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belt metal [message #327077] Wed, 13 December 2017 23:55 Go to next message
palerider is currently offline  palerider   United States
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Registered: September 2013
Location: Kingsland , Texas
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Newbie here. I've owned a 78 Royale with 50,000 miles on it for about 5 years now and am just getting around to doing some repairs on it. I assumed I would need to remove the alum belt molding and seal it. I removed the forward ones but now assume you have to access the rest from the interior. I have no signs of leakage on the inside so is it really needed? .....Tom
Re: belt metal [message #327084 is a reply to message #327077] Thu, 14 December 2017 07:28 Go to previous messageGo to next message
midlf is currently offline  midlf   United States
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Registered: July 2007
Location: SE Wisc. (Palmyra)
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palerider wrote on Wed, 13 December 2017 23:55
Newbie here. I've owned a 78 Royale with 50,000 miles on it for about 5 years now and am just getting around to doing some repairs on it. I assumed I would need to remove the alum belt molding and seal it. I removed the forward ones but now assume you have to access the rest from the interior. I have no signs of leakage on the inside so is it really needed? .....Tom



If it ain't broke, fix till it is.

If you are not having a leak problem now, you very well may after you are done. Many of us would love to have your "no leak" problem.


Steve Southworth
1974 Glacier TZE064V100150 (for workin on)
1975 Transmode TZE365V100394 (parts & spares)
Palmyra WI
Re: belt metal [message #327085 is a reply to message #327077] Thu, 14 December 2017 07:51 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Tilerpep is currently offline  Tilerpep   United States
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Registered: June 2013
Location: Raleigh, NC
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Senior Member
If you are just starting to really pull stuff apart, and are concerned about the beltline, I would recommend that you pull apart the interior enough to really assess if you are leaking or not. Get eyeballs (preferably during a rain storm) under carpet, behind wall coverings, cabinets, beds, etc. and if you are still convinced there is no problem...then don't touch it! ha. There was a new owner on Facebook that was surprised by how much hidden floor rot was present - a simple pull back of the carpet can tell you much of the story. Go ahead and put strategic slices in the carpet, enough to see under - if floor is good carpet will glue back down, if its bad you need to get it out to repair under it anyway.

I have never "gutted" my 75 coach, but over four years I have pulled parts, ducts, heaters, beds, wall covers, etc. to where I have seen every interior frame surface except the center roofline. I did have to replace plywood floor under my passenger side propane tank and house water tank. That PO roof leak had warped the upper cabinet, and destroyed the blanket cabinet, so there was plenty of indicators that went floor to ceiling.

Another solution - find covered storage!



1975 Glenbrook, 1978 Royale rear bath Raleigh, NC
Re: belt metal [message #327090 is a reply to message #327077] Thu, 14 December 2017 09:34 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Matt Colie is currently offline  Matt Colie   United States
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Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
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Senior Member
palerider wrote on Thu, 14 December 2017 00:55
Newbie here. I've owned a 78 Royale with 50,000 miles on it for about 5 years now and am just getting around to doing some repairs on it. I assumed I would need to remove the alum belt molding and seal it. I removed the forward ones but now assume you have to access the rest from the interior. I have no signs of leakage on the inside so is it really needed? .....Tom

Tom,

Welcome to the group, family, cult, asylum...

Glad you found us. This forum is actually a mirror of an e-mail server, and those that join us by e-mail can't see the headed at the top of the posting. If you put the basic information in you sigfile (go to <Control Panel/Account Settings> and scroll down, then be sure to scroll down to <update>) that will help those that will want to be of assistance to you. So, if you put in your real name (so those you meet know who you are), a short bit about the coach (particularly year and model) (Royales and 78's are a lot different) and a geographic reference, that all helps.

By buying a GMC and finding your way here, you have become part of an community of people that are both helpful and supportive. I do not know where "Hill Country" is, but I do know that you have a lot of friends in Texas that you have yet to meet. You will quickly realize that the coach is not just another toy, but it brings with it this amazing community. As the only other community that I know of that is like this is that of the watermen of my world, I like to welcome new owners much as a new owner or vessel is welcomed there. So,

May the Good Lord bless this coach and all those that set forth within her.

Welcome Tom.

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
Re: belt metal [message #327096 is a reply to message #327077] Thu, 14 December 2017 11:01 Go to previous message
C Boyd is currently offline  C Boyd   United States
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Registered: April 2006
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Senior Member
Sir: the belt line on the 77-78 models Is different from the 73-76. The early models is a 3 piece cover ( aluminum, stainless and galvanized) with a rubber insert and suffers from electrolices from dissimilar metals and is prone to leak. The later models is an aluminum extrusion that the SMC panels fit in and a stick on rubber belting. Many have replaced the stainless with a 2" aluminum strip to mimick the late model look when re painting. The source of most side wall leaks is the upper seam above the windows with the removeable cover and end caps.




palerider wrote on Thu, 14 December 2017 00:55
Newbie here. I've owned a 78 Royale with 50,000 miles on it for about 5 years now and am just getting around to doing some repairs on it. I assumed I would need to remove the alum belt molding and seal it. I removed the forward ones but now assume you have to access the rest from the interior. I have no signs of leakage on the inside so is it really needed? .....Tom



C. Boyd
76 Crestmont
East Tennessee
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