good day everyone

[TCJester]

I am new to this forum so please be patient with me. I just purchased a 1985 emc 35 foot unit..some of the documentation i found inside says its a presidential model..but i am clueless..i am also new to Rving so many of my question may seem stupid but please bear with me..
As of now i have a gas gauge issue on the main tank..it doesn't register, the rear A/C unit i was told overloads circuit breaker to electrical items in rear portion of coach... and water damage to roof and sides..i am looking for any documentation available to help me with this restoration project..it is drivable and currently registered and state inspected.. thank you

[TimKustom]

Vintage RV restoration can be a rewarding experience, it can also be quite a headache. If you can do the work yourself, it won't cost you a fortune, but if you're paying somebody, I hope you have deep pockets.

Since you say you are new to RV's I highly recommend reading, understanding (and memorizing ) most of the info here:

http://www.phrannie.org/phredex.html

Bob Livingston's book on RV repair is pretty good also. Look for older editions since they don't have the more "modern" updates.

As far as your specific issues, we'd need to know what chassis (Ford/Chevy) your rig is based on. Go on and get a Chilton's book for your chassis while your at it.

Most fuel gauge problems are traced to the sending unit. Most tanks need to be removed to fix that. The A/C will take some voltmeter work to trace down that issue. I'm not best with those types of issues.

Fixing water damage can be a big job. First thing is make sure no new water is getting in the coach. Then tackle the water damage.

Let us know how it goes.

[TCJester]

i was told it is on a chevy chassis...i had it in the shop for a few repairs that were out of my realm of skills...plus i didn't have torches or mig weld...<exhaust repair and wiper arm repair>. i had a power steering power brake issue diagnosed as a bad power steering pump...they put in a remfg part but that too was defective waiting on a replacement..it had new brakes and tires put on before i got it, has a generator Onan 6.5kw .. interior is not ragged< chair and tables > but i did notice the water damage.. the shop that worked on it said roof was soft needed repair... i also noticed rot right behind drivers door and goes up along side window.. i figure if worse comes to worse i could part it out then scrap the unit but im going to try and restore it..unfortunately i picked the wrong time of year to get it but like i said its useable...the economy may force me to be living out of it before winters end...anyways thanks for the info.. i am excited and nervous about my new adventure but ya only live once...have a good day

[TimKustom]

i had a power steering power brake issue diagnosed as a bad power steering pump...they put in a remfg part but that too was defective waiting on a replacement..

I do have some experience with this kind of thing. I also have an '82 Champion Transtar motorhome in addition to my Starfire. You're rig should have a similar braking system that uses hydroboost. Instead of a regular vacuum assisted brake booster, it uses a hydraulic booster that uses fluid from the power steering pump. When the hydroboost fails (fairly common in fact) it will automatically apply the brakes.

A great place to get one is Vanco:

http://www.vancopbs.com/

If that is not your issue, bookmark that site for future reference. DO NOT go with to a local parts house (advance, napa, autozone) for this part, I went through 3 different ones before getting a "good" one from Vanco.

[TCJester]

thanks VAN..

they had replaced the pump..i drove about 8 miles and lost both the power steering and power brakes..not one or the other...i took it back to shop..suggested it may be air bound or possibly defective pump..they were in agreement ..i left the unit at their expense..i do have some automotive background... i was a mechanic from 1977-1987 and still tinker on my present vehicles...but i was not familar with hydro boost system but have read up on it since.. being my first RV i wanted "Pro's" to fixed the issue..as i sated earlier i figured seeing i didnt have all the neccessary tools to fix all my issues i brought to an RV garage..i never did like remfg parts but that is all that's available for this unit...i will have to deal with it...thanks again for your suggestion and help really appreciate it..