Newbie to Foretravel - Gas 351 1990 Grand Villa

Topic: Newbie to Foretravel - Gas 351 1990 Grand Villa (Read 1532 times) previous topic - next topic

Newbie to Foretravel - Gas 351 1990 Grand Villa

May 30, 2016, 06:40:38 pm

Hi there! First post here.

We are just beginning our coach search after full timing in both a 23' and a 32' travel trailer. I'm pretty tech savvy, I build cars, so I've got both sides of the MH coin handled, I just haven't put them together.

We came across this 1990 GV locally, she wants $10k for it.

I know general stuff to look for, but any specific advice? It has about 100k on it.

The real thing that's confusing me is she lists it as a 5.7l gas engine, based on my research, this was never made, so it must be a replacement.

Supposed to look at it in a few hours, but I thought I'd ask first. Thanks!

'90 Foretravel Grandvilla*class A * EXQUISITE!!!

Re: Newbie to Foretravel - Gas 351 1990 Grand Villa

Reply #1 – May 30, 2016, 07:09:08 pm

Quote from: Kevinbdavis – May 30, 2016, 06:40:38 pm

We came across this 1990 GV locally, she wants $10k for it.

I know general stuff to look for, but any specific advice?

Welcome to the Forum!

I believe this is what's known as an OREG (Oshkosh Rear Engine Gasser). If you search the forum (hover over Community, click Search, type in OREG and go from there) you will find a number of personal experiences from members regarding this configuration. It's not exactly at the top of everyone's hit parade (right Brett and Tim?

)

Re: Newbie to Foretravel - Gas 351 1990 Grand Villa

Reply #2 – May 30, 2016, 07:25:24 pm

This would be on a John Deere chassis and should have a 460 Ford engine which is I believe a 7.5 rather than a 5.7 This is quite a bit different than the OREG which was 36 foot with a rear engine 460 and greatly underpowered. This coach should have plenty of power. This would have a carb rather than fuel injection

Re: Newbie to Foretravel - Gas 351 1990 Grand Villa

Reply #3 – May 30, 2016, 07:39:48 pm

I looked at one similar gasser several years ago (the OREG that red tractor mentions). Seems to have been lots of issues with that one, but the main one for me was weight. Fortunately for me the seller had access to a truck scale. With one-half tank of fuel, one-quarter tank of water and LP, dry holding tanks and the two of us there was only 200 pounds left before reaching the GVWR.

Based on that experience I would strongly suggest that, if all else is positive, you put it on a good truck scale to check carrying capacity before making a commitment.

Re: Newbie to Foretravel - Gas 351 1990 Grand Villa

Reply #4 – May 30, 2016, 07:42:59 pm

After you go and look at this coach, you will prolly be bitten by the Foretravel bug and be sold on the brand. What ever coach you end up with will have started life with excellent build quality. Still 10 grand is ten grand any way you cut it. Have it inspected if at all possible so that most of the dollars that you spend will be upgrades instead of repairs. Most of the ones that you see on this forum will be diesel pushers though.

Re: Newbie to Foretravel - Gas 351 1990 Grand Villa

Reply #5 – May 30, 2016, 07:51:39 pm

To me this looks like it is in bad shape and not clean. I would give it a good look over and suggest looking for a Diesel one as they are available for similar bucks. Lots to fix up on this one I think, sorry.
JohnH

Re: Newbie to Foretravel - Gas 351 1990 Grand Villa

Reply #6 – May 30, 2016, 09:55:25 pm

This is just my opnion so take it as you will. Old gasser motorhomes are great if you drive them 20 miles to your summer campground where it stays for 5 months then drive it home for the winter. Personally i have little experience with them, but I have friends who have. Under powered and overheat were the common denominator. I would spend 50% more and get a diesel. Again, just MY opnion.

Re: Newbie to Foretravel - Gas 351 1990 Grand Villa

Reply #7 – May 30, 2016, 10:27:15 pm

FWIW,
I like the idea of a diesel more than I would a gas FT. However, there should be enough power if it is 29 feet. Probably need to drive to see if you are happy with the performance. Your knowledge regarding gasoline engines probably is helpful. I would recommend that you look at several foretravels to gain a better idea. Best of travels

Re: Newbie to Foretravel - Gas 351 1990 Grand Villa

Reply #8 – May 30, 2016, 10:28:30 pm

460's were very detuned with exception to late 60's early 70s Lincoln motors. She'll probably go less than $10,000. You could build that motor with those heads to make tremendous power and get comparable mileage to what it got brand-new. The only other issue then will be keeping it cool. Check out ford big block forums for proven RV / towing builds. Engine was a victim of EPA rags from the time it was two years old on. Just have to keep it cool in rear engine set up.

Re: Newbie to Foretravel - Gas 351 1990 Grand Villa

Reply #9 – May 30, 2016, 11:04:49 pm

Thanks for the replies!

It is a front engine JD chassis, 460. It was a mess inside, so I'm trying to see the potential. She was asking for $10k. Here's what I'm dealing with:

1) Some fiberglass damage on the fender
2) Dirty inside, needs a really thorough cleaning.
3) Engine fired right up, tires are great, overall, interior is in great shape, but dirty as hell, single mom, living in this thing.
4) Dog tore a hole in the front driver's seat and couch
5) Ice maker broken
6) Fridge smells like death
7) Generator doesn't work (won't fire), but did work about a month ago, could be low oil.

Exterior needs renovation (I'm a detailer and painter, so not a huge deal.)
9) Seam where the front cap meets the panel under the passenger window is open, water damage inside, and water damage at that spot inside the coach, so water has been getting in, not sure for how long.

She's desperate to sell it, and even dropped to $6,000 by the time we finished talking (even before I started my negotiating.)

Given all of the above, it seems like I'm looking at a lot of work, I'd have to strip everything made of fabric or carpet out from the inside, which isn't that big of a deal.

Any idea how much for:

1) Fix the water damage
2) Replace or Reupholster front seat and couch
3) Replace fender lip

I might be able to get this thing for $4k or less, but I frankly don't even know if it's worth that.

From a generalized standpoint, we'll be towing a 5500-6000' car trailer on a regular basis, which isn't huge, but might get me in trouble with the 460.

Here are a couple of pics, would love to get your advice. My instinct is to just let it go, but if it's even worth $4k, I might be interested.

Re: Newbie to Foretravel - Gas 351 1990 Grand Villa

Reply #10 – May 30, 2016, 11:06:49 pm

Please, please please. Run away from any Gas Foretravel, just way underpowered, prone to overheating and poor Milage Former 1989 36' OREG (rear engine gas) Please buy a Foretravel Diesel Pusher

Re: Newbie to Foretravel - Gas 351 1990 Grand Villa

Reply #11 – May 30, 2016, 11:10:02 pm

Mine had a 460 Ford (5.7?) if front engine and smaller than my 36 may not be as bad. Just set aside $8k in case of engine issues to be safe and plan on 4-5 mpg

Re: Newbie to Foretravel - Gas 351 1990 Grand Villa

Reply #12 – May 30, 2016, 11:18:30 pm

If it has the original transmission it could cost more than 1/4 of the price of the coach to replace. At near 100,000 mi. in a heavy vehicle it would be near the end of its life. I also agree if you are going to use it a lot get a diesel. More money now but after years of use will come out cheaper.

Re: Newbie to Foretravel - Gas 351 1990 Grand Villa

Reply #13 – May 30, 2016, 11:20:08 pm

Sounds great! There's a 36' DP on the classifieds that might be of interest.

I had no idea what brand to look for, but I'm starting to really like the Foretravel, maybe I'm a believer now!

Thanks so much!

Re: Newbie to Foretravel - Gas 351 1990 Grand Villa

Reply #14 – May 31, 2016, 08:30:13 am

And if the studs holding the exhaust manifolds onto the heads start pulling out (stripping the threads in the heads) you will find it almost impossible to get replacement heads (and costly!). They were specially made for the RV vehicles.
This did happen to our 460 in our class C. Fortunately it was discovered after we traded it on our '89 GV.
Felt really bad for the new owners, as we thought everything was fine. The dealer did cover the replacement and thought we were lucky to get rid of it just in time.

Re: Newbie to Foretravel - Gas 351 1990 Grand Villa

Reply #15 – May 31, 2016, 09:43:29 am

Quote from: Kevinbdavis – May 30, 2016, 11:04:49 pm

tires are great

Just picking up on this one. You need to know the DOT manufacturing date as appearances can be very deceiving when it comes to tires. You may already know this and have checked, but I thought I should mention it just in case.

Re: Newbie to Foretravel - Gas 351 1990 Grand Villa

Reply #16 – May 31, 2016, 10:22:11 am

Quote from: Kevinbdavis – May 30, 2016, 11:04:49 pm

My instinct is to just let it go...

Go with your gut feeling. Sight unseen, I'd say run away. Hold out for a DP Foretravel...you won't regret it.

Re: Newbie to Foretravel - Gas 351 1990 Grand Villa

Reply #17 – May 31, 2016, 10:41:10 am

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – May 31, 2016, 10:22:11 am

Go with your gut feeling. Sight unseen, I'd say run away. Hold out for a DP Foretravel...you won't regret it.

I think we've found one here in the classifieds, might be perfect for us!

KD

Re: Newbie to Foretravel - Gas 351 1990 Grand Villa

Reply #18 – May 31, 2016, 11:05:46 am

Gosh,
4K! I don't have an inclination to undertake the work required to get her back to normal (at one time maybe). I bet you could if you can rebuild race car engines. Getting the generator running should be a slam dunk for you (not for me). The interior rebuild would take a lot of time but you could do it the way you like. I had a 454 chevy engine holiday rambler and it was 32 feet and it had enough power for me. I had problems with the generator also (I think it was when they were starting to switch from points to electronic). The parts for the drive train were mostly one ton truck parts (cheap and mostly easy to work on). I wouldn't recommend you spend a lot of time/money on it if you thought you would get rid of it quickly. If you wanted to get in on the cheap and planned on keeping it for some time, well maybe. But if you are going to spend a lot of time using and living in it, well maybe you would want a larger FT with a more durable drivetrain. It is fixable, just time and money. When you get done, you would have a nice gas motorhome that will be hard to sell. But you will have a nice gas and not common motorhome. Sage advice above on checking the DOT tire dates. You want good tires and out of date (more than 5-6 years old) with good tread are not good tires. The damage from failed tires is a pain (I know). Either way, best of travels.

Re: Newbie to Foretravel - Gas 351 1990 Grand Villa

Reply #19 – May 31, 2016, 12:50:55 pm

yep, when I looked at pictures I could see that it would be a mess inside and just decided from it that the rest would be a bad scene. I know as have been there with the last 240 I bought "sight unseen". It needed a complete strip down to just get it clean enough to work on.
JohnH

Re: Newbie to Foretravel - Gas 351 1990 Grand Villa

Reply #20 – June 16, 2016, 12:05:43 am

I think you can find better. We paid 13 for our jewel of a 3208t 36' Unihome. It needed tires, a new front under-dash bulkhead, a wee bit of headliner reattaching, and that's about it. There's a great one out there waiting for you...

Re: Newbie to Foretravel - Gas 351 1990 Grand Villa

Reply #21 – June 16, 2016, 09:17:11 am

Had a 454 in a SouthWind several years ago. Great engine. I put Thorley headers on it and that made a world of difference. Having said that, I'm very happy I have a Foretravel with a C8.3!

Re: Newbie to Foretravel - Gas 351 1990 Grand Villa

Reply #22 – June 16, 2016, 08:47:02 pm

Run, don't walk away from the front engine Ft with a Ford 460. It has a terrible problem of overheating. I bought mine and loved the coach but could never stop the over heating problem, new radiator, rebuilt engine after cracked heads, and on and on it went until we parked it at the farm for a place to live. I do not think you will find a finer coach than FT but stick with a diesel. I now have a 38' with a Cat 3208 and am pleased but there are far larger engines in coaches that are more than great MH but I am happy with my older model. Great luck in your hunt and you will never enjoy anything more than the right FT.

Carter Langford

Re: Newbie to Foretravel - Gas 351 1990 Grand Villa

Reply #23 – June 16, 2016, 10:50:40 pm

Kevin,

Run as fast as you can. Just look at the comments for those that have had these things. Go for a DP. They are out there for similar money.
I have had a GV and now have a U320 and live about 95mls from you if you need to look at a good one. Or, send me a PM with a telephone number and we can talk.
Lots of help on this forum from good folks willing to assist.
Speedbird 1.

Re: Newbie to Foretravel - Gas 351 1990 Grand Villa

Reply #24 – June 16, 2016, 10:54:22 pm

Post 17 says they think they found one. No posts since from them.

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