Should we even be looking at Old Birds?

[bubblerboy64]

Leroy, I think everything that has been said is on target. You
certainly want the best that you can buy. No doubt the later FC's
are considerably improved and being newer should in theory at least
be in better condition. That being said there is always the debate as
to how much a guy should spend on an FC before he considers a PT. I
have never ridden in or experienced a late model FC but my thoughts
are if I was going to spend upwards of 50K would I add to it a little
(or a lot) and go with a PT. These are things you have to decide. I
was there a year ago and I am certain all of us would agree that you
should invest in some travel and time to investigate a number of
these coaches before you buy. I think personal preference and how
you are going to use the coach are the critical things to consider.
I love my old 1973 but if I was intending to make a lot of long runs
I would consider moving up. My coach is also smallish for more then
two. I consider it like buying any vehicle you want to match it to
your use as well as your pocket book.
John Heckman
central Pa
1973 FC
>
> --- 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
> > >
> >
>