Wanted 87 to 89 FC

[birdshill123]

After looking at an 85 we have decided that the newer FC is what we
want. Have cash will travel. No "project vehicles" Thanks.


Bruce still a wanabe

[Tom Warner]

I am interested in why you want an 87-89 FC? Answering could be a
great help for others that are in the same boat you are and looking
for a Bluebird. Is it because of the added power, and what you
envision as a faster FC, ie 300HP? The 87-89 is set back farther in
the chassis so you lose more room for the doghouse. In addition it is
more labor intensive to access the front of the engine since you have
an added intercooler to contend with.

Each and everyone of the Bluebird models and years has pros and cons
and they change in importance depending on the individual. I wonder
how many buyers actually have thought the whole experience thru
before deciding on a specific year and model? My guess .....not
many. I know I didnt. All I did know is that I wanted an FC so I
could see how they were constructed and how difficult they were to
repair and upgrade. I did know I wanted one with air suspension and
without a turbocharger. Wasnt it Benjamin Franklin that said "make a
decision in haste and repent at your leisure"?

I now have a 1982 FC35 and a 1985 PT40. They are vastly different
machines. There are now some places that I love to go to that the PT
will not be able to get into. I have done a lot of work on the 1982
and started to do some upgrades on the PT that will make it like my
wife and I want. But I still wonder if I made a mistake in getting
the PT. The 82 FC has no mysteries for me now and I feel very
comfortable taking it anywhere at any time knowing it will get me
there and back with no troubles. Its under powered but thats not a
big negative as far as I am concerned. When we get there is fine. I
dont have that familiarity with the PT, so dont know yet what has to
be done to it to make it reliable. Should know that shortly though.

The questions that I would ask anyone looking for a Bluebird are:

1. whats your total budget. You need enough to buy the coach and
some more to fix the things you discovered need fixing after you
bought it. Trust me either your wife or someone else in your family
is not going to like something about any coach.
2. Are you going to do the majority of the work on the coach yourself
and if so do you have the experience, tools and skills to do it?
3. If you are not going to do the work yourself, do you have the
money to pay for oil changes, repairs and upgrades on the coach? If
you are going to pay someone else be ready for some good size bills.
Labor rates are out of sight now. Anyone had a total brake job done
on an FC lately, brake shoes, S cams, drums and slack adjusters?

4. In my experience the FC models are far easier to work on then the
PTs or SPs. I can get to the alternator to change a belt within a
few minutes on the 1982 FC. Same with access to the air compressor or
A/C compressor, easily accessable on my 1982 FC35...........and
absolute terror on the PT40. Still doable but no where as easy. And
the FC models are not loud if they are properly insulated. I have
insulated my doghouse with 2# per sq ft composite insulation. If I
had it to do over again I would have used the same weight but used
the lead barrier instead of vinyl. Diesels need the lead barrier to
really quiet them down.
5. Are you going to use the Vintage bird check list along with the
coaches owner when you go over the coach. This single thing will
answer a lot of questions about what kind of condition the coach is in.

Tom Warner
Vernon center,NY
1982 FC35
1985 PT40


At 07:03 PM 4/15/2006, you wrote:
>After looking at an 85 we have decided that the newer FC is what we
>want. Have cash will travel. No "project vehicles" Thanks.
>
>
>Bruce still a wanabe
>
>
>
>
>
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[Stephen Birtles]

because its newer

Stephen 77fc35


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Tom Warner wrote:
>
> I am interested in why you want an 87-89 FC? Answering could be a
> great help for others that are in the same boat you are and look
ing
> for a Bluebird. Is it because of the added power, and what you
> envision as a faster FC, ie 300HP? The 87-89 is set back farther in
> the chassis so you lose more room for the doghouse. In addition it is
> more labor intensive to access the front of the engine since you have
> an added intercooler to contend with.
>
> Each and everyone of the Bluebird models and years has pros and cons
> and they change in importance depending on the individual. I wonder
> how many buyers actually have thought the whole experience thru
> before deciding on a specific year and model? My guess .....not
> many. I know I didnt. All I did know is that I wanted an FC so I
> could see how they were constructed and how difficult they were to
> repair and upgrade. I did know I wanted one with air suspension and
> without a turbocharger. Wasnt it Benjamin Franklin that said "make a
> decision in haste and repent at your leisure"?
>
> I now have a 1982 FC35 and a 1985 PT40. They are vastly different
> machines. There are now some places that I love to go to that the PT
> will not be able to get into. I have done a lot of work on the 1982
> and started to do some upgrades on the PT that will make it like my
> wife and I want. But I still wonder if I made a mistake in getting
> the PT. The 82 FC has no mysteries for me now and I feel very
> comfortable taking it anywhere at any time knowing it will get me
> there and back with no troubles. Its under powered but thats not a
> big negative as far as I am concerned. When we get there is fine. I
> dont have that familiarity with the PT, so dont know yet what has to
> be done to it to make it reliable. Should know that shortly though.
>
> The questions that I would ask anyone looking for a Bluebird are:
>
> 1. whats your total budget. You need enough to buy the coach and
> some more to fix the things you discovered need fixing after you
> bought it. Trust me either your wife or someone else in your family
> is not going to like something about any coach.
> 2. Are you going to do the majority of the work on the coach yourself
> and if so do you have the experience, tools and skills to do it?
> 3. If you are not going to do the work yourself, do you have the
> money to pay for oil changes, repairs and upgrades on the coach? If
> you are going to pay someone else be ready for some good size bills.
> Labor rates are out of sight now. Anyone had a total brake job done
> on an FC lately, brake shoes, S cams, drums and slack adjusters?
>
> 4. In my experience the FC models are far easier to work on then the
> PTs or SPs. I can get to the alternator to change a belt within a
> few minutes on the 1982 FC. Same with access to the air compressor or
> A/C compressor, easily accessable on my 1982 FC35...........and
> absolute terror on the PT40. Still doable but no where as easy. And
> the FC models are not loud if they are properly insulated. I have
> insulated my doghouse with 2# per sq ft composite insulation. If I
> had it to do over again I would have used the same weight but used
> the lead barrier instead of vinyl. Diesels need the lead barrier to
> really quiet them down.
> 5. Are you going to use the Vintage bird check list along with the
> coaches owner when you go over the coach. This single thing will
> answer a lot of questions about what kind of condition the coach is in.
>
> Tom Warner
> Vernon center,NY
> 1982 FC35
> 1985 PT40
>
>
> At 07:03 PM 4/15/2006, you wrote:
> >After looking at an 85 we have decided that the newer FC is what we
> >want. Have cash will travel. No "project vehicles" Thanks.
> >
> >
> >Bruce still a wanabe
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >----------
> >YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
> >
> > * Visit your group
> > "<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WanderlodgeForum>WanderlodgeForum"
on the web.
> > *
> > * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > *
> >
Wanderl\
odgeForum-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

> >
> > *
> > * Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the
> > <http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/>Yahoo! Terms of Service.
> >
> >
> >----------
>

[birdshill123]

>Tom:

Thank you for that post. Intelligent input is always appreciated.
I am aware of most of what you mentioned. Although I am a BB wanabe
I am not a novice when it comes to RV's. I did restore a 65 Clark
Cortez and a 69 Winnie. Have been RVing for 35 years and am an old
Hot Rodder (drag racing). We already have a 39 ft. DP Bounder . THe
BB is too be used only for travel in Southern Mexico. Most other rv's
cannot handle the rough roads. I decided on the 87 to 89 for a
number of reasons: more power, the ones I drove were also quieter, OD
transmission, better layouts, more outside storage, modern generator.
However I would still consider a nice rear bath 85 or 86. I may have
to be patient. Seems that lately the earlier models that are on the
market need some serious work. They either have dated worn out
interiors or major mechanical problems. I am prepared to do normal
repairs/upgrades such as belts, hoses, fluids,rad, tires, fridge
etc. I do not want to rering the engine or replace the whole
interior. Doesnt have to be a perfect unit but has to look
respectable. I also find that a lot of sellers are not realistic. I
understand how it feels when you have a lot of money invested in a
unit and would like to recover some of your money. But any MH is a
depreciating asset. These are not real estate. I have encountered
units that have been for sale for more than 2 years. If they were
overpriced 2 years ago then that price is certainly not realistic
today. You get what you pay for (maybe) and I am willing to pay a
proper price for the right unit. $45,000 and even more is too high
for an 84 or 85 that needs work. The right price is one where the
seller gets what he feels is the right price and the buyer is happy.
Some of the sellers will not find that happy buyer unless they face
the facts. I am confident I will find the unit that fits our needs.
Unfortunately the market is quite small and it takes a lot of
looking. And travelling! I do use the check list from vintage birds.
This and the other forums are invaluable. I appreciate all the
posters who have answered my questions.

Bruce