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'90 Grandvilla 3300 SBI

November 09, 2011, 04:38:05 pm

So there's a 90 3300 SBI that I looked at about 5 months ago when we were first starting to look at RVs.  I had NO CLUE what I was doing at the time and have since learned a lot.  It was in very good condition on the inside, stored under cover, but has been sitting a long time.  At that time, I really didn't know what to look for so there were a few issues I passed over thinking they'd be easy.  I've since learned that when it comes to these older FTs, nothing is necessarily easy.  So, I have a few questions for those of you that might be familiar with this model as I'm thinking about taking a more serious look at this one...

1. I drove it and the brakes were extremely mushy.  Neither of the sellers appeared to know much about the coach and I just chalked it up to possibly needing some brake fluid or something.  It looks like these 33 footers did have hydraulic disc brakes.  Do these differ much from say my auto brakes today?  I could make it stop, but barely and the pedal was all the way at the floor.  Would be beautiful if it turned out to be brake fluid, but I'm trying to account for worst case here as I have a budget I'm trying to work with.

2. Generator wanted to fire and would start for about 1-2 seconds and then sputter and die.  My guess is the fuel delivery system probably needs some work.  Any suggestions on things I could try or look at that might give me an idea of whether I'm dealing with a minor or major issue?  Again, on a budget and would prefer to avoid as many major gotchas as I can!

3. I believe the engine has something like 75K miles.  The Ford 460 seems to be pretty well supported so doesn't concern me too much should it start to have issues.  Would be cool to convert it to a front diesel, but I know I'm not going to have the time and probably an expensive/laborious task.  Then there's also the generator fuel issue since it shares the same gas tank.

4. Any other issues you guys can think of?  Anyone currently own or owned one in the past?

Thanks,
Benjie

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Re: '90 Grandvilla 3300 SBI

Reply #1 – November 09, 2011, 04:57:53 pm

It sounds like the generator carb is full of old gas and at the least would need a carb kit, and maybe  a new carb. The brakes sound like a major problem, could be master cylinder or the hydraulic booster. Thr carb on the 460 is a ford holly and if the engine backfires would need to have the power valve replaced, just a few things to think about

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Re: '90 Grandvilla 3300 SBI

Reply #2 – November 09, 2011, 05:17:38 pm

Benjie, I suggest staying from "gassers", Ford 460's and Chev 454 engines were designed for "real" gasoline, what we are force fed today is low Octane crud. I bought a 1987 40' GV in May of this year for about what the Cat Engine and Allison Trans are worth, it get's about 10mpg pulling the Jeep, can't beat that.

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Re: '90 Grandvilla 3300 SBI

Reply #3 – November 09, 2011, 05:32:52 pm

At the peak of it's performance that 460 will drink gasoline faster than you can pour it out of a bucket and you get the opportunity to smell it doing it with it being up front.

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Re: '90 Grandvilla 3300 SBI

Reply #4 – November 09, 2011, 06:06:58 pm

I understand the gas mileage issue but if I get this thing for $3K that makes up for a lot of gas!

Best Regards,
Benjie

Benjie Zeller
(512) 587-4628

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Re: '90 Grandvilla 3300 SBI

Reply #5 – November 09, 2011, 06:12:43 pm

Any idea on what it might cost me to replace the master cylinder or hydraulic booster myself?

Best Regards,
Benjie

Benjie Zeller
(512) 587-4628

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Re: '90 Grandvilla 3300 SBI

Reply #6 – November 09, 2011, 07:18:56 pm

Owned a 460 rear engine oshkosh - 36 foot - too much coach for the power - loved the coach - got 4.5 ish MPG. Engine heat was a problem in rear engine oshkosh, blew my motor up. Loved the coach, should have converted it to a diesel and maybe kept it, there is a thread to that effect in the last few months on the forum.

If you wanted something to buy and park on a site permanently, might be a great find - hell - much cheaper han most pop up campers. To own and try to drive around the control - it will blow your budget (fuel and maintenance) sky high in no time.

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Re: '90 Grandvilla 3300 SBI

Reply #7 – November 09, 2011, 09:03:24 pm

If the generator is propane, there is a little black rubber vent tube that comes out of the back of the regulator located in the generator bay. This tube gets blocked, usually with insect nesting, and will cause the symptoms you describe. Take it off and blow out the tube with high pressure air. It should run fine when cleared.

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Reply #8 – November 09, 2011, 09:11:53 pm

Yup, Mud Daubers in gas regulators can be a pain to find until you catch on, good answer Kent.

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Re: '90 Grandvilla 3300 SBI

Reply #9 – November 09, 2011, 10:11:07 pm

Fairly certain it's gas but I'll check!

Best Regards,
Benjie

Benjie Zeller
(512) 587-4628

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Re: '90 Grandvilla 3300 SBI

Reply #10 – November 10, 2011, 09:51:59 am

At 3 grand... I can understand your interest Benji.

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Re: '90 Grandvilla 3300 SBI

Reply #11 – November 10, 2011, 10:17:46 am

My 93 GV on a Oskosh frame has a 460 gas which I had to replace because of a overheat issue.  The complete replacement was $7000.  The diesel next to it in the shop was 4 times that.  Diesel fuel at Walmart in OKC is .62 cents a gallon higher than gas.  Every aspect of maintenance on a diesel is higher and don't ever let it run out of fuel.  That 460 will let you keep up with the big boys with no problems.  You need to check the generator fuel line for cracks.  If you find any just replace it.  The brakes are another issue.  On mine when the boost line got kinked the master cylinder sensed it and when you pushed on the brake a electric motor came on to supply pressure.  My real indicator of a boost problem was my parking brake wouldn't disengage.  On mine the boost pump is hidden on the bottom left side of the engine so hope it's low brake fluid.

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