Update: OK, There are so many things to attend to with an old RV that's been sitting unused for years. I've been distracted by house issues...the last couple of weekends were spent working with/ cleaning the propane system and appliances. I had trouble getting propane to flow at all. I purchased a new regulator, came back the next weekend and magically gas had started flowing. I suppose opening the main valve into empty lines caused a check valve to stop gas flow...IDK, but now I've got gas in the system. The stove and oven both work, including pilots. I spent quite a long time cleaning the refrigerator compartment, including vacuuming then blowing out the fire tube and flue the best I could. A steady flame started and maintained itself with very little drama...the freezer compartment began to get cold within 30 min, so I'm assuming the fridge works in general. The rig wasn't very level, so I shut it down. I felt no discernible cooling in the main refrigerator compartment. The hot water heater ignited and held a steady flame after a small handful of attempts. I haven't touched the furnace yet.
There's a broken hot water line in the rear. I'm getting an education in polybutylene plumbing that I never wanted, but I *think* I now have the proper supplies/tools to fix that. I burned half a day messing with it last weekend with a spectacular *fail* as the result...the other half of that day was spent unsticking the awning sliders. That, fortunately, resulted in a *win*. The fabric is a little tender, but still serviceable for a couple of seasons with a little strategic taping? I hope? I give the roll-up aluminum covers credit for that.
So...today I'm heading to Harbor Freight for a jack and some stands to *finally* get access to the underside of this rig (God knows there's no crawling under it without some lift) to lube that front end and change the diff fluid. With all the custom fabrication I'm reading about, I'm afraid to repeatedly crank the steering stop to stop in the parking lot without getting some fresh grease in there. I notice there's a CV joint in the steering linkage. The boot to said joint is AWOL on my unit. From what I can see, it is WAYY too dry, but still seems to be in serviceable condition. I want to clean it, regrease it, install a new boot and call it done, BUT...I'm sure you can't just stroll on down to Pep Boys and ask for a steering linkage CV boot for an '81 Revcon....I may have to fake one...
Anyway, thanks again for the answers and the info. I'm a little freaked out by the all the custom fab in the driveline/front end. With the diff issues alone, I don't want to be towing with this thing...especially since I would need to be towing on some curvy mountainous roads. Once I get it usable I may put it up for sale? The two twin bed sleeping arrangement is weird...we call it the "Ricky and Lucy beds." I've got a piece of plywood to bridge the hallway gap and put the mattresses together for people who like each other to sleep on. I like the rig in general...but getting a neglected 35+ year old motor home is like getting an old truck and an old trailer at the same time...and I've only got two hands, so many available hours and funds...and I know you all can relate. The time I've spent just on cleaning alone....wow..... =:o.
It'll get there...eventually....
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