Newell Gurus

Hi there
I purchased this last year in Indianapolis at Campers World - I saw pictures of this coach in the old forum list by year directory - when I bought this coach "great deal" they said it was a 35 foot unit. when I got the Michigan title setup - the serial number and information on the coach was 30 foot. From watching the conversations on this site and measuring the coach the body size is 32 foot. 
I'm hoping to discover any past information on this unit if anyone knows.
It is a short one - serial 3000RE1030D 6J

I've attached the old owners pictures, I think they were dated 2006 if that helps. Also added the serial plate and the info CW had listed when we bought it.

I look at all the pictures of the other coaches in this age range - most are quite a bit bigger. Like for underneath storage we have very little. I kind of like the shorter unit though. I'm sure it weighs less - well maybe a little  

The previous owner put in an International 9.0 Diesel V8 to replace the triple nickel - the reviews on the engine are poor online, however a couple of schooly bus owners have good things to say about it. I guess I'm going to hope for the best but put aside the money to have it replaced if needed. The thing starts up great and purrs away, so I'm hopeful to get a couple of year's out of it. Any diesel options out there that weigh less and could give me 200hp? 

I'm having fun going through the coach and fixing the needed items. Body and paint will start once the weather is improved her in Michigan. It's getting close now.
My big job now is getting the wood replaced by the windows leaking, no weep holes on the outside of a few of the windows. Thanks to some information from all you guru's I'll be doing the glass replacement on a couple and doing the felt on most.
Does anyone know where I can pick up a close to match for the Formica used on the wall's? It looks like Walnut to me. I will probably be covering some with a nice textured wall paper to lighten things up for my wife. That being said I'd still like to get everything as close to original as I can and make sure I can change it back if she changes her mind.

The water leaks have also led to my new floor project - leaning toward sold bamboo flooring. should this be glued in place or glues together to keep it full floating? Any help or comments is appreciated. Or should I go with the fake/plastic wood options for weight? they also look nice to me.

I can't wait to get it out on the road, however I have many items that need attention first. My paint project is going to be tough. I'm going to be taking it down all the way to the aluminum, I have a lot of peeling and small area all over the place with corrosion, and as others have done I'll be removing all the lower items and tanks and will be re-doing and re-sealing most items.

What is suggested for the propane heaters. I think I have three or four. I've seen some hydro based heaters that look interesting. Something diesel based with a electric element for when you're hooked up to shore power. My electric heaters also seem to work pretty well when attached. Anyone done anything with updating these systems?

Again - thanks to all you guru's - it helps to have a great forum with people that have a lot of past experience on these!!

I've got a few year's of work to go before I can retire, this stuff always takes longer then you think. That's my experience anyway.

John Marshall - superbirds - Jenison, MI

John,

If you want to install a Aqua Hot Heater, 50k btu diesel burner, 5k btu electric element, please message me for more info and pricing.

All the best with your project.

Welcome John. Let me start by welcoming you to NewellGurus, then tell you how much I appreciate the detailed information you have provided. I maintain a database with information on Newells and trying to get VIN/Serial Numbers on pre-1990 Newells can be a chore and even worse if they are pre-1980 where not even the online VIN databases have them listed. Based on the serial number Newell considered it a 30' at the time. Most of the 1974 and 1975 Newells I have seen advertised were listed as 30' or 35'. Yours was the 6th Newell build during the 1975 model year, the last 6 was the sequence number and the J represented the year on all 1975 models.

1975 was the last year for any gasoline powered Newells according to my records although most had a Cummins 555 a, Cat 1160 or a Cat 3208.

Sounds like you have a great project to work on, although it looks very good in the photos, especially for a coach that is 42 years old.

Check your email.

Welcome John.

Great project coach!

I can comment on two things. One, glue the floor down. Two, if you put up wallpaper use wallpaper liner first to help cover any wall imperfections. And industrial vinyl wallpaper paste.

Thanks Michael and Richard
I appreciate it. I've gone back and forth on the floor's and wall's. I don't mind the consistent look. My wife wants some contrasts in color and finish thus the wall paper. I considered painting but don't want to make this a one way solution. Thanks for the tip on the wallpaper liner and the paste. Is it possible to remove at a later date if she changes her mind?

A couple of things I forgot to mention, the ceiling is vinyl and needs to be painted I suspect to bring it back closer to white. I think the previous owners were smokers. Any tips on what products to use?

The coach also has kind of an old moisture smell I suspect caused by the leaks in the windows and the smokers. It's much better then it was at first since I've pulled out the old floor. is there any kind of sealer I could use, or is it just best to continue to clean and cover?

Thanks

John and Marcia Marshall
1975 Newell 30ft 6J

W Michigan

I reviewed a document I received from Newell
Looks like the original owners were Arthur and Katherine Crouch - Bolckow, Missouri

They purchased it in June of 1975 - C. E, Goldberg, Pres. - Miami Oklahoma

Model 30ft. - CU555 Diesel - HP SAE 64.8 - Shipping weight 17,500

Newell Coach Corporation

I guess you'd have to call this the cutey of the Newell line in 75. It's the shortest one I've seen - still looks big in my driveway

Welcome to the Newell Family John, from a fellow Michigander! The people on this forum are a wealth of information and can provide you with good info on anything you encounter! Good luck on your project!

Hey John: if the engine is starting fine then it's probably in pretty good shape, low compression will make starting a problem and you don't seem to have that one - great!

John,

First off, welcome to the group. You have definitely found the very best resource for everything Newell. My first Newell was a '73 33' with the Cat 1160. I was able to find matching 'Formica' for the '73 and '86 at Home Depot, brand name Wilsonart.

I personally would not paint the vinyl ceiling, I've painted vinyl years ago and it was mainly for used car lots and it's not a permanent solution. I would check with auto detailers in your area and get some estimates. Those guys can do wonders (the good ones), read some reviews of their work.

A trick for getting rid of smokers smell, buy some inexpensive (cheap) cans of ground coffee. Remove the top and set them around in your coach with doors and windows closed.

If you ever decide to fiddle with the drive train, I would suggest getting a donor bus. There's a lot of Cummins 5.9 and 8.3 mated to 6 speed Allison transmissions in school buses that would fit in your engine bay. With a donor bus, you get all the necessary parts for changing the radiator from the rear to the side. Mine is currently in Missouri where the DD 8V92 is being replaced with a Cummins 10.8. Missouri Mike has done lots of bus engine swaps including ones for several Newell gurus.

Check out @Retro gallery and posts on re-powers.  Retro's gallery

My '86 was from Michigan and the previous owner replaced the propane furnaces with a Proheat diesel coolant heater, the water heater works off of engine heat or electric element.

Congratulations and welcome!

John,
I went to the Mica shop in Goshen , Indiana. (574-533-one one zero two) They were able to exactly match the laminate in my Newell. Ask to speak with Michael Chupp.