Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Some newbie GMC questions! (1975 Eleganza 2 new owner questions )
| Some newbie GMC questions! [message #322677] |
Sat, 26 August 2017 11:51  |
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Hello GMC'ers!
For a movie I worked on last July, we purchased a 1975 GMC Eleganza 2 with around 70k original miles on the engine. I bought it from the production after it was done, and have had it basically getting worked on here and there for the past year as $$ allowed. I just now got it back from my mechanic's yard and took it up to an open air storage place where I'm hoping I can do some work on it myself. I should preface by saying I know NOTHING about cars, mechanical, or electrical problems, or even basic bare minimum maintenance. I think I changed a headlight bulb on my old Taurus once, and thats the extent of me ever working on any kind of vehicle. And I don't really know anyone close to me here in Los Angeles who DOES know much about cars, let alone RVs- so purchasing a 42 year old rv was probably not the smartest move, but, well, After reading through this forum, I can see you'll all understand how I saw the coach and couldn't help it!  And I'd had it in 3 shops thus far and every mechanic that's driven it has been over the moon with how good of a condition the engine is in (Which is a relief!) And I'm 100% wiling to learn how to care for i! And excited about the prospect of getting it road-worthy.
I've included a list of the things I've had done, and I'm wondering a couple things...
1) Is there anyone in the area (its up in Aqua Dulce, CA) that would be willing to run me through some basic troubleshooting of the coach and what to look out for on the road? Maybe some basic common repairs I'll end up having to do if there's trouble? I have AAA roadside but I don't want to rely on that for minor things that I should know how to do myself. I've literally driven it once so far, and the biggest thing I drove before this was the Taurus! So while it's 'small' to some this thing is a monster to me!
2) Is there anything big I'm missing from the list below that I should do before I try to take it out on a trip a few hours away?
3) I'm hoping for my first attempt to replace the vinyl inside thats on the walls/ceiling - its sagging/missing in a lot of areas. Also the particle board (i'm guessing thats what it is?) That's underneath looks pretty gnarly. I'm wondering if I need to pull that out too and replace it. I've watched some videos on youtube about that, my big thing isn't the aesthetic so much as getting some insulation in there... which brings me to #4
4) There's no blinds, or the ones that ARE there are the originals and pretty rotted/bad off. Its so hot inside! I've looked everywhere and can't seem to find the dimensions for them, or for the windows themselves. It was suggested I drive with generator running and AC on but I don't want to do that and drain the gas...I'm thinking I'll remove the current ones and put up something temporary for the moment while I'm sprucing up the interior. Hoping to make curtains as the end game. I've seen interior diagrams online but nothing with the window-specific dimensions. Can someone point me to a link there?Or if someone has made curtains for theirs, what size they made them to best fit? I swear I've googled this to no end! And lastly...
5) I see a lot of the rv's up at the storage place have covers over all of their tires (the 'storage place' is basically a huge fenced in/gated dirt lot - it does have a hose and sewage dumping station and I think air to fill your tires but nothing else) - the storage owner said its to keep the wheels from rotting in the sun....is that something I need to worry about??
Thanks everyone for any suggestions or tips!
Cheers,
Roxanne
Upon purchase 07/16 had:
New refrigerator - runs on propane and electric
New roof AC unit
New tires
Original Onan gennie starts but won't draw power/or power house (replaced, alas)
New toilet
New brakes
New batteries (original mechanic i took it to replaced these and charged me  lesson learned!
10/16-12/16
Replaced Fuel pump
Replaced Fuel lines
New Engine batteries
New House batteries
New Oil cap
New extended exhaust pipe (6') to deal with fume problem in back of RV
Changed Engine oil
Roof resealed for leakage
Rear window replaced (broken) (this was due to the production - if you're interested, it's called XX and it's on Amazon Prime, the section with the GMC is about 20 min in -we threw someone through that rear window)
01/17-08/17 (in work yard/stored entire time)
New headlights and taillights and rewired
Generator: Replaced Onan generator, added new control board, oil and air filters changed, tune up, fuel hose, electrical box and wiring, electrical remote pigtail, exhaust down pipe, wood and metal supports added to fit compartment
New seals on all windows and reglued stationary glass
Replaced upper running lights front and back, rewired
Solar system install 200 watt system
2500 watt inverter/remove panel on/off switch installed
Resealed water tank (custom end plate built & adhesive bond to cracked tank, new sensor installed.)
New water pump
New ladder installed
Seatbelts installed front bucket seats
Interior electrical checked and rewired/replaced where needed
2 roof top max air vents installed
Front driver seat window replaced
New battery isolator & aux. battery cables
Roxanne Benjamin - 1975 Eleganza II 26'
East Los Angeles!
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| Re: [GMCnet] Some newbie GMC questions! [message #322685 is a reply to message #322677] |
Sat, 26 August 2017 14:19  |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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You can call me and see how we can help.
We are the Major supplier for parts and Kit for the GMC MH plus we have a
full shop dedicated to GMC MH. I am ASE Certififid as well.
On Sat, Aug 26, 2017 at 9:51 AM, Roxanne Benjamin wrote:[/color]
> Hello GMC'ers!
> For a movie I worked on last July, we purchased a 1975 GMC Eleganza 2 with
> around 70k original miles on the engine. I bought it from the production
> after it was done, and have had it basically getting worked on here and
> there for the past year as $$ allowed. I just now got it back from my
> mechanic's yard and took it up to an open air storage place where I'm
> hoping I can do some work on it myself. I should preface by saying I know
> NOTHING about cars, mechanical, or electrical problems, or even basic bare
> minimum maintenance. I think I changed a headlight bulb on my old Taurus
> once, and thats the extent of me ever working on any kind of vehicle. And
> I don't really know anyone close to me here in Los Angeles who DOES know
> much about cars, let alone RVs- so purchasing a 42 year old rv was
> probably not the smartest move, but, well, After reading through this
> forum, I can
> see you'll all understand how I saw the coach and couldn't help it!
> :lol: And I'd had it in 3 shops thus far and every mechanic that's driven
> it
> has been over the moon with how good of a condition the engine is in
> (Which is a relief!) And I'm 100% wiling to learn how to care for i! And
> excited
> about the prospect of getting it road-worthy.
>
> I've included a list of the things I've had done, and I'm wondering a
> couple things...
>
> 1) Is there anyone in the area (its up in Aqua Dulce, CA) that would be
> willing to run me through some basic troubleshooting of the coach and what
> to
> look out for on the road? Maybe some basic common repairs I'll end up
> having to do if there's trouble? I have AAA roadside but I don't want to
> rely on
> that for minor things that I should know how to do myself. I've literally
> driven it once so far, and the biggest thing I drove before this was the
> Taurus! So while it's 'small' to some this thing is a monster to me!
> 2) Is there anything big I'm missing from the list below that I should do
> before I try to take it out on a trip a few hours away?
> 3) I'm hoping for my first attempt to replace the vinyl inside thats on
> the walls/ceiling - its sagging/missing in a lot of areas. Also the particle
> board (i'm guessing thats what it is?) That's underneath looks pretty
> gnarly. I'm wondering if I need to pull that out too and replace it. I've
> watched some videos on youtube about that, my big thing isn't the
> aesthetic so much as getting some insulation in there... which brings me to
> #4
> 4) There's no blinds, or the ones that ARE there are the originals and
> pretty rotted/bad off. Its so hot inside! I've looked everywhere and can't
> seem
> to find the dimensions for them, or for the windows themselves. It was
> suggested I drive with generator running and AC on but I don't want to do
> that
> and drain the gas...I'm thinking I'll remove the current ones and put up
> something temporary for the moment while I'm sprucing up the interior.
> Hoping
> to make curtains as the end game. I've seen interior diagrams online but
> nothing with the window-specific dimensions. Can someone point me to a link
> there?Or if someone has made curtains for theirs, what size they made them
> to best fit? I swear I've googled this to no end! And lastly...
> 5) I see a lot of the rv's up at the storage place have covers over all of
> their tires (the 'storage place' is basically a huge fenced in/gated dirt
> lot - it does have a hose and sewage dumping station and I think air to
> fill your tires but nothing else) - the storage owner said its to keep the
> wheels from rotting in the sun....is that something I need to worry about??
>
> Thanks everyone for any suggestions or tips!
> Cheers,
> Roxanne
>
> Upon purchase 07/16 had:
> New refrigerator - runs on propane and electric
> New roof AC unit
> New tires
> Original Onan gennie starts but won't draw power/or power house (replaced,
> alas)
> New toilet
> New brakes
> New batteries (original mechanic i took it to replaced these and charged
> me :( lesson learned!
>
> 10/16-12/16
> Replaced Fuel pump
> Replaced Fuel lines
> New Engine batteries
> New House batteries
> New Oil cap
> New extended exhaust pipe (6') to deal with fume problem in back of RV
> Changed Engine oil
> Roof resealed for leakage
> Rear window replaced (broken) (this was due to the production - if you're
> interested, it's called XX and it's on Amazon Prime, the section with the
> GMC is about 20 min in -we threw someone through that rear window)
>
> 01/17-08/17 (in work yard/stored entire time)
> New headlights and taillights and rewired
> Generator: Replaced Onan generator, added new control board, oil and air
> filters changed, tune up, fuel hose, electrical box and wiring, electrical
> remote pigtail, exhaust down pipe, wood and metal supports added to fit
> compartment
> New seals on all windows and reglued stationary glass
> Replaced upper running lights front and back, rewired
> Solar system install 200 watt system
> 2500 watt inverter/remove panel on/off switch installed
> Resealed water tank (custom end plate built & adhesive bond to cracked
> tank, new sensor installed.)
> New water pump
> New ladder installed
> Seatbelts installed front bucket seats
> Interior electrical checked and rewired/replaced where needed
> 2 roof top max air vents installed
> Front driver seat window replaced
> New battery isolator & aux. battery cables
> --
> Roxanne Benjamin - 1975 Eleganza II 26'
> East Los Angeles!
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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| Re: Some newbie GMC questions! [message #322686 is a reply to message #322677] |
Sat, 26 August 2017 14:36 |
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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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Roxanne,
Welcome to the group, family, cult, asylum.
You are off to a good start, but next go to: http://www.bdub.net/GMCLinks.html (Set a bookmark, you will be back)
When there, collect at least the following today:
The Black (aka GMC assist) list of people all over willing to assist you.
Manuals, collect all that might apply. Even if you can't make sense of them, someone that is a passable wrench can.
Service Provider Recommendations List there may already be one in reach. (I have little experience with California geography.)
Now, you found your way here and that is a very good thing. If you have questions, please ask them here. There are a lot of very experienced GMC owners that write here and as of this day, they are all your long lost friends. I do have to warn you that we all have an agenda that is buried in our responses. That hidden agenda is that we all want you to enjoy your coach and what she can mean to you as much as we all do. That means that you will seldom get the quick simple answer here (unless it is the best answer), because real fixes to problems are much preferred.
By the way, if you make a mistake, there is almost no chance that it is original. With 9000 still on the road 40 years later, just about every mistake has been made already and if you can tell us what happened, someone can tell you about a good correction.
You will soon find that your coach is not just a new toy. I hooks you into a community that is like very few others. This is why those that no longer own their once treasured GMC stay around and even show up at rallies with the new SOB (Some Other Brand) and are still members of the family.
The only other community that is like this that I know of personally is that of the watermen that are my world, and for that reason I have taken to welcoming new owners here much as any new owner or vessel is welcomed there. So,
May the Good Lord bless this coach and all those that set forth within her.
Welcome Roxanne
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: Some newbie GMC questions! [message #322688 is a reply to message #322677] |
Sat, 26 August 2017 14:57 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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It looks like you've got the basics covered. I didn't see belts and hoses on your list. A good inspection of the engine cooling system, including the radiator and fan clutch would be a good idea as well.
Check the 'Black List' for a willing owner in your area and make a few phone calls. Someone will probably be willing to visit with you and help in whatever way they can.
http://www.bdub.net/Black_List/GMCAssist.pdf
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
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| Re: Some newbie GMC questions! [message #322732 is a reply to message #322677] |
Sun, 27 August 2017 10:31 |
mrgmc3
Messages: 210
Registered: September 2013
Location: W Washington
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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Welcome! This forum is probably the best place on the web to learn about the GMC! Someone here has been there, done it and posted about it. These are great vehicles but they require a lot of relatively simple maintenance. A lot of car hobbyists are attracted to the GMC because it's a "big car".
That said if you have never changed more than a headlight you have a lot of learning to do or you need some help. The black list is a good resource for emergencies. You have good local and in-state resourcse that I'm aware of. Others have mentioned JimK up in the Bay Area (AppliedGMC) - very helpful and he can get you just about any part you need. Closer to home is Miguel Mendez out in the Ontario area;
http://mgmgmc.com
Miguel is probably your best local resource for things mechanical.
First and foremost you need to make the running gear safe. You need to replace everything made of rubber; hoses, belts, brake hoses, tires if more than 6 of 7 years old ( they age out due to UV exposure in the California sun). Then brakes and bearings. You live in mountainous terrain and brakes are crucial! Tune up and fluid change - oil, antifreeze, trans fluid, axle lube, brake fluid.
After basic mechanicals then work on "house" stuff, plumbing, generator, A/C etc.
Last worry about cosmetics.
Your vehicle is 40 years old and while durable, unless you know it's history, assume it has NOT been done.
Chris Geils - Twin Cities / W Wa
1978 26' Kingsley w/ very few mods; PD9040, aux trans cooler, one repaint in stock colors, R134a, Al rad, Alcoas, 54k mi
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| Re: Some newbie GMC questions! [message #322736 is a reply to message #322677] |
Sun, 27 August 2017 11:04 |
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Brian K
Messages: 75
Registered: May 2017
Location: Sherman Oaks, CA
Karma: 0
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Member |
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Roxanne,
I'll throw in my "Junior Member" 2 cents.
I purchased a 1977 Eleganza II from a good friend and client, who is a classic car dealer. The one I purchased was apparently owned originally by a dealer in Arizona, who used it as a demo and rarely ever took it out. It ended up in Washington with a collector we know, and my friend sold it to me. I was told it was in pristine condition and some things had never been used. That's where the lesson starts......
As everyone here will attest you are beginning a journey with a 40 year old vehicle (I like to call it a motor home with a 1970's V-8 strapped to it). The first things I discovered after two short trips were the tires were falling apart; after the second trip I was told the entire brake system was bad. This for a motor home that was "rarely" if ever used. I then had a mechanic give it a complete look over and he told me everything else looked fine and sufficient for me to take it on a 3000 mile round trip from Seattle and Albuquerque. Over the course of 14 days I learned a lot about the fuel system, the electrical system, etc. just by using it. Ultimately I had two break downs (one due to a fried coil and HEI module due to tachometer wire shorting out the system), and then later (probably related) the distributor failed. Right now I'm sitting in my coach in Livingston, Montana, driving it home, after leaving it in Wyoming for 2 weeks to be repaired.
This doesn't even address all the interior coach issues, which when you think about it, are all secondary to making sure the coach runs and gets you from Point A to Point B. The interior stuff is the hobby and fun stuff for me.
So.....as a fellow newbie...what I have learned is the following:
1. This forum and most of the seasoned owners are some of the best advice you will get.
2. Don't be discouraged by other people's mishaps. You will have your own, and I've seen plenty of non-GMC motor homes and stranded RVs on the side of the road (I say a prayer for them each time!).
3. I would find a really trustworthy mechanic, one who also knows "trucks". Believe it or not, many of them know about the old engines and are quick to figure things out. And call Jim K at Allied. Although I've never dealt with him directly, he and others are great sources on this forum, and and my dream is to somehow make time to make an appointment with Jim K at Allied one day, drive this down from Seattle, and also have him check the whole thing out. As my brother mentioned to me when I visited him in Albuquerque, "Have someone who knows about this thing check it out before you take another long trip!"
4. Someone recently made a post that most problems won't happen if you take preventative actions. I'm learning that too.
5. Finally, like anything in life, you're going to learn more and become more comfortable with your coach as YOU use it.
I know I'm the 1000th person on this forum to say it, but owning and driving this coach has been a totally blast for me, even with the hiccups. I can't count how many times people either ask me "Where did you get that??", "What is that?", or "I (or my brother, friend, etc.) used to own one of those!" I love going to RV parks and looking at all the identical RVs and then seeing my GMC, and knowing I'm part of a unique club.
Good luck and have fun,
Brian
Brian K
1977 Eleganza II, TZE167V100261
Sherman Oaks, CA
Rebuilt 455, New brake system, a lot of Original Equipment ready to fall apart (discovering more as I go along....)
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| Re: [GMCnet] Some newbie GMC questions! [message #322740 is a reply to message #322736] |
Sun, 27 August 2017 11:41 |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Brien,
We try our best to be able to analyze problems here at the shop and
constantly on the phone and computer helping owners.
At least we have a better sense of what is going on and have resources to
help analyze most problems.
Some think that rubber hoses , if stored inside will remain reliable, but
like tires, they do not.
Fuel delivery is always a challenge for most.
Just found yesterday on my coach that the sewer tank monitor was coming
apart.
Last thing I expected, but since we have every part here, we'll fix it
today.
On Sun, Aug 27, 2017 at 9:04 AM, Brian Krikorian wrote:
> Roxanne,
>
> I'll throw in my "Junior Member" 2 cents.
>
> I purchased a 1977 Eleganza II from a good friend and client, who is a
> classic car dealer. The one I purchased was apparently owned originally by
> a
> dealer in Arizona, who used it as a demo and rarely ever took it out. It
> ended up in Washington with a collector we know, and my friend sold it to
> me. I was told it was in pristine condition and some things had never
> been used. That's where the lesson starts......
>
> As everyone here will attest you are beginning a journey with a 40 year
> old vehicle (I like to call it a motor home with a 1970's V-8 strapped to
> it).
> The first things I discovered after two short trips were the tires were
> falling apart; after the second trip I was told the entire brake system was
> bad. This for a motor home that was "rarely" if ever used. I then had a
> mechanic give it a complete look over and he told me everything else looked
> fine and sufficient for me to take it on a 3000 mile round trip from
> Seattle and Albuquerque. Over the course of 14 days I learned a lot about
> the
> fuel system, the electrical system, etc. just by using it. Ultimately I
> had two break downs (one due to a fried coil and HEI module due to
> tachometer
> wire shorting out the system), and then later (probably related) the
> distributor failed. Right now I'm sitting in my coach in Livingston,
> Montana,
> driving it home, after leaving it in Wyoming for 2 weeks to be repaired.
>
> This doesn't even address all the interior coach issues, which when you
> think about it, are all secondary to making sure the coach runs and gets you
> from Point A to Point B. The interior stuff is the hobby and fun stuff
> for me.
>
> So.....as a fellow newbie...what I have learned is the following:
>
> 1. This forum and most of the seasoned owners are some of the best advice
> you will get.
>
> 2. Don't be discouraged by other people's mishaps. You will have your
> own, and I've seen plenty of non-GMC motor homes and stranded RVs on the
> side
> of the road (I say a prayer for them each time!).
>
> 3. I would find a really trustworthy mechanic, one who also knows
> "trucks". Believe it or not, many of them know about the old engines and
> are quick
> to figure things out. And call Jim K at Allied. Although I've never
> dealt with him directly, he and others are great sources on this forum, and
> and
> my dream is to somehow make time to make an appointment with Jim K at
> Allied one day, drive this down from Seattle, and also have him check the
> whole
> thing out. As my brother mentioned to me when I visited him in
> Albuquerque, "Have someone who knows about this thing check it out before
> you take
> another long trip!"
>
> 4. Someone recently made a post that most problems won't happen if you
> take preventative actions. I'm learning that too.
>
> 5. Finally, like anything in life, you're going to learn more and become
> more comfortable with your coach as YOU use it.
>
> I know I'm the 1000th person on this forum to say it, but owning and
> driving this coach has been a totally blast for me, even with the hiccups.
> I
> can't count how many times people either ask me "Where did you get
> that??", "What is that?", or "I (or my brother, friend, etc.) used to own
> one of
> those!" I love going to RV parks and looking at all the identical RVs and
> then seeing my GMC, and knowing I'm part of a unique club.
>
> Good luck and have fun,
>
> Brian
> --
> Brian K
> 1977 Eleganza II, TZE167V100261
> Bellevue, WA
> Rebuilt 455, New brake system, a lot of oe (discovering more as I go
> along....)
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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| Re: [GMCnet] Some newbie GMC questions! [message #322749 is a reply to message #322740] |
Sun, 27 August 2017 14:16 |
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Brian K
Messages: 75
Registered: May 2017
Location: Sherman Oaks, CA
Karma: 0
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Member |
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Thanks Jim. It's reassuring to know people like you, in this community, are so helpful.
In the end you're right, there's no way of forecasting what can go wrong (for example, how could anyone have predicted for sure that my tach-wire would short out my HEI coil and module in the middle of the Utah desert!), but as you and others have said, it's coming down to preventative maintenance and good record keeping.
Brian
jimk wrote on Sun, 27 August 2017 09:41Brien,
We try our best to be able to analyze problems here at the shop and
constantly on the phone and computer helping owners.
At least we have a better sense of what is going on and have resources to
help analyze most problems.
Some think that rubber hoses , if stored inside will remain reliable, but
like tires, they do not.
Fuel delivery is always a challenge for most.
Just found yesterday on my coach that the sewer tank monitor was coming
apart.
Last thing I expected, but since we have every part here, we'll fix it
today.
On Sun, Aug 27, 2017 at 9:04 AM, Brian Krikorian wrote:
> Roxanne,
>
> I'll throw in my "Junior Member" 2 cents.
>
> I purchased a 1977 Eleganza II from a good friend and client, who is a
> classic car dealer. The one I purchased was apparently owned originally by
> a
> dealer in Arizona, who used it as a demo and rarely ever took it out. It
> ended up in Washington with a collector we know, and my friend sold it to
> me. I was told it was in pristine condition and some things had never
> been used. That's where the lesson starts......
>
> As everyone here will attest you are beginning a journey with a 40 year
> old vehicle (I like to call it a motor home with a 1970's V-8 strapped to
> it).
> The first things I discovered after two short trips were the tires were
> falling apart; after the second trip I was told the entire brake system was
> bad. This for a motor home that was "rarely" if ever used. I then had a
> mechanic give it a complete look over and he told me everything else looked
> fine and sufficient for me to take it on a 3000 mile round trip from
> Seattle and Albuquerque. Over the course of 14 days I learned a lot about
> the
> fuel system, the electrical system, etc. just by using it. Ultimately I
> had two break downs (one due to a fried coil and HEI module due to
> tachometer
> wire shorting out the system), and then later (probably related) the
> distributor failed. Right now I'm sitting in my coach in Livingston,
> Montana,
> driving it home, after leaving it in Wyoming for 2 weeks to be repaired.
>
> This doesn't even address all the interior coach issues, which when you
> think about it, are all secondary to making sure the coach runs and gets you
> from Point A to Point B. The interior stuff is the hobby and fun stuff
> for me.
>
> So.....as a fellow newbie...what I have learned is the following:
>
> 1. This forum and most of the seasoned owners are some of the best advice
> you will get.
>
> 2. Don't be discouraged by other people's mishaps. You will have your
> own, and I've seen plenty of non-GMC motor homes and stranded RVs on the
> side
> of the road (I say a prayer for them each time!).
>
> 3. I would find a really trustworthy mechanic, one who also knows
> "trucks". Believe it or not, many of them know about the old engines and
> are quick
> to figure things out. And call Jim K at Allied. Although I've never
> dealt with him directly, he and others are great sources on this forum, and
> and
> my dream is to somehow make time to make an appointment with Jim K at
> Allied one day, drive this down from Seattle, and also have him check the
> whole
> thing out. As my brother mentioned to me when I visited him in
> Albuquerque, "Have someone who knows about this thing check it out before
> you take
> another long trip!"
>
> 4. Someone recently made a post that most problems won't happen if you
> take preventative actions. I'm learning that too.
>
> 5. Finally, like anything in life, you're going to learn more and become
> more comfortable with your coach as YOU use it.
>
> I know I'm the 1000th person on this forum to say it, but owning and
> driving this coach has been a totally blast for me, even with the hiccups.
> I
> can't count how many times people either ask me "Where did you get
> that??", "What is that?", or "I (or my brother, friend, etc.) used to own
> one of
> those!" I love going to RV parks and looking at all the identical RVs and
> then seeing my GMC, and knowing I'm part of a unique club.
>
> Good luck and have fun,
>
> Brian
> --
> Brian K
> 1977 Eleganza II, TZE167V100261
> Bellevue, WA
> Rebuilt 455, New brake system, a lot of oe (discovering more as I go
> along....)
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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Brian K
1977 Eleganza II, TZE167V100261
Sherman Oaks, CA
Rebuilt 455, New brake system, a lot of Original Equipment ready to fall apart (discovering more as I go along....)
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| Re: [GMCnet] Some newbie GMC questions! [message #322804 is a reply to message #322803] |
Mon, 28 August 2017 02:21 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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Wow, you have already done a lot of stuff. Tire covers seem to be popular in Arizona if it is parked a lot in the sun. Around here (near Chicago) I never see them. So if you are parking in the sun for long a term and have new tires go for some covers.
Curtains and / or blind selection are kind of a personal choice item. One thing to keep in mind as you are choosing what to do are the sides of the coach are not perfectly perpendicular to the ground. So you may need to build or buy some valences to keep the curtain or blinds up against the walls so keep that in mind with you design.
I suggest you try to attend one or two local club rallies with or without your coach. They always have and open house of coaches and you can get some ideas for curtains / blinds.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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but on the plus side realized my hazard lights work for all these potential mishaps down the road!