Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] Wannabe considering a 1977 Palm Beach
| Re: [GMCnet] Wannabe considering a 1977 Palm Beach [message #122851 is a reply to message #122848] |
Sat, 23 April 2011 00:18   |
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ljdavick
Messages: 3548
Registered: March 2007
Location: Fremont, CA
Karma: -3
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Have a mechanic (hopefully an old-timer) do the basic engine / transmission stuff. Fluids, hoses (you need to do all the fuel lines - modern gas will destroy them and the coach will stink of gasoline), belts, compression test. I'd gamble that the 403 will purr to life with a little attention. With the right gearing a 403 is a sweet engine, and plenty of grunt to move the coach. Any good old-time mechanic can also service the brakes and rear bearings. Safety first was my motto - I took my $3,500 coach and dumped about $7,500 into it before I ever laid eyes on it. Then again I had a trusted GMC mechanic working on it.
Wiring? Ken Henderson's son prints the wiring diagram as large as you like. This is a Palm Beach you are looking at and one of the most popular models, so you can absolutely find how it ought to be from this group.
Next you'll want to investigate the front bearings and alignment. This is something for a specialist. The average Motorhome shop or mechanic will not serve you well, even though they are certain they can do it.
Assuming you've got wheels - you are on the road! Drive it for a year - don't tear into the interior just yet. It looks like it will clean up nicely - the paint on these still has life - and your's has been protected for a long time. Imron paint is about the best of the best. You'll figure out what works for you and what you want to change. If you are like me you may end up just loving it the way it is (don't tell my wife I said that!)
I'm a big fan of getting her on the road asap. The longer she sits, the more likely you'll loose interest. The more we drive her the more we love her.
Good luck - and if it's not this one, the next one will be better yet!
Larry Davick
The Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, CA
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Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, Ca
Howell EFI + EBL + Electronic Dizzy
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| Re: [GMCnet] Wannabe considering a 1977 Palm Beach [message #122860 is a reply to message #122851] |
Sat, 23 April 2011 06:38 |
Robin Hood
Messages: 1078
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 3
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I can replace and repack the wheel bearings, and probably work on the
brakes too. Is there a reason the front bearings require a specialist?
I'm not likely to find such around these parts...
Robin
On Sat, Apr 23, 2011 at 12:18 AM, Larry Davick <ljdavick@comcast.net> wrote:
> Have a mechanic (hopefully an old-timer) do the basic engine / transmission stuff. Fluids, hoses (you need to do all the fuel lines - modern gas will destroy them and the coach will stink of gasoline), belts, compression test. I'd gamble that the 403 will purr to life with a little attention. With the right gearing a 403 is a sweet engine, and plenty of grunt to move the coach. Any good old-time mechanic can also service the brakes and rear bearings. Safety first was my motto - I took my $3,500 coach and dumped about $7,500 into it before I ever laid eyes on it. Then again I had a trusted GMC mechanic working on it.
>
> Wiring? Ken Henderson's son prints the wiring diagram as large as you like. This is a Palm Beach you are looking at and one of the most popular models, so you can absolutely find how it ought to be from this group.
>
> Next you'll want to investigate the front bearings and alignment. This is something for a specialist. The average Motorhome shop or mechanic will not serve you well, even though they are certain they can do it.
>
> Assuming you've got wheels - you are on the road! Drive it for a year - don't tear into the interior just yet. It looks like it will clean up nicely - the paint on these still has life - and your's has been protected for a long time. Imron paint is about the best of the best. You'll figure out what works for you and what you want to change. If you are like me you may end up just loving it the way it is (don't tell my wife I said that!)
>
> I'm a big fan of getting her on the road asap. The longer she sits, the more likely you'll loose interest. The more we drive her the more we love her.
>
> Good luck - and if it's not this one, the next one will be better yet!
>
> Larry Davick
> The Mystery Machine
> 1976(ish) Palm Beach
> Fremont, CA
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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| Re: [GMCnet] Wannabe considering a 1977 Palm Beach [message #122867 is a reply to message #122602] |
Sat, 23 April 2011 08:50 |
kingd
Messages: 592
Registered: June 2004
Karma: 2
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Robin, the REAR wheel bearings would look something like the FRONT wheel bearings on your Pontiac. The FRONTS on a GMC Motorhome are like the FRONTS on the front wheel drive Oldsmobile Torondo or front wheel drive Cadillac Eldorado from the 1970's. The fronts require special tools to take apart or assemble and your local autoparts store would be UNLIKELY to have the recommended bearings see http://www.gmccoop.com/dailypose.htm from 4/22 for details on the front bearings. Should not be a problem for you to send the assembly(s) to Bounds for rebuild.
Dave King
Toronto Ontario Canada
Still a wannabe
DAVE KING
lurker, wannabe
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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| Re: [GMCnet] Wannabe considering a 1977 Palm Beach [message #122868 is a reply to message #122840] |
Sat, 23 April 2011 09:03 |
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Hardie Johnson
Messages: 483
Registered: January 2004
Location: Raleigh NC
Karma: 0
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| Robin Hood wrote on Fri, 22 April 2011 23:13 |
Upon sober reflection, and with due regard given to the advice given
on this List, I believe the following will be my course of action.
<>
I'm not terribly interested in changing belts and hoses myself. I *can* do it, given time and frustration and borrowing the right tools(pulley pullers, etc). I will probably have that done by the local RV service center if I purchase this rig. They may also be able to get the motor running.
<>
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I'm concerned that you do not want to do this work yourself and are willing to pay shop rates ($75/hour?) on an open ended task at an RV shop. Changing out all the essential rubber items is easy stuff. You could end up paying a lot for those tasks.
I also own a 94 BMW. If I could not do all the needed work myself it would be parted out. No one can afford to own a GMC Coach, paying for all the maintenance, unless they have an extra $X0,000 laying around.
But good luck and welcome to it if that's your deal.
"has nothing extra laying about"
Hardie Johnson "Crashj"
1973 26 foot Glacier, White Thing
Raleigh NC
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| Re: [GMCnet] Wannabe considering a 1977 Palm Beach [message #122872 is a reply to message #122868] |
Sat, 23 April 2011 09:15 |
Robin Hood
Messages: 1078
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 3
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Oh, it's not the mechanic's cost per unit of time I'm worried about.
It's *mine*. :) I'll come out ahead time and frustration wise paying
shop rates to get a mechanic to do a job he does all the time, and who
has things like lifts and special tools etc. It won't take him nearly
as long as it will me, and belts/hoses is not a repair task I'm
particularly fond of.
No wife, no kids. That helps too.
Robin
On Sat, Apr 23, 2011 at 9:03 AM, Hardie Johnson <hardie.j@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> Robin Hood wrote on Fri, 22 April 2011 23:13
>> Upon sober reflection, and with due regard given to the advice given
>> on this List, I believe the following will be my course of action.
>> <>
>> I'm not terribly interested in changing belts and hoses myself. I *can* do it, given time and frustration and borrowing the right tools(pulley pullers, etc). I will probably have that done by the local RV service center if I purchase this rig. They may also be able to get the motor running.
>> <>
>
> I'm concerned that you do not want to do this work yourself and are willing to pay shop rates ($75/hour?) on an open ended task at an RV shop. Changing out all the essential rubber items is easy stuff. You could end up paying a lot for those tasks.
> I also own a 94 BMW. If I could not do all the needed work myself it would be parted out. No one can afford to own a GMC Coach, paying for all the maintenance, unless they have an extra $X0,000 laying around.
> But good luck and welcome to it if that's your deal.
> "has nothing extra laying about"
>
> --
> Hardie Johnson "Crashj"
> 1973 26 foot Glacier, White Thing
> Raleigh NC
> _______________________________________________
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| Re: [GMCnet] Wannabe considering a 1977 Palm Beach [message #122877 is a reply to message #122869] |
Sat, 23 April 2011 10:13 |
Mr ERFisher
Messages: 7117
Registered: August 2005
Karma: 2
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and
and
make sure they put a zerk fitting in the knuckle so you never have to go
here again
http://gmcmotorhome.info/front.html#ZERK
gene
On Sat, Apr 23, 2011 at 7:03 AM, Robin Hood <loxley@gmail.com> wrote:
> You mean just take the spindle with rotor attached off and ship it
> somewhere that will mess with taking everything apart and putting it
> back together again? Sounds convenient.
>
> When i converted to front disks on my Pontiac, I had the parts
> powdercoated glossy black. They look NICE. :)
>
> Robin
> Jackson MS
> 1968 Pontiac Catalina
> Possibly a 1977 Palmbeach?
>
> On Sat, Apr 23, 2011 at 8:50 AM, Dave King <kingd@sympatico.ca> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Robin, the REAR wheel bearings would look something like the FRONT wheel
> bearings on your Pontiac. The FRONTS on a GMC Motorhome are like the FRONTS
> on the front wheel drive Oldsmobile Torondo or front wheel drive Cadillac
> Eldorado from the 1970's. The fronts require special tools to take apart or
> assemble and your local autoparts store would be UNLIKELY to have the
> recommended bearings see http://www.gmccoop.com/dailypose.htm from 4/22
> for details on the front bearings. Should not be a problem for you to send
> the assembly(s) to Bounds for rebuild.
> >
> > Dave King
> > Toronto Ontario Canada
> > Still a wannabe
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
> >
> _______________________________________________
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--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
http://gmcmotorhome.info/
Alternator Protection Cable
http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
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| Re: [GMCnet] Wannabe considering a 1977 Palm Beach [message #122879 is a reply to message #122860] |
Sat, 23 April 2011 10:27 |
powerjon
Messages: 2446
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 5
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Danger! Danger! Warning! Warning!!!!
Robin,
"DO NOT" let anyone who does not have the proper tools or has the
proper knowledge to work on your front wheel assemblies. Too many
horror stories of the past. I had a call from a guy in Alabama about
2 years ago asking me where he could get replacement parts for the
front bearings and hubs. The so called mechanic that was working on
the coach had torched the front bearings off and destroyed the hubs
and knuckles.
The safest course of action is for you to do a complete exchange of
front assemblies for a Lenzi rebuilt assemblies both right and left.
You can get those from Jim K for sure, not sure if Jim B also has
them. It is done on an exchange basis and you get a latest state of
the art rebuild with all the correct things done and it is a bolt in
assembly! Most cost effective way to go if you cannot do the work
yourself.
J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
TZE Zone Restorations
77 Eleganza Custom (Sold)
78 Transmode Custom (Purchase Pending)
1975 Avion (Under Reconstruction)
Michigan
On Apr 23, 2011, at 7:38 AM, Robin Hood wrote:
> I can replace and repack the wheel bearings, and probably work on the
> brakes too. Is there a reason the front bearings require a specialist?
> I'm not likely to find such around these parts...
>
> Robin
>
>
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J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
GMC Eastern States
GMCMI
78 30' Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion Under Reconstruction
Michigan
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| Re: [GMCnet] Wannabe considering a 1977 Palm Beach [message #122900 is a reply to message #122886] |
Sat, 23 April 2011 12:51 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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| Hardie Johnson wrote on Sat, 23 April 2011 08:58 |
| Robin Hood wrote on Sat, 23 April 2011 10:15 |
Oh, it's not the mechanic's cost per unit of time I'm worried about.It's *mine*.  I'll come out ahead time and frustration wise paying shop rates to get a mechanic to do a job he does all the time, and who has things like lifts and special tools etc. It won't take him nearly as long as it will me, and belts/hoses is not a repair task I'm particularly fond of. No wife, no kids. That helps too.
<>
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I can understand that approach, why do the nasty stuff if you can 'hire it done.'
Keep us posted.
|
That is a good point. I have a friend who is a professional mechanic. He has often told me he can turn a wrench faster than I can, so I should pay him to work on my vehicles and stick to making money at my job, which I know ow to do better and faster than he does. the trouble is that, due to the nature of the competitive business I'm in (building & construction), I can only get about half the money for labor that he can. So, I'm money ahead to work on my own stuff, even if it takes twice as long. I still take some things to him if the job is beyond my capabilities, or I'm just too busy (or lazy) to do it myself.
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: [GMCnet] Wannabe considering a 1977 Palm Beach [message #123009 is a reply to message #122662] |
Sun, 24 April 2011 10:04 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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| WD0AFQ wrote on Thu, 21 April 2011 18:18 |
Dang, I was in your area and could have come by there. Left Monroe and crossed at Greenville this morning heading home to Mo. We just had a convention in South La. and lots of GMCers passed right through Jackson.
Anyway, welcome to the group. I like your name. You had to grow up to be a lwyer with that name. What is your other job? I am a retired Parole Officer.
Dan
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Yes, Blaine and I in our separate coaches also passed through Jackson last Sunday northbound on the Natchez Trace. A week earlier on Friday we went through southbound on I-55.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] Wannabe considering a 1977 Palm Beach [message #123010 is a reply to message #122877] |
Sun, 24 April 2011 10:17 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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When I redid mine a few years back I also took the easy way out and sent mine to Dave Lenzi. They went Fed-Ex ground and were delivered the next day. Dave rebuilt them and sent them back the same way. I had them back in 5 days including shipping. I sent two rotors that I already had along with them. Dave, during the rebuild, installed them and also installed the grease fittings. I have greased the once since then. I greased them at 12,000 miles with Valvoline Syn Power grease which Dave told me was a good choice due to the MSO2 not found in other synthetics like Mobil 1.
I could have done them myself but for a one time shot I did not want to learn how to do it and to go through the effort of finding the correct puller. With the added grease fittings they should never have to be pulled again.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] Wannabe considering a 1977 Palm Beach [message #123021 is a reply to message #123010] |
Sun, 24 April 2011 11:31 |
Robin Hood
Messages: 1078
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 3
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Senior Member |
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Well, I sent the guy an email telling him I was going to have to pass
on the Palm Beach in his barn, because I could prolly get one in
running and rolling condition for just a few grand more.
I told him that if he was unable to sell it and wanted to part it out
that I could post what he's got and give y'all his contact
information, and that if he needed wheels to get it moved I may be
able to put him touch with some people.
As a last resort, if he was unable to sell it and just wanted it gone,
I told him that I could give him 500 dollars for it and undertake
travelling all over creation to get wheels, pay for an expensive tow,
and HOPE I was able to undo whatever had been done to the dashboard.
We'll see if he bites, or if I find a "rolling coach" before then.
He HAS to get the coach moved; he sold the building it's sitting in.
.sig for automotive mailing lists
Robin Hood
Jackson, MS
2003 Buick Lesabre
1968 Pontiac Catalina
Possible 1977 Palm Beach?
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