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Topic: Biting the bullet (hard), I finally have my dream Coach - a 1995 U300 SE  (Read 9638 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Biting the bullet (hard), I finally have my dream Coach - a 1995 U300 SE

Reply #40 –
  Michael,, Take a 3' (or so) piece of wire , bend it in a slight arch, gently arc it into the neck of the tank, and see how much is wet when you pull it out. Then you will know how much fuel you will have to dispose of.  Did you look for the drain under the tank?
 Gary O

... finally have my dream Coach - a 1995 U300 SE

Reply #41 –
Gary,

Nope - I forgot that one thing, but I'm dropping back there this afternoon and I'll look for that drain plug access.

Regards,

Michael

Re: Biting the bullet (hard), I finally have my dream Coach - a 1995 U300 SE

Reply #42 –
I like the 57.1 hours on the engine!!!  That would correspond to  the 7600 +/- miles on the odometer... That's like buying a new coach that was delivered 17 years after being built....  ^.^d

Re: Biting the bullet (hard), I finally have my dream Coach - a 1995 U300 SE

Reply #43 –
Gary O,
Gotta say I loved your comments concerning the U300 with the mighty Cat, Now the simple truth is What is the real weight of the U300 and what is the HP and Torque rating for the mighty Cat?  I find it amazing and am most anxious to offer my junk as a victum  ;D  IF it really runs that great,  I truely doubt it  ;D.
My numbers are 60 lb / hp  &  19.34 lb per ft lb, Find these good nunbers indeed. :o
Fess up on the numbers  ;D
Cheers
Dave M

Re: Biting the bullet (hard), - initial "as found" status

Reply #44 –
Get new fuel, chassis battery, fuel and air filters.. Bleed the fuel lines and crank her up!

Re: Biting the bullet (hard), I finally have my dream Coach - a 1995 U300 SE

Reply #45 –
Congratulations Micheal on your great find!  I had a blast discovering all the neat things on my coach when I first bought it.

Quote
Did you look for the drain under the tank?
I've never heard of a drain plug on the fuel tanks.  I'm pretty sure my '91 doesn't have one.  Does anyone have one on their coach?

Re: Biting the bullet (hard), I finally have my dream Coach - a 1995 U300 SE

Reply #46 –
Hi Dave, Oh and hello to Bill W. Yes the bearded one types yet again, and all within 24hrs!  No, the sat ain't broke.  The grape harvest in Ca. is done.  The corn harvest in Ne. is done. The soybeans in Tn. is done and there ain't no major repairs to do on the coach, so we are now coasting and enjoying watching the fall weather in Tn. THAT means I turn this thing on, maybe once a day instead of once a month.

Dave, I am not a numbers person.so I can't properly answer your question. Maybe Barry Beam can find that info in his library. I go more on feel and experience. For example, our U320 is rated at 450 hp with 1450 ft lbs of torque. At 42', loaded with all the tools and spare MH parts, it will be somewhere between 39K-41K. Most of it's life, it has been run 75-82 mph towing a 5k toad but now that I don't have many jobs or commitments, that number is more in the high 60s . It runs very well , I have never wanted any thing more, and I have no plans to change it . The mighty 3176 Cat is ,I believe, is only 365 or 375hp and I have no knowledge of the torque. But, If I totally unloaded the 320, I would not challenge Michael to a drag race, a road race, or a hill climb. After driving several of those rare 95's,, I know I would lose.

When he has his dream coach back on the road he will feel like he has a "Vette" on steroids.

(keep your pink slip in your pocket)

Gary O

Re: Biting the bullet (hard), I finally have my dream Coach - a 1995 U300 SE

Reply #47 –
Michael, this is exciting. I think I would normally be concerned that seals and such in the drive train might have deteriorated setting as much as this coach has but I have a feeling things are going to turn out great for you. We can't wait to hear that the thing runs like a new one. Keep us in the loop.

Re: Biting the bullet (hard), I finally have my dream Coach - a 1995 U300 SE

Reply #48 –
Michael,
Not sure it was mentioned here but once you get the air bags inflated, make sure you block the frame up so that if something goes wrong with the leveling system you will not get squashed. You should also block up the axles if crawling underneath, especially the front. The tires are about 10" tall and if the tires just happen to blow out, especially the front, you could be crushed. Take a look and think about it.
Most of us have made frame blocking from 2x2 x 1/4 wall sq tubing 4 pieces 11" long.
Be carefull,
Good luck,
Rick

Re: Biting the bullet (hard), I finally have my dream Coach - a 1995 U300 SE

Reply #49 –
Rick,

Thanks for the advice. I had read of this mod . It makes sense to me.

Safety first!

Re: Biting the bullet (hard), I finally have my dream Coach - a 1995 U300 SE

Reply #50 –
Michael,

Below are a couple of links that may be of particular interest regarding safety and general information. It has been interesting to follow the start of your FT adventure.

Working safely around your Foretravel: http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=10632.0
Foretravel Discussions http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?board=6.0

Re: Biting the bullet (hard), I finally have my dream Coach - a 1995 U300 SE

Reply #51 –
Well, 21 "Benjamin's" lighter in the billfold today, I went with all 5 as AGM batteries ($1835.00) and bought new filters for the Gen-set and the CAT at Napa Auto Parts. Oh, by the way -- isn't it ironic when you have to convince the parts counter guy that there is still a use for the old paper catalogs; that just because the part numbers don't cross-reference on the computer does not mean they don't have the right part in the store. He grudgingly pulled out the catalog, and lo and behold -- CAT and Power Tech filters were on the shelf!

So -- now I've only to find a creative way to get as much of the nasty 'ol fuel, sediment, goo --- out of the tank as possible, bleed the lines clean after adding 30 gallons of fresh -- and assuming the power-up with new electrons goes well -- I'll be ready to turn it over in about a week and make combustion!

All the best,
Michael

Re: Biting the bullet (hard), I finally have my dream Coach - a 1995 U300 SE

Reply #52 –
Michael, I believe you made the right call! It actually sounds like you got decent prices on the batteries. What brand did you settle on? Looking forward to your progress reports... and more pictures please!
Don

Quote from: geomm –
Well, 21 "Benjamin's" lighter in the billfold today, I went with all 5 as AGM batteries ($1835.00) and bought new filters for the Gen-set and the CAT at Napa Auto Parts. Oh, by the way -- isn't it ironic when you have to convince the parts counter guy that there is still a use for the old paper catalogs; that just because the part numbers don't cross-reference on the computer does not mean they don't have the right part in the store. He grudgingly pulled out the catalog, and lo and behold -- CAT and Power Tech filters were on the shelf!

So -- now I've only to find a creative way to get as much of the nasty 'ol fuel, sediment, goo --- out of the tank as possible, bleed the lines clean after adding 30 gallons of fresh -- and assuming the power-up with new electrons goes well -- I'll be ready to turn it over in about a week and make combustion!

All the best,
Michael

Re: Biting the bullet (hard), I finally have my dream Coach - a 1995 U300 SE

Reply #53 –
Michael,

Diesel doesn't deteriorate like gasoline.  If it doesn't smell bad, I'd just use a hand pump to draw a sample from the bottom.  If it comes up clean, I wouldn't worry about dumping it.

Re: Biting the bullet (hard), I finally have my dream Coach - a 1995 U300 SE

Reply #54 –
hmmmm..

Well - it did not have any unusual/off/objectionable odor at all. I have a Mitivac vacuum pump. I'll fit a long, clear plastic tube to it and pull a sample from the bottom.

Thanks for the tip.

Re: Biting the bullet (hard), I finally have my dream Coach - a 1995 U300 SE

Reply #55 –
If you decide to keep the fuel, you may want to add some cetane boost to the fuel as a conditioner.  It's available at most TSC's or other farm/tractor stores.  I don't know technically how this works, but I use it once in a while and the MPG improves some.  But I would not use it regularly without more knowledge.  Perhaps one of the "fuelies" will chime in.

Re: Biting the bullet (hard), I finally have my dream Coach - a 1995 U300 SE

Reply #56 –
I feel I have to step in here and clear some things. Diesel fuel has a strong smell and will always smell like diesel. After long term storage, the bottom of the tank will usually have water as a result of condensation but just above that level, the diesel fuel will look and smell just like the top. The real problem is the unknown and visually undetectable amount of algae . A bacteria that rapidly grows in the fuel the longer it sits.

I would suggest Michael contact some smaller construction companies that run heavy equipment and ask to speak to their "oilier"or shop manager. He should explain his problem and then offer the company FREE diesel fuel . The oilier will have a truck that can come to him and is equipped to draw the fuel out. Those older  big Cat dozers and scrapers will gobble that old RV fuel in minutes and it will be properly disposed of and everybody wins. All Michael has to do is get all the electric on the coach up and running, build up air with an outside source (like I have already told him how to), and then manually tilt the coach passenger side down before for the truck arrives. Also some oiller trucks carry road diesel that Michael could buy to refill the clean tank.

I have put several coaches back on the road after long term storage in this manner, and none ever had fuel problems.I have also seen several coaches where the fuel was "diluted"with a fill up of clean fuel and most (not all) , had multiple fuel filter changes over several thousand miles before the old fuel was gone. He can put an additive in the tank to kill the algae. but it will always be there clogging the filters.

I hope this info helps.  Michael, , call me if your interested in this idea. I might know some construction people in Ventura county that can help.

Re: Biting the bullet (hard), I finally have my dream Coach - a 1995 U300 SE

Reply #57 –
Micheal, I too would like to know the brand, info etc on those 5 AGM's as it looks like a very good price. I paid 1800 for my 3 8d house alone and that was over a year ago. The 2 AGM start I got at FOT were about 600+ ( I paid too much but needed them at the time.) So I reckon you did well depending on the make etc.
John H

Re: Old fuel and new batteries

Reply #58 –
Gary,

Thanks again - for that advice. I'll start poking around in the Thousand Oaks area -- for such an opportunity as soon as I determine how much fuel is actually in the tank.

To answer  those of you about the batteries, I chose a store in Thousand Oaks called Batteries Plus. They evidently have stores nationally to honor any warranty issues. The old chassis set were MK's, and I took the measurements off of them before going to the store. What matched up as far as size was a Group 24F, but I wanted higher output than the standard type in that size -- of at least 800 CCA in a AGM, so I bought a set of three Xtreme Permaseal's- with their item # SL124FAGMDP. The specs are 840 CCA, Flat Plate AGM, 160 minutes of reserve capacity, color is blue top -- and they have a 5 year full-replacement warranty. Buying all of my batteries from the guy, gave me a 10% discount. So the discounted price on these was $225 ea.

The 8D AGM's are a Ray Pro AGM with a 12 month full-replacement warranty, and those with the discount were priced at $524.70 ea.

So -- after CA tax -- $1835.00. Plus he is delivering them all to where I have the Coach -- and is taking away my old batteries.