Leaf springs on older Birds

[George Burke]

Now Ernie, You know that back then they usually sent the Yanks down south, and the Rebs up north. I was stationed at Westover AFB from May-67 to Mar-70, (had a TDY on Project Arclite from Aug-68 to Jan-69). Left Ma. for Alaska in Mar-70, got out in Feb-71. The only time that I saw any warm weather was the  6 mos. in Guam. Decided to get out after the Alaska thing because most Heavy Equip Mechs spent a lot of time in cold weather, and (as my track record wasn't looking so good) , I said adios. But to answer part of your question, I would have loved to have spent more time in Tx. Regards, George Burke 1977 FC 31 Charlotte

On Sun, Aug 1, 2010 at 6:16 PM, Ernie Ekberg <"ernietex@yahoo.com"> wrote:

 

George- were you ever stationed at Reese AFB, Lubbock, Tx? I was there from 67-71. Ernie Ekberg 83PT40 Wanderlodge Weatherford, Tx  817-475-3991 www.ernieekbergflooring.net --- On Sun, 8/1/10, George Burke <"gnburke@gmail.com"> wrote: From: George Burke <"gnburke@gmail.com"> Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Leaf springs on older Birds To: "WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com" Date: Sunday, August 1, 2010, 4:11 PM   Glad to help Roger. I used to be  Heavy equipment mech. in the USAF,(late 60's), and now have forgotten more than I will ever know. My rear is the L155, which Arvin Meritor said that I should move up to a 19,000 to 21,000 lb. rear with a gear ratio that I liked, as they no longer make the L155, (considered a light duty rear), and they still mfg. and support the latter rears. A previous owner from the Tn. mountains had the rear changed from a 4.63 to a 5.29. I would like to get a 4:10/4.11 gear but have not found it. While BB was still open, I found out that they never used anything higher than the 4.63 in the FC's or the school buses, as they wanted to get them moving, and gas wasn't that expensive back then. BTW, I think that the L155 rear was rated at15,500 lb. Good Luck, George Burke 1977 FC 31 Charlotte On Sun, Aug 1, 2010 at 12:15 PM, idkgfy <idkgfy@yahoo. com> wrote:   Thank you George Wow I'm surprised I would of thought the rear spings were 16,000 or 18,000 lbs. This is good to know. All of our trucks have Meritor axels and brakes, we have more attrition with the newer stuff the we do with the older Rockwell stuff. I'm a Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanic for the LAFD. Roger --- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com, George Burke wrote: > > You are lucky Roger. The front axle is the same. Part # 0350686 Spring > 3"X52"X11 leaf. I just saw that front and rear axles on Birds back then were > made Rockwell, which is now Arvin Meritor, for a little more info > On Sat, Jul 31, 2010 at 5:45 PM, idkgfy wrote: > > > > > > > Thank you George are those front spings or rear spings, in your post it sez > > rear spring group. > > Roger > > > > > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com40yahoogroups. com>, > > George Burke wrote: > > > > > > Ok, Roger/Ralph, Here is the only info that I have found on springs for a > > > 1977 FC 31 with a Ford gas engine. "From BlueBird" , Springs used on > > > BlueBird chassis are manufactured to our specifications by well known > > > manufacturers of automotive type springs. Under Rear Spring Group > > (Forward > > > Control) is Part No. 0350686 Spring 3 X 52 X 11 Leaf . Application All > > Qty 2 > > > . A couple pins are listed as being made by Ford, and some nuts by Bowman > > > Product Co. Roger, maybe someone with knowledge of a former BB mechanic > > from > > > the factory that is working for another RV company could help you, or > > check > > > with a good spring company, with the above specs. on the whole leaf > > spring > > > assy. Good Luck, George Burke 1977 FC 31 Charlotte > > > > > > On Sat, Jul 31, 2010 at 2:08 PM, Fullenwider wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hi George: > > > > > > > > Thank you for getting back and sorry it has taken a while to reply. We > > have > > > > a new Birder (Rodger)in the LA Cal area with a new to him '75 31 footer > > with > > > > some broken leaf springs and no numbers or where to go to get them. > > Please > > > > see msg # 48163 > > > > > > > > Curt/Phil here is a, new to him, Birder that needs info on the Left > > Coast > > > > Bird group. > > > > > > > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com40yahoogroups. com> > > 40yahoogroups. com>, > > > > > > George Burke wrote: > > > > > > > > > > Hello Ralph, Don't know what kind of info that you are looking for, > > but I > > > > > have a 1977 Bird with a Ford 534CI gas engine. I vaugely remember a > > > > recent > > > > > post by someone saying that the rear end on a Bird that he was > > > > > looking seemed to be either forward or backward of where he thought > > it > > > > > should be. With that, I can be of no help. Every truck,bus,RV, etc, > > > > > including mine, that I have ever seen, the wheels,rear end and all > > other > > > > > things seemed to all be centered within the wheel well. Other than > > that, > > > > > FIRE AWAY. George Burke 1977 FC31 Charlotte > > > > > > > > > > On Thu, Jul 29, 2010 at 12:13 PM, Ralph L. Fullenwider > > >wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hi Guys and Gals: > > > > > > > > > > > > Anyone have any info on leaf springs used on '78 gas Birds? Had a > > call > > > > > > today asking me and I just don't have that info. > > > > > > > > > > > > Thanks > > > > > > > > > > > > Safe travels, > > > > > > > > > > > > Ralph and Charolette Fullenwider > > > > > > "84FC35 "Ruff Diamond" > > > > > > Duncan, Oklahoma > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >