The Dieselfication of FMC #1046
A number of you are aware of the project that I have going on with my 1976 FMC as there has been a link to the photo album that follows the project in my signature for some time. I have also done a l...
Forum Discussion
What a great project!
I did go to look at a couple of FMC's back before buying my new 97 Bounder. But at $15,000 I was not ready to put that much into a RV at that time. It was after getting married that I bought the Bounder, and I know my wife would not want a older unit.
There are no other RV's out there - even today with dual engine powered air conditioners! That did not become popular until the 80's with dual air in passenger vans, that then became dual air for Suburbans, and then the minivans.
And no rooftop A/C units on a FMC, but basement A/C in them. I recall they looked like a 12,000 Btu refrigeration style condenser, and slide out to service them, just like a bar style refrigerator compressor does.
I liked the very low step in height! Always liked the FMC's but never could convince the wife about all the great engineering that went into them, and how it is still a great RV.. .
The only thing that came close is the GMC motorhomes. Yet they had a front wheel drive system, using a car transmission, and not as much HP can be transmitted to two tires as 4. I never drove a GMC, but could imagine torque steer - I had it in a 1500 pound Civic, so why not a motorhome?
I did look at one RV with a rear 6.2L Diesel engine. Passed on it, because it was 6.2L diesel and we had SO many problems with it at work.
Trailer Life did a write up on a Suncrest rear engine 454 powered motorhome ones. Back in the 80's of I recall right. I wish I could have found one of those too, I really liked the idea of rear gas engine. I guess it did not take hold, because with a front gas engine, you can hear it ping, and let up on the throttle, or start buying higher octane gas. Pinging probably did a lot of damage to rear gas engines. Yet now days with electronic controls, the engine management system manages all pinging, and makes the fuel rich or retards timing to prevent pinging (at the cost of poor fuel mileage when you use 87 octane gas in a heavy vehicle).
Good luck on your project!
If you are in the Portland area, I would love to see it! I live in Fairview, near the camping world there.
Fred.
I did go to look at a couple of FMC's back before buying my new 97 Bounder. But at $15,000 I was not ready to put that much into a RV at that time. It was after getting married that I bought the Bounder, and I know my wife would not want a older unit.
There are no other RV's out there - even today with dual engine powered air conditioners! That did not become popular until the 80's with dual air in passenger vans, that then became dual air for Suburbans, and then the minivans.
And no rooftop A/C units on a FMC, but basement A/C in them. I recall they looked like a 12,000 Btu refrigeration style condenser, and slide out to service them, just like a bar style refrigerator compressor does.
I liked the very low step in height! Always liked the FMC's but never could convince the wife about all the great engineering that went into them, and how it is still a great RV.. .
The only thing that came close is the GMC motorhomes. Yet they had a front wheel drive system, using a car transmission, and not as much HP can be transmitted to two tires as 4. I never drove a GMC, but could imagine torque steer - I had it in a 1500 pound Civic, so why not a motorhome?
I did look at one RV with a rear 6.2L Diesel engine. Passed on it, because it was 6.2L diesel and we had SO many problems with it at work.
Trailer Life did a write up on a Suncrest rear engine 454 powered motorhome ones. Back in the 80's of I recall right. I wish I could have found one of those too, I really liked the idea of rear gas engine. I guess it did not take hold, because with a front gas engine, you can hear it ping, and let up on the throttle, or start buying higher octane gas. Pinging probably did a lot of damage to rear gas engines. Yet now days with electronic controls, the engine management system manages all pinging, and makes the fuel rich or retards timing to prevent pinging (at the cost of poor fuel mileage when you use 87 octane gas in a heavy vehicle).
Good luck on your project!
If you are in the Portland area, I would love to see it! I live in Fairview, near the camping world there.
Fred.
