1989 WB Bluebird

[Al]

Doug,
You should look into the BMC line. You can get a 5 - 6 year
newer bird for same money with a Cummins Engine / 6 Speed Allison
MT3060 Transmission. You can find with white wash interiors as well
as dark wood. Ours has white wash interiors, wanderlodge dash, roof
latter / rails. As far as hp, the 37' has 350 and 40' have 400 I
believe. I am sure if I am wrong someone will correct me.

Al & Kathy Johnson
'96 BMC 37
Mandeville, Louisiana
Currently in Gillette, WY on way to Cody tomorrow then final to
Yellowstone

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "dougtidwellhome"
wrote:
> Ralph,
>
> The transmission on this coach is a 4-speed. Do you think a 4-
speed
> is a great negative compared to one with more speeds? Just
> wondering what you thought.
>
> Thanks!!
>
> Doug Tidwell
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ralph L. Fullenwider"
> wrote:
> > Doug:
> >
> > Sent you the phone back channel.
> >
> > The folks at Bleakly are pretty reliable really. They know Birds
> and since
> > they are only a few miles from Bird's Nest, they do represent
> their Coaches
> > pretty openly. They have a nice facility there as well.
> >
> > Safe travels,
> >
> > Ralph and Charolette Fullenwider
> > Ralph's RV Solutions,, Oklahoma
> >
> > At 01:52 PM 7/27/2005 -0500, you wrote:
> > >Hello Ralph,
> > >
> > >Your information is very much appreciated!! I have not seen
this
> coach
> > >and I only have the salesman word on the condition (he seems to
> very
> > >honest and is not pressuring me in any way). I think I will
fly
> down
> > >there tomorrow and look it over and use your information as a
> > >guide. Assuming everything checks out good, do you think it
> would be
> > >advisable for me to pay you to check it over before I sign on
the
> dotted
> > >line? I know so many things can be wrong and I really don't
want
> to get
> > >into a coach with numerous follow-up expenses. I was
originally
> focusing
> > >on coaches in the 91-95 model years which could probably afford
> but
> > >certainly would like to pay less if I found the right older
> coach. What
> > >is your opinion on the best value and is there any good
> comparisons
> > >between the 89 verses the early 90's? I guess you have worked
on
> all of
> > >them and maybe have established some fact based opinions. Any
> comments
> > >would be greatly appreciated.
> > >
> > >Also, should I look at suspension air-bags. I have noticed
some
> people on
> > >the forum have had to replace them in older coaches.
> > >
> > >Do you have a phone number where I could call you?
> > >
> > >Thanks!
> > >
> > >Doug Tidwell
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: Ralph L. Fullenwider
> > > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> > > Sent: Wednesday, July 27, 2005 12:33 PM
> > > Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] 1989 WB Bluebird
> > >
> > >
> > > Hello Doug:
> > >
> > > I am in Oklahoma http://home.swbell.net/rlf47/index.htm and
> perform
> > > service
> > > work on Birds.
> > >
> > > When you go see the Coach, don't be in a rush, take your
time
> and don't be
> > > overwhelmed. It is easy to do, I know, we have all been
there.
> > >
> > > After a walk through, ask Bleakly to have a service tech
come
> out with a
> > > manometer and do an LP leak down test. This can be done in
the
> > > refrigerator
> > > out side access compartment. This is important.
> > > Next, open the engine hatch, do a visual check where the
hatch
> gas shocks
> > > mount to the lid. Then check the manifolds for cracks or
> broken ears by
> > > the
> > > hold down bolts. If the turbo piping is covered with heat
> shielding, as
> > > your facing the engine, on your left in front you will see
the
> turbo
> > > piping, under that shielding you will find a flange covered
by
> a clamp.
> > > Just above the clamp, do a visual check for any cracks.
> > > Next check the battery wiring, it should be 2/0 min cable
> size. Check the
> > > condition of the cable ends.
> > > As you do your walk through of the Coach, turn on all the
> lighting
> > > systems.
> > > Bring the AC's on line one at a time until all are running
and
> take a look
> > > at the gauges to see if they are balanced and steady. Turn
on
> the Coach
> > > head lights and driving lights, check to be sure they are
> working. If
> > > memory serves, unless it has been modified ( you will
probably
> make that
> > > modification later) the bright lights have to be on for the
> driving lights
> > > to work. Check the step in and out function. Check the entry
> door to be
> > > sure it is not bowed or need an adjustment. Check all the
> gaskets around
> > > all windows to be sure there is not rust beginning. Go up on
> top and check
> > > all vents where the base contacts the roof metal, for
cracking
> or if that
> > > d(*&@ silicone has been used to stop leaks. Check all screws
> holding down
> > > the walk plates to see if they are loose. Look over the side
> and check the
> > > seams where the awnings meet the coach. If the rain
guttering
> has open
> > > cracks in the sealant, it is not a major concern but you
will
> have to
> > > address that as a prevent maint later on.
> > > Standing at the front of the Coach peer down the sides for
> anything
> > > unusual
> > > like deeper than what should be normal indentations in the
> skin. Open the
> > > compartments and check the gas shocks and rubber seals. Look
> under the
> > > compartment edges, especially the front where tire blow outs
> could have
> > > crumpled the compartments. Check all wheel wells for missing
> insulation,
> > > this tells you if there has been a blow out, and if any
damage
> from that.
> > > Check the water system to be sure it pressures up and the
pump
> shuts off
> > > properly.
> > >
> > > So many things, but this you can do with an informed walk
> around. Check
> > > the
> > > undercarriage for major rust and the bottom of the LP ASME
> tank is a good
> > > tell tell there.
> > >
> > > That is just a few things to look at to start with. Hope
this
> helps a
> > > little. The '89 is a good Coach. Good luck.
> > >
> > > Ralph Fullenwider
> > > out of Oklahoma
> > >