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Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Made it into Branson but the last 35 miles was a B&^*ch
Made it into Branson but the last 35 miles was a B&^*ch [message #223044] Wed, 18 September 2013 20:27 Go to next message
kerry pinkerton is currently offline  kerry pinkerton   United States
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Location: Harvest, Al
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US 60 is pretty hilly. I tend to drive by ear but on hills, to keep the noise level the same meant I was down to 40mph on some of them. Learned that pretty quick and learned to put my foot in it to keep the RPMs up around 3000. A lot of the hills ended up in 2nd gear though and the coach went to about 3100 and would do no more. Haven't figured that out yet.

Once we got to Springfield and turned south on US 65, the REAL hills began. Oh my Gosh! I'm talking hills! One was 35mph and I though I was going go have to drop to first.

Still, we made it to downtown branson with no real problems.

Until, that is, we got stopped on a VERY steep slope by a stop light. When the light changed, I fed the gas and not much happened. SLOWLY we eased up the hill and about the time we cleared the light I realized it was vapor lock. Switched to the aux tank with it's electric fuel pump and motored on but there was still some bucking the rest of the way to the campground on steep spots even though we stayed in first and second.

In retrospect, I wish I had dropped the Saturn in Springfield and had Carolyn follow me in. The 2500 lb reduction in GCVW would have made a huge difference. I'm pretty sure we will do that on the way home.

Glad to be here!


Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
Re: [GMCnet] Made it into Branson but the last 35 miles was a B&^*ch [message #223052 is a reply to message #223044] Wed, 18 September 2013 20:43 Go to previous messageGo to next message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
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Kerry,

Glad to hear you made it safe and sound. What was the level of the fuel in the tanks when the bucking started.

Keep in mind that as you go up hill the fuel transfers to the rear (Main) tank and since you go UP slower than coming down you can
wind up with more fuel in the Main tank than the Aux tank that your external pump is plumbed to.

Regards,
Rob M.

-----Original Message-----
From: Kerry Pinkerton

US 60 is pretty hilly. I tend to drive by ear but on hills, to keep the noise level the same meant I was down to 40mph on some of
them. Learned that pretty quick and learned to put my foot in it to keep the RPMs up around 3000. A lot of the hills ended up in
2nd gear though and the coach went to about 3100 and would do no more. Haven't figured that out yet.

Once we got to Springfield and turned south on US 65, the REAL hills began. Oh my Gosh! I'm talking hills! One was 35mph and I
though I was going go have to drop to first.

Still, we made it to downtown branson with no real problems.

Until, that is, we got stopped on a VERY steep slope by a stop light. When the light changed, I fed the gas and not much happened.
SLOWLY we eased up the hill and about the time we cleared the light I realized it was vapor lock. Switched to the aux tank with
it's electric fuel pump and motored on but there was still some bucking the rest of the way to the campground on steep spots even
though we stayed in first and second.

In retrospect, I wish I had dropped the Saturn in Springfield and had Carolyn follow me in. The 2500 lb reduction in GCVW would
have made a huge difference. I'm pretty sure we will do that on the way home.

Glad to be here!

Kerry

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Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
Re: [GMCnet] Made it into Branson but the last 35 miles was a B&^*ch [message #223058 is a reply to message #223052] Wed, 18 September 2013 21:15 Go to previous messageGo to next message
WD0AFQ is currently offline  WD0AFQ   United States
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Kerry, what final drive do you have? We had no problems but the vdub weighs about 1300 pounds. I topped the 4 bad boys on 65 at 50 mph and 5 on the vacuum gauge. Running one of Jim k' final drives.
Dan


3 In Stainless Exhaust Headers One Ton All Discs/Reaction Arm 355 FD/Quad Bag/Alum Radiator Manny Tran/New eng. Holley EFI/10 Tire Air Monitoring System Solarized Coach/Upgraded Windows Satelite TV/On Demand Hot Water/3Way Refer
Re: Made it into Branson but the last 35 miles was a B&^*ch [message #223061 is a reply to message #223044] Wed, 18 September 2013 21:20 Go to previous messageGo to next message
kerry pinkerton is currently offline  kerry pinkerton   United States
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Good point Rob. We had about half tanks when we got on 65 at Springfield. Wanted to top off but there weren't any stations handy. Gas was 3.18 about 60 miles east on US 60. Closer to Branson it was 3.40 and up. By the time we got to Branson we were showing about 1/4 full. The hills are plenty long to allow a lot of fuel to shift back and forth and we were sitting at a 25% slope at the stop light for 3-4 minutes. Enough to possibly let the main tank go dry perhaps.

OK, another lesson learned.


Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
Re: [GMCnet] Made it into Branson but the last 35 miles was a B&^*ch [message #223065 is a reply to message #223052] Wed, 18 September 2013 21:31 Go to previous messageGo to next message
bdub is currently offline  bdub   United States
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Location: Central Texas
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Since the inlets are near the front of the tanks, wouldn't that affect be
much more pronounced when pointed downhill? Seems to me that it would be
negligible going uphill.

bdub (@ wrk)

On Sep 18, 2013 8:43 PM, "Rob Mueller" <robmueller@iinet.net.au> wrote:
>
> Kerry,
>
> Glad to hear you made it safe and sound. What was the level of the fuel
in the tanks when the bucking started.
>
> Keep in mind that as you go up hill the fuel transfers to the rear (Main)
tank and since you go UP slower than coming down you can
> wind up with more fuel in the Main tank than the Aux tank that your
external pump is plumbed to.
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
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bdub
'76 Palm Beach/Central Texas
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Re: [GMCnet] Made it into Branson but the last 35 miles was a B&^*ch [message #223066 is a reply to message #223065] Wed, 18 September 2013 21:35 Go to previous messageGo to next message
mickeysss is currently offline  mickeysss   United States
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HOw does JimB combine the two tanks i heard.? Mca. pp 77


On Sep 18, 2013, at 7:31 PM, Billy Massey wrote:

> Since the inlets are near the front of the tanks, wouldn't that affect be
> much more pronounced when pointed downhill? Seems to me that it would be
> negligible going uphill.
>
> bdub (@ wrk)
>
> On Sep 18, 2013 8:43 PM, "Rob Mueller" <robmueller@iinet.net.au> wrote:
>>
>> Kerry,
>>
>> Glad to hear you made it safe and sound. What was the level of the fuel
> in the tanks when the bucking started.
>>
>> Keep in mind that as you go up hill the fuel transfers to the rear (Main)
> tank and since you go UP slower than coming down you can
>> wind up with more fuel in the Main tank than the Aux tank that your
> external pump is plumbed to.
>>
>> Regards,
>> Rob M.
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist

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Re: [GMCnet] Made it into Branson but the last 35 miles was a B&^*ch [message #223068 is a reply to message #223065] Wed, 18 September 2013 21:41 Go to previous messageGo to next message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
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Location: Sydney, Australia
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Billy,

You are 100% correct; for some reason I thought the fill ports were at the middle or back of the tanks! My Bad!

Regards,
Rob M.

-----Original Message-----
From: Billy Massey

Since the inlets are near the front of the tanks, wouldn't that affect be
much more pronounced when pointed downhill? Seems to me that it would be
negligible going uphill.

bdub (@ wrk)

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Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
Re: Made it into Branson but the last 35 miles was a B&^*ch [message #223084 is a reply to message #223044] Thu, 19 September 2013 00:20 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Jim Galbavy is currently offline  Jim Galbavy   United States
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We made it here ok. Coach ran good no real problems.

jim galbavy
'73 x-CL ANNIE
Lake Mary, Fl
Re: Made it into Branson but the last 35 miles was a B&^*ch [message #223101 is a reply to message #223084] Thu, 19 September 2013 07:28 Go to previous messageGo to next message
WD0AFQ is currently offline  WD0AFQ   United States
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Jim Galbavy wrote on Thu, 19 September 2013 00:20

We made it here ok. Coach ran good no real problems.

jim galbavy
'73 x-CL ANNIE
Lake Mary, Fl


Good. We will see you after a bit Jim. I am still trying to wake up. Drove on wet pavement for 100 miles. Everything is dirty
. Never got rained on, just wet pavement and sunshine.
Dan


3 In Stainless Exhaust Headers One Ton All Discs/Reaction Arm 355 FD/Quad Bag/Alum Radiator Manny Tran/New eng. Holley EFI/10 Tire Air Monitoring System Solarized Coach/Upgraded Windows Satelite TV/On Demand Hot Water/3Way Refer
Re: Made it into Branson but the last 35 miles was a B&^*ch [message #223197 is a reply to message #223044] Thu, 19 September 2013 23:02 Go to previous messageGo to next message
kerry pinkerton is currently offline  kerry pinkerton   United States
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The plot thickens. Emery came up today and looked things over and we decided the Secondaries were not opening. A bit later Master Mechanic Bill Bramlett came up and we noticed the choke, while fully open, was still blocking the throttle plates from opening. We fixed that and Ken Henderson and I went for a test drive.

Good news and bad news. The secondaries are DEFINITELY not opening. We pulled the air cleaner and nothing was moving. Ken also pulled the vacuum damper off to see if it was hanging up things. Then he pushed the flaps down with his finger and we saw that the throttle plates were only open about 1/4".

In talking to the brain trust, there are several possible causes.

- The accelerator pedal bell crank is bent...probable but Emery and I tried to work the linkage by hand at the carb and it did not appear to move any further by hand than it did when I pressed the pedal.

- The carb gasket is blocking the throttle plates.

- The spring on the throttle plate arm is somehow messed up

- There is a problem in the carb. I kind of doubt this as it's a brand new Paterson carb. He'll be here so if I don't figure it out before he gets here, I'm sure he'll solve the problem in about 34 seconds.

The motor was hot and I didn't want to bake over a hot engine when Ken and I got back. Tomorrow after breakfast, I'll verify the pedal and carb gasket are not problems and ensure that the throttle plates operate freely. If I don't find the problem, I'll just wait for Dick.

Bill Bramblet said the accelerator linkage can be fixed by just pulling on the gas pedal and bending the bellcrank a bit. I may not be able to do much but I CAN bend metal... Shocked Laughing Laughing


Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
Re: [GMCnet] Made it into Branson but the last 35 miles was a B&^*ch [message #223216 is a reply to message #223197] Fri, 20 September 2013 08:15 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Steven Ferguson is currently offline  Steven Ferguson   United States
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I've seen many secondary valves blocked by a cocked gasket. Doesn't take
much.
Steve F.


On Thu, Sep 19, 2013 at 9:02 PM, Kerry Pinkerton <Pinkertonk@mchsi.com>wrote:

>
>
> The plot thickens. Emery came up today and looked things over and we
> decided the Secondaries were not opening. A bit later Master Mechanic Bill
> Bramlett came up and we noticed the choke, while fully open, was still
> blocking the throttle plates from opening. We fixed that and Ken Henderson
> and I went for a test drive.
>
> Good news and bad news. The secondaries are DEFINITELY not opening. We
> pulled the air cleaner and nothing was moving. Ken also pulled the vacuum
> damper off to see if it was hanging up things. Then he pushed the flaps
> down with his finger and we saw that the throttle plates were only open
> about 1/4".
>
> In talking to the brain trust, there are several possible causes.
>
> - The accelerator pedal bell crank is bent...probable but Emery and I
> tried to work the linkage by hand at the carb and it did not appear to move
> any further by hand than it did when I pressed the pedal.
>
> - The carb gasket is blocking the throttle plates.
>
> - The spring on the throttle plate arm is somehow messed up
>
> - There is a problem in the carb. I kind of doubt this as it's a brand
> new Paterson carb. He'll be here so if I don't figure it out before he
> gets here, I'm sure he'll solve the problem in about 34 seconds.
>
> The motor was hot and I didn't want to bake over a hot engine when Ken and
> I got back. Tomorrow after breakfast, I'll verify the pedal and carb
> gasket are not problems and ensure that the throttle plates operate freely.
> If I don't find the problem, I'll just wait for Dick.
>
> Bill Bramblet said the accelerator linkage can be fixed by just pulling on
> the gas pedal and bending the bellcrank a bit. I may not be able to do
> much but I CAN bend metal... 8o :lol: :lol:
> --
> Kerry Pinkerton
>
> North Alabama, near Huntsville,
>
> 77 Eleganza II, "The Lady", 403CI, also a 76 Eleganza being re-bodied as
> an Art Deco car hauler
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>



--
Take care,
Steve
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Re: Made it into Branson but the last 35 miles was a B&^*ch [message #223238 is a reply to message #223044] Fri, 20 September 2013 16:54 Go to previous messageGo to next message
JohnL455 is currently offline  JohnL455   United States
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Simplest to pull carb and operate in free air to see if it is OK. After about 50% on the primaries the secondary throttles should start to move and be 90 vertical in the second 50% motion of the primaries.

John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
Re: Made it into Branson but the last 35 miles was a B&^*ch [message #223254 is a reply to message #223044] Fri, 20 September 2013 21:02 Go to previous messageGo to next message
kerry pinkerton is currently offline  kerry pinkerton   United States
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Senior Member
The primaries are now working. The problem was the accel linkage. Bent it up and tweaked the end where a PO had messed with the connection to the kickdown switch. Throttle plate will now stand vertical if on the floor.

Drove it today and there is MUCH, MUCH more power but there is a terrible bog when I get on it...to the point of almost dying. There is an adjustment on the upper flapper that I suspect is letting the top plate open too fast or too slow. I'm going to talk to Dick Paterson about it tomorrow. He just came in tonight.


Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
Re: Made it into Branson but the last 35 miles was a B&^*ch [message #223263 is a reply to message #223044] Fri, 20 September 2013 21:49 Go to previous messageGo to next message
JohnL455 is currently offline  JohnL455   United States
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Easy adjustment. Allen and small flat blade. Loosen the lock down and 'wind' some tension onto the air valve spring so there is a little more tension. Its a drive and readjust process.

John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
Re: Made it into Branson but the last 35 miles was a B&^*ch [message #223308 is a reply to message #223254] Sat, 21 September 2013 12:50 Go to previous messageGo to next message
roy1 is currently offline  roy1   United States
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Kerry Pinkerton wrote on Fri, 20 September 2013 19:02

The primaries are now working. The problem was the accel linkage. Bent it up and tweaked the end where a PO had messed with the connection to the kickdown switch. Throttle plate will now stand vertical if on the floor.

Drove it today and there is MUCH, MUCH more power but there is a terrible bog when I get on it...to the point of almost dying. There is an adjustment on the upper flapper that I suspect is letting the top plate open too fast or too slow. I'm going to talk to Dick Paterson about it tomorrow. He just came in tonight.

that bog just may be a bad acclerator pump


Roy Keen Minden,NV 76 X Glenbrook
Re: Made it into Branson but the last 35 miles was a B&^*ch [message #223337 is a reply to message #223044] Sat, 21 September 2013 22:47 Go to previous messageGo to next message
kerry pinkerton is currently offline  kerry pinkerton   United States
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Dick Paterson came up and went over the carb today. The only thing he found was a bent needle in one of the primary jets. He fixed that and we went for a drive and it now runs like the proverbial bat out of hell.... Well it's at least 50% more power than I've ever seen before.

Having never really driven another coach, and never been in these kinds of hills, it was great to be able to ask Dick if the coach was performing as it is supposed to and hear him say: "That's a really strong 403 and it's pulling great."

Happy Happy Happy.


Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
Re: [GMCnet] Made it into Branson but the last 35 miles was a B&^*ch [message #223370 is a reply to message #223337] Sun, 22 September 2013 11:06 Go to previous messageGo to next message
dwayne jacobson[1] is currently offline  dwayne jacobson[1]   United States
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who wooda known but Dick. say hello from Sharon and I.
Glad you are enjoying the GMC Classic Motor Home Life Style.
Too many go into an Old Aged Home and vegetate, NOT OUR GROUP.

Best regards
Dwayne and Sharon Jacobson
White Rock
77 Kingsley


On Sat, Sep 21, 2013 at 8:47 PM, Kerry Pinkerton <Pinkertonk@mchsi.com>wrote:

>
>
> Dick Paterson came up and went over the carb today. The only thing he
> found was a bent needle in one of the primary jets. He fixed that and we
> went for a drive and it now runs like the proverbial bat out of hell....
> Well it's at least 50% more power than I've ever seen before.
>
> Having never really driven another coach, and never been in these kinds of
> hills, it was great to be able to ask Dick if the coach was performing as
> it is supposed to and hear him say: "That's a really strong 403 and it's
> pulling great."
>
> Happy Happy Happy.
> --
> Kerry Pinkerton
>
> North Alabama, near Huntsville,
>
> 77 Eleganza II, "The Lady", 403CI, also a 76 Eleganza being re-bodied as
> an Art Deco car hauler
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>



--
Dwayne Jacobson
White Rock BC
Cell: 604-644-8090
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Re: Made it into Branson but the last 35 miles was a B&^*ch [message #223374 is a reply to message #223044] Sun, 22 September 2013 13:34 Go to previous message
Otterwan   United States
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Registered: July 2013
Location: Lynnwood (north of Seattl...
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Senior Member
Anyone still running a Q-Jet should get this book:

Rochester Carburetors by Doug Roe

http://www.amazon.com/Rochester-Carburetors-Doug-Roe/dp/0895863014/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1379874674&sr=8-1&keywords=quadrajet+hp+books

Best $15 you will ever spend. Lots of tips and trick, step by step rebuild instructions, everything you need to keep the Q-Jet going forever.

Next best thing to having Dick Paterson work on it for you!


1977 Birchaven, Lynnwood WA - "We may not be able to stop all evil in the world, but I know that how we treat one another is entirely up to us."
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