So I thought I would get started on my plan to redo the roof. The engine however is more intriguing. Went over to the local hot rod shop, the guy still has the 1993 heads I looked at last fall, he also has a cam and matched lifters, just in case. He did not have a non-EGR intake manifold, but is going to check with other shops. Does not think these heads will increase the compression ratio, but wants to see my old heads. Would like to do this just because of the engine over heat from two years ago. As Door man might say---if ain't broke drive it!! There is a bit of lifter noise that comes and goes with engine temperature.

Anther thing, Steve gave me some information on a possible problem if I were to put coil over shocks on Nose. !981 P30's were included in this design weak point. Took a closer look at nose and there is not a riveted on cap that has the mounting stud welded on as shown in the warning info. Instead the frame is actually formed and a hole punched that accepts the mounting stud. I am not sure if that is a newer or older design, I assume older, but that would mean that the frame on nose is not an 1981 but from when???? Anyway I might do the coil over thing with this find.

The Minnesnowta GTG is 60 days away and nose needs to be in good shape for that so.......I wonder could I change heads, fix the roof, install a new a cam and make the trip!!! Wish I were as ambitious as JIM, Terri, Harold and Cat.

Just food for thought!!!

I would seriously consider higher compression heads if available. Our 80's 454s were 8:1 compression ratio and only 240 hp! My 454HO was 9.75:1 and was over 400 hp. Had no trouble with knocking on regular gas.

Increased compression is the best way to bump horespower. (This is essentally what turbochargers do.) I would stay around 9.5 or 9 to 1. Big hp increase, better throttle response and better mileage even with stock camshaft. Check the chamber volume of the heads to get a comparison.

New front coil springs are the hot ticket for the front end. You can get aftermarket progressive rate springs matched for the weight. Smoothest ride, and harder to bottom out.

Oh Steve, you just love to make me spend money!!! I believe adjustable coil over shocks are in Nose's future.

Put Nose up on the ramps yesterday took the cover off the dog house Leaned back and thought do I really need to do all this work? Read your write up on changing the front oil seal, valve job, and lower performance cam.

Then thought, HeartBarths has a nice Regal for sale that might need a replacement engine. My spouse is not fond of Nose and I think she might like the Regal and would travel in it.

So a quandry has set in!!!!!

No need for 2 RV's and if I want to sell Nose I would need to seal the roof and do a bit of "pretty up" on the inside. Nose does run ok as is.

I love the damn ole Beast!!! We have been through the flames of hell together!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Duane88:
Then thought, HeartBarths has a nice Regal for sale that might need a replacement engine. My spouse is not fond of Nose and I think she might like the Regal and would travel in it.
So a quandry has set in!!!!!

As much as you like the old Nose, that Regal of HeartBarth's is in nice shape. Other than engine work it looks like a nice coach according to Craig... I think you are right, your wife would probably like the Regal much better. Bigger and much more refined inside.

We are still not sure exactly what is wrong with that engine. Even if it has a loose rod, it has not been run much and you might be able to get away with just new rod bearings if the crank is not trashed. Dropping the pan and swapping bearings can be done without removing the engine, not easy but reasonable. I was able to raise the engine enough in place to drop the pan on mine. If the crank had not been shot I could have swapped rod bearings pretty easily.

Even if the engine needs rebuilt, if you keep that engine, you would want to get the valves done. If you pull the intake and heads, it is much easier to remove just the block. About half the weight of the whole engine. Rebuild the bottom end, replace the block and rebolt the heads.

I would love to get a good look a that engine. Not sure how to work it in but it would be good to know what it really needs.

A quandry indeed.

Well went out to remove the old shocks, still undecided about the engine upgrade. The bolts are rusted on, my Impact wrench beat on them and said no way!! Time for the 4 foot extension on the breaker bar...typical Nose stubbornness!!! I soaked them in liquid wrench too!

Damned if you do damned if you don’t. You have to decide what makes you happy. Hopefully that makes your wife happy also.

Happy Wife happy life. Lynn thought I was crazy when I said I was going to buy midnight. When I told her I would sell DBarth she didn’t believe me right away. I put a little bit of my soul in some projects.

I miss the maneuverability of DBarth. I love love love love the headroom of Midnight. Zero corrosion on DBarth. Some on Midnight.

I have work to do as we all do but it is part of maintaining our rigs.

Typical GM dumb design, 3/4 bolt heads on the bottom, 15/16 bolt heads on the top!!! Of course I do not have a 15/16 Impact socket!!!

Did get one of the bottom bolts out, surprise the shock itself is pretty solid, stiff for almost 40 years of age. I thought it would go back and forth with no resistance, but its pretty good. Might not replace the back ones, but I want the spring over in the front for sure.

Well the old shocks are off, not to bad after soaking in penetratingly oil for 2 days. They are original, date stamp is 7/81 and Delco part number. Now I wait for my ole friends at RockAuto to get me the new ones.

These really are in good functional shape, a few dents from road debris, but nice and frim working parts. Gonna leave the back ones as is!!!

The old time design is cool the outside keeper washer is over a machined boss then expansion stamp and welded after assembly, no way an auto maker today would do that, had to keep the rubber from melting during the tack welding.

Had some rain today, so I did not get a lot accomplished, still in a confused state of mind over the engine upgrade. It really is not going to be terribly expensive, less than a grand and the benefit is worth it, the only thing is there are other things to do on Nose....Geezzzzz!!!

quote:

Originally posted by HeartBarths:
Duanne,

What will be, will be, right?

Yes!! Beer, Margaritas and scotch help a lot though!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by HeartBarths:
Yes!! Beer, Margaritas and scotch help a lot though!!!!

Hahaha!! Love it! Have a great day! [/QUOTE]


The proper mindset is important!

I have learned a great concept from my friends from the south... Before they actually do it, they are "fixing" to do it. You aren't actually doing it but you're getting ready!

"Fixing" to do it, for me, involves a lot of thinking and planning, getting tools and materials ready, then actually starting. Thinking and planning the job is important. It requires patience and the correct mindset. No point rushing into things...Haste makes waste!

A drink or two helps the reflection process. Is this really the best way to do this? Do I really want to do this now? today? maybe tomorrow would be better? Maybe find someone else to pay to do it?

"Fixing" to do the job is important!

Have Barth, will travel

New shocks show up tomorrow, so I am Fixing to get them installed.

I might go out sit in ole Nose and start fixing to get fixing the engine that might not need fixing!!

The more fixing I do the more I worry about fixing any damage that over heat might be fixing to do in the future, the only trip of any distance was the one back from Indiana. I have put a lot of local miles on it though and fixing to put a few more after the new shocks are installed, unless I start fixing to get fixing the engine. Maybe fixing to just pull the intake manifold and see what the lifters and the cam look like. I am fixing to get a beer!!!

Ah, you are a quick learner indeed, Grasshopper.

Focus your fixation on fixing to get your coach fixed... fix yourself a glass of Scotch...

All will be well....

Ok, I am fixing to get the fixings to fix dinner!!!

I am fixing to take a test ride. Got the new coil over shocks installed. Could not find a spring compressor that would fit between the spring coils, but I was able to jack the chassis up till the wheels almost left the ground and with a little finesse, was able to get them in while extended.

They only seem to lift the coach about !/2 to 3/4 inch in the front, hope they give me a bit of stabilization. Going to rain the couple of days so may just wait a day or two for that test ride..

Just replaced my shocks, after 34 years there's no way they're any good. Front: ACDELCO 530203, Rear: ACDELCO 530151, Tag Axle: Monroe 555003.