Should we even be looking at Old Birds?

[Jon]

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "michaelhohnstein"
<MHOHNSTEIN@...> wrote:
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "campingleroy"
>
>
> I have experience with quite a few mid 80s Birds, buying selling
> and "fixing on." My 83 rear bath suits the wife and I real well
and
> I wouldn't trade it for a triple slide anything. Not even a Newell.
> That being said, I recommend 87 and newer FCs for those who wish to
> get into a vintage Bird. The engine and accessories are much easier
> to maintain due to improved design engine cover and swing radiator.
> 86 and older are a pain to adjust valves on, and that's not good.
> Moreover the 87 up has a charge air cooler and 300 hp., a very
> welcome feature when trying to get down the road. The ZF trans is
a
> great piece and features OD.
> My 83 has been upgraded to 87 specs. Fiberglass engine cover,
> charge air cooler and inlet air enhancements. The Allison is
backed
> by a drive line OD transmission in front of the Jake retarder.
> I was able to do all this 'stuff' to my Bird due the line of work
> I'm in. Much easier to just pay a little more and get the newer
> version, and it's all done for you.
> MH
>
> wrote:
> >
> > My wife and I really like a lot of things about vintage birds,
> > including the safety, reliability, and durability. I think a mid
> 80s
> > FC would be about the best fit for us and our budget. The one
> with a
> > double bed in the back, and 2 couches up front.
> >
> > I dont mind tinkering and working on a lot of projects. Our
> current
> > coach is a 1989 Class C, I had to rebuild the entire cab over on
> that.
> > But I'm by no means a mechanic. I do consider myself to be very
> > mechanically inclined though. I can follow directions really
> well, if
> > there are procedures on doing projects though. And based on what
> I
> > know or believe things to cost, I can't afford to have a mechanic
> do
> > every bit of maintenance these things need. The electrical
> problems
> > concern me much less than mechanical ones.
> >
> > My question is, should I steer away from these old birds? Is the
> > majority of the work something that an average person could do
> given
> > patience and research/reading? Don't want to get myself in over
> my
> > head.
> >
> > I would DEFINATELY want to hire someone to look at a unit before
> > purchasing, to make sure I understood what I was getting myself
> into.
> > If I get to that point, I'll be asking here for recommendations
on
> who.


I would just say this and that is buy from a person who loves his old
coach! Pay a little bit more but then most of the work has been done.
As far as Vlv adjustment that only happens every 50,000 miles and my
coach has only had that done two times. Yep and beside my old coach
gets 10 mpg (1978) and the newer ones well we all know they were made
for cheap fuel prices in mind. Jon
> >
>