And I Shall call her Myrtle...

mech0001

Member
Mar 18, 2023
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I guess it's time to start a build thread. Isn't that what they all turn out to be?

On the planning board is a 3 month trip cross-country and back (I'm in Washington, family in Maine)
to celebrate the start of retirement, solo.

The vehicle? My 1977 26' previously called "Snowflake" (ouch). I believe I shall call you Myrtle.

Current Project List:

1. Complete installation of 455 engine and transmission that I rebuilt.
2. De-mousify hvac and propane heating. (ie. any system enclosure I can access). Because, you know,
there's this smell...
3. Replace refrigerator with Norcold 12 cu ft.
4. De-mousify frig installation area (it's the rear bed floor plan, frig next to bathroom on rh side)
5. Rebuild frig area with new materials. I want something lighter in color for the wood work in the coach. I
have inherited a black and white scheme (exterior repainted white, interior floor black and white squares)
and want a light wood color instead of the dark stuff. Years ago, you could buy veneer plywood (birch is what
I was thinking about) by the sheet. Couldn't find them at my big box store last time I visited, so
I have not settled on what to use to rebuild the walls yet.
6. Of course, de-mousify the enclosed refrigerator area.
7. Install Cerbo GX with tank monitoring. OEM display shows only battery voltage. Sensor states unknown.
8. While there, fix the positioning of the main door which does not align correctly, resulting in a constant,
irritating door warning light on the dash!
9. Replace shocks and probably the other 4 tires that aren't new.
10. As this is a trip, I expect minimal boon-docking. I have already switched to a LifePo4 100aH and added a
20A DC to DC charger for it. I took a few trips before the motor failed and never ran the generator.
My Onan has been replaced with a Generac Guardian RV unit. I am planning to remove it and utilize that
location for additional batteries (hopefully smaller than the one I have currently) and tool storage.
Additionally, the inverter will be located in this compartment.
Convert your battery power into AC at the closest proximity with the lowest guage wire should provide
the best performance possible, I'm thinking. Plus, there's a plug-in to the AC network right there!
I expect I'll pick up a portable solar generator that I can deploy occasionally when needed as I
tiptoe into solar conversion.
11. One of the major concerns of traveling solo is backup transportation. I lashed a bicycle on the top last
year, lol, but that won't cut the mustard going forward.
So, the question is, toad or motorcycle?
Toad:
1. I do like the idea of additional braking for the coach. More is always better.
2. I don't like the additional weight/strain on the drivetrain.
3. Plus, there's the maneuverability and drivability.
4. I do have a candidate: 2001 Audi TT Quattro. Perhaps a bit heavy. "Probably", can be flat towed.
Motorcycle:
1. Where to install for ideal weight distribution? My thought has been that putting a <= 300 lb dual-sport
on a front-mounted carrier (remove the bumper) might help the FWD traction.
2. On the other hand, mounting it directly in front of the heat-exchanger stack might not be the smartest move.
3. Also, I see folks are uprading there front-ends. I have seen no issues with mine but that might be a concern.
4. Of course, there's mounting on the back but that seems quite a distance from centerline for that amount of weight.
Does anyone know what the allowed tongue weight is for a hitch? That might be a clue.
12. Various electrical. Guages on new dash not reading correct ranges, Miscellaneous rewiring of the rewiring done
previously. Heater fan needs conversion to PWM or similar.
13. Investigate vehicle AC system. Convert to R134a if feasible at this time (ie. no horrendously expensive/difficult parts
required)

Pictures to be added in followup post.
 
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Could pick up an e-bike for the emergency use or for when you are parked for a bit to run around. Would be easy to store especially if you got a folding model, or already have a hitch. I'm having a rear hitch being built for my coach right now so I can mount my TW200 or WR250R on it.

Solar takes a long time to charge, so probably hold off on that as the DC-DC Converter will easily charge up your batteries during your long driving days. I have 4x 300aH from eBay, they are "generic branded" but I've capacity tested each one several times and they are true to label claim, plus got a good deal on them for about $440/each.

Depending on when you travel you may really want A/C, but if going in autum/spring you may not needed it.. having it though makes a huge difference. If you pass thru I80 near Sturgis, MI I do have a new in box setup Vintage Air A/C kit and brackets I bought for my previous Eleganza (sold that rig but kept the kit).

For peace of mind, maybe look into adding a Digi Timer to your instrumentation, it is liking having another set of eyes on your vitals at all times, alerting you to when something it alarm point.. during my cross country adventure this was very useful to have, especially as it would let me know with an audible alarm when temperatures were getting quite warm.
 
crank.jpeginternals.jpg
This is what happened to the crank. No doubt about it being a rod knock!
Looks like new pistons have been installed, but... the bearings appear to be standard and I suspect OE.
Some kind of patch job?
If you happen to need a rebuildable core, contact me. Looks like this will need a crank (could be welded) and at least one rod.
intake0.jpegView attachment Intake1.jpegView attachment intake2.jpeg
Intake is installed! Getting the exhaust passage blocking plates in the correct location was a bit tricky. Damn that thing is heavy!
 
Could pick up an e-bike for the emergency use or for when you are parked for a bit to run around. Would be easy to store especially if you got a folding model, or already have a hitch. I'm having a rear hitch being built for my coach right now so I can mount my TW200 or WR250R on it.

Solar takes a long time to charge, so probably hold off on that as the DC-DC Converter will easily charge up your batteries during your long driving days. I have 4x 300aH from eBay, they are "generic branded" but I've capacity tested each one several times and they are true to label claim, plus got a good deal on them for about $440/each.

Depending on when you travel you may really want A/C, but if going in autum/spring you may not needed it.. having it though makes a huge difference. If you pass thru I80 near Sturgis, MI I do have a new in box setup Vintage Air A/C kit and brackets I bought for my previous Eleganza (sold that rig but kept the kit).

For peace of mind, maybe look into adding a Digi Timer to your instrumentation, it is liking having another set of eyes on your vitals at all times, alerting you to when something it alarm point.. during my cross country adventure this was very useful to have, especially as it would let me know with an audible alarm when temperatures were getting quite warm.
I thought about an e-bike. Not quite there yet.

What are your thoughts on weight distribution from a motorcycle mounted like that? That is the same size machine I have been considering mounting on the front.

I'm very heat tolerant, so A/C does not rate as high with me. Thanks for the part info. I will look into both of those.
 
fixture.jpeg
I made this fixture to r&r my drivetrain. Available for use by anyone in my area. This and a come-along gets the job done, though a chain fall would be nicer.

I also have a sofa/bed frame I pulled out and and the air dam off my coach available.
 
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View attachment 11708

As I say, intake installed!

Any tips on inserting pictures? Somehow that's not working quite right.
What machine are you using? Browser?
I usually just drag photos into my post. On some browsers that doesn't work great, but I can copy/paste reliably into Chrome. I can easily copy/paste images from the cloud within Chrome. On Android I just hit the "Attach Files" button to upload local pics stored on the phone. That adds them as attachments and inserts them full size in the body of the post. If left full size, that can make for slow page loading on long pages full of photos (like build threads tend to do).

Then, I delete them from the body of the post. They remain as attachments. I then go to the bottom, hit "Insert multiple..." just below the attachments, check "Select all", then click the "Insert: Thumbnail" button. Then I'll do all the explanations for each thumbnail, it's easy for each image to have context, explanations, etc, and it's easy for the reader to expand them in place.
 
BTW, that crank was wasted! How much total play did you have there? I'm guessing the rod bearing was gone or nearly gone? That must've been one heck of a knock.
 
BTW, that crank was wasted! How much total play did you have there? I'm guessing the rod bearing was gone or nearly gone? That must've been one heck of a knock.
Looks like at least a 1/4 inch. Bearing was just a sliver. Actually impressive that it did not break. Tough, old iron. It was actually fairly quiet at idle when cold, lol.
 
Looks like at least a 1/4 inch. Bearing was just a sliver. Actually impressive that it did not break. Tough, old iron. It was actually fairly quiet at idle when cold, lol.
Wow, it's incredible (and fortunate) that it didn't throw a rod. Impressive, really.
 
Hot tip. When the oil guage starts slamming back and forth, shut it down.
There's a lot of metal there, plus I babied it (best possible). Certainly would
have broken if I tried a little harder.
 
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Dynomax Super Turbo mufflers installed. Hoping they will not drone like the previous MagnaFlows.



In go the electric cooling fans.
I don't like large shrouds or spinning metal fans. Will 4600 cfm be enough?



Bonus Round: It's Goodwill, it's $10, and it's the size, color, and function I am looking for.
And...OMG, it's actually made of veneer 3/4 plywood!!!
 

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That shroud looks like a good fit--better than OEM for sure. Let us know if you're happy with your muffler choice. I've used those in other applications and they've been fine. Haven't used them on a big block before.
 
Dynomax Super Turbo mufflers installed. Hoping they will not drone like the previous MagnaFlows.



In go the electric cooling fans.
I don't like large shrouds or spinning metal fans. Will 4600 cfm be enough?



Bonus Round: It's Goodwill, it's $10, and it's the size, color, and function I am looking for.
And...OMG, it's actually made of veneer 3/4 plywood!!!
What is the cooling fan and shroud from?
 
Product shown is:
400-104242 Electric Puller Fan - No Controls 27-1/2 & Wider Cores
purchased from Jegs.

It fits the width of my core perfectly but does not cover the radiator fully from top to bottom.
I got it fully wired in with relay/sensor only to have one of the fans fail! Argh!

I will update on the performance of this product once I have a fully working setup. As it is, it
will be good enough to get motor fired and tested.
 
Any one been to a junkyard/pull apart for a fan assembly with shroud that fits our radiator? If so, what year make and model did the assembly come from?
 
Well, this weekend reports major progress:

1. Engine fired and run in. Sounds good. Timed it by ear during run in and checked later with timing light. My ear and the spec still appear to agree.
2. Transmission appears functional (on jack stands) after adding another 10 qts of fluid.

Issues discovered were pretty minor. Battery replaced (only 9 years old but won't hold a charge).
I noted a PS leak at a hose connection on initial startup. When I got around to tightening it,
the hard line from wiper motor to pump popped a leak. A bit too rusty, apparently.

Should be trivial to bend up a replacement and replace the pressure hoses.

Next, shocks and test drive!!
 
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Angus,
Call her what ever you may, but after decades of naming boats, I always found it to work best if you got to know her well and at least ask her if she likes the name or better yet, ask her what her name is. They often know and will tell you when you ask.
That is how Chaumière got to be her name. (French - a cottage - Say Show Me Air)
Matt