Should we even be looking at Old Birds?

[Michael]

I also agree with everything I've read here. I own a 63 Bluebird
conversion and just recently purchased a 78FC35. I choose this bus
to upgrade to a diesel, leveling jacks, bigger generator, etc.. I
did not want air bags as I like to go off road often with a trailer
full of quads and dirt bikes. I wanted something tough with ground
clearance. I had the pleasure of driving my friends 90SP36 from
Texas to Arizona not long ago. It was very nice, plush, fancy, and
strong with the 300 HP Cat. However, it was just not for me. So old
or new.. you can't go wrong with these busses. I'm a "bang-for-buck"
kind of guy on a small budget so the FC's were perfect!
Just another 2 cents...

Michael
78FC35 "Putz'n Around"
Mesa, Az

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "bubblerboy64"
wrote:
>
> Leroy, I think everything that has been said is on target. You
> certainly want the best that you can buy. No doubt the later FC's
> are considerably improved and being newer should in theory at least
> be in better condition. That being said there is always the debate
as
> to how much a guy should spend on an FC before he considers a PT. I
> have never ridden in or experienced a late model FC but my thoughts
> are if I was going to spend upwards of 50K would I add to it a
little
> (or a lot) and go with a PT. These are things you have to decide.
I
> was there a year ago and I am certain all of us would agree that
you
> should invest in some travel and time to investigate a number of
> these coaches before you buy. I think personal preference and how
> you are going to use the coach are the critical things to
consider.
> I love my old 1973 but if I was intending to make a lot of long
runs
> I would consider moving up. My coach is also smallish for more then
> two. I consider it like buying any vehicle you want to match it to
> your use as well as your pocket book.
> John Heckman
> central Pa
> 1973 FC
> >
> > --- 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.
> >
> >
> > I would just say this and that is buy from a person who loves his
> old
> > coach! Pay a little bit more but then most of the work has been
> done.
> > As far as Vlv adjustment that only happens every 50,000 miles and
> my
> > coach has only had that done two times. Yep and beside my old
coach
> > gets 10 mpg (1978) and the newer ones well we all know they were
> made
> > for cheap fuel prices in mind. Jon
> > > >
> > >
> >
>