Should we even be looking at Old Birds?

[Henry Jay Hannigan]

MIKE:
All the things u say are true AND I have all of that in my 90SP
especially the GREAT ZF transmission...the largest transmission
mmaker in europe..they make trannys for BMW's and Mercedes etc.
As for my START recommendation at a low budget entry price, The
80FC31 is NOT underpowered and the valve adjust is not something the
wife can do and I would hope the Swingout radiator mod has been
made...maybe Leroy can find a 1980FC31 with a swingout radiator for
less than 20 grand verses finding a 1987 of your recommedation for
probably over 40 grand.....WE do not know his budget from what he
wrote. LOL hope all is well in texas.....Naty & I will get to a
Texas rally when Deisel drops below
$3............."Dream...Dream..Dream!"
Regards,
Hank
90SP36





--- 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.
> >
>