Hi Everybody!
I am new to the forum.I am looking at buy my first Barth and am pretty excited! I am looking at an 1985 Regency 35RD. It has a Detroit 8.2 turbo/205HP fuel pincher that is sleeved, with an Allison AT545 with 430 lbs of torque. I have been reading some bad things about the engine being under powered and head gasket problems. Also parts are getting scarce. Has anybody had any experience with this motor.

Welcome to the Forums!

The GM 8.2L is considered a bit fragile, but relatively cheap to replace.

The real issue with the early Regencies is that they are on an MCC chassis, and chassis parts are hard to find (there's one known supplier).

The MCC Barths are considered to be the best riding/handling.

Rusty, thanks for the info. Didn't know about the chassis. This coach has 77,000 miles on it. I don't know if that is a lot for this engine or not. It's locate in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This particular gentleman is the 3rd owner. He has replaced a lot of items, belts, hoses,tires,fluids. Interior is very nice. Exterior is clean and straight. My only reservation is the engine and now maybe chassis parts!

IIRC, the 8.2L isn't stock a sleeved engine. 205 HP seems low (the 6.5L TD was 190, upped to 195).

And my GM 6.5L TD-based AMG angine is 230 HP, 430 lb-ft.

The owner of this one has many questions to answer...and BTW, ask about upgraded brakes, as reports are that the originals were on the weak side.

Rusty, I will definately ask about the brakes. The 8.2 from what I can find had three different HP's 165 and then 205 and 230 w/turbo. He sent me a copy of the original standard equip. sheet and it had the HP listed at 205. When I asked him about the sleeves, he said that his mechanic said that after 83 they fixed the head gasket problem and put in sleeves so that replacing pistons was easier...don't know, going to do some more research. I didn't know any engines were sleeved unless there was some sort of problem

Rusty, I found some earlier posts by our host Bill in which he discusses the 8.2. It has given me the information that I need. Thanks for all your help

I have an 85' Regency with the 8.2. Yes, 205 is right - it will not get you qualified in the front row but it does OK. If you live in a very hilly area it can be a bit of a drag but out on the flats it does just fine.

The chassis parts are still all available as well as all the engine/trans parts. If you don't treat the brakes well they will let you know - use standard caution about long downwills - especially when towing.

One thing to take a good look at is the radiator - very expensive to repalce and its 25 years old!!

And yes, these things really handle well. The rear suspension is very uncommon for an RV - its the same design as most Porsches (independant trailing arm torsion bar).