Bhark54

We started using our 87 Dolphin a bit. The first couple of local trips (under 100 miles in the Columbia Gorge on the Oregon side) showed some minor problems. We had a fuel leak in the T fitting that splits off the hose for the generator. I replaced the old hose clamps and trimmed off some old hardened and cracked rubber hose to fix that. There still seems to be some low end hesitation so I put some fuel system cleaner in and will replace the fuel filter before the next trip. I tried to replace the fuel filter myself last weekend but even with the passenger tire off I simply cannot get my hands and tools into the position to remove the top bolt on the fuel filter bracket. I am hoping I can have it done at jiffy lube for a reasonable charge. I did a compression check and all 4 cylinders are around 175 psi. Since the vehicle has 140,000 miles on it I have to assume it has had some work done in the recent past. I do hear a slight clicking in the valve train so I will probably adjust the rockers. I replaced the spark plugs even though the ones that were in it all looked very good. The transmission shifts very smoothly, O/D works like it is supposed to, though I can only use it when on perfectly level highway or down hill. It seems to like 55 without O/D on the best when going down the highway. I have no idea when the last time the trans was serviced so I am thinking about having it flushed. On a 90 degree day it did not have any inclination to overheat going up moderate hills. The cab A/C is pretty weak so I need to change it from R12 to R134, have no idea what that will cost me. The kits are only about $50, but I have no way to capture the R12 and do it myself. I am thinking about pulling the generator out and putting in an inverter. The generator works fine, it just is heavy and we probably won't use it. I didn't want to spend $700 for a new roof A/C so I made a window mount and can just use a regular room A/C when we need it. It only takes about 3 minutes to set up or remove. Total cost was less then $150 including a new A/C. Still have to replace the black and grey water valves, they look ancient and are missing the handles. We are thinking of driving from Portland to Sacramento next month so that will be a real test (high temps and mountains).

I bought a 1987 Dolphin last year and basically parked it. I did put in a new floor and generally cleaned it up. Last week we took it out for a drive and put about 80 miles on it. The vehicle has about 140,000 miles on it. I was wondering if the very slow 0 to 25 acceleration it has is normal? It feels more like a steam locomotive getting up speed rather then stepping on the gas. In the 25 - 60 mph it seems pretty responsive, steep hills can't get much over 35-40. The trans shifts smoothly and O/D works as expected. It almost feels like if we had to climb out of a steep campsite we might not make it. I just wanted to make sure this is normal performance. Also panic braking at highway speeds is not so much stopping as gradually slowing down. I will look at the brakes this weekend but just was wondering if the brakes are not as effective as I would hope. I don't mind the slow acceleration, just want to make sure it is normal.