Was in Spokane this week and saw this GV at a consignment lot. So I stopped and took a quick 10-15 minute peek. It appeared to be in good nik. Body shell is very clean as was the original interior. No bad smells inside. Carpet shows some wear but isn't trashed. It has spring suspension and a gas Ford 460 pusher. The 38K mileage is the actual mileage.
This was my first peek inside a GV. Kind of quirky but in a nice way. It certainly has character.
1987 36' GV (https://spokane.craigslist.org/rvd/d/foretravel-grand-villa/6313007439.html)
sadly a OREG. such a sorry engine in such a fine motorhome.
Tim Fiedler
Sure Start Soft Start (http://www.gen-pro.biz)
TCER Direct (http://www.tcerdirect.com) generator-gas-prod (http://www.generatorgasproducts.com) 630 240-9139
Gen-Pro
Thanks for the review. Yes, only quirky people have GVs, we match the coach. I did not know they made a '97. As Tim said, sad it's a gasser, prolly Ford trans, no retarder. Terrible engine, if it had a V-10 w/Allison, I'd hop on it.
Now that's funny. As I was typing that it was quirky & had character. I immediately thought of this certain sound engineer sitting in front of a mixing board with the seven story bus crew.
These comments kinda give me a sinking feeling as we continue to restore our '89 OREG.
Maybe for local jaunts only? :'(
~Diane
Diane,
Minimize the heat on the engine is the best thing you can do for this coach.
Lower speeds, especially on grades Light weight towing
Consider adding AUX electric fans to the radiator - there are many out there - to increase the airflow through the radiator and better evacuate the heat from the engine compartment
My 1989 OREG was damaged on a trip to the east coast, hot temps, towing a small toad, five people on board, Chicago to Yale University, traveling 65- 70 MPH.
The coach is underpowered, and is prone to excess heat in the engine compartment and engine.
Keep track of the temps closely, do what you need to do (slow down) to keep them in check - make sure your radiator/cooling system is flowing well (not plugged up - maybe take it to a radiator shop for confirmation of the radiator condition) and radiator holds design pressure, consider the aforementioned extra fan capacity.
Some folks have fitted water sprays on the radiator, the effectivity of these systems varies based on the water volume delivered to the spray nozzles and rear of spray coverage on the radiator. Unfortunately they tend to cause a build up of calcium on the radiator that can reduce cooling efficiency over the long term.
If I had a fresh motor in an OREG, the first thing I would do is add aux electric fans to the existing radiator to increase flow and evacuate heat from the engine compartment. If that wasn't effective, I would consider how to increase the size/capacity of the radiator and the fan shroud so that it keeps engine temps in check
Most of all, I would plan travel in the 55 - 60 MPH range with an OREG, especially towing or in the hills
Tim Fiedler
Sure Start Soft Start (http://www.gen-pro.biz)
TCER Direct (http://www.tcerdirect.com) generator-gas-prod (http://www.generatorgasproducts.com) 630 240-9139
Gen-Pro
Another "not too expensive" modification to the cooling system:
"T" off the hose to the dash heater and run it through an aftermarket radiator up front. Use ball valves to direct flow in summer to auxiliary radiator and in winter to the heater core.
This also applies to DP's-- basically offers a lot of almost free additional cooling.
Several of us GV owners have done the Aux radiator up front with our 6/92's with good results.
actually, I pretty much owned its twin - not piking on the 460 Ford, just not enough HP for this weight/wind resistance.
What a sweet coach to buy and convert to Diesel - and only 3 hours from Gig Harbor WA!
Tim Fiedler
Sure Start Soft Start (http://www.gen-pro.biz)
TCER Direct (http://www.tcerdirect.com) generator-gas-prod (http://www.generatorgasproducts.com) 630 240-9139
Gen-Pro
has the rear window - Mine did not have the rear window installed, but owner had bought one from FT and never installed
Tim Fiedler
Sure Start Soft Start (http://www.gen-pro.biz)
TCER Direct (http://www.tcerdirect.com) generator-gas-prod (http://www.generatorgasproducts.com) 630 240-9139
Gen-Pro
Tim,
Did you have any overheating problems with that Ford V8?
The best thing with the rear engine 460 is 55mph. If you get over that look at how fast your engine is turning. Those engines were not designed to be run at wide open all the time. They can be made so they can stand that , but is expensive.
Yes, I overheated mine till I cooked it. 65/70 towing on a long distance trip in summer did it in I was stock configuration
Were I to own one now, I would add up front radiator (auxiliary) per Brett, Electric fan on rear radiator and consider misting set up Most of all I would drive 55
Another idea to consider would be a external oil cooler. These are commonly used on hard-working engines in all sorts of venues. Engine oil doesn't just lubricate - it also helps cool the engine. A first class oil cooler would be sized to match the engine displacement, and controlled by a thermostatic valve that only opens when a certain oil temp is reached. There are many types and configurations available.
Links below to some websites for more info:
Guide To Engine & Transmission Oil Coolers | Medium Duty Work Truck Info (http://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/engine-oil-coolers/)
Derale Performance | The leader in performance cooling! (https://derale.com)
http://www.haydenauto.com/featured%20products-transmission%20and%20engine%20oil%20coolers/content.aspx
There are very few engines that can routinely manage a long life at 100% duty cycle.
This very thing reared it's head in FIM formula 1 racing a few years ago when the FIM mandated going from V-10's to a V-8 by cutting two pistons off the V-10, But otherwise left the engine spec the same. The amount of time per lap at 100% throttle went up dramatically. Even these hand made race engines were blowing up with alarming regularity.
Thanks for all the great suggestions here. What a wonderful resource this group is!
We thought hard about swapping to diesel since this engine came with issues. Were told it was a huge job and not a clean swap and could impact resale value ( now I'm thinking toward the POSITIVE) Got the new heads and many more little tweaks and it's purring now. Jim has already mentioned auxiliary fans back there and some of these other ideas will go on the list. We'll see how she goes down the road......
Current project; tire shopping.
Knowing Jim, we may end up with a diesel yet.
We cut our teeth on a 1960 GMC diesel pusher bus conversion. ;D
7.3 Ford/International diesel should bolt up and use the same mounts. Good engine. Don't use a 6.9.
Pierce
I have a set of 255/70/22.5 for sale soon .
Good luck with the Ford. Dont worry about resale value . It is as low as it will go and the Ford gasser is not a selling point . Any diesel will add value. If you really like it , as we all seem to do, research the 7.3 or Duramax/ Allison , and get ready for a 10 yr pay back.
The Duramax Allison may have enough gear to run with the present final drive. IMHO
A 7.3 IDI turbo is an excellent engine. I put one as previously posed in a SOB. Only about 6 electrical connections with the glowplug timer mounted on the engine. EZ installation. It was a complete remanufacture from Dealer's Diesel. Fuel mileage doubled.
Pierce