Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Fuel Selector Valve? (Looking for the current consensus... Oh, and hello!)
| Fuel Selector Valve? [message #180742] |
Sat, 18 August 2012 15:36  |
turrican
Messages: 4
Registered: July 2012
Karma: 0
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Junior Member |
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Hello all,
I'm horrible with introductions, so hopefully this will suffice - I'm Sean, you already know Meghan - she and I recently bought (thanks again, Dave!) and drove back our '76 Eleganza from Ely, NV to Los Angeles. A big part of why we chose a GMC was that there looks to be a fantastic enthusiast community as well as really good parts availability compared to most other vintage coaches. We're looking forward to putting some miles on this thing!
Now, on to business - looks like the fuel tank selector valve on our '76 Eleganza is leaking. The fuel lines aren't original, but are old enough to warrant replacement (a re-hose will happen, just not yet) and I originally hoped it was just cracks in the lines at the valve nipples, so I installed unions and some newer line up to, and from, the valve. However, it looks like the valve itself is the problem.
I know Applied has a valve (http://www.appliedgmc.com/prod.itml/icOid/858) and I'm okay with going ahead and just installing that, but I wanted to first ask the list what the general consensus is when the need to replace this valve arises. If the Applied one is used, I'm assuming the valve will have to be relocated (looks bigger than the original one?), and since I now have pliable lead lines that shouldn't be much of a problem.
-Sean
Sean
'76 Eleganza
Los Angeles
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| Re: Fuel Selector Valve? [message #180745 is a reply to message #180742] |
Sat, 18 August 2012 17:16  |
A Hamilto
Messages: 4508
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 39
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Senior Member |
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| turrican wrote on Sat, 18 August 2012 15:36 |
Hello all,
I'm horrible with introductions, so hopefully this will suffice - I'm Sean, you already know Meghan - she and I recently bought (thanks again, Dave!) and drove back our '76 Eleganza from Ely, NV to Los Angeles. A big part of why we chose a GMC was that there looks to be a fantastic enthusiast community as well as really good parts availability compared to most other vintage coaches. We're looking forward to putting some miles on this thing!
Now, on to business - looks like the fuel tank selector valve on our '76 Eleganza is leaking. The fuel lines aren't original, but are old enough to warrant replacement (a re-hose will happen, just not yet) and I originally hoped it was just cracks in the lines at the valve nipples, so I installed unions and some newer line up to, and from, the valve. However, it looks like the valve itself is the problem.
I know Applied has a valve (http://www.appliedgmc.com/prod.itml/icOid/858) and I'm okay with going ahead and just installing that, but I wanted to first ask the list what the general consensus is when the need to replace this valve arises. If the Applied one is used, I'm assuming the valve will have to be relocated (looks bigger than the original one?), and since I now have pliable lead lines that shouldn't be much of a problem.
-Sean
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Order it by phone and talk to Jim or one of his people. Just ask and they will tell you everything you need to know to get it installed, plus any odds and ends you might not know you need.
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| Re: [GMCnet] Fuel Selector Valve? [message #180746 is a reply to message #180742] |
Sat, 18 August 2012 18:11 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Sean,
My suggestion is to look ahead a bit: We seem destined to always have
vapor lock problems related to the "ethanol improved" gasoline we're forced
to buy. One of the most effective ways to combat that problem is with
"pusher" electric fuel pumps mounted back next to the fuel tanks. The
method I chose to do that was to replace the tank selector valve with two
electric fuel pumps, one dedicated to each tank. From the driver's point
of view, there's been no change -- selecting the Main or Aux tank with the
dash switch merely turns on one pump and turns the other off.
Since you can pretty well count on needing at least one electric pump in
the not too distant future, why not spend the price of a new selector valve
on a second electric pump? The cost of the selector valve is about 2/3
that of an electric pump and the installation labor is very little more.
JMHO,
Ken H.
On Sat, Aug 18, 2012 at 4:36 PM, Sean wrote:
>
> ...
> I know Applied has a valve (http://www.appliedgmc.com/prod.itml/icOid/858)
> and I'm okay with going ahead and just installing that, but I wanted to
> first ask the list what the general consensus is when the need to replace
> this valve arises. If the Applied one is used, I'm assuming the valve will
> have to be relocated (looks bigger than the original one?), and since I now
> have pliable lead lines that shouldn't be much of a problem.
>
>
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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: [GMCnet] Fuel Selector Valve? [message #180747 is a reply to message #180746] |
Sat, 18 August 2012 18:56 |
captjack
Messages: 271
Registered: February 2010
Location: Sebastopol, California
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Sean,
The valve from Applied mounts differently from the original so you'll have to do a little mechanical work. I changed mine and remember it being a pain. Once changed, it works exactly the same as the original.
Jack Christensen - K6ROW,
'76 Glenbrook/Clasco - "The Silver Bullet",
Sebastopol, CA
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| Re: [GMCnet] Fuel Selector Valve? [message #180752 is a reply to message #180746] |
Sat, 18 August 2012 19:44 |
roy1
Messages: 2126
Registered: July 2004
Location: Minden nevada
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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[quote title=Ken Henderson wrote on Sat, 18 August 2012 16:11]Sean,
My suggestion is to look ahead a bit: We seem destined to always have
vapor lock problems related to the "ethanol improved" gasoline we're forced
to buy. One of the most effective ways to combat that problem is with
"pusher" electric fuel pumps mounted back next to the fuel tanks. The
method I chose to do that was to replace the tank selector valve with two
electric fuel pumps, one dedicated to each tank. From the driver's point
of view, there's been no change -- selecting the Main or Aux tank with the
dash switch merely turns on one pump and turns the other off.
Since you can pretty well count on needing at least one electric pump in
the not too distant future, why not spend the price of a new selector valve
on a second electric pump? The cost of the selector valve is about 2/3
that of an electric pump and the installation labor is very little more.
JMHO,
Ken H.
On Sat, Aug 18, 2012 at 4:36 PM, Sean wrote:
>
> ...
> I know Applied has a valve (http://www.appliedgmc.com/prod.itml/icOid/858)
> and I'm okay with going ahead and just installing that, but I wanted to
> first ask the list what the general consensus is when the need to replace
> this valve arises. If the Applied one is used, I'm assuming the valve will
> have to be relocated (looks bigger than the original one?), and since I now
> have pliable lead lines that shouldn't be much of a problem.
>
>
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Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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If you can spare a little extra time Ken's suggestion is a better way to go. When I get a chance I plan on dropping my tanks to redo the fuel lines as the ones on top of the tank haven't been changed since the mid 80's. I plan on removing the selector as Ken did and running 2 electric pumps. I believe you would also need a fuel filter in front of each pump and a check valve for each Carter pump. Ken I wounder if vapor lock is encountered would it help to turn on both pumps at the same time till conditions improved?
Roy Keen
Minden,NV
76 X Glenbrook
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| Re: [GMCnet] Fuel Selector Valve? [message #180756 is a reply to message #180752] |
Sat, 18 August 2012 20:12 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Roy,
I really don't know whether the check valves are necessary with the Carter
4070. I did them from an excess of caution, habit, and the possibility
that I might have to install a replacement on the road that does require
them. Today I thought of another reason: If I hadn't had them, I'd have
had to clamp the outlet lines or my 1 gallon bottom-fed surge tank would
have drained all over me when I disconnected the hoses today.
By the way, I used Viton sealed brass check valves from McMaster-Carr;
about $8.00 when I bought them. How, I've learned that brass supposedly
doesn't like high levels of ethanol. The Viton, or Buna-N supposedly do.
My brass valves seem to be OK after 3-4 years of use.
A fuel filter ahead of each electric pump is recommended. I violated that
rule when I installed mine by putting the filters AFTER the pumps. It was
a matter of plumbing difficulty then; it will be corrected next week when I
re-install the tanks and new plumbing. I've had no resultant problem, but
I suppose if I got some polluted fuel the pumps could be damaged. The high
pressure pump up front does have a filter ahead of it -- belt & suspenders
again.
I've never considered running both pumps -- but then, I've never had vapor
lock either. In '99, I knew better than to leave GA headed for the Rockies
& Alaska without a rear-mounted electric pump; that's one problem I didn't
have on that 9,000 mile trip.
Ken H.
On Sat, Aug 18, 2012 at 8:44 PM, wrote:
> ...I believe you would also need a fuel filter in front of each pump and a
> check valve for each Carter pump. Ken I wounder if vapor lock is
> encountered would it help to turn on both pumps at the same time till
> conditions improved?
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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: Fuel Selector Valve? [message #181021 is a reply to message #180742] |
Mon, 20 August 2012 22:30 |
turrican
Messages: 4
Registered: July 2012
Karma: 0
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Junior Member |
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Thanks everyone for the replies - as expected, great info 'round these parts!
I think for the moment, I'll just go ahead and mount a new switching valve, and plan an upgrade to electric pumps later (probably once I drop the tanks to re-hose).
Sean
'76 Eleganza
Los Angeles
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| Re: [GMCnet] Fuel Selector Valve? [message #181034 is a reply to message #181021] |
Mon, 20 August 2012 23:46 |
Tim Jeffries
Messages: 35
Registered: August 2012
Karma: 0
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Member |
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Wow - I NEED fuel selector valve info. Please forward,
New GMC Owner. got some issues to work out. Gas tanks leaking (great info
on the sending unit locations from this club/site, thanks!
Gas gauge is not working, is that part of the sending unit problem (wires
hanging down etc?
Should I put in a new electric fuel pump, too? this blog says "not yet" -
would like some feedback there.
I'm a new member! Up for some challenges, eh? Need area contacts, too -
other owners nearby? (Valley Center, CA 92082)
Also need info on awnings. It's HOT here right now! -In North San Diego
County - kind of a high desert area near Palomar Mountain. I'm a Park Host
at SD Park and Rec's Hellhole Canyon a 2,000 acres Open Space Preserve.
Tim Jeffries
760-877-2778
On Mon, Aug 20, 2012 at 8:30 PM, Sean <turrican@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> Thanks everyone for the replies - as expected, great info 'round these
> parts!
>
> I think for the moment, I'll just go ahead and mount a new switching
> valve, and plan an upgrade to electric pumps later (probably once I drop
> the tanks to re-hose).
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
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| Re: [GMCnet] Fuel Selector Valve? [message #181052 is a reply to message #181034] |
Tue, 21 August 2012 06:58 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Senior Member |
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Welcome Tim! One of my suppliers (PR&E) usedta be in Carlsbad, haven'[t been out there in a while though. Determine if the leak is lines or tanks - and if it's out of sight above the tank, drop them and while they're down clean up, replace the hoses with alcohol proof or PolyArmor <tm> and then put them back. You can check the guage sender while you have the tanks down.johnny
'76 23' transmode norris
'76 palm beach
From: Tim Jeffries <landhound1@gmail.com>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Tuesday, August 21, 2012 12:46 AM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Fuel Selector Valve?
Wow - I NEED fuel selector valve info. Please forward,
New GMC Owner. got some issues to work out. Gas tanks leaking (great info
on the sending unit locations from this club/site, thanks!
Gas gauge is not working, is that part of the sending unit problem (wires
hanging down etc?
Should I put in a new electric fuel pump, too? this blog says "not yet" -
would like some feedback there.
I'm a new member! Up for some challenges, eh? Need area contacts, too -
other owners nearby? (Valley Center, CA 92082)
Also need info on awnings. It's HOT here right now! -In North San Diego
County - kind of a high desert area near Palomar Mountain. I'm a Park Host
at SD Park and Rec's Hellhole Canyon a 2,000 acres Open Space Preserve.
Tim Jeffries
760-877-2778
On Mon, Aug 20, 2012 at 8:30 PM, Sean <turrican@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> Thanks everyone for the replies - as expected, great info 'round these
> parts!
>
> I think for the moment, I'll just go ahead and mount a new switching
> valve, and plan an upgrade to electric pumps later (probably once I drop
> the tanks to re-hose).
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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_______________________________________________
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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] Fuel Selector Valve? [message #181072 is a reply to message #181034] |
Tue, 21 August 2012 09:44 |
powerjon
Messages: 2446
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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Tim,
Your really need to drop the tanks and replace the lines on top of the tanks if they have not been done in the last ten years. It is possible that the fuel sender should be leaking but the real problem is probably your tank vent line on top of the tank. There is a lot of information on the net for that.
http://gmcmotorhome.info/Fuel.html#LINES
J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
Newsletter Editor/Publisher
78 Buskirk 30' Stretch
75 Avion Under Reconstruction
Michigan
On Aug 21, 2012, at 12:46 AM, Tim Jeffries wrote:
> Wow - I NEED fuel selector valve info. Please forward,
> New GMC Owner. got some issues to work out. Gas tanks leaking (great info
> on the sending unit locations from this club/site, thanks!
> Gas gauge is not working, is that part of the sending unit problem (wires
> hanging down etc?
> Should I put in a new electric fuel pump, too? this blog says "not yet" -
> would like some feedback there.
> I'm a new member! Up for some challenges, eh? Need area contacts, too -
> other owners nearby? (Valley Center, CA 92082)
> Also need info on awnings. It's HOT here right now! -In North San Diego
> County - kind of a high desert area near Palomar Mountain. I'm a Park Host
> at SD Park and Rec's Hellhole Canyon a 2,000 acres Open Space Preserve.
> Tim Jeffries
> 760-877-2778
>
> On Mon, Aug 20, 2012 at 8:30 PM, Sean <turrican@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> Thanks everyone for the replies - as expected, great info 'round these
>> parts!
>>
>> I think for the moment, I'll just go ahead and mount a new switching
>> valve, and plan an upgrade to electric pumps later (probably once I drop
>> the tanks to re-hose).
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
GMC Eastern States
GMCMI
78 30' Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion Under Reconstruction
Michigan
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