Mom just bought a 1984 Pace Arrow

[Trevdawg]

Hello,
My mom bought this RV and i will probably use it more. Im only 27, but go to the track a lot, and other things. It reminds me of the movie SpaceBalls!
What better place to share info, and gain knowledge than here.


My mom threw out the idea to purchase an older RV and i brushed it off. Turns out she was serious. She was looking on Ebay and came across this one in IL and wanted to check it out. The final bidder backed out after the bid was done.
We went and looked and i was hesitate about it.
Then she went to an RV place in Glenn Ellyn (i think) and talked to some people there and got more info. So we went and looked at this thing for a second time, and we took it for a test drive. An hour later and she bought it for 3,200.


It was for sale because the father died earlier this year and the wife didn't want it. The family wanted the money to go towards funeral costs. So the kids, put it up for sale.

1984 Pace Arrow
454 engine
88,xxx miles
88 hours on generator

Pros:
- good pickup and brakes
- Doesn't appear to have serious damage cosmetically
- No funky smells
- everything is there

Cons:
- Old
- Missing plastic cap above shower
They taped up a plastic bag over it.....
- awning is seperating from side of RV
- no history records
- speedo isn't calibrated
We were going about 15/20 mph and it was reading 10/11
- generator was running good then spotty (old gas maybe)
- time for new roof/reseal
There was moss on the top of it.
- inside on passenger seat/window it seemed to be seperating just between the windshield and passenger window

Their dad bought it many years ago with only 10,xxx miles. So..
The floor seemed solid every where. No discoloration on the walls. The wallpaper is crinkled at some points.

We are going back to pick it up saturday morning then bring it to a local RV to look over everything and work on the roof.

[Skip426]

Looks like you've got a project on your hands, but for the price, if the structure is solid , I'm sure you won't go to far wrong.
Tire age , would be the big concern, learn about date codes and check what's on the rig before you venture too far.
Gen set sputter, possible poor fuel for sure or main tank low on fuel , as the gen won't run below 1/4 tank.
Hope you get a chance to get out and enjoy the rig soon.

[whem2fish]

Need all the appliance manuals ? I have them

[TonyDi]

This is going to take a bit of time and money to get it up to speed. But considering what you paid for it, you have a lot of leeway. As mentioned by Skip check the tires. Motorhome tires usually will dry rot way before they wear out.

Good luck with the restoration. Keep us posted.

Happy Trails!!

[Arch Stanton]

For many years I owned a 1984 Southwind, 30 ft. Same basic coach as the one your Mom bought.
When you get to the point that the mechanical stuff is next on the list back the choke off on the generator carb...and carry a couple of spare spark plugs. Every once in awhile my 6.5 would foul one, but other than that all I did to that genny was change the oil, air and fuel filters and once run the valves...and it had over 1000 hours on it when I sold the coach.
I would also look at changing all the rubber fuel lines. Those hoses were not designed to live with the ethanol gas we have today. Getting the feed line from the genny to the tank changed is gonna be fun, but change them all when you are at it.
In about 1991 I took a deep breath and dove into the vacuum lines on the engine. The 454 you have is one of the last carb'ed big blocks out there, the quadrajet is a feedback model and the emissions stuff has about a mile of vacuum lines involved in operating the various stuff.
It took me a week or so working evenings and one Saturday, but I got every line changed, and the engine loved it.
We put a lot of miles on that machine towing a 24 ft. toybox all over the west. A good trans cooler is a worthwhile investment, towing or not.

[whem2fish]

Agree I have a 1985 travel all over my old toad was 5600 lbs now just 2300

[DieselTech39]

Glad you're aboard. Congrats on the new to you and your Mom rig. Best of luck in gettin' into shape. Enjoy your adventures and be safe.

[BillyD51]

Well then I have to think your mom is a pretty smart lady because I also bought a 1983 27' Pace Arrow just 3 days ago for $3500 and like you, it's my first one. I did a lot of wilderness backpacking and canoeing when I was your age and then I just stopped, lost interest I guess, and gave all my stuff to my son. But lately I've been wanting to do some camping again, but my old bones can't handle the sleeping bag on the ground anymore. I originally want and was looking for a regular van sized camper or conversion van, but when I saw this I couldn't resist and now I can't wait to start restoring her.

and

Whem2fish, I could certainly use any related manual you have or wish to share.

[whem2fish]

billy its 4 am im running late ill get them to you

[spritz]

Congrats I bought this 82 going on 4 years ago and am having a blast. Get a lot of complements on her. A good wax job will make the outside look like new again.

[homeless]

dhowdy

[whem2fish]

billy check your e-mail i sent you some got my cell and e-mail i do have more

[BillyD51]

Thanks whem2fish. They will be most helpful.

edit:
Wow, there really is a lot of information on the blog site. There's enough to keep me busy just reading.

[whem2fish]

I'm not home working second job let me look I have more