Mudshovel
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Re: 84 Shasta Motorhome Rebuild/ Repair
Hello all it's been a little while since I've worked on my project or shared and of it's progress. I've let this thing sit on the back burner since I last was working on the overhead bunk. I now am moving and this thing needs to move on it's own legs and most important not fall apart! Ahhh where do I start? lol, I had been renting my current house long after I moved out just to store a motorhome I can move because it's not structurally sound for transit. And living a 100 miles away just gave me no time to get it done. Well I set a goal and a date and got it done, here is the results. This about were I started, I installed the table support and fuel and access hole supports by laminating 1/2" MDF to = 1". Factory did the same. Still need to finish framing in this section of the wall, not going to panel the inside right now, just need the outside done for the move. Got the rest of the framing done for the window and the genset compartment. And a few spots for inside panel seems and where I thought would add strength. I also insulated the areas that are finished paneled inside. I left the rear tile panel as I left it exposed to long to moisture and never insulated or supported and it warped, I figure I try that again when I peal the rear apart for repair and finish the bathroom at that time as well. Made a nice corner section using the same process I used for the other openings. not really sure what was there before? may have been nothing. Started hanging paneling, thought this was the best place to start. Got it all paneled and well this MH is far from square, I did the best I could. Now I started cleaning the glued on rotten wood from skin, turns out leaving it wood side facing the elements made for easy scraping off! Got both upper and lower skin cleaned, no we will see how far off my openings are. The bottom one was still one piece. The top was a little tough as it was in two pieces and above my head. I was only tacking panels on a long screw at one end and using that a pivot I could adjust to fit. This took forever, about half the day and turns out nothing aligned up well at all and had to find the happy middle. I hope all trim and compartment doors and windows cover the previously cut holes in the skin. Then I secured along the top edge of skin and applied adhesive and messaged the skin and stapled where I could and kept compressing skin to paneling to make sure it adhered. Made sure I installed one of the fuel tank fill's. Other tank don't work so I'll get that one later. Taped up the other fill hose, and secured the wiring except the rear lighting, I need to connect that for move still. Got the overhead bunk framed in and insulated. This turned out nice. All paneled up! Ready for skin..... I guess I was to tired to take any pictures of that, lol. I got the nose skin on and it looks very rough as it had a tear and was all dented up. Smoothed it out a best as I could and think I can clean it up with body filler. We will see. Anyways I put the corner trim on using a few screws as a temporary back bone to hold everything together and keep the wind from pealing it apart down the freeway. I prepped the MH for a road trip, fluids good and full, battery still charged after over a year of sitting. Got the lights in order, at least stop, turn and tail. Then I started to worry about the tires, six 10+ year old dry rotten tires, hum 16.5's where am I going to get them, and cheap. come to find out I can get them, hard to find in a E load range as a 8.75 so I found somebody who had a set of 4 16" wheels and tires from a F350 perfect. I put them in the back on the duels, I figure I rather have a blow out in the front than one in the back to destroy the walls. And I now have 4 spares for the front, I should be good for a 100 miles. Off to the DOL and got the MH registered and insured, already got the AAA so I feel I'm good to go. Off to the gas station and headed home. MH did great, ran good and the camper mad no funny "I'm falling apart" noises. One thing is for sure the front end needs some work. There is clearly a bent wheel and steering wheel is off and there was a wicked float followed by a white knucked death grip shake! But there were times the steering floated in the right spot and the front end was smooth as glass lol. I should have stoped but I just wanted it to get over so I prepared myself to drive a MH with out a wheel if needed! So now it sits again, having a new baby soon and hope to maybe someday finish this project.609Views0likes0CommentsRe: when does one have to replace LP tanks?
The permanant mounted tanks are dual wall, that crappy rusted outside you see is not the outer wall of the tank full of LP. I was curious about that and drove my 84 MH to a LP place and they said it's good, don't worry about it unless it's smashed and slaped a new cap on the fill and sent me down the road. BUT as with all LP parts n stuff you should check it regulerly for leaks and damage.438Views0likes0CommentsRe: 84 Shasta Motorhome Rebuild/ Repair
Firebirdman wrote: Any more updates? Been following the cab over repair closely. No updates at this time, I've been really busy with work and then I changed jobs and have had other work to do with and around the house. I hope to get back on it soon as I need to move motorhome and re- tarp the roof and would like to get the genset back in and the left hand wall finished. I got held up on the cab over because I really want to delete the forward window because it's useless and the frame is bent and there is a piece of glass missing. I could repair the frame and replace the glass with no problems but I fell its going to cost me about 200 bucks to fix the window with that said I may be able to find siding to replace what was there for about the same cost. But where? I'm looking for smooth aluminum like the original or corrugated metal or Fiberglas to match or come close to the sides. If I use smooth aluminum I will have to figure out how to round bend the corners??? Maybe able to install as I bend it over the corners? I don't know. I wish I lived in Indiana or close to as I've been told its the rv capital and parts stores are just as common as car part stores. Anybody have any idea where I could source the needed siding let me know I'm in Washington state. Things would move so much faster if I had a covered space large enough to repair uncovered. It's a pain working outside with the weather and tarps. And it rains here all the time. But to everyone that is subscribed don't give up on me I will get this done and always update as I move forward and love to hear others input and ideas. :)609Views0likes0CommentsRe: 84 Shasta Motorhome Rebuild/ Repair
81shastaboy wrote: Also have a 81 Shasta with 64k on it is a e350 460 c6 my modle is the 25rd it has two table two bunks over the cab and over the bed in the back i had a little fire in the back were the gen sits the exust pipe got bent up and started floor and the wall on fire . now i have to replace the paneling and some timbers some sheet meatal. there not to many on the road old ones don Well sounds like you got the fire out quickly and you and your MH are ok. I've always wondered about high temps of the genset and fear fire. My genset has over a 1000 hrs on it and has a layer of dirt and greese about 1/8 thick. going to power wash that off and remove flywheel cover and cylinder head heat shield and get that all cleaned out to reduce operating temps. I have found many RV's missing heat shielding on the genset exhaust, like mine I think that they rattle off and don't get put back on, it is a tight hole to work in. On the fire note I also fear the fridge, seems to be alot of them burning up RV's so I've read and see video's. And you are correct, I have not found very many old Shasta MH's really the only ones I can pull up on internet searches is mine. And have never found one exactly or close to mine. And I've never see one with wings like mine had wich I researched as a rare and unwanted option. lol609Views0likes0CommentsRe: 84 Shasta Motorhome Rebuild/ Repair
Johnny Dearborn wrote: Mudshovel: I applaud you for your efforts but I still think you're a little crazy. (And I mean that as a compliment.) Keep posting the photos as I'm enjoying the show. My Shasta is one of the newer ones. There's a photo of it in my signature. It's pretty basic, but it works for me. The work I do on it is just cosmetic stuff. I leave the serious stuff for the shop. It's actually getting new brakes and shocks put on it right now. Motorhomes are like boats with wheels - you just pour time and money into them. Again Thank you. I am crazy, lol. I've rebuilt boats too to 10x there value as well I guess I'll never learn. Stay tuned I'll get this thing done at some point!609Views0likes0CommentsRe: 84 Shasta Motorhome Rebuild/ Repair
Johnny Dearborn wrote: Wow. As I read through this post, I'm equal parts amazed, impressed, horrified and perplexed. I'm impressed with all the work you're doing but I don't get it. It just seems crazy to me. For about the same money as you're sinking into this, you could have bought a fully usable RV that you could be enjoying right now. As much as I'm scratching my head, I'm also interested to see how this Shasta turns out. (I'm a Shasta owner myself.) Good luck to you! Well I have a easy anwser for that as I've wondered that myself. First off I don't and will likely never have the cash on hand or the credit to even by a really cheap RV. Second even if I could by a 5000.00 dollar ish RV there never as good as the people selling them think they are. And third and most important I fix things, everything you name it, I'll fix it. And enjoy doing it. With that said I really don't have much invested in this RV, less than a 1000.00 dollars in parts and don't count labor when it's for my owen plessure. And I get to make my RV cosy and built to my spec's. I do have another camper for my truck, Restored it a few years ago, it's basic but to the point...... Camping! And when I'm done, I'll know my RV don't leak and everything works as it should because my favorite line I've got from seller is " evrything worked the last time we used it...... I never tried running the fridge on propane and never used the heater, but told it worked from the previous owner" lol that must be the same line used across the world. I know it's in every other craigslist ad. :) I think and can't wait to see how this thing turns out myself. Are you a older Shasta owner or one of them new really fancy new Shasta owners? Little fun fact, My RV and newer (?) RV's are made by Couchmen. Unsure if that's good or bad.609Views0likes0Comments
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