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| My 1976 Palm Beach Project [message #281079] |
Tue, 30 June 2015 13:13  |
Justin Brady
Messages: 769
Registered: April 2015
Location: Bell Buckle, TN
Karma: 11
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Okay guys,
This will be a build thread of sorts.
I will document everything I do to the GMC and use it to ask questions of you fine folks when I hit an impasse.
So far what I have done is as follows:
Picked it up in Blue Ridge Georgia and drove it home with engine issues and transmission problems.
Once home started trouble shooting and found several disconnected vacuum lines, reconnected and engine and trans are good to go!
Had substantial exhaust leaks at both the manifolds and the donuts.
Pulled the manifolds and welded up a crack in the passenger side manifold.
Installed Mr Gasket Copper exhaust gaskets.
When I installed the donuts the passenger side manifold didn't line up correctly with the exhaust, (toronado manifold perhaps?) so I cut the exhaust and repositioned it and welded it back in, problem solved. Have a few small leaks around the manifolds, I'm letting the gasket settle in and will retorque after a few miles.
Had one roof AC that wouldn't work. Turned out to be a hornets nest in the fan! Got that cleaned out and it runs like new.
Next up was the generator. After much troubleshooting and help from you guys I traced the issue to a bad relay on the board. Ordered a replacement board from Flight Systems to be delivered tomorrow! We shall see if that fixes the issue.
Ran all new fuel lines to ONAN (The Barbarian). This convinced me that I NEED to build some ramps, it's a bit cramped under there!
I Sandblasted and painted the exhaust for the onan. The whole thing will be getting a face lift when it's up and running at peak.
The battery that came with the coach is a Trojan 4D 12V but it's dead. It's on the charger at 14.4V 2A for now, trying to desulfate. We shall see if it holds a charge. It will likely be replaced with 4 6V batteries.
I replaced the overhead speakers with some Pyramid (direct fit) just for the time being, it will get a nice custom stereo install later.
I found a local guy selling a few PD9260's for 50 bucks each so I grabbed one of those to replace the nonfunctional buzz box.
And that's where we stand at the moment.
Justin Brady
http://www.thegmcrv.com/
1976 Palm Beach 455
[Updated on: Tue, 30 June 2015 13:24] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: My 1976 Palm Beach Project [message #281080 is a reply to message #281079] |
Tue, 30 June 2015 13:21  |
Justin Brady
Messages: 769
Registered: April 2015
Location: Bell Buckle, TN
Karma: 11
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Now on to the fun stuff.
The coach will be getting a full remodel after the mechanical is sorted.
PO replaced the airbags 8 years ago and they are in good shape.
PO put on Alcoas so that saves me that expense as well.
Once the mechanical is sorted the interior will be first up.
Basic design is below:
Full dry bath on driver side, walnut countertops throughout (that's what I do for a living), new modern cabinetry, hardwood (probably vinyl that looks like hardwood for weight reasons) throughout. Going for a modern look and feel.
I'll be building and making all of the components myself here in my shop.
It should be a blast!
Justin Brady
http://www.thegmcrv.com/
1976 Palm Beach 455
[Updated on: Tue, 19 January 2016 09:19] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: My 1976 Palm Beach Project [message #281090 is a reply to message #281079] |
Tue, 30 June 2015 14:43 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Tha's gonna be spiffer' than spiff! I assume the drawings got inverted someplace in the software?
--johnny
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
[Updated on: Tue, 30 June 2015 14:44] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: My 1976 Palm Beach Project [message #281096 is a reply to message #281079] |
Tue, 30 June 2015 15:48 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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It sounds like you're making good progress. I love the proposed floor plan and can't wait to see pics of your progress. You might want to put them on the GMC Photo Site (http://gmcmhphotos.com/) for posterity.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
[Updated on: Tue, 30 June 2015 22:19] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: My 1976 Palm Beach Project [message #281102 is a reply to message #281079] |
Tue, 30 June 2015 16:29 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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Only one door on the one side. So can't be an aussie? They need 2 doors right?
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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| Re: My 1976 Palm Beach Project [message #281105 is a reply to message #281102] |
Tue, 30 June 2015 16:48 |
cadelec
Messages: 303
Registered: September 2011
Location: Brisbane Australia
Karma: 1
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Aussies only have to have one door but this must face our kerb side or the rear of the coach. a lot of us find it easier to install a second door at the rear to comply but some have relocated the existing door to the Left hand side
Trevor
Brisbane Australia
Siesta Koala 76 Edgemont (old Bobby Moores)
71 Cadillac Eldo Convert
58 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham Project
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| Re: My 1976 Palm Beach Project [message #281115 is a reply to message #281107] |
Tue, 30 June 2015 18:34 |
Justin Brady
Messages: 769
Registered: April 2015
Location: Bell Buckle, TN
Karma: 11
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Senior Member |
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slight update:
Ever since I got the coach I have felt it was under-powered. I know the general consensus is that this beast has plenty of power, so I was always wondering if I was just different than the rest of the crowd, or if my coach wasn't performing the way it should.
Today i was just browsing the photo site and stumbled across a post by Emory Stora about the fishing weight modification to the throttle cable.
Hmmm.
So I took a look and i had a ton of slack! tried the fishing weight, but decided I wanted something a little more permanent so i just bent the throttle arm until I could get WOT from the accelerator.
totally different animal. The way it was, I estimate I was getting about 1/2 throttle before the pedal hit the floor. Adjusted and now I can see what you guys are going on about! It feels like it has plenty of power (it's obviously still a 12000 lb monster and slow as molasses, but it feels POWERFUL and slow now, as opposed to dangerously slow and anemic.
I'm a happy guy at the moment.
Huge thanks to Emory for posting that up so I could stumble upon it.
Justin Brady
http://www.thegmcrv.com/
1976 Palm Beach 455
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| Re: [GMCnet] My 1976 Palm Beach Project [message #281126 is a reply to message #281080] |
Tue, 30 June 2015 19:34 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Justin,
It's obvious from prowling the rest of your album that you're gonna need a
lot less help than most newbies! :-) Quite an assortment of skills
exhibited there, all of which will be needed for your GMC adventure.
I don't want to be critical, but honest (I'm so old, I can do that): I
find your proposed floorplan claustrophobic. I think you'd be well advised
to delay starting your interior design until you've been to at least one
big rally where you can look at a lot of coaches. I think you'll find that
you want to make the "living room" as open as possible. That big rear
window's nice, but two big side windows up front are better, especially if
there's a bed or bath in the rear.
JMHO,
Ken H.
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: My 1976 Palm Beach Project [message #281131 is a reply to message #281115] |
Tue, 30 June 2015 20:13 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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SONICJK wrote on Tue, 30 June 2015 17:34slight update:
Ever since I got the coach I have felt it was under-powered. I know the general consensus is that this beast has plenty of power, so I was always wondering if I was just different than the rest of the crowd, or if my coach wasn't performing the way it should.
Today i was just browsing the photo site and stumbled across a post by Emory Stora about the fishing weight modification to the throttle cable.
Hmmm.
So I took a look and i had a ton of slack! tried the fishing weight, but decided I wanted something a little more permanent so i just bent the throttle arm until I could get WOT from the accelerator.
totally different animal. The way it was, I estimate I was getting about 1/2 throttle before the pedal hit the floor. Adjusted and now I can see what you guys are going on about! It feels like it has plenty of power (it's obviously still a 12000 lb monster and slow as molasses, but it feels POWERFUL and slow now, as opposed to dangerously slow and anemic.
I'm a happy guy at the moment.
Huge thanks to Emory for posting that up so I could stumble upon it.
Many throttle arms are bent and people don't know it. I always check the carburetor at full pedal travel to make sure it is wide open. That also prevents the kickdown switch from working.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: My 1976 Palm Beach Project [message #281132 is a reply to message #281079] |
Tue, 30 June 2015 20:19 |
kerry pinkerton
Messages: 2565
Registered: July 2012
Location: Harvest, Al
Karma: 15
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Senior Member |
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Justin, I understand what Ken is saying but at the end of the day, it's your coach so you can do as you please.
That said, Ken's suggestion that you try and hit a rally before you make any hard decisions is a great one. Next month on the 16-18, the GMC Dixielanders are having a rally at Noccalula Falls near Gasden Alabama. You should drive down for a day and look at some coaches. There will probably be about 20 there. Alternatively, you're welcome to visit us and look at a rear twin dry side bath Kingsley or a wet bath X-Eleganza II. Some people think the GMC rear twin/dry bath is the most desirable because of the length of the beds. It was standard in the Edgemonts and special order in other models. I know of a couple Eleganza and my Kingsley with this floor plan.
I've gone through several 'revisions' of floor plans on the Eleganza...about 2 a year and FINALLY think I've got what will work for us. The problem is that it seems like in a GMC, you can have good sleeping arrangements or good lounging arrangements. It's pretty hard to have both and is complicated by physical size and how often someone gets up during the night.
With your skills, you could build any floor plan.
Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama
Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
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| Re: [GMCnet] My 1976 Palm Beach Project [message #281148 is a reply to message #281133] |
Tue, 30 June 2015 23:01 |
Justin Brady
Messages: 769
Registered: April 2015
Location: Bell Buckle, TN
Karma: 11
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Senior Member |
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I appreciate the kind words! I just like working with my hands, and my biggest passion is learning new skills.
My last endeavor before this coach was painting my 69 GMC Stepside, just so I could learn to paint so I could paint the Coach 
As for the rally, I do plan on hitting the dixielanders rally to meet some folks and tour some coaches!
The floorplan was drawn up in sketchup (free).
I won't know for sure how things will work out until it's gutted and I can lay everything out with tape, but measuring things out in the coach it seems like it should work out. I think it will be less claustrophobic than all of the stock floorplans, but we shall see I suppose! I made use of the windows by putting the bar in front of the largest one with no overhead cabinets, so there is maximum view out while eating or just sitting and looking. The kitchen area has both a large window and a small one over the cabinets, and I will make the overhead cabinets a little smaller than the stock ones, I think they are too big.
The only place I'm worried about being claustrophobic is the bathroom, since it will have no windows. I may end up putting a skylight in there.
This is not meant to be a family-mobile. It's more of a couples retreat. Plan is to strap a couple of bikes (the motorized variety) to the back of it and take weekend/week long trips.
The final design will undoubtedly change, but the current one is the result of lots and lots of hours of work and revision and I'm pretty happy with it!
And Ken, no problem at all being critical, that's the only way to learn. If everyone sugarcoated everything we wouldn't get anywhere!
Justin Brady
http://www.thegmcrv.com/
1976 Palm Beach 455
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| Re: My 1976 Palm Beach Project [message #281171 is a reply to message #281079] |
Wed, 01 July 2015 08:33 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Senior Member |
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Well, watch out for Kerry and Stick and the other nine foot and fourteen inch tall GMCers. Those of us who live at reasonable altitudes can make it with beds that don't require remodeling the coach. I think you'll have a pair of windows which will be plenty. Mine (23') is used to go to dog shows, occasionally she and I duet it here and there with a couple of dogs. Two people, two dogs, and a cat or two and it's FULL. Unfortunately I won't make Noccalula, I'll be off in Salme VA at a show wed - sun.
--johnny
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: [GMCnet] My 1976 Palm Beach Project [message #281175 is a reply to message #281171] |
Wed, 01 July 2015 08:49 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Johnny,
Well there you go, it looks like "vertically challenged" GMCer's have the upper hand (?) when it comes to sleeping arrangements! ;-)
Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
-----Original Message-----
From: Johnny Bridges
Well, watch out for Kerry and Stick and the other nine foot and fourteen inch tall GMCers. Those of us who live at reasonable
altitudes can make it with beds that don't require remodeling the coach. I think you'll have a pair of windows which will be
plenty. Mine (23') is used to go to dog shows, occasionally she and I duet it here and there with a couple of dogs. Two people,
two dogs, and a cat or two and it's FULL. Unfortunately I won't make Noccalula, I'll be off in Salme VA at a show wed - sun.
--johnny
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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
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| Re: My 1976 Palm Beach Project [message #281176 is a reply to message #281079] |
Wed, 01 July 2015 09:00 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Senior Member |
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Of course we do, Rob! And as we all know, 23 footers RULE.
--johnny
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: My 1976 Palm Beach Project [message #281238 is a reply to message #281079] |
Wed, 01 July 2015 23:42 |
Scott Nutter
Messages: 781
Registered: January 2015
Location: Houston/San Diego
Karma: 4
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Great idea on the bathroom skylight. A lot of people go with the fantastic vent. That is my next project. I'm going with the reversible fan and smoked lid. It's the perfect skylight/fan with a raise able dome lid! No more steamy showers and lots of light!!
Scott Nutter
1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final drive, Quad bags, Dave Lenzi super duty mid axle disc brakes, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex Ferrera installed MSD Atomic EFI
Houston, Texas
[Updated on: Thu, 02 July 2015 00:35] Report message to a moderator |
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