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Sparks 1979 Model 5

This is a public forum. This forum will be a place to show your Project Eagle and updates on progress you have made. Please make one thread with your project and put all updates in the same thread. Sorry... Eagles only.
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sparkplug188
Posts: 53
Joined: Tue Nov 20, 2012 9:06 pm

Sparks 1979 Model 5

Post by sparkplug188 »

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This is my Eagle project. It is a 1970 Model 5 that was previously converted to an entertainer coach by The Caldwell Brothers. I bought the bus with most of the interior stripped out and for very little money. The bulkhead immediately behind the front axle had collapsed from rust damage. That caused the floor to bulge up and cracked two of the side windows. I read somewhere that no amount of rust was unfixable. Very true, it just takes much more time to properly repair and convert a rusty bus.

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Three layers of subfloor removed. Let the rust repair begin!

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Last edited by sparkplug188 on Tue Oct 29, 2013 10:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Spark
1979 Model 5 Eagle - 45/102 8v92 HT740
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sparkplug188
Posts: 53
Joined: Tue Nov 20, 2012 9:06 pm

Re: Sparks 1970 Model 5

Post by sparkplug188 »

Ever get that sinking feeling? After three months the tires had sunk several inches into my gravel parking pad. A week of work and 38 yards of concrete poured 8" thick:

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Spark
1979 Model 5 Eagle - 45/102 8v92 HT740
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sparkplug188
Posts: 53
Joined: Tue Nov 20, 2012 9:06 pm

Re: Sparks 1970 Model 5

Post by sparkplug188 »

History:

I am fairly certain at this point that the original bus was a 1970 SE 05 - VIN 8167 - Carolina Coach Co.

Some uncertain time between 1985 and 1995, Caldwell Brothers converted the bus to an entertainer model. It was widened from 96" to 102", lengthened to 45' by adding an additional bay, and raised at the window line to 13'6". The Caldwell Brothers are probably responsible for welding a new VIN plate to the engine compartment - #908121

In 1995 it was registered by Jerry Adams, a country music singer, as a 1970 Model 40 Eagle with a VIN 8167.

Some time around 2008 the bus changed owners, changed manufactured year from 1970 to 1979, changed VIN from 8167 to 8130110, but kept the exact same street address as the 1995 registration.

I bought the bus in November 2012... Titled as 1979 Eagle Model 301 Motor Home, VIN 8130110. At the time I registered the bus, I only had the previous title to pull information from. It should have been registered as a 1970 Model 5 VIN 8167 Motor Home--- Hindsight 20/20.

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Spark
1979 Model 5 Eagle - 45/102 8v92 HT740
User avatar
buscrazyinFL
Club Member
Club Member
Posts: 655
Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2008 8:47 pm
FMCA #: F385289
Bus Model: 1972 Eagle 05
Vin # 8851
Location: Winter Haven, FL

Re: Sparks 1970 Model 5

Post by buscrazyinFL »

Spark, you may want to check out this rather lengthy post I started back in 2009.
I've been down the same trail. It's very frustrating, I know.
We think we have found the VIN# now (as you will read).

http://www.eaglesinternational.net/foru ... ?f=8&t=242" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Manny & Darlene's
1972 Silver Eagle 05
VIN # 8851
8V71 / HT740 4 Speed Automatic
User avatar
sparkplug188
Posts: 53
Joined: Tue Nov 20, 2012 9:06 pm

Re: Sparks 1970 Model 5

Post by sparkplug188 »

Manny,

Thanks for linking that thread. On page 10 you found a matching VIN stamped on the back of the speedometer. I checked the back of my speedometer for a VIN. Unfortunately, the label is completely illegible.

I have based my assumptions on:

- finding a 1995 TN registration renewal with the VIN 8167

- finding insurance cards for a 1970 Eagle (VIN on card is 8130110)

- the Eagle Production Records show VIN 8167 matches a 1970 Eagle 5

- the wiring diagrams for a 1970 Model 5 matches the wiring in my bus

I would like to find more matching links to set everything in stone. Some of my links borderline 'grasping at straws'.

Edit: This concerns me-- Page 4, Clifford "for whatever reason there was 8 of those belonging to Carolina Bus Lines that were renumbered in 1975"
Spark
1979 Model 5 Eagle - 45/102 8v92 HT740
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sparkplug188
Posts: 53
Joined: Tue Nov 20, 2012 9:06 pm

Re: Sparks 1970 Model 5

Post by sparkplug188 »

Each rivet was individually ground, checked, replaced if needed, and sealed with OSI gutter sealant. I let the sealant cure for 6 months before proceeding

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The roof was washed and scrubbed with Marine Clean industrial greaser. Then Pro-Guard Liquid EPDM was applied 110-130 mil thick.

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Spark
1979 Model 5 Eagle - 45/102 8v92 HT740
User avatar
sparkplug188
Posts: 53
Joined: Tue Nov 20, 2012 9:06 pm

Re: Sparks 1970 Model 5

Post by sparkplug188 »

One of the previous owners creative use of rust holes

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Sheet metal to replace the inner fender wall should be delivered next week. Fortunately, the wheel arches are in great condition. They were probably replaced when the Caldwell Brothers did the entertainer conversion.
Spark
1979 Model 5 Eagle - 45/102 8v92 HT740
User avatar
sparkplug188
Posts: 53
Joined: Tue Nov 20, 2012 9:06 pm

Re: Sparks 1970 Model 5

Post by sparkplug188 »

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--replaced curb side floor supports.
Spark
1979 Model 5 Eagle - 45/102 8v92 HT740
User avatar
sparkplug188
Posts: 53
Joined: Tue Nov 20, 2012 9:06 pm

Re: Sparks 1970 Model 5

Post by sparkplug188 »

Walls braced and painted with POR 15
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Spark
1979 Model 5 Eagle - 45/102 8v92 HT740
tophatperformance
Posts: 15
Joined: Tue Oct 08, 2013 6:49 pm
Bus Model: 1984 Eagle 10
Location: Athens, Ga.

Re: Sparks 1970 Model 5

Post by tophatperformance »

Any progress on your eagle?
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