International Harvester Chassis Rv's
This is a group for any and all RV's that are on International Harvester chassis. Both the 1300 and 1500 series chassis.
Grumman - Load bearing walls or support needed?
Hi all.
These 2 images show, more or less, the shape the interior is in, in my Grumman.
I know a few of you have done fairly extensive restorations and I was hoping to get some input.
As you can see the roof is not supported except by the walls forward of the bathroom.
In fact the bathroom wall is just attached to wood strips screwed to the side of the fiberglassed wood (?) ribs that run across the roof. These panels or walls do not appear to support the roof at all.
So the big question is....
Are the walls load bearing or do I need to add some support? The roof is clearly very very heavy.
I am eventually trying to make the layout as open plan as possible.
The other thing is it would appear that the channels at the wall bottom where it meets the floor was designed to take a 2 by and be used to frame the wall up.
The previous owner told me he removed no framing and that's just how it was made. Yikes!
Under the window you see there were two vertical pieces of wood joining the two horizontal ones that I replaced due to rot BUT there was no wood that reached either the floor of the ceiling.
I am planning on framing these walls but the big question is whether the roof needs support or if the walls are designed as is to do that?
Thanks in advance for the help!!
PS the window in the 2nd picture is covered and has a small fridge under it and a blue tote lid.
Kirk C Hoffman
Hi Paul,
I tried to write back last night, but this computer did something stupid and locked up. I hate computers!
Anyway, I'm thinking that sure is a lot of carb for a 304, I wonder what jets are in it? I'm betting she runs pretty rich.
We're having a heat wave here this morning! It's a whopping 4 degrees above zero! Yesterday was 14 below. So, it should almost feel warm out there today!
Where are you in West Central Fla.? I have some dear friends who live in Alva, He keeps asking me to come down for a visit, But I haven't been able to yet!
It looks like your previous owner either told you a story, or maybe didn't know that engine had been swapped, that is definitely a 304, I am pretty sure the E after the number means Emissions. Are there plugs in the exhaust ports in the head where the manifolds mount? That is another indicator of an emissions engine. These might be better than the older 304s as far as power and torque output, I'm not sure. The main thing is that it runs and gats you down the road in some fashion! And it just may get you better mileage.
A few years ago, I was driving a '73 3/4 ton pickup with a 345 engine, That was when they came out with E-85 Ethanol fuel, one station here had a special promo day where they were selling E-85 for $.85 a gallon, So I tried about a half a tank, just to see what it would do. as soon as that stuff hit the carb, that old truck turned into a sports car! The power it had felt like it doubled. My gas mileage went from 9 miles a gallon up to 18-19! It was fantastic, the only problem I ever noticed was when it was really hot out, I had to pull the choke about halfway when I would stand on the gas to accelerate! Normal acceleration was fine, it was just at full throttle that she would lean out. I am sold on Ethanol. Now we have stations that sell an E-30 blend. I've been using that in all my stuff with no problems. I even use it in my '96 Ford with no problems and some improvement in MPG. people that are scared of Ethanol for reasons of corrosion and all the excuses they use are really confusing it with Methanol. That stuff will cause corrosion and all the problems people try to blame on Ethanol! . I just tell them, if Ethanol is really so bad, why do so many people love to drink so much of it? E-85 is only corn liquor blended with gasoline!
Well, you have a wonderful day and take care, Talk to you soon, Kirk
Feb 18, 2021
Kirk C Hoffman
Hi Paul,
I was wondering how you were getting along. I would bet that it's the brake that is locked up, those things can be a real pain in the ass! You can verify that the axle and rear end is OOK by just pulling the axle out enough to clear the studs on the hub, it should turn with the driveshaft then, it will still be engaged with the splines in the rear end gears. If the adjusters will turn, you might be able to loosen them up enough to free the wheel. The big thing will be that no one has ever put any never seize on the adjuster screws, so I wouldn't count on them turning. That's when the fun begins. Parts for these things are almost non existent. They are a Bendix brake and maybe a heavy truck place could come up with something. Years ago I used to replace the adjuster blocks with new ones, but, I'm betting they aren't available any more either. I do know someone here that has some parts if you need them. I sold him most of my International spare parts.
You're lucky the lugs came off like that, I've had the darned things come off together with the inside one stuck in the outer nut, You can ruin a rim with that problem! Don't forget Drivers side are left handed threads too!
I did try to get my old beast started the other day, but my old batteries are getting pretty weak, it only cranked for a few minutes , not enough to get fuel pumped up. It did fire on starting fluid though. With the price of batteries these days, I can't justify new ones till I'm ready to hit the road again. I grab some trade ins at work that still had some life in them.
I've been waiting for warmer weather to get started on some of my projects, and in the last month or so built 2 model airplanes just to keep busy! This last weekend We brought home my Stinson and I'm sorting parts and getting it put away!
Apr 26, 2021
Kirk C Hoffman
Hey Paul,
If you need an air compressor grab that one anyway, you can always swap out the motor for a single phase or buy or build a phase converter. Champion is a darned good compressor, it would b e hard to find one as good as that one and the PRICE IS RIGHT!! I picked up a little cheapie Puma compressor a couple weeks back that was a freebie too. It runs and makes air and that was all I was looking for. I have it in the old garage and used it to blow the Hickory nuts out of the motor on my milling machine. I like to have air wherever I'm working when I need it! I did get a really good deal on that mill because it was 3 phase, it was at a garage sale, and not many home garages have 3 phase, the guy was moving that weekend and it had to go. I rigged up a phase converter and it works great (now that the motor turns) . I used a small Phasomatic static converter that I had for the surface grinder I used to have and connected it to a 3 HP 3 phase motor, Now I have a Rotary converter that will start any of the 3 phase stuff I have! Have a great day!
May 21, 2021