American Coach: Basement Rust Repair

[Meames1]

Originally Posted by NHRA225

That Heads up Radial Racing is Awesome Fast- and Crazy.
I've race Super Gas in NHRA since the mid 90's, Last 2 yrs I've tapered off and trying my best to hang it up-only 2 national events last year, I'll see about the coming year.
Built this in 2002, up dated it year before last.
Enjoy your work --Really looks great !

Nice, love the comp classes.

My last race car, 4.60's in the 1/8th , 7.20's in the 1/4 @ 3,300 (rules !) weight with a little home built 305 CI 4v mod motor.



Sold it all. My current Toy...

[Russ Silber]

Originally Posted by Meames1

Nice, love the comp classes.

My last race car, 4.60's in the 1/8th , 7.20's in the 1/4 @ 3,300 (rules !) weight with a little home built 305 CI 4v mod motor.
Attachment 270867


Sold it all. My current Toy...
Attachment 270868

Sold mine a few yrs ago. Autocrossed across u
US. Supercharged etc

[Meames1]

SUCCESS !!!!
Had my boys come help install the floor, and it fit like a glove. I had a few concerns as the old floor and many of the uprights were completely rusted away and I had to figure out the design so I could generate some of the measurements. But the result is damn near perfect. I can sleep better tonight, still lots to do before the doors go back on but that's mostly restoring the door frames / seals / reinstalling tanks / etc. Easy stuff compared to what's been completed so far.





















To answer Dale, This is what the wet bay looks like now. There is a carpet covered wooden panel that screws in to both seal the rear of the tank area from the storage area and hold up the rear of the tanks.

[Meames1]

Originally Posted by Russ Silber

Sold mine a few yrs ago. Autocrossed across u
US. Supercharged etcAttachment 270872Attachment 270873

Cool !

[Steverino]

Looks fantastic. Gotta be a great feeling!

[wildmanbaker]

Its always good when something you fix/rebuild fits and looks good. Since the floor is up and in place the rest should be fairly easy and straight forward. Please keep us posted.

[Dale70]

Thanks for the wet bay pix ===

It seems like you have the tanks out.
I am not sure what tank leveler system you have, but could you take a picture of the tank leveler on the tank? My black water system leveler is acting up.

thx Dale

[idoxlr8]

Meames1 thanks for sharing, I can very much appreciate what a project that is after doing some less extensive repairs to mine. I probably should have completely ripped it out like you did, but was in a rush because race car.

Good to see another X275 racer on here! We're still doing it, not the smartest thing in the world to do but we have fun.

[Meames1]

Originally Posted by idoxlr8

Meames1 thanks for sharing, I can very much appreciate what a project that is after doing some less extensive repairs to mine. I probably should have completely ripped it out like you did, but was in a rush because race car.

Good to see another X275 racer on here! We're still doing it, not the smartest thing in the world to do but we have fun.

It's a disease, if we have to explain it, they won't understand.....

[Meames1]

Originally Posted by Dale70

Thanks for the wet bay pix ===

It seems like you have the tanks out.
I am not sure what tank leveler system you have, but could you take a picture of the tank leveler on the tank? My black water system leveler is acting up.

thx Dale

Not too sure of what you want pictures of, here's what I have. Let me know if there is something specific and I'll get it. The color list is in order from top to bottom on tank.

[Maik]

Congratulations on some awesome work. That is some intimidating to work to many. My wife is now worried I will attempt it myself. My coach will be requiring the same as I life up North were they put ample salt on the roads when I head South.
When you were re installing did you level the coach to use a level on the upright or did you use a square?

[Meames1]

Originally Posted by Maik

Congratulations on some awesome work. That is some intimidating to work to many. My wife is now worried I will attempt it myself. My coach will be requiring the same as I life up North were they put ample salt on the roads when I head South.
When you were re installing did you level the coach to use a level on the upright or did you use a square?

I leveled the coach with the jacks first. I was a little concerned with this thinking that maybe the jacks would cause the frame to "stretch" or flex and the basement would have some tension when the jacks are released. But, I figured I was probably overthinking it and I just went with it. However, once I set the door frames, line up the doors, and set the latches, I will lower the jacks and have the coach sitting on the aired up suspension before they are all adjusted.

On the uprights: when installing the basement floor I was less worried about them being level or square in regards to the earth as I was with the spacing. They are spaced exactly 50" apart on center, which @ 1.5" tubing thickness makes each opening 48 1/2" wide. The door frames are 48 3/8" wide so you have a little wiggle room for fitment. So, I set all the uprights to these measurements and low and behold, they are square to the floor and vertical-level to the earth...go figure. lol

[Dale70]

Thanks Meames1 for the pictures.

I believe you have a different system than the 2000 Eagle system. Mine is a SeeLevel 1 -- and I think the sensor tape glues to the outside of the tank --- not pins as yours seems to be.

thanks Dale -- and great work.

[Meames1]

The front and rear floor attachment area was originally capped with a piece of steel angle that was 16 gauge. Being only 16 gauge I figured it was less for strength and more for sealing the floor to the uprights. The originals were completely rusted out, so I made new ones out of 20 gauge S/S. Before installation I coated the inside with a single component urethane flashing to permanently seal the floor to upright connection. I also installed a bead of butyl sealant between the floor and upright.
I will seal the edges of the SS once the weather gets a little better.












Then installed the carpeted / wood piece that closes off the waste tank area and helps support the back side of the tanks.








Installed the grey tank, this one needs to be installed first as you need to climb up inside to get to the two drain pipes that enter the tank between the frame rails. What a pain, but done.