Should we even be looking at Old Birds?

[michaelhohnstein]

--- 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.
>