Undecided on purchase of a 1987 Ford Champion Telstar Motorhome

[r***@nyc.rr.com]

Looking at a 1987 Ford Champion Telstar Motorhome (24') with 115000
miles on a Ford 460 engine. Looks great inside and outside just needs a

good wash. The dash AC is not working, owner says he adds freon and a
few months later needs to add more. Owner is asking $6500 My concern is

with the engine, with so many miles how much do repairs in general or
an overhaul cost these days? (engine runs good now) Should gas
prices/mileage be a deciding factor?
THANKS in advance for any response

[SteveB]

Post by r***@nyc.rr.com
Looking at a 1987 Ford Champion Telstar Motorhome (24') with 115000
miles on a Ford 460 engine. Looks great inside and outside just needs a
good wash. The dash AC is not working, owner says he adds freon and a
few months later needs to add more. Owner is asking $6500 My concern is
with the engine, with so many miles how much do repairs in general or
an overhaul cost these days? (engine runs good now) Should gas
prices/mileage be a deciding factor?
THANKS in advance for any response

IMHO ...............

115k on a 460 is high.

But it could have been rebuilt at 114,500 miles.

Gas prices and mileage are a factor unless you don't care or have a lot of
money or just decide it costs what it costs.

How many miles on the tranny?

Driveline?

Brakes?

Front end components?

Any other spendy components?

Generator?

Pump/tank system?

$6500 can turn into two times that real quick.

Just some musings for your consideration. Don't want to throw cold water on
your dream, just giving you some insight on gaping pitfalls I have fallen
into.

Remember .......... it's only money. If you have a good time, what the
heck?

Steve

[Yofuri]

Post by r***@nyc.rr.com
Looking at a 1987 Ford Champion Telstar Motorhome (24') with 115000
miles on a Ford 460 engine. Looks great inside and outside just needs a
good wash. The dash AC is not working, owner says he adds freon and a
few months later needs to add more. Owner is asking $6500 My concern is
with the engine, with so many miles how much do repairs in general or
an overhaul cost these days? (engine runs good now) Should gas
prices/mileage be a deciding factor?
THANKS in advance for any response

Get a good mechanic to check it over; front end, brakes, tranny,
u-joints and a compression check on all cylinders. If you don't have
the a/c serviced, don't let it go completely out of gas and absorb moisture.

Gas prices/mileage? I stopped by 7-11 on the way home and prepaid $5
worth of gas. The clerk farted and handed me a receipt.

Rick

[Stan Birch]

Post by r***@nyc.rr.com
Looking at a 1987 Ford Champion Telstar Motorhome (24') with 115000
miles on a Ford 460 engine. Looks great inside and outside just needs a
good wash. The dash AC is not working, owner says he adds freon and a
few months later needs to add more. Owner is asking $6500 My concern is
with the engine, with so many miles how much do repairs in general or
an overhaul cost these days? (engine runs good now)

A while back, I talked with an engine rebuilder specializing in RV
engines. While GM engines tend to be totally trashed before they reach
that kind of mileage; the most common problem experienced with Ford
460s, is that the timing chain has to be replaced at around 160,000
miles. *IF* the engine has been well maintained, then 115,000 miles
shouldn't be a major concern.

As for Freon, it's generally no longer available; and the AC system
might have to be upgraded to handle currently available substitutes.

Post by r***@nyc.rr.com
Should gas prices/mileage be a deciding factor?

Not really! No matter what kind of RV you have, you're going to have
to pay up when you visit the pumps. While there seems to be a wide
variation in MPG, the 460 only about one MPG less efficient than the
the newer V-10s. On our 18,000 GVWR V-10 Ford chassis, we are getting
9.4 MPG (US). With a lighter chassis, combined with a less efficient
engine, I would still expect fuel economy in the area of 8.5 MPG.

[GeoffP]

Post by Stan Birch

Post by r***@nyc.rr.com
Looking at a 1987 Ford Champion Telstar Motorhome (24') with 115000
miles on a Ford 460 engine. Looks great inside and outside just needs a
good wash. The dash AC is not working, owner says he adds freon and a
few months later needs to add more. Owner is asking $6500 My concern is
with the engine, with so many miles how much do repairs in general or
an overhaul cost these days? (engine runs good now)

A while back, I talked with an engine rebuilder specializing in RV
engines. While GM engines tend to be totally trashed before they reach
that kind of mileage; the most common problem experienced with Ford
460s, is that the timing chain has to be replaced at around 160,000
miles. *IF* the engine has been well maintained, then 115,000 miles
shouldn't be a major concern.
As for Freon, it's generally no longer available; and the AC system
might have to be upgraded to handle currently available substitutes.

Post by r***@nyc.rr.com
Should gas prices/mileage be a deciding factor?

Not really! No matter what kind of RV you have, you're going to have
to pay up when you visit the pumps. While there seems to be a wide
variation in MPG, the 460 only about one MPG less efficient than the
the newer V-10s. On our 18,000 GVWR V-10 Ford chassis, we are getting
9.4 MPG (US). With a lighter chassis, combined with a less efficient
engine, I would still expect fuel economy in the area of 8.5 MPG.

==
Stan, I have an '87 460 in a 11,000 Motorhome, C body 21'. It has 120,000
miles on it. I recently did a major tune up, plus factory rebuilt carb and
new intake manifold gasket. I just came back from a 480 mile trip mostly
cruising at 60-65 on the freeway and 50 on the minor roads. My overall
mileage was 10.2 (US) gallons. Before the tune up my average was 8.5 mpg. I
can actually see the level of gas in the tank when I fill it right up so my
mileage is accurate. That is way better than I ever expected, even though I
do have a light foot :-)
Geoff.