Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » You asked - What I learned along the way!
| You asked - What I learned along the way! [message #132302] |
Mon, 27 June 2011 15:52  |
Rickmo
Messages: 105
Registered: January 2011
Location: Gladwin, Michigan
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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#1 Don't believe everything a PO tells you. They are sometimes over enthusiastic about what they have done to the coach.
#2 Take what you plan on spending to renovate the old girl, and double it.
#3 Enjoy the renovation - looking at it as a project to get done will only frustrate you. It is a journey not a destination.
#3 Try to hide the coach and the bills from your wife. Only show her when it is done.
#4 Driving a GMC is more like conducting and orchestra than actually driving a vehicle.
#5 Take these tools and you can fix just about everything: Complete set of gear wrenches up to 1 inch, adjustable wrench, complete socket set up to 3/4 inch with extension, hammer, small pick or scratch awl, flash light, large and small of each type of screw driver,bottle jack and jack hook, vise grips, channel locks, electrical pliers, gorilla tape, 2 hose clamps, two part epoxy (NAPA), wood wedge for wedging the bogies, c-clip retaining ring pliers, good mechanics gloves, internet access to this forum and Jim K's phone number.
#6 You can do an engine R&R out the bottom in two days and do not need to be a mechanic, but you better have a good attitude about the deal.
#7 When doing the engine R&R, it is easier to jack up the front and the back to the same height. No wierd angles to fight.
#8 Stock exhaust manifold gaskets last 550 miles. Use Remflex gaskets and re-torqe every hot cold cycle until tight.
#9 You will get 10-11 miles to the gallon despite what else you may have been told.
#10 Traveling out west - avoid the Teton Pass. Always double check our GPS against a map that lists grades. Otherwise be prepared to have a scary ride down.
#11 WalMarts are conviently located next to auto parts stores!
#12 Your GMC is not a new or newer SOB. It is a vintage motorhome and you better have the mindset that your trip is an adventure more about the journey than the destination.
#13 We had originally planned on selling her when we got home. The kids both freaked out when we mentioned it. They love the "Screaming Lady" and consider her part of the family.
Rick Seebeck
Gladwin Michigan
1973 Canyon Lands
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| Re: [GMCnet] You asked - What I learned along the way! [message #132373 is a reply to message #132302] |
Mon, 27 June 2011 20:56  |
sgltrac
Messages: 2797
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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I hope you are wrong about the first 3. I am hoping to address all of the
systems/structural issues and then use the heck out of this thing after a
couple of shakedown missions. Maybe then I will be able to see what custom
mods I would like to have to enhance the experience. If I am totally wrong
about my plan, please don't let me know for at least two more months as by
then if I am completely burned out and defeated by this project(obsession?)
it will be saleable to someone else : )
Sully
77 Royale
On Mon, Jun 27, 2011 at 1:52 PM, Rick <mrseebeck@gcsnet.org> wrote:
>
>
> #1 Don't believe everything a PO tells you. They are sometimes over
> enthusiastic about what they have done to the coach.
>
> #2 Take what you plan on spending to renovate the old girl, and double it.
>
> #3 Enjoy the renovation - looking at it as a project to get done will only
> frustrate you. It is a journey not a destination.
>
> #3 Try to hide the coach and the bills from your wife. Only show her when
> it is done.
>
> #4 Driving a GMC is more like conducting and orchestra than actually
> driving a vehicle.
>
> #5 Take these tools and you can fix just about everything: Complete set of
> gear wrenches up to 1 inch, adjustable wrench, complete socket set up to 3/4
> inch with extension, hammer, small pick or scratch awl, flash light, large
> and small of each type of screw driver,bottle jack and jack hook, vise
> grips, channel locks, electrical pliers, gorilla tape, 2 hose clamps, two
> part epoxy (NAPA), wood wedge for wedging the bogies, c-clip retaining ring
> pliers, good mechanics gloves, internet access to this forum and Jim K's
> phone number.
>
> #6 You can do an engine R&R out the bottom in two days and do not need to
> be a mechanic, but you better have a good attitude about the deal.
>
> #7 When doing the engine R&R, it is easier to jack up the front and the
> back to the same height. No wierd angles to fight.
>
> #8 Stock exhaust manifold gaskets last 550 miles. Use Remflex gaskets and
> re-torqe every hot cold cycle until tight.
>
> #9 You will get 10-11 miles to the gallon despite what else you may have
> been told.
>
> #10 Traveling out west - avoid the Teton Pass. Always double check our GPS
> against a map that lists grades. Otherwise be prepared to have a scary ride
> down.
>
> #11 WalMarts are conviently located next to auto parts stores!
>
> #12 Your GMC is not a new or newer SOB. It is a vintage motorhome and you
> better have the mindset that your trip is an adventure more about the
> journey than the destination.
>
> #13 We had originally planned on selling her when we got home. The kids
> both freaked out when we mentioned it. They love the "Screaming Lady" and
> consider her part of the family.
> --
> Rick Seebeck
> Gladwin Michigan
> 1973 Canyon Lands
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
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Sully
77 Royale basket case.
Future motorhome land speed record holder(bucket list)
Seattle, Wa.
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