A New Member to the Family!

[Gregory OConnor]

Andy, congrads on the new bus. I am from NJ also and remember that
Spring Lake is on the coast. Make sure the diesel mechanic is a Cat
diesel mechanic and realizes the diff in a Marine 3208 and a truck
3208. On my trip west to my new home in California I had the same
hill climb problem with identical weight paramaters. The reduction
of excessive weight was a tough decision but life changing. be careful
Gregory O'Connor
94 PT Romoland California
made it to California with a full set of Snapons and fuel to spare

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Andy Coleman"
wrote:
>
> Hello Everyone,
>
> Proud to say that I've just officially joined the Wanderlodge
Family.
> I'm now the owner of a 1983 FC-35 with a 225 HP turbo 3208. Bought
> it Sunday. Drove it 500 miles from Malta, Ohio to my home in
Central NJ.
>
> I wonder what the neighbors think about the new, brown addition to
my
> backyard!
>
> Bought the bus from a family that did not use it much. Only a few
> thousand miles of driving over the past 3.5 years.
>
> The power steering pump leaked fluid all the way home. Had to re-
fill
> several times.
>
> The worst problem I had, however, was speed. I averaged under 50
MPH
> through the 500 mile journey. Some of the Pennsylvania hills on
Route
> 70 & 76 slowed my coach down to 25 MPH in the right lane with the
> emergency flashers on. Any upward elevation change, even slight
ones,
> slowed my coach down into the low 50s. It was the long climbs that
> choked it. And the only excess weight in the bus was my girlfriend,
> tool box and 100 gallons of gas!
>
> A good friend of mine is a diesel mechanic. He is going to take a
> look at the bus for me shortly. I told him about this great forum,
> and he recommended that I ask experienced folks like yourself if
this
> performance is normal, or an indication of a problem.
>
> I realize that they are heavy buses, but are they really that slow?
> Even with the turbo? Creeping along in the right lane is dangerous!
>
> My friend and I are going to change the fuel and air filters, adjust
> the valve lash, replace the belts. Anybody else have suggestions?
> They will be greatly appreciated!
>
> Andy Coleman
> Wanderlodge Virgin No More!
> 83 FC - 35.
> Spring Lake Heights, NJ
>