Skip to main content
Topic: Just got an 85' Grand villa (Read 2355 times) previous topic - next topic

Just got an 85' Grand villa

Well I just pulled this 85' out of a 20+ year slumber. Last tagged in 97'. Cat 3208 with alison trans. Defiantly alot of stuff on it I have no idea what it does, glad I found this forum! First thing will be to fix a couple of vents on the roof, then get it back up on the levelers. Its going to need new airbags. However I am going to get it running first, then go down the list. I have alot of experience working on old trucks and other gas engines, however diesels are new to me so this will be a great learning experience. More pictures and questions to come!

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #1
Very nice find.  Welcome to the adventure.
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #2
Welcome! Lots of good info here...  nice looking grand villa! Like the c20 behind it also.......
The selected media item is not currently available.Keith & Jo
2003 U320T 4025 PBBS Designer series
Build 6203    Cummins 500hp
2000 U320 4010 WTFE / Build 5762 —Sold—
Motorcade #18070   
Pasadena, Texas
2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara-Sunset Orange pearl coat
Don't argue with a fool, people watching might not be able to tell the difference.

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #3
86?  Detroit or cat?  Rear radiator?
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob & Susan
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #4
Striped awnings same as our 1989 GV.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #5
Several forum members with the 3208 CAT engines that will give you expert advice on their care and feeding. Search the archives for your engine and the airbags. Lots of post for both. Congratulations on your purchase.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #6
Welcome to the Foretravel "family".
There are a ton of people out there working to keep the classics on the road. Good stuff...
Robert and Susan Moe Sr.
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR
         

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #7
Looks like a 250 ho cat ORED, rear radiator 36'. Congrats and welcome!  ORED cats are pretty sweet running and simple, drove mine 1400 miles home.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #8
If it's a rear radiator, what is the purpose of the grill on the driver side at the rear - air conditioning condenser?

Are those the OEM tail lights or a custom modification?
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"It goes without saying..."

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #9
I had one of these and loved it, sadly was totaled in an accident.  Watch the roof carefully, these had no crown and were prone to leaks when water pooled on the roof.  3208 was no speed demon but I drove ours all over the country and it pulled every hill and pass that I asked it too.
Have fun.

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #10
No, ORED's came in both rear and side radiator, depending on HP.

U225 is rear radiator

U240 is side radiator
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #11
Thanks, Brett, I stand corrected! So the OP coach IS a rear-mount radiator.  ^.^d
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #12
 Welcome, Nice find .
 Looks almost exactly like my 87-88.  The driver side grille houses the oil checks and air filter can.  This one has two boxes behind the rear wheels , mine has only one.  Maybe it is a 38?    It looks very nice .

 FWIW , dont make the mistake I made with tires.  Get the 9R at G  load rated.  These can run at 85-90PSI .  Your nose weight should be around 7800# with most of the water tank full.
 You may want a tire about 37.5 -38in OD to help the short gear .

  I bought the H rated 295/75.  They are are at the lowest loading on the tire chart and like about 75#s with 8000# or less nose weight .  They handle  only  good at 75# and ride harsh at 80 or over .  They slowed the 0- 60 times almost a second , So it goes to figure that they  also take longer to stop.  Fuel burn dropped  at least .6MPG and maybe more.  They weigh about 18 # more per tire. 
 
 Take a peek under the front axle and see if the air bag is directly over the axle . Mine is  and was a PITA to change . Give me a call when you get to them . I posted the part numbers in the file .

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #13
Are those the OEM tail lights or a custom modification?
Answered my own question.

OEM.  Seems the '85 model had surface mount tail lights, and the '86 went to the Isuzu lights.  Photo of another '85 below:




1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"It goes without saying..."

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #14
Other than the middle window on the curb side ( we have an office no dinette) it looks very much like our 88. Great coach.
88 Grand Villa 36' ORED 3208 (throwaway)Cat.
 Build # 3150
Happiness is the maximum agreement of reality and desire.

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #15
Congrats!  I have a 3208 and been ok.

Change filters and fluids then the rest as you have time.  Welcome
Dan 1989 U280 40'

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #16
Don't over look the air cleaner, The one on our rig was plugged when we bought it.  I would also flush the fresh water sys. with all of the faucet strainers removed.  There is probably alot of scale in there that needs to come out.  Have that tranny serviced, without being run for a long time, may have some seal issues.  Have a great day and just keep looking and listening and questioning as you go along on this journey.  ----  Fritz
Fritz & Kathy Johnson
1991 36'

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #17
Pick up about 10 gallons of vinegar and put it in your system. Make sure your water heater is full with the solution. Turn on your water heater and leave it on for 12-24 hours with the vinegar in it. Then flush several times until all smell is gone from your system.

Also, repack the front wheel bearings. You probably have no idea when they were done the last time. Make sure you set the clearance correctly.
I would (and did) go at replacing as many lights as I could with LED lights. A little at a time.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #18
Thanks! I will get some more pics up soon. I've been working on getting the motor ready to fire up. Hopefully this week!
Pick up about 10 gallons of vinegar and put it in your system. Make sure your water heater is full with the solution. Turn on your water heater and leave it on for 12-24 hours with the vinegar in it. Then flush several times until all smell is gone from your system.

Also, repack the front wheel bearings. You probably have no idea when they were done the last time. Make sure you set the clearance correctly.
I would (and did) go at replacing as many lights as I could with LED lights. A little at a time.

20  years ago at least! Yes that is the plan to put LED's in it eventually.

 
Welcome! Lots of good info here...  nice looking grand villa! Like the c20 behind it also.......

Thanks! That old truck did a good job pulling it out!

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #19
What are you going to do with all that 20 year old diesel, parts washer or stump burning fuel? Fresh fuel would definitely be a good idea.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #20
What are you going to do with all that 20 year old diesel, parts washer or stump burning fuel? Fresh fuel would definitely be a good idea.

That I am not sure, although I may have gotten very lucky and there isn't much left in the tank!

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #21
If there isn't much fuel in the tank, then possible there is a lot of condensed moisture.  Or, being you're in Flagstaff, perhaps the air is dry enough that you will be OK.  I agree with phred - think it would be a good idea to pump as much of whatever is in there out, and refill with fresh diesel.

Or else have several sets of fuel filters on hand...

They sell cheap drill-driven liquid pumps at home improvement and auto stores that would do nicely for pumping out the tank.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"It goes without saying..."

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #22
Because our 1989 GV sat for 10-11 years in a warehouse I ended up with a problem. I kept changing both fuel filters until that didn't work anymore. Ended up at a repair shop. Turned out there was about 3" of rust flakes (100 Gallon steel fuel tank), crap, crud in the supply line in front of the check valve.
Coach would go like a bat outa hell, then slow down until I could walk backwards faster. Couldn't even make it up an overpass by our house!! New check valve, flushed the supply line and runs great now. TX and back twice and not a single issue with fuel supply.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #23
There is a drain plug in the bottom of the tank. I would take it out see if there is any water in the tank.
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #24
If your fuel tank is full and you remove the drain plug, be prepared for a deluge of diesel fuel!!
I drained my 100 gallon tank into a five gallon pail with a 12V liquid pump in the pail. I pumped the fuel thru a one gallon white jug with a drain in the bottom that I mounted a screen filter over the outlet hole, so I could see and trap the junk that might come out before going into my 55 gallon drum. Turns out there was little or no "crap" in the tank. All the "crap" had gone into the fuel pickup line over the years and was stopped at the pressure valve.
No water as I had treated the tank per Brett Wolfe's recommendations prior to emptying the tank.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD