I have a 1975 motor manual and I will be honest looking at the difference makes me second guess now.I have a truck rating plate handy if that would help

 

I just bought a 1973 Condor Thunderbird Motorcoach. It has a 390, a C6 transmission and an m504 ford chassis. We repainted it changed all the plumbing and did some minor engine work. It only has 51,000 original miles so its in great shape. Like others here it would be nice to have some kind of shop manual or something. Ours is a little easier to work on than the earlier years. We have power steering and power brakes so that really helps. I will post pictures once we get our last coat of clearcoat on it.

 

This is an m504 chassis.

 

Just found out through some research that my motorhome is a condor 3. I have the original owners manual for the condor 2 and 3. I also have the factory parts number list. Most of it is still readable. My master cylinder was shot and after searching several autopart stores I stopped at Carquest and found the whole rebuild kit and cap. They had to order it from thier factory but I was more than glad to wait for an original new part. We have had a remanufactured 390 put in it and it seems to be doing great. We are now in the process of completely rebuilding the interior.
These motorhomes seem to be the last of the strong well built motorhomes. I do know that parts are hard to find and forget finding any listings at autoparts under Ford m-500 series but with some research and alot of cross referencing it's not impossible.

 

Thru 1972, all Condor's were built on the P Series Parcel Delivery chassis. There were three chassis: P350, P400, P500.

In 1973, Ford came out with their own factory built Motor Home, assembled at the Louisville KY plant.

The Ford Motor Home was built on two different M Series chassis: M450 & M500.

The 1973/79 Ford LIGHT Truck Parts Catalog has ALL the part numbers...and illustrations...for the M Series.

This not only includes the chassis and powertrain parts, but such things as the refridgerator...and the toilet!

This catalog is available on a CD from hipoparts.com and besides the M Series, has all the 1973/79 F100/500 & Econoline parts listed.

I have this catalog...need anything...just ask.

 

I will probaly have to refer to you for a couple part numbers off the ford parts list. It's only one page out of 6 that is a little faded. I have all the original paperwork and manuals for all the condor parts including generator, frig, toilet, oven, etc...
The thing that would be the most help is a shop repair manual. Mine, like I stated above, is the Condor 3 (thunderbird). Also if you could give me a part number for the emergency brake cable and tell me where I can get the emergency brake handle assemby I would be in your debt.
I set up a yahoo group for Condor owners if anyone wants to join. I will also be using my webpage for a Condor group after I finish its current agenda. I will anounce it here when it is done.

 

C3TZ2780A .. Emergency Brake Control Assembly / Obsolete

Fits: 1973/76 M450/500 / 1963/69 N500/1000

GREEN SALES COMPANY in Cincinnati OH has ONE = 800-543-4959.
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There are two front emergency brake cables listed, but nothing for the rear. The length is not given.

D3HZ2853P .. E-Brake Cable / 1973/74 / Obsolete

D5HZ2853A .. E-Brake Cable / 1975/76 / Obsolete

No Ford Dealer or obsolete parts vendor has either one.

Green Sales may know where to have it made, as they have cables made for cars/trucks.

 

Bill,

Do you have a parts list I can buy from you? I have a whole list of parts I will need as we go through and try to restore this motorhome. I just ordered the brake control assembly for $70 from green sales. I told them that you refered me. What makes it real nice is that I am not toofar from thier location and shipping time for regular ground is only a day.

Thanx

 

Parts list? I have no actual parts list, and wouldn't ask money for it...if I did.

What I do is...look up the part numbers in the parts catalog, then search to see if anyone has them.

What I find, I post. This is FREE, I do this because I have little else to do, so it keeps me busy.

If you have a loooong list, you can email me by clicking on my user name, then "contact info"....and pass along your phone number, then we can do this over the phone.

 

I got the cd of the 1973/79 Ford LIGHT Truck Parts Catalog. On the sections that do not contain part numbers for the m450/500 do I use the p 500 part numbers? By the way thanx for all your help Bill. How do I private message you so I can give you my phone number?

 

Click on my user name, then "Contact Info." You can P/M or email me.

If you have the M Series chassis, it is not the same as the P Series.

 

Hi everyone, I have read your posts and am glad to see some info on these cool motor homes. I purchased my Condor this week and will ask a few questions from time to time. 1974 Condor II

 

Back again, I found the shop manuals thanks to all your posts. I ordered them from Faxon Auto Literature. They offered them in cd rom. I also started the 390 engine and Onan generator. So far so good.

 

hello Darren we have met before I have now put some pictures in my album.
I hope you like them, maybe you can send some more of your ford condor.
Greetings from Milko, The netherlands

 

Hi Darren, look in my album and you will find some pictures of my Dutch Condor, greetings Milko The Netherlands