Next project - 1976 24' Argosy

I think we shall call it White Pearl!

Last Updated 12/06/2006 05:07:20 PM

Arrived at the storage facility @ 9:30
After a few minutes the owners arrived.
After introductions and a brief inspection we were ready to hook up and trek home.
We know it was hard for them to part with this piece of history and thanks again for their sacrifice. (They had a cool dog, Henry too!)

After removing the Hot water heater and a trip to the Hardware section I re-pressurized the water and chased a leak on a new fitting. Got that squared away and got water!

Removed the Custom spare tire carrier

Now I will need to replace the trunk lid.....

New Flooring

Mattress covers cleaned and re-stuffed!

New linoleum in place in the bath

Went online to RV Toilet Repair Parts and ordered a new lid and seat

New Plumbing
At some point in the past a previous owner needed to do some piping repair.
We replaced the "Radiator Hose" with copper tubing

New water line pieced in, (replaced radiator hose) found another section that needs to be replaced
under the galley sink as well.

Hot water

Pressurized the water system today.
Water heater is in serious need of being replaced!
Once again out with the old...

 Someone did not do a good job with winterizing the Hot water heater. Looked more like a lawn sprinkler
Looks like I'll be searching for a replacement..... I had to all but ruin the propane supply line. (rust) One thing I found, there is a sink drain pipe that runs above the water heater. This has a clamp screwed to the top of the heater. Needed to remove that to get it out. (one Philips head screw)
The good news? No leaks in the bathroom!!!

Out with the old, in with the new

 
The hard part was removing the old Univolt.
Cut and stripped the wired, installed and tightened the wire lugs,
plugged it in and it was done, 15 minutes!

After a few rain storms, with the flooring bare the edges showed moisture. Off with the banding! Found the seam leak.

Par Bond on the seam now, that should take care of it!

Susan has been busy this weekend (4-1-05) altering some curtains to fit.

While working on the Gaucho, we found the water pump and associated piping to be a little customized. Somewhere along the line there must have been a freeze up. The copper was left in place and a new automotive radiator hose was spliced in in place of it. Initial pump start found no power to the pump (uh oh). Pulled all the fuses. cleaned the contacts, replace two burned out ones, Pump runs!

Bathroom wallpaper peeling off!

Time to start re-upholstering the Gaucho
Old
 
 New
 

It is amazing how well Por Marine Clean works!

Sprayed down the yellowed sink with Marine Clean. Sprayed on clear, wiped off yellow!
After 5 applications, the cloth stopped discoloring. All in all not bad! Still a stain from what ever was sitting on the area, looks like it may have been liquid soap. Tub base if real dirty, needs scrubbing! (notice the streaks for the cleaner)

First bath

Weather has turned here, made it to 48º today. So we decided to give the White (dingy) Pearl a bath. I was quite surprised to find the molding filled with grime!

First inspection

Man did they like Green back then!

Here we go! Started a more detailed inspection

Checked out the electric, original Univolt purrs like a kitten!
Gotta find a way to mask the hum :O)

Most of the lights work, a couple of bad bulbs.
AC outlets work, Micro-Fridge works (combination microwave and refrigerator)

No tell tale floor rot so far with the carpet removed.
One damp area, looks like a seam leak on the front curb side.

Susan thought she would attempt to wash the original curtains.
Once the load stopped spinning we had about a handful of thread! Too much fun these ole things eh? 
So far I have found 4 pennies and a couple of bumper stickers cleaning things out.
 
The original accordion door is in near perfect condition.

The First day

Before sale pics