Community Forums

Rusty Wrench · 08-08-2016, 07:32 PM

Hi, new here looking at a 1990 Fleetwood bounder 34' chevy 454. Looks to be in nice condition with 54,000 miles. owner says he just brought it back from Colorado to the east coast with no issues. My question is where to look for problems on this particular model? he says that the roof has never leaked since they have had it, but there is a small amount of staining on the ceiling like it had a small leak at one time . this has me worried that the roof has rot? also how badly will this thing handle on the highway? Thanks

BFlinn181 · 08-08-2016, 10:44 PM

Check up on the roof to see if it's been maintained and properly caulked, any noticeable soft spots walking on it. Without removing the interior ceiling, the only other clue you have about water damage is your nose. Sniff for mold and rot smells near the staining.

Drive it to decide it's handling and ride, generally, coming from experience driving lots of school buses, Chevy's ride better than Fords.

(I know I'll get slammed for that comment, but thousands of miles in the driver's seat of Ford, Chevy, GMC and International school buses, that's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.)

Check the tire manufacturer codes, tires 5-6 years old should be replaced within a year, on RVs the tires age out before they wear out.

Listen for leaking sounds around the manifolds and exhaust, cracked headers or rusted exhaust are things to check for.

Have every system demonstrated, generator, A/C, furnace, water heater, etc. make sure they all work as they should.

Inthe70s · 08-09-2016, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

Check up on the roof to see if it's been maintained and properly caulked, any noticeable soft spots walking on it. Without removing the interior ceiling, the only other clue you have about water damage is your nose. Sniff for mold and rot smells near the staining.

Drive it to decide it's handling and ride, generally, coming from experience driving lots of school buses, Chevy's ride better than Fords.

(I know I'll get slammed for that comment, but thousands of miles in the driver's seat of Ford, Chevy, GMC and International school buses, that's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.)

Check the tire manufacturer codes, tires 5-6 years old should be replaced within a year, on RVs the tires age out before they wear out.

Listen for leaking sounds around the manifolds and exhaust, cracked headers or rusted exhaust are things to check for.

Have every system demonstrated, generator, A/C, furnace, water heater, etc. make sure they all work as they should.

Welcome and I agree with everything that Bob says. Good luck!

mbridinger · 08-09-2016, 11:23 AM

I do believe 90 chevy 454 is a carb. FI is better in so many ways. does it have any Banks components? 54,000is not necessarily low miles in my opinion, that motor has to work very hard to pull that monster. Price should be $5-6k?