[VAC] belly pan removal/ jim smith

[jim graves <homeplac@xxxxxxx>]

jim,

i found you on tom p's archive.  i have a couple of old airstreams i'm just
now getting into. am dropping the floor pan on my 54 safari.  it's a basket
case and the frame rails are very rusty.  could i persade you to share your
experience in the removal and replacement.  airparts seems to have the
aluminum for replacement.

how bad was the bending and fitting of the new panels under the side panel.
it looks daunting from here. i considered as, advised previously, cutting a
strait edge a foot or so underneath and making a seam down there, but
decided against it as there were enough gouges and scrapes in the remaining
side panels to jusitfy a complete job. do you have the numbers on the rivets
and the guage of the new panels? i guess you had to buy the head shaver.

if there are other threads that you or anyone genereated i would be very
interested in reading them.  was also interested in your account of the
diesel generator and curious about the placement.  i am scratching my head
about locating the black/brown water tanks, as well.

what did you use for insulation?

has anyone tried sand blasting the frame rails with the floor still in
place. would leaving the unblasted surface against the plywood still rusty
and treated the blasted surfaces with POR make any since at all.

what about replacement of the exterior frame rails where they meet the
tongue? my are pitted beyond help.

is the old style ball receiver still preferred.  it seems more secure than
the modern ones i'm used to.

thanks, as always,

jim graves

thanks