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| Bringing another one back from the brink... [message #351409] |
Fri, 17 January 2020 13:22  |
Silvernort
Messages: 95
Registered: June 2019
Location: Rock Springs, WI
Karma: 0
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Hello all. I bought my late 73 26 footer back in May (2019) and tho I have posted a little and lurked a lot, I haven't formally said "Hi". I live in Wisconsin, north of Madison an hour or so. Last year I started looking for a GMC and long story short found one in Tuscon, Arizona that looked pretty good and after many emails and so on, flew out there and bought it. Note: even after you think you've committed, walk if it don't look right. I didn't walk and probably should have, but it's mine now... I drove it to Phoenix to an RV specialist to have it looked over and make "safe" to drive back home. New radiator, water pump, air compressor, etc,etc. Later I headed out and immediately had a blow out. So next all new tires and try again. Going over Loveland pass something went BANG then engine was much louder (the driver side center exhaust manifold bolt had popped off, the others were loose). Kept going, taking it real easy going back down the grades as the brakes were not confidence inspiring. Handling was scary to say the least.
But I made it home and began to go over it. In the process of fixing the manifold issue I found the brake lines leaking and on the verge of total failure. As visions of alternate outcomes going down the mountains run thru my head, those were replaced. Replaced the steering shaft, did a few other things, took it on short trips to Door County and around, with more fixing between trips.
Come fall I started working on the interior, finding much rotten wood, tracked down leaks and deciding to go all in and redo it. This is where I am at currently with plans to build new furniture and cabinets, fix the leaks and rotten sections of plywood. Also I will be rebuilding the boggies, rear bearings (fronts done last year) and hopefully have it out and about by summer.
Anyway, I want to say I appreciate this group being here for all the great info. Jim K has also been very helpful with advice. Hope to see some of you down the road.
Cheers!
Shane Harvey
1973 26' "Packer Backer", 1976 Palm Beach, 1965 Dart
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| Re: Bringing another one back from the brink... [message #351410 is a reply to message #351409] |
Fri, 17 January 2020 14:12  |
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ljdavick
Messages: 3548
Registered: March 2007
Location: Fremont, CA
Karma: -3
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Senior Member |
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Everybody makes these coaches their own. You are doing it in a big way!
My story is one of stupidity protected by good luck. I bought it from an ebay auction sight unseen in Ohio (I live in California). It was represented as a '78 but turned out to be a '76. "Runs great. No issues."
Fortunately Tom Hampton's place is in Ohio so I had a friend drive it down to him to have it made safe. I had been lurking here for years and knew enough to have the brake lines replaced, tires, bearings serviced, brakes just so I could make the trip home. I should have had the fuel lines replaced as well, and maybe the exhaust, but those things were left for later.
My good luck came in the form of a beloved Previous Owner (PO) who lavished the coach with updates - lower gears, lots of Ragusa stuff, true-trackers, and so on, as well as this group and the fine work of Tom Hampton and Jim K's Applied GMC right in my own back yard.
I got lucky and now have a reliable coach.
Welcome to the group. My biggest regret is not buying one earlier!
Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, Ca
Howell EFI + EBL + Electronic Dizzy
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| Re: Bringing another one back from the brink... [message #351411 is a reply to message #351409] |
Fri, 17 January 2020 14:16 |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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Senior Member |
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Shane,
Welcome to the group, family, cult, asylum.....
While I have read and even provided some (I hope helpful guidance), I never logged in that you were a new owner.
I see you have filled in a pretty good sigfile, but I would suggest that you put a real name in there. We like to know who we are helping and be able to recognize the name when we meet. (You will meet other owners.)
As you have already seen, this is an amazing community of supportive and helping people. You probably have brand new old friends that are nearby and willing to assist you. We are all strange like that. Don't ever go anyplace again without a hardcopy or the GMC Assist (aka Black's) list. You never know what might happen.
As I said, these people are helping and supportive to a level that may be disconcerting if you are unaware. The only agenda here is to see to it that you get to enjoy both your coach and what it can do for you. We already know this. They remind me so of the watermen that are my world that I like to welcome new owners (even months late) much as a new owner is welcomed there. So,
May the Good Lord bless this coach and all those that set forth within her.
Welcome Shane
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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| Re: Bringing another one back from the brink... [message #351412 is a reply to message #351409] |
Fri, 17 January 2020 14:23 |
JohnL455
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
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Senior Member |
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Welcome. My coach came from eBay out of Madison. I'm just 143 miles south of you. Mine died on it's voyage home as the PO told me it was full when it was empty with bad fuel senders. Bad info makes the diagnosis even more difficult! Mine has been reliable for years now, once you address everything, you get there.
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
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| Re: Bringing another one back from the brink... [message #351413 is a reply to message #351411] |
Fri, 17 January 2020 14:41 |
Silvernort
Messages: 95
Registered: June 2019
Location: Rock Springs, WI
Karma: 0
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Thanks. I updated my sig, for one thing, even tho the title says 74 it's a 73 so that's what I'll put.
I wouldn't be surprised if someone here might know this motorhome as it has a unique paint scheme: green on the bottom and yellow on top with a big Green Bay Packers helmet on each side with the logo Packer Backers. Yeah, that's what sold it for me I guess.
Keep and eye out for it and Go Pack!
Cheers.
Shane Harvey
1973 26' "Packer Backer", 1976 Palm Beach, 1965 Dart
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| Re: Bringing another one back from the brink... [message #351415 is a reply to message #351409] |
Fri, 17 January 2020 14:52 |
JohnL455
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
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Senior Member |
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I learned from an ex GM employee at one of GMCMI rallies that many 73s that did not sell during the oil embargo were relisted as 74s and sold as such. Can't confirm but the source seemed credible. That may explain your year discrepancy.
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
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| Re: Bringing another one back from the brink... [message #351418 is a reply to message #351409] |
Fri, 17 January 2020 15:43 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Senior Member |
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I'm like Larry - bought the first one off eBay in Florida. It had two things going for it. An honest P.O. (And a salesman at that) and the coach was used regularly. Drove it home with no problems. Same with the current one, drove it home from LA to Georgia without problems besides running one tank out of gas without knowing it. A quick call got that corrected. I've done a lot to it and with it in the intervening three years. It sits in my RV shed now with a new engine and transmission, waiting for me to get a warm day and finish the brakes.
--johnny7
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: Bringing another one back from the brink... [message #351421 is a reply to message #351419] |
Fri, 17 January 2020 16:38 |
Silvernort
Messages: 95
Registered: June 2019
Location: Rock Springs, WI
Karma: 0
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Member |
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I learned from an ex GM employee at one of GMCMI rallies that many 73s that did not sell during the oil embargo were relisted as 74s and sold as such. Can't confirm but the source seemed credible. That may explain your year discrepancy.
Yeah, that's what I think. It was at the end of the 73 run and probably sat for awhile.
I'm excited to get this sorted out. So far, when I've camped with it, it's been a lot of fun. Big change since I've been a life long tent camper - mostly on a motorcycle at that, so big difference. I don't know what to do with all this space!
Plus, as a history buff, I really like the idea of saving a unique vehicle like this from the boneyard. Actually not just save it but make better, as most of you do, figuring out how to improve on the great start that GMC gave us.
Cheers.
Shane Harvey
1973 26' "Packer Backer", 1976 Palm Beach, 1965 Dart
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