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Advice: Q&A RV DinosaursFifth Wheels Motorhomes Popups/Truck Campers Travel Trailers
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Below are E-mail questions and answers that are related to twenty year
and older RVs. You can send your question(s) using the form at the bottom
of all our Q&A pages. We answer ALL email that comes in to us,
even what other RV web sites forward to us.
This page last updated February 26, 2008, containing letters emailed to Pete from September 24, 2007 - February 8, 2008.
I purchased an older fifth wheel, 1979 Carriage Royal International. It has water damage and leaks that I'm in the process of fixing. I'm replacing most of the paneling. I've used some panels from Lowe's in the bed area but want something that looks better for the rest. Any suggestions?
Dear Jon,
Check with a local cabinet maker, they can get all the good looking panels for decent prices.
How do you change the rear brakes on a 1978 Chevy C-30 RV. I can't get the drums off.
Dear Mark,
If it's a one piece drum and hub, you have to pull the axles and remove the wheel bearing retaining nuts and pull the drum and hub assembly off.
Be sure to back the adjustment on the brake shoes off.
I have a 1983 CrossCountry by Sportscoach with a 454 and the 12V electrical solid state fuel pump needs to be replaced. I would like to know what PSI and gallons per hour this fuel pump is so I can replace it.
Dear Ben,
External pump was 14 PSI, with a 40 GPH. You probably don't have a choice on internal tank pumps.
I have a 1985 Sunstream motor home, P30, 454 cid. I can't get the temperature gauge to work or the fuel gauge.
Dear Thomas,
Check the gauge fuse in the fuse panel under the dash.
I have a 1980 Citation class A with a Chevy 454 engine. When I start the engine, while the choke is on, I can hear a light bucking sound from the engine. After it warms up and the choke comes off the engines turns and sounds fine.
Could this be a possible exhaust leak?
Dear Daniel,
It could be, you might look at the heat riser valve between the manifold and pipe.
I am thinking of changing transmission for a modern and efficient CVT in my '75 Midas Mini 226, and need engine specifications like power, torque and revs for the standard GM 350 ci engine that is mounted. As Haynes does not say anything to this, and I could not find much on the Internet, can you help me out?
Dear Steven,
Sorry, I really can't. You might try Mitchell's service manuals on line.
Take a look at the Gear Vendor, it might be a more logical update.
At night headlights turn on and off unexpectedly. I checked wiring, fuses, and floorboard switch with no issues found.
Ford 460, 1987 27' Shasta on Ford frame.
Dear Jerry,
Replace the head light switch.
I have a 1987 454 P30 chassis under a Bounder motor home. The exhausts were leaking and I removed them. They are a tube type exhaust and one each side one port is badly pitted. What can I replace the manifolds with? Are replacement manifolds available?
Dear Homer,
Check with The Turbo Shop or Banks for a good replacement exhaust kit. That will save you money and headaches.
I want set the timing in my automatic Dodge van 1984 with 360 4 barrel engine, but I don't know the set degree.(No sticker on hood).
Is it 8, 10 or 16?
Dear Lacasse,
I would say not over 8 degrees without looking it up. Stop in your local repair shop or parts store and check out in their tune-up guide for your application.
Remember emission system (California, high altitude, etc.), can make a difference on the setting.
I have a 1987 Southwind with Chevy drive train. I have replaced the entire brake system including the proportioning valve, with the exception on the steel line for the rear brakes. The driver side caliper is not releasing after 8 or 9 repeated stops the passenger side seems to be doing it just not as bad.
I replaced the master cylinder twice, left caliper twice, both rubber hoses and the front steel lines. Help!
Dear Ronnie,
Check the linkage between the brake pedal and master cylinder to make sure it's moving freely; the pivots can rust up and cause them to hang up.
Would you know where I can purchase the right side exhaust manifold for a 1988 Pace Arrow Eagle with a 454 engine? It is a special "stainless steel" manifold.
Dear Michael,
Oh, you can find them if you search. But it's more economical and beneficial to purchase a good set of headers, like The Turbo Shop headers, and be finished with your problems.
We have a 1984 Pace Arrow with Chevy 454 engine. The smog pump has been removed and the alternator belt hops off randomly.
Will re installing a smog pump and the original size belt correct this issue?
I've heard that the belt coming off is a fairly common problem with this model if you accelerate too quickly. Is this true or hype?
Dear Kitty,
Yes, replacing the pump will re-align the belt and you can accelerate at full throttle.
We have a 1986 Gulf Stream. When we turn the propane heater on it runs well but then will make a popping sound. Sometimes it pops once in 10 minutes but other times it pops three times in five seconds. Any ideas of what might be going on? I worry about a fire.
Dear Lori,
Take it to a technician and have it inspected; it may need to be cleaned or replaced if the chamber is corroded.
I'm trying to locate a speedometer cable for a 1979 /Dodge Jamboree Sportsman Edition. It has a Dodge 440 in it. I can't get any help from the RV dealer or the Dodge dealer.
What am I to do?
Dear Jenny,
Check some of the on-line RV salvage yards.
Some of your larger cities have speedometer shops that can cut cables. And some of your truck parts stores can cut cables if your housing is in good shape.
You may need to use some penetrating oil and the old cable and work it back and forth and clean up the housing inside.
I have an old 1978 Chevy "Mobile Traveler" class C motor home in excellent condition. However, a few days ago the inner rear tire on the driver's side blew out and destroyed the wheel well exposing the inside of the cabinets to the outdoors.
Can a person purchase new wheel well sections to close this back off, or if not what is the procedure on making such a repair?
Dear Bob,
Fabricate some sheet metal and put back in place of the wheel well and seal it in.
I have a 1986 Pace Arrow on a 1985 Chevy 454 "P" series. Need a wiper pulse module/wiper delay relay. Any ideas where to purchase it? Have looked all over in Raleigh area.
Dear Chuck,
You might try calling Monaco Coach, number on our RV Mfgs. page.
They were used on a lot of the old HR Imperials and Holiday is pretty good about supplying old parts.
I'm considering purchasing a 1985 Southwind RV. Its a small Class A powered by a 454 Chevy. Owner states motor is shot, and will need to be replaced. I'm not a big fan of the 454, and I'm wondering what other motors might work well in this application - 440 Dodge? 460 Ford? 7.3L Ford diesel?
Dear Tom,
Look at the Jasper 454 motor home replacement engine. I think you would find too much involved to switch and make it feasible.
I was given a 1978 Holiday Rambler (25ft). My question is how does one go about getting a battery door replacement?
Door is/was on the right passenger side and was left open by mistake by previous owner and was ripped off.
Dear Stephany,
Take a measurement of the door and go to any RV parts store and they should be able to order one for you.
Where is master cylinder for P30 1986 Holiday Rambler Imperial located?
Dear Greg,
To the front and behind the driver's side front wheel, behind the engine compartment air shield.
You will see a 4x6 hole in the shield to access the master cylinder cap.
I own a 1987 Cruise Air 32 ft motor home with a John Deere chassis. I recently blew two hoses that are part of a pump drive brake boost system, and also part of a drive line parking brake. I now have air in the system and don't know how to bleed it out or where to get qualified service.
Dear Fellow RVer,
There should be a bleeder screw on the top of the hydraulic parking brake actuator.
I have a 1984 27' Class A motor home. It has run great the three years I've owned it. Late summer it started loosing ignition and regaining ignition while driving. Now I have a hard time keeping it running for more than 10 min. I don't loose complete power, i.e. dash lights and head lights remain on, I only loose ignition.
Any ideas?
Dear Mike,
If you're really losing ignition, I would say ignition switch. You may want to check at the ignition control module and ignition coil to verify the lose of power into the unit before replacing the ignition switch. You might also look for over heated wires in the bulk head connector.
I have a 72' Superior, with brake issues. The master cylinder is fairly new or looks it. The booster is not so new looking. Sometimes the pedal will go to the floor, not always on occasion when it does happen the idiot light comes on.
I have replaced the vacuum line going to the booster it had a hole and until I replaced it the pedal went to the floor, no brakes.
Could it be the plastic piece off of the booster for the vacuum line is not sealed well to the booster?
Dear Bob,
Look for the filter near the booster and replace it.
I bought a 1978 Renaissance Dodge '21 for $1500 at a garage sale. It has a 440 engine. With some tender loving care it is perfect. Except it is only getting 4 mpg. The former owner kept great records that show he was getting 8 mpg in 1981. The motor home only has 63,000 miles on it.
Any suggestions to raise the mileage?
Dear Judy,
Try octane booster, check the exhaust for restrictions (old dilapidated muffler), and make sure it has a good air flow to intake. A fresh tune up can help.
No listings at this time.
We have an '82 (I believe), Shasta travel trailer. When we hook the water hose up to it we get no water coming through the trailer. Is there a pump somewhere we need to turn on?
Dear Lavonne,
Replace the city hook up; sounds like the one way check valve is plugged.
I bought a 1982 15 1/2 foot Sunline to restore. Converter was unconnected to any wiring. Hooked back up according to diagram, I thought. Now have live electrical outlets but the lights don't work. Battery is charging, fuses and bulbs okay. I don't know the answer.
Dear Karen,
Check your grounds and make sure you have power going out of the converter to the lights.
I have a 1971 Prowler, 18ft. I am having trouble getting the 12 volt system to work. I hooked up a battery to the front of the trailer to the wires hanging outside in the front.
I opened the side panel and noticed that a white wire is hanging loose. I touched the loose white wire to the little panel with the fuses and there was a spark and I burned out a fuse (not real smart, but I guess that I am getting juice).
Dear William,
The white wire is a ground you may need to connect it to the ground side of the panel or battery.
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