Community Forums

AutoTraveler · 07-11-2011, 11:29 AM

As a vintage motorhome enthusiast (and now first-time owner) wanted to say hello. I just posted a full bio in the new member area.

Here's a photo of my rig.

Here's a link to some quick cameraphone photos of my Pace Arrow.

I'm working through the issues, right now trying to get the generator to run, I have some sort of fuel issue, complicated by the fact that the tray the generator rests on, is bent and won't slide out. I think that the fuel line may be the problem but can't fix the problem until I can gain access to the top of the generator.

I'm online finding manuals and printing them out. Found a few for similar Pace Arrow eighties motorhomes.

I'm hoping to connect with like-minded RV-ers here in Southern California, and to help me get my rig road worthy, especially owners of similar Pace Arrows who can help guide me (I'm a total newbie).

Looking forward to contributing. I'm an automotive writer and hope that you will take a look at my web site, AutomotiveTraveler.com and the recent article I published on 1973-1978 GMC MotorHomes.

Richard Truesdell
Editorial Director, AutomotiveTraveler.com, Automotive Traveler Magazine

JiminJersey · 07-11-2011, 01:09 PM

Welcome, Richard - that's a real classic you got there, I suppose. That vintage was just after they switched away from wooden wheels and the hooped canvas top, right?...

whem2fish · 07-11-2011, 02:27 PM

what fridge do you have i can hook you up with a lot of 1983 they were same as my 1985 southwind

TXiceman · 07-11-2011, 06:09 PM

Is the generator getting fuel. If feeds from a dip tube in the main tank. If you are less than about 1/4 tank, it will not feed fuel.

Ken

kartvines · 07-11-2011, 07:43 PM

Richard, happy you found this site, it was the one I was going to recommend, a good place to be and ask those who know much more than me.

Mike aka kartvines

Quote:

Originally Posted by AutoTraveler

As a vintage motorhome enthusiast (and now first-time owner) wanted to say hello. I just posted a full bio in the new member area.

Here's a photo of my rig.

Here's a link to some quick cameraphone photos of my Pace Arrow.

I'm working through the issues, right now trying to get the generator to run, I have some sort of fuel issue, complicated by the fact that the tray the generator rests on, is bent and won't slide out. I think that the fuel line may be the problem but can't fix the problem until I can gain access to the top of the generator.

I'm online finding manuals and printing them out. Found a few for similar Pace Arrow eighties motorhomes.

I'm hoping to connect with like-minded RV-ers here in Southern California, and to help me get my rig road worthy, especially owners of similar Pace Arrows who can help guide me (I'm a total newbie).

Looking forward to contributing. I'm an automotive writer and hope that you will take a look at my web site, AutomotiveTraveler.com and the recent article I published on 1973-1978 GMC MotorHomes.

Richard Truesdell
Editorial Director, AutomotiveTraveler.com, Automotive Traveler Magazine

madsma · 07-11-2011, 10:11 PM

Richard.. would you by chance happen to have a manuel for a 1979 pace arrow (1977-1980) would work.... I can't find one anywhere online or at any dealerships or bookstores etc....

cheers

AutoTraveler · 07-11-2011, 11:33 PM

Madsma, I'm using a copy of the 1983 owner's manual provided by Kartvines from his excellent web site. Although the coach is externally different, most of the systems are the same.

Whem2fish, I have an Ei Trav'ler gas/electric fridge. I posted about it at the end of the thread here.

I believe that as far as the generator problem goes, here's what I have found, from the same thread.

First, I believe that the fuel pump is below the switch panel because the flexible line on the inlet side I traced back to the fuel tank (and the line said "fuel" on it). I removed the line and it was totally dry. I tested the wire running from the coil to the fuel pump and when I hit the switch the test light showed that the line went hot, yet there was no apparent suction on the inlet side to suck the fuel from the line going back to the tank.

Can this fuel pump be rebuilt, does it have to be replaced with an OE-style pump or can I use a generic low-pressure universal pump from AutoZone, Pep Boys or the like?

Best wishes,

Richard Truesdell
Editorial Director, AutomotiveTraveler.com, Automotive Traveler Magazine.

GOLDWINGER2 · 07-12-2011, 12:35 AM

See my post to your other thread.
J

whem2fish · 07-12-2011, 04:36 AM

whem my pump went out i got a generic low volum low pressure off e-bay about $25 buy it now price to prime push and hold stop

kartvines · 07-12-2011, 06:43 AM

Richard

When I change my fuel filter on the generator, I lost the gasket, and because of that the pump did not work, my wife found I laying on the ground, so I cleaned it and reinstalled it and the pump again worked, you can see what I am referring to on my website under generator parts page 11, lower page item number 3 part number 149-1446

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SZVOEhJWZD...al0001-013.jpg

Good Luck

Mike aka kartvines

Quote:

Originally Posted by AutoTraveler

Madsma, I'm using a copy of the 1983 owner's manual provided by Kartvines from his excellent web site. Although the coach is externally different, most of the systems are the same.

Whem2fish, I have an Ei Trav'ler gas/electric fridge. I posted about it at the end of the thread here.

I believe that as far as the generator problem goes, here's what I have found, from the same thread.

First, I believe that the fuel pump is below the switch panel because the flexible line on the inlet side I traced back to the fuel tank (and the line said "fuel" on it). I removed the line and it was totally dry. I tested the wire running from the coil to the fuel pump and when I hit the switch the test light showed that the line went hot, yet there was no apparent suction on the inlet side to suck the fuel from the line going back to the tank.

Can this fuel pump be rebuilt, does it have to be replaced with an OE-style pump or can I use a generic low-pressure universal pump from AutoZone, Pep Boys or the like?

Best wishes,

Richard Truesdell
Editorial Director, AutomotiveTraveler.com, Automotive Traveler Magazine.

madsma · 07-12-2011, 09:26 AM

Thanks buddy I will def print that off and show the other half!!

TitanicPilot · 07-12-2011, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AutoTraveler

Madsma, I'm using a copy of the 1983 owner's manual provided by Kartvines from his excellent web site. Although the coach is externally different, most of the systems are the same.

....
Best wishes,

Richard Truesdell
Editorial Director, AutomotiveTraveler.com, Automotive Traveler Magazine.

Fantastic site! Thanks for the link! The 1983 material seems very suitable for our 1985. So that's what an owner's manual is supposed to look like.... Gee, that takes all the mystery out of owning one of these coaches.

Your 1983 seems to be in beautiful shape for its vintage. Was it restored or just well taken care of?

kartvines · 07-12-2011, 07:37 PM

Thanks for your feedback, I try to host sites that benefit as many people as possible My 83 has been restored by me over the last year.

This has been my first attempt with a motorhome, I have restoring vintage travel trailers as a hobby for a few years now. Once restored I sell them and buy a new project.

Mike aka kartvines

Quote:

Originally Posted by TitanicPilot

Fantastic site! Thanks for the link! The 1983 material seems very suitable for our 1985. So that's what an owner's manual is supposed to look like.... Gee, that takes all the mystery out of owning one of these coaches.

Your 1983 seems to be in beautiful shape for its vintage. Was it restored or just well taken care of?

leadman · 11-13-2011, 08:10 PM

Nice looking rig. Did you get the generator to run yet?
I was noticing the battery switch in the one photo and how the battery cable is attached. Having been a mechanic since about 1967 I will tell you to expect trouble with this. I know that these are in common use but are a frequent source of no start. Not so much a problem with the switch part, but the cables either corrode badly or work loose under the clamp. I suggest if you want to keep the switch buy a ring terminal that fits one of the bolts on the clamp and the cable and solder it on to the cable. Then you can secure the ring terminal to the switch with one of the bolts.