and built new drawer in base
> area. Rebuilt aft dinenet base with new drawer for easy access.
> Covered forwad dinnet base in walnut veneer. Stained and lacquered
> all wood areas. Built custom solid walnut dinnet table and
> installed.
> Remove nutone food processor and sink. Removed counter top
> and installed new full size stainless steel sink with new faucet and
> instahot water unit. Replumbed all of same in copper tube.
> Refabricated sink drain, and made small modifications to top large
> drawer to allow for the larger sink. Removed old water filter and
> used space to create a large shelf area under sink. Sanded clean and
> restained shelves and drawers. Reworked, adjusted, and lubricated
> all drawer hardware. Recovered counter and backsplash with more
> current formica. Installed new refer with ice maker.
>
> Removed starboard aft window to replace cracked glass.
> Rebuilt same window with new felts and tempered glass then
> reinstalled. Remanufactured TV bracket for rear bunk flat screen and
> reinstalled. Had new screen built for main salon windows. Had
> forward glass and newly installed glass tinted as required.
> Removed all upholstery and recovered, had aft bunks made up
> of 3.5 inches of dense foam, and 2.5 inches of memory foam for sleep
> comfort. Had new upholstered foam back for both forward couches
> made. Removed U-line ice maker and removed cabinet. Increased depth
> of wine storage area and built and new formica covered door for the
> cabinet. Reinstalled cabinet for trash can storage area.
>
>
> Fresh water system:
> Replaced water heater, water pump, and accumulator tank. The
> water pump is quieter and uses fewer amps delivering the same amount
> of water. The accumulator tank helps to reduce pump run time. The
> new water heater is better insulated and will hold hot water
> overnight. Replaced water heater switch so that the switch
> illuminates in the on position. Rebuilt the built in water pressure
> regulator valve. Re oriented bathroom vanity faucet so that hot and
> cold are in the right direction. Rebuilt toilet so that water now
> stays in bowl. 05 Installed new toilet and rebuilt cabinet and
> installed new above counter sink, and faucet. Put granite in bath
> area.
>
> Engine area:
>
> Sound proofed engine doghouse. Installed new doghouse hold
> up. Replaced forward rubber on doghouse cover. Re Engineered Air
> Cleaner system to get the right quantity of outside air into engine.
> Pulled right valve cover and fabricated a bracket so that the PCV
> properly mates to the valve cover to stop an oil leak. Removed old
> dip stick from forward right side of engine and got new parts from
> Cat. Converted oil pan to rear sump, and moved oil dipstick to rear
> of engine to make it more accessible and to give the pan more ground
> clearance. Rerouted throttle cable to get it away from the exhaust
> system. Re designed throttle bracket so that the oil fill on the
> left side is now accessible. Replace transmission modulator cable
> due to a leak on the old one. Removed radiator and had it rodded
> out. Replaced radiator hoses. Repaired and put engine warning
> system on line. Hooked Raycor fuel filter gauge back up. Installed
> pyrometer and boost gauge. Replaced Rubber fuel lines near engine and
> heat insulated them. 3/20/04, Installed transmission temperature
> gauge. Fabricated and installed radiator misting system with dash
> switch operated electric solenoid and filter. Installed propane
> injection system for more power up hills. Fabricated a custom
> transmission cooler and installed it parallel to the drive shaft had
> new transmission hoses made to hook up the unit. 4/5/04 to 4/30/04
> Removed radiator and had fill neck replaced. Converted radiator to a
> swing out system with all new lifetime hoses. Rebuilt power steering
> pump and replaced all power steering hoses. Replaced bearing and
> shaft in water pump idler pulley. Replaced rear bearing in fan clutch
> and installed new rubber dampener. Repaired small oil leak at
> tachometer sender. Cleaned and painted all front engine parts.
> Replaced all belts with high quality gates. Replaced rubber fuel
> lines with special high temp lines and re-insulated. Removed intake
> manifold and turbo charger. Drilled and taped ½" pipe hole for water
> injection nozzle. Inspected turbo for play and wear none noted.
> Reinstalled intake manifold and turbo, replaced lock washers where
> needed. Installed hobs pressure switch set at 4 lbs per sq in to
> operate new solenoid valve for water injection. Wired in complete
> system. Installed pac-brake exhaust brake. Installed new air
> cleaner element. Relocated fuel filter to rear of engine compartment
> for ease of access. (16500 miles). Replaced water hose to air
> compressor. 9/04 Had new stainless steel braid hoses made for
> connection of air compressor to governor and air dryer. 11/04
> Installed electric fuel pump to purge out diesel filters after
> change. Installed radiator mid ship for additional cooling of water
> returned from hot water heater. Radiator has a thermostatically
> controlled fan. Changed out drivers valve cover gasket. 7/05 Replace
> o-ring seals for injector inlets through head. 7/24/06 (24939.9)
> Replaced engine with Reviva complete rebuilt 3208 250 hp Cat engine.
> Rebuilt air compressor. Painted out engine compartment and inspected
> all lines and electrical. Replaced Height control valve with a Hadex
> 94100466
>
> Under Carriage:
>
> Steamed cleaned and inspected. Removed front left and right
> rear leveling jacks and sent them to the factory to be rebuilt.
> Reinstalled same. Replaced forward shocks with factory recommended
> shocks. Expensive, but an incredible difference. Repaired
> connections on speedometer pickup at right rear wheel. 4/20/04
> greased under carriage (16500 miles) 10/04 Replaced leveling Jack
> hydro pump with factory rebuilt. Installed pump on new bracket so
> that the old step fill can be done away with. 7/24/06 Removed front
> right jack and had it rebuilt and replaced. 4/07 installed another
> hydro pump because new one was leaking. 7/07 had slow leak at valve
> stem on inside passenger tire. Interior lug bolts show
> cracks..replaced all interior lug bolts both sides.
>
> Air conditioners:
>
> Replaced thermostat in center air. Replaced clamp on
> Schrader valves evacuated and recharged. No leaks and unit cools
> well. Serviced (Cleaned) forward air and installed additional sheet
> metal screw to secure evaporator from squeaking. 9/04 Replace all
> three roof air conditoners. 11/ 04 replaced roof vents with Fan-
> tastic fans.
>
> Exterior:
>
> Replaced all locker weather stripping. 3/20/04 replaced pin
> switches on lockers and cleaned and repaired all light fixtures in
> lockers. Installed new fire extinguisher in forward locker.
> Installed new heated windshield wiper blades. 6/04 Removed dents and
> dings, welded up holes for forward roof AC, doorbell, bugler alarm
> key, and front turn lights. Removed and rebuilt galley and rear berth
> windows. Painted entire coach with Dupont emeron. Purchased and
> installed all new clearance and marker lights mostly with led type
> lighting. Updated headlights including relays for full voltage.
> Replaced turn signal flasher with electronic type. Fabricated
> stainless steel wind deflectors for drivers and passengers front side
> windows, and installed same.
>
>
> Generator:
>
> Had fuel injection pump rebuilt. Installed new fuel lift pump
> and lifter cover gasket. Had radiator rodded out and replaced all
> radiator hoses. Steam cleaned and identified oil leaks. Replaced
> valve cover gasket. Tightened pan bolts, and replaced front oil seal
> after installing an oil saver on the front pulley. Replaced water
> pump and belt. Replaced flex exhaust line with new stainless flex
> exhaust line. Welded up door brackets and adjusted generator door.
> Sound insulted generator compartment to reduce noise and vibration.
> 9/04 Replaced generator set with used 3000 hour 10kw HANCO
> generator. Raised generator drawer 3" and installed generator
> parallel to bus. Installed battery bank in generator drawer complete
> with fuses and "O" cable and supplied to new Freedom inverter
> charger, Installed freedom 40 battery charger to replace the old
> units. New generator has been modified with updated fuel filter and
> two radiators with electric fans. Installed custom exhaust and
> soundproofed cabinet. 4/07 Replaced generator voltage regulator,
> added additional cooling fans to move and extract air from gen set
> area.
>
>
> General:
>
> Re positioned battery cables and re designed battery hold
> down to accommodate new 115 amp Trojan batteries. Installed luggage
> pod on roof. Repositioned CB antenna and installed new TV antenna
> forward. Installed new dump valves on gray and black waste tanks.
> 3/20/04, Fabricated and installed black tank macerator pump. Wired
> pump to drivers rear fuse area and installed outside switch and hose
> fitting. 11/04 Installed battery combiner to insure proper charging
> of both battery banks, and a battery switch in the passengers
> forward overhead locker to run house DC on either front or rear
> battery banks. 11/04 Replaced air step solenoid with new unit.
> 12/1/04 had date code checked on very good looking Goodyears. Rear
> tires 1993! Front 1999. Replaced all tires with Toyo's. ( I can't
> stand giving the French a dime.) 11/05 Macerator removed and
> portable unit bought. Refitted all drain plumbing. 6/07 Removed and
> greases both dump valves. Used locktite to fasten roof deckplate
> screws into place.
>