1989 WB Bluebird

[dougtidwellhome]

Ralph,

The transmission on this coach is a 4-speed. Do you think a 4-speed
is a great negative compared to one with more speeds? Just
wondering what you thought.

Thanks!!

Doug Tidwell

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ralph L. Fullenwider"
wrote:
> Doug:
>
> Sent you the phone back channel.
>
> The folks at Bleakly are pretty reliable really. They know Birds
and since
> they are only a few miles from Bird's Nest, they do represent
their Coaches
> pretty openly. They have a nice facility there as well.
>
> Safe travels,
>
> Ralph and Charolette Fullenwider
> Ralph's RV Solutions,, Oklahoma
>
> At 01:52 PM 7/27/2005 -0500, you wrote:
> >Hello Ralph,
> >
> >Your information is very much appreciated!! I have not seen this
coach
> >and I only have the salesman word on the condition (he seems to
very
> >honest and is not pressuring me in any way). I think I will fly
down
> >there tomorrow and look it over and use your information as a
> >guide. Assuming everything checks out good, do you think it
would be
> >advisable for me to pay you to check it over before I sign on the
dotted
> >line? I know so many things can be wrong and I really don't want
to get
> >into a coach with numerous follow-up expenses. I was originally
focusing
> >on coaches in the 91-95 model years which could probably afford
but
> >certainly would like to pay less if I found the right older
coach. What
> >is your opinion on the best value and is there any good
comparisons
> >between the 89 verses the early 90's? I guess you have worked on
all of
> >them and maybe have established some fact based opinions. Any
comments
> >would be greatly appreciated.
> >
> >Also, should I look at suspension air-bags. I have noticed some
people on
> >the forum have had to replace them in older coaches.
> >
> >Do you have a phone number where I could call you?
> >
> >Thanks!
> >
> >Doug Tidwell
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Ralph L. Fullenwider
> > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> > Sent: Wednesday, July 27, 2005 12:33 PM
> > Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] 1989 WB Bluebird
> >
> >
> > Hello Doug:
> >
> > I am in Oklahoma http://home.swbell.net/rlf47/index.htm and
perform
> > service
> > work on Birds.
> >
> > When you go see the Coach, don't be in a rush, take your time
and don't be
> > overwhelmed. It is easy to do, I know, we have all been there.
> >
> > After a walk through, ask Bleakly to have a service tech come
out with a
> > manometer and do an LP leak down test. This can be done in the
> > refrigerator
> > out side access compartment. This is important.
> > Next, open the engine hatch, do a visual check where the hatch
gas shocks
> > mount to the lid. Then check the manifolds for cracks or
broken ears by
> > the
> > hold down bolts. If the turbo piping is covered with heat
shielding, as
> > your facing the engine, on your left in front you will see the
turbo
> > piping, under that shielding you will find a flange covered by
a clamp.
> > Just above the clamp, do a visual check for any cracks.
> > Next check the battery wiring, it should be 2/0 min cable
size. Check the
> > condition of the cable ends.
> > As you do your walk through of the Coach, turn on all the
lighting
> > systems.
> > Bring the AC's on line one at a time until all are running and
take a look
> > at the gauges to see if they are balanced and steady. Turn on
the Coach
> > head lights and driving lights, check to be sure they are
working. If
> > memory serves, unless it has been modified ( you will probably
make that
> > modification later) the bright lights have to be on for the
driving lights
> > to work. Check the step in and out function. Check the entry
door to be
> > sure it is not bowed or need an adjustment. Check all the
gaskets around
> > all windows to be sure there is not rust beginning. Go up on
top and check
> > all vents where the base contacts the roof metal, for cracking
or if that
> > d(*&@ silicone has been used to stop leaks. Check all screws
holding down
> > the walk plates to see if they are loose. Look over the side
and check the
> > seams where the awnings meet the coach. If the rain guttering
has open
> > cracks in the sealant, it is not a major concern but you will
have to
> > address that as a prevent maint later on.
> > Standing at the front of the Coach peer down the sides for
anything
> > unusual
> > like deeper than what should be normal indentations in the
skin. Open the
> > compartments and check the gas shocks and rubber seals. Look
under the
> > compartment edges, especially the front where tire blow outs
could have
> > crumpled the compartments. Check all wheel wells for missing
insulation,
> > this tells you if there has been a blow out, and if any damage
from that.
> > Check the water system to be sure it pressures up and the pump
shuts off
> > properly.
> >
> > So many things, but this you can do with an informed walk
around. Check
> > the
> > undercarriage for major rust and the bottom of the LP ASME
tank is a good
> > tell tell there.
> >
> > That is just a few things to look at to start with. Hope this
helps a
> > little. The '89 is a good Coach. Good luck.
> >
> > Ralph Fullenwider
> > out of Oklahoma
> >