64' 26ft Condor Refurb

[Jay Bordelon]

My wife and I just acquired this beauty and have decided to get her back on the road. We may have saved it from the scrap yard. What the heck, it was free not counting the near $200 to get her home.

We are on a tight budget and will be doing the vast majority of the work with reclaimed, used/scrounged and refurbed materials and parts.

Looking forward to the project and excited to find this valuble resourse to assist and document the endeavor.

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

[Jay Bordelon]

Just starting the planning stage.

Know of any technical resources for manuals? Electrical, accessories, plumbing, heat and AC.

No engine or tranny but most everything else is there.

Thinking about a 351 Windsor and C6 transmission

[Russell E Johnson]

I suggest the 351 Cleveland, same size but lots more power.  I have owned both and to me the Windsor is a gutless wonder compared to the Cleveland.  Both were in 1/2 ton ford pickups.

[Jay Bordelon]

I'll do some research but it makes sense. The Cleavland is a big block I believe.

I'm a small engine guy.

[George & Pam Banks]

Hey there...new to the site and would like to give you more info on your engine choice.

With todays technology, the Windsor would be a better bet, lighter/ narrower than a Cleveland. Easier to get parts for (built into the 90's last Cleveland was 73) Clevelands were considered small blocks (335 series)had the same bellhousing bolt pattern as 289 to 351W, however the were never installed in pickups, it was the 351/400M that made it to trucks, Same heads as the Cleveland but had a modified block deck height (M). They were gas guzzlers and not as strong as the Cleveland internally. These engines were in the big block 385 series along with the 429/460. Hope this helps your research. Geo.

PS looks like a cool project

[Robin Krause]

Pat Daly, you are my favorite.  We think she is a handsome beast, too.  Someone suggested that we could get something mostly done for $7-10 grand.  They just don't get it.  The fun is in the restoration.  I will likely eat my words in the next year.  It's strange lying in bed the night before you pick it up, with just as much buyers remorse as if it wasn't free.

[Jim Stoltz]

What was it originally? I see a Bronco in your pic, so I can understand a blue-oval bias :). I would go with whatever the manufacturer put in it. Would save a lot of headaches with regard to finding replacement parts, fitment, etc. I accidentally wound up with a Chevy with my tow-yard find. It was a happy coincidence given my affinity for GM products. I put a 454 in it and it does really well.

[Robin Krause]

I believe it was a 292 originally.  My understanding is that it was way underpowered.  Jay and I (I'm the wife) are hoping to find the "sweet spot" between economy and power.  Suggestions are definitely appreciated.  We have a 460 in our F250, pictured below.  It is a thirsty bugger.

[Jay Bordelon]

A bit overhelmed with the tough of the project. Oh well, one step at a time.

Next- Clean the interior......it's full of stuff.

Pushing it on the trailer. Towed with my F250 and it didn't like it very well.

[Jay Bordelon]

So it begins.....

The good news, shes been stored under cover and mostly dry.

[James Ferrando]

I think that's a neat vintage vehicle.  You can get stroker kits for the 351 Windsor and make it a 427 cubic inch engine, if you would like.  Same fit, but with big block torque!!

[jeff york]

What a cool looking MH. I have never seen one that looked like this one. I sort of wonder why you are looking at Ford power plants ? I am a big Ford fan but, in my limited experience, the Ford motors tend to be nearly twice the money of a Chevy or Mopar and parts are more expensive too. Remember, I love Fords too. I had a 460 in my previous motorhome with a full Banks kit. Oh yeah, tons of power. Horrible gas mileage. I now have a 454 in my Vintage AS MH. I think you said ti had a 292 and as I recall that is a Ford motor but, I thought Ford stopped building the 292 long before your MH would have been built. If going Ford, could you go E4OD C6 trans so that you can take advantage of overdrive to get much better gas mileage as well as increase the life of your motor via lower RPM s/ less turns. That big flat box is going to need all the help it can get with performance and fuel econ. 

I like it. on the top scale of cool. Good luck with it. 

[George & Pam Banks]

If I may, Jeff  I think the 292 (Y) block was made until '64-5? Installed in light Ford trucks. Nowadays with all the aftermarket parts that are available,  all engines are comparable in cost. Also if you know what vintage engine parts to use you can build a ford very inexpensively. It is a common misconception that it costs twice as much for ford or Chrysler engines than it does for chevys

 The AOD from the midish '80's beefed up a little, .should work fine behind a Windsor in the MH.

Geo.