1979 Winnebago Chieftain Complete Gut & Remodel

[otrt]

You may have noticed the fancy air cleaner housing. I put this on thinking more air = more power. The only thing I've noticed more of is NOISE. Put your foot down and you will definitely hear a giant sucking sound and a high decibel howl from the 4 barrels of fun! Not recommended for travel. Everyone should search Yootoob for "Turbo LS Winnebago". Now that would change my mind from selling...

[otrt]

Correction on the tire size. It currently has Samson 8R19.5 which is an Israeli brand. I'm thinking of switching to 225/70R19.5. Walmart has Cooper Roadmaster RM253 for $185.

[IBTripping]

Originally Posted by otrt

You may have noticed the fancy air cleaner housing. I put this on thinking more air = more power. The only thing I've noticed more of is NOISE. Put your foot down and you will definitely hear a giant sucking sound and a high decibel howl from the 4 barrels of fun! Not recommended for travel. Everyone should search Yootoob for "Turbo LS Winnebago". Now that would change my mind from selling...

Sounds like you'll need to add insulating the dog house to the "fixit list."

Did as you suggested and googled Turbo LS Winnebago. WAHOO!!!

Thanks for the updates. Hope you get to hit the road soon.

[otrt]

I just installed the iRV2 app on my phone. This should make it easier to update more frequently. it also means less typing because I can dictate. Yay! updates coming soon.

[otrt]

Worked on getting the aux tank ready for install today. This tank is plastic and has all sorts of bumps n dips which made adjusting the float a bit of a challenge. The old one looked like it was dredged from the bottom of Lake Erie. I paid someone several years ago to go through the entire fuel system and some shortcuts were definitely taken. So glad I dropped this tank to take a look!
The fuel pickup/return/vent was in a similar state. Trying to find the correct replacement was a mind-numbing task of Internet searching which ultimately I gave up on. The MacGyver in me swung into action. After 10 minutes with a grinding disc and wire wheel it cleaned up pretty good. a few coats of rust prohibitive primer and paint and it was good to go. the pickup tube was a disaster however. there was no sock on the end of the tube so it's no wonder the RV left me stranded the last time I had it out. Rust particles for days. I decided to cut off most of the tube leaving enough for a 5/16 compression coupling. I then found a $5 sock from my local auto parts store and rigged up some other fittings and adapters with some thread sealer. I installed all new clamps and hoses. There's a vent tube, a 1/4" return line and the 5/16 fuel supply. I always double clamp the fuel supply line.
The last item was the filler tube. It was in fair condition, but I figured since I had it apart and I might as well do some restoration. a wire wheel on an extension worked great for the inside. The tube is 2"o.d. x roughly 21" with a slight bend and an indent for a pipe clamp/hanger. The quote for piece of stainless was $75. I opted for elbow grease. New hoses and clamps will be used when I reinstall. Weather is on the way so it may have to wait until Sunday. More updates soon![emoji2]

[otrt]

I don't know if this tank came from the factory like this, but it works as a 'split' system. The pickup assembly clearly came with a float mechanism but it was removed. The shape of the tank probably had something to do with this. The top of the level sensor is on the far left and the white cap is where the pickup is installed. The closest match of pickup (sending unit) was gonna be $110! I would have had to remove the float mechanism and tossed it. Another reason I opted for resto.[emoji16]
The 2nd pic shows the height difference between the top of float section and the pickup section. Following the float install instructions would have given incorrect level readings.
I went with a GM type float (0-90 Ohms, Equus 9982 fuel level sender) and a matching gauge (Equus #8362). $57 at O'Reilly's.

[JohnRR]

Looks like some well thought out measures were taken

[otrt]

Thanks John!

[otrt]

Random Saturday morning thoughts... I had an idea last night after watching a home remodeling show. They were showcasing a minimalist house. Only the bare essentials were there. No clutter. Kinda like one of those tiny homes.
One of the things that has kept me from finishing this project is the number of tasks left to do. Electrical, plumbing, cabinetry, etc. I have all of the old cabinet frames, overhead structures and hardware. I'm thinking of tossing it all and starting fresh.
I'll skip the overhead cabinets which will save weight and lower the center of gravity, which must have been 5 feet above the roof.[emoji38] These can always be added later if needed. I have the ac unit prewired as well as lights, but we could get by with battery powered LEDs initially. I still have the original fuse box and inverter but it's so rusted I'm certain it would be a fire hazard.
Wife and I have joked about using our rig like a big transport van and just setting up a tent inside with some sleeping bags. Indoor/outdoor camping?
This would allow us to finally hit the road and add things as we go, like walls n doors, an enclosed bathroom, kitchen area, a couch, etc.
The weather is cooperating today so I'll get to install the tank and drive it for the first time in several years! I've been starting it up by placing a line with filter into a 2 gal can directly off the mechanical fuel pump.
Last week I tried moving the transmission through the gears only to find the shifter wouldn't budge. 🤨 I kept trying to move it into reverse when it finally moved. I would leave it in reverse for a few minutes letting the trans warm up. Park, Reverse, then Neutral, eventually I was able to easily moved the shifter through its full range. More updates soon!

[fcbbob15]

Great job! Nice work on the inside. Years ago a friend had a similar rig with the 440, We had done some performance work to the engine and transmission mostly to improve fuel mileage. No issues pulling hills and passing. Most likely you have a 440-3 and 727 torque flight transmission. Have you solved the door latch gap issue? How about a u shaped stainless or chrome trim piece around the latch? Keep us updated.

[otrt]

Thanks fc! Honestly I forgot about the latch issue. I placed a piece of gorilla tape over the gap....6 years ago....the last time I drove it. [emoji53] I found a pic of that last drive, Feb 2013! Lasted about 1 mile before she choked on rust particles. Had to have it towed back.
I like your idea about the stainless trim piece! The wheels are turning in my head about many items since I'm spending so much time working on it. I tell my wife and she rolls her eyes so hard I swear they come back around like an odometer. [emoji849]

[otrt]

I drove it today for the first time since 2013! My son and I finished installing the reserve tank and decided to take her for a spin. Major flat spots on all tires as I expected. Didn't exceed 20mph and drove less than a quarter mile before turning back. Good thing I did. Everything else seemed fine, transmission shifted well, engine purred. I had my son park it while I guided him from outside. I asked him to check the water temp and he said it was pegged past 250! I didn't hear the fan at all. He shut it off and of course it boiled over, but everything held up. I plan on changing the fan clutch tomorrow, doing another system flush and will begin removing wheels to get new tires. Excited for being that much closer to usable! I had a good convo with my wife and we agreed to keep the beast. Goodnight and here's to the adventures to come!

[JohnRR]

Good to read

[otrt]

Been raining here nearly every day in my neck of central Cali. I'm anxious to continue work on the beast. Will update soon.