#846 Canadian Coach
(42 Photos, 9 Comments : Last updated 2019-09-18)
J-Model, mostly stock. Calls Vancouver Island home. 19.5" custom steel wheels with SS wheel covers (thanks again Dale!). Planning an HT-413' conversion with an overdrive.
#846 - Cummins Swap
(237 Photos, 20 Comments : Last updated 2023-10-23)
Howdy Folks!
Going to give this another try as my first attempt didn't go so well on the 'Diner-conversion' thread (Will update/edit that soon).
Started my Cummins swap by pulling off the bumper; only took better part of an hour. That sucker is HEAVY! Better part of a 100 lbs I bet. Will be looking to knock substantial weight off that baby while still retaining a 5000 lb towing standard.
This will take a while as it will unfold as time and resources permit, so please be patient.
More pics and hopefully some videos (FMC-TV) to follow.
Cheers,
Terry
#846
FMC Paint-canvas
(1 Photo, 1 Comment : Last updated 2020-09-26)
Here's a template of a (now) white FMC image you can save as your own template and open it in your favorite graphics program and let your imagination run before you let loose with the spray-gun or brush.
Bargman L-300 RV door lock
(2 Photos, 0 Comments : Last updated 2021-06-22)
FMC LED Tail Light Swap #846
(14 Photos, 1 Comment : Last updated 2022-05-22)
This is a continuation of the work started by my Friend, Dale Maggio, about 10 yrs ago just before I bought #509 from him down in Santa Cruz.
In a box of parts he included with the coach I found some pedestal style LED truck lights. He told me he was in the midst of converting the tail lights to LED but had no time to complete it. After checking out the parts - and having been less than happy with replacing a continuous stream of rear tail light bulbs - I decided to take a serious look at what Dale had in mind. Turns out the guy is freakin' - brilliant!
This is the route I went to get this done.
Terry
#846
| FOR SALE: 22.5" ALCOA'S & COMPLETE DISK-BRAKE KIT FOR FMC
(26 Photos, 0 Comments : Last updated 2022-06-12)
If someone steps up - I will part with these. The sale is for the wheels and brakes. I have some other stuff I'd also part with ( A-arms, spindles and stubby shafts for the Rockwell. see pics) but I need to confirm fitment.
Roof A/C - wire fish to midship vent.
(13 Photos, 2 Comments : Last updated 2023-09-02)
If there's other ways to do this, I couldn't figure it out. So far this is what's working for me. If it helps someone else down the line - great. I'm ready to install my new to me 'wart' once I get her out of the shed.
ADD FORWARD 38-US GAL. WATER TANK TO LATER COACH.
(19 Photos, 0 Comments : Last updated 2023-09-02)
IMHO: for it's attributes there are also a few shortcomings with these coaches; including, a rather modest potable water carrying capacity.
One way to remedy this on the later coaches - IF YOU ARE WILLING TO OR ALREADY HAVE DITCHED YOUR AUTO-A/C FROM YOUR COACH - is to rip out the fans & condenser's etc from the lower forward compartment to make room for another tank. Water is super-heavy, too, and the extra weight forward can even improve handling some. I'm posting this to show that it can be done - but I urge any who'd venture to go here to give it careful consideration before proceeding. The photo album will take it from here. Terry #846
NOTE: My tank has failed after little service. I wish anyone better luck than I had should they/you venture to do this work on your own. Perhaps a longer apprenticeship in plastic-welding may have proved fruitful. Terry #846
PLAN 'B'... the 'practical' compromise.
Okay, update on my failed forward tank-build. I found an outfit in Alberta, Canada, that does roto-molded tanks and they have a 32 US/gal (26.6 Imp) tank that will fit easily into the forward tank compartment, or, in the later coaches, into the A/C machinery compartment once you tear it all out.
This tank comes with (in my case) 4 - spin welded fittings ready to hook up.
It's only about 6 gals less than the OEM 38 gal jobby that came with these coaches.
The slightly smaller size also translates into more room for thicker insulation around the tank, which is useful for us 'Northern-dudes'.
I'll have it here next week and will update the thread.
Here's the kicker: They are shipping it to my door as described - 500 miles as the crow flies - for: $349.54 (CDN) all in!
Wish I'd gone this route from the get-go. Live... learn.
See: the RFW1003 - https://www.dmplastics.ca/products/rv-tanks.aspx
BRAKE PEDAL HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT.
(6 Photos, 0 Comments : Last updated 2023-10-25)
I know there's lots of you out there who, like me, find the brake pedal height on your coach inordinately high. I my case I nearly kneed myself in the face each time I lifted the ole' right foot up onto the brake pedal; moreover, a dozen years ago or so when I had a buyer - with deep pockets and a buggered knee - out on a test drive in #509 - I lost the deal as he couldn't reach the pedal without a seriously painful jolt from his knee.
As I've mostly ironed out the post Cummins swap kinks out of #846, I found time to address the brake pedal.
This is what I did and so far after a trip to the lake and back, I'm extremely happy with the improvement in drivability and haven't detected any overly 'hot' brake drums with my IR gun yet.
DISCLAIMER: If anyone reads this and decides to follow any or all of the methods I'm sharing or describing here - do so at your own peril. I take no responsibility nor will incur any liability henceforth.
Feel free to email me with any questions, or, join the thread commentary in the OG Mechanical forum if you please.
| BEAD-ROLLER VIA 'VICEGRIPS' METHOD - under $20-bucks!
(12 Photos, 0 Comments : Last updated 2023-11-04)
Here's the pics of my DIY bead-roller rig.
I took the time to match the curved rod upper press bit to the same 1.5" radius as the lower jaw then made sure it was exactly where I needed it to be when the press bottomed out.
Works great!
FMC BRAKE SPRINGS - CUSTOM ORDER - CANADA
(1 Photo, 0 Comments : Last updated 2024-07-05)
DRIVE-AXLE INNER BEARING SERVICE.
(33 Photos, 0 Comments : Last updated 2024-08-22)
As I've prefaced in the Mechanic's Corner thread, what follows is an amateur pictorial and description of my first attempt to grease the inner drive axle shaft conical bearing assemblies on #846.
There's likely some things I could have done better, or, differently and all are welcome to chime in with their own input to help make this a more useful reference to encourage other owners to do this important job on their own coach.
This is how I did it with what I had to work with. Good luck!
FRONT SHOCKS: GABRIEL GAS-SLX ADJUSTABLE
(3 Photos, 0 Comments : Last updated 2024-09-25)
Wasn't till I pulled the old ones that I discovered they were Gabriel's and Made in Canada to boot. Apparently the Canadian Gabriel operation ceased about 15 yrs back. The Gabriel tech was very helpful and knowledgeable. Nailed me a perfect match I figure.
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