Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Joined the Fraternity -- New Owner of a 33,000-mile 1976 Palm Beach
| Joined the Fraternity -- New Owner of a 33,000-mile 1976 Palm Beach [message #229287] |
Mon, 11 November 2013 10:42  |
AutoTraveler
Messages: 17
Registered: April 2011
Location: United States
Karma: 0
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Junior Member |
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The conclusion of a four-year search that started when I wrote a story on the history of the GMC MotorHomes for AutomotiveTraveler.com ended yesterday with the purchase of a 1976 Palm Beach. It has been off the road since 1997 but is in remarkably good condition and is 100% original (avocado plaid interior). It's got one ceiling panel that needs attention and is missing the the dinette table (anyone have one?) and I plan to carefully bring it back to life, starting with dropping, draining, and cleaning the fuel tank before even attempting to start it up. It did ran when parked so I will have all the fuel lines checked and replace all the belts and hoses as one would do with any barn find like this (it was a Craigslist driveway find, those of you who follow Craigslist probably know of my coach).
I plan to have it towed from Azuza to Lake Elsinore where I live and start the clean up process here and get a mobile RV mechanic address the mechanical issues.
Here's some photos for those who are interested.
Now that I have a GMC MotorHome, I'm going to restart work on my GMC history picture book so I will be looking to feature 20 coaches in the book. Each coach will get a four-page spread, an opening two page spread of the coach on the road or in a campground setting, and a second spread with detail photos (similar to mine above) along with a 300-word narrative on each coach's history and details. If you want to be included, please contact me at
Are there any GMC owners living in Southern California on the list? If so, I'd love to meet. Contact me via private message of by E-mail at the link above and we can exchange phone numbers.
I look forward to now being a more active participant in the GMC Forum.
Richard Truesdell
Lake Elsinore, CA
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| Re: [GMCnet] Joined the Fraternity -- New Owner of a 33, 000-mile 1976 Palm Beach [message #229309 is a reply to message #229287] |
Mon, 11 November 2013 12:43  |
Len Novak
Messages: 676
Registered: February 2004
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Karma: -3
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Senior Member |
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I'd give Miguel a call (MGMGMC) as he is in Ontario. When I bought my
coach I took it to him and had him go thru it to address any pressing or
safety issues. You might want to have it towed there first.
Then I'd join the Pacific Cruisers and sign up for the Blue Grass Festival
in Temecula this coming March.
Cheers,
Len and Pat Novak
1978 GMC Kingsley
The Beast II with dash lights that work and labels you can see!
Fallbrook, CA new email: B52Rule@Roadrunner.Com
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showgallery.php?cat=4375
www.bdub.net/novak/
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Rich Truesdell
Sent: Monday, November 11, 2013 8:42 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: [GMCnet] Joined the Fraternity -- New Owner of a 33,000-mile 1976
Palm Beach
The conclusion of a four-year search that started when I wrote a story on
the history of the GMC MotorHomes for AutomotiveTraveler.com ended yesterday
with the purchase of a 1976 Palm Beach. It has been off the road since 1997
but is in remarkably good condition and is 100% original (avocado plaid
interior). It's got one ceiling panel that needs attention and is missing
the the dinette table (anyone have one?) and I plan to carefully bring it
back to life, starting with dropping, draining, and cleaning the fuel tank
before even attempting to start it up. It did ran when parked so I will have
all the fuel lines checked and replace all the belts and hoses as one would
do with any barn find like this (it was a Craigslist driveway find, those of
you who follow Craigslist probably know of my coach).
I plan to have it towed from Azuza to Lake Elsinore where I live and start
the clean up process here and get a mobile RV mechanic address the
mechanical issues.
Here's some photos for those who are interested.
Now that I have a GMC MotorHome, I'm going to restart work on my GMC history
picture book so I will be looking to feature 20 coaches in the book. Each
coach will get a four-page spread, an opening two page spread of the coach
on the road or in a campground setting, and a second spread with detail
photos (similar to mine above) along with a 300-word narrative on each
coach's history and details. If you want to be included, please contact me
at mailto:richtruesdell@gmail.com
Are there any GMC owners living in Southern California on the list? If so,
I'd love to meet. Contact me via private message of by E-mail at the link
above and we can exchange phone numbers.
I look forward to now being a more active participant in the GMC Forum.
Richard Truesdell
Lake Elsinore, CA
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Len and Pat Novak
1978 GMC Kingsley
The Beast II with dash lights that work and labels you can see!
Las Vegas, NV new email: B52sRule@Gmail.com
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showgallery.php?cat=4375
www.bdub.net/novak/
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| Re: [GMCnet] Joined the Fraternity -- New Owner of a 33, 000-mile 1976 Palm Beach [message #229335 is a reply to message #229309] |
Mon, 11 November 2013 16:24 |
AutoTraveler
Messages: 17
Registered: April 2011
Location: United States
Karma: 0
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Junior Member |
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Hi everyone and thanks for all the advice.
Between my first post and now, I spoke with Miguel and I'll be having the coach towed to his shop on Wednesday. I'm going to start with the fuel system (remove tank clean it, replace all the fuel lines), then address other safety-related issues, such as the brakes and suspension, as he finds them.
I'm still not sure if I'm going to take it out of non-op status quickly. I think that I might prefer to get it down to the park where I live, clean it, check all systems, outfit it to my needs (need either a front dinette or rear dinette table), and put it on a hook up to see how all the systems (heating, plumbing, et. al.) work. That seems to be the logical way to go.
I spoke with Miguel and he said the wheel solution is a set of Eagle wheels and he had several tire recommendations. Because of the originality of the coach, I am considering steel wheels with GMC hub caps. Does anyone reading this have their own thoughts to share? A good source for the Eagle wheels Miguel mentioned?
I'm really excited and while I know this will be an on-going work in progress, I am hoping to have the coach down to my home in a week or so. And the rally in Temecula in the Spring is certainly a possibility..
Richard Truesdell
Lake Elsinore, CA
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| Re: [GMCnet] Joined the Fraternity -- New Owner of a 33, 000-mile 1976 Palm Beach [message #229356 is a reply to message #229335] |
Mon, 11 November 2013 18:10 |
tphipps
Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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On wheels, easy to just use American Eagles. Very hard to find 16" OEM Chevy/GMC steel wheels. The one that works on our coach has the dome shape, not the cone shape. I don't know if OEM style full wheel covers are available. I used paint and beauty rings. Search this site for correct wheel part number and photos of the wheel that works.
16.5 " OEM rims are easy to find ( ask any owner), but there are very slim choices for an acceptable tire.
Tom, MS II, with 6 16" steel wheels.
2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552
KA4CSG
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| Re: [GMCnet] Joined the Fraternity -- New Owner of a 33, 000-mile 1976 Palm Beach [message #229360 is a reply to message #229335] |
Mon, 11 November 2013 18:21 |
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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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Richard,
Welcome to the group, family, cult, asylum....
The only smart thing to do for Eagle alloy wheels is to get them from JimK. Then you can get the correct fit.
The current steel wheels are 6x16.5. Even though a 76 should have radial capable wheels, there is only one US manufacturer of 8.75X16.5 tires. While the friend (at Firestone) I spoke to a couple of years ago was pretty sure that those would not be discontinued any time real soon (there was still reasonable demand in the Ag sector), they can be difficult to get if there is a sudden need. If you are going to change to 6X16 and run a 225-75R-16, I don't know if the OE hub caps will fit, but someone here probably does know.
If you are going to get new wheels, they can be had. But you must be very specific and cautious, the shop that said they could get me a set did try, but they could get the 6X16 with the right offset and all, but only with the wrong barrel/spider. GM used two designs, one has a round middle like your current wheels and the other that is conical and it won't clear the brakes.
As to rallies, pay attention to Bdub's calendar and get to one as soon as you can - even if you have to walk. There are always people at any rally that have come coachless.
For a table, read the swap part of the forum. If there isn't one there now, be patient. In fact, I am working with another man and we a recovering an abandon coach. It will be some time before the decision gets made whether this one gets recommissioned or scraped out. If the later, at least a table will be available. This happens all too often.
Lastly, if you have been reading this group long, you have realized that it is like very few others. You will also soon realize that the coach becomes more a part of your life than just another toy because of this community you now belong to. I grew up among east coast waterman and still count myself one, and this community is much the same. For that reason, I took up welcoming new owners much as a new owner or vessel would be welcomed there. So,
May the Good Lord bless this coach and all those that set forth withing her.
Welcome Richard.
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: [GMCnet] Joined the Fraternity -- New Owner of a 33, 000-mile 1976 Palm Beach [message #229411 is a reply to message #229360] |
Tue, 12 November 2013 00:08 |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Eagle wheels are not the same.
You need to request the ones that are HUB CENTERED.
When new one will not notice, but after few changes the lug centered
units tend to lose the center when the lug nuts auger in the holes.
Also it should come with a SS Valve stem that has easy acess to gauge
and injectors. Since the standard hardware are the Chinese chrome
units, we supply the SS hardware.
We make these wheel available to all GMC shops, but some supply the
standard lug centered with rubber valve stems
On 11/11/13, Matt Colie <matt7323tze@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> Richard,
>
> Welcome to the group, family, cult, asylum....
>
> The only smart thing to do for Eagle alloy wheels is to get them from JimK.
> Then you can get the correct fit.
>
> The current steel wheels are 6x16.5. Even though a 76 should have radial
> capable wheels, there is only one US manufacturer of 8.75X16.5 tires. While
> the friend (at Firestone) I spoke to a couple of years ago was pretty sure
> that those would not be discontinued any time real soon (there was still
> reasonable demand in the Ag sector), they can be difficult to get if there
> is a sudden need. If you are going to change to 6X16 and run a 225-75R-16,
> I don't know if the OE hub caps will fit, but someone here probably does
> know.
>
> If you are going to get new wheels, they can be had. But you must be very
> specific and cautious, the shop that said they could get me a set did try,
> but they could get the 6X16 with the right offset and all, but only with
> the wrong barrel/spider. GM used two designs, one has a round middle like
> your current wheels and the other that is conical and it won't clear the
> brakes.
>
> As to rallies, pay attention to Bdub's calendar and get to one as soon as
> you can - even if you have to walk. There are always people at any rally
> that have come coachless.
>
> For a table, read the swap part of the forum. If there isn't one there now,
> be patient. In fact, I am working with another man and we a recovering an
> abandon coach. It will be some time before the decision gets made whether
> this one gets recommissioned or scraped out. If the later, at least a table
> will be available. This happens all too often.
>
> Lastly, if you have been reading this group long, you have realized that it
> is like very few others. You will also soon realize that the coach becomes
> more a part of your life than just another toy because of this community you
> now belong to. I grew up among east coast waterman and still count myself
> one, and this community is much the same. For that reason, I took up
> welcoming new owners much as a new owner or vessel would be welcomed there.
> So,
>
> May the Good Lord bless this coach and all those that set forth withing her.
>
>
> Welcome Richard.
>
> Matt
> --
> Matt & Mary Colie
> '73 Glacier 23 Chaumière (say show-me-air)
> Now with 4 working Rear Brakes
> SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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| Re: [GMCnet] Joined the Fraternity -- New Owner of a 33, 000-mile 1976 Palm Beach [message #229505 is a reply to message #229335] |
Tue, 12 November 2013 11:56 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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That is smart thinking. try to use it as much between fixing it up. try not to do anything to take it out of service too long, where you get frustrated at the expense and time.
applied GMC for the wheels.
I am curious about 16" hubcaps, and options? I did procure some steel 16" rims, and I will be installing them next spring. one thing about going to 16" steel, if you are lucky to find good, correct rims, is the cost of hubcaps that probably will fly off.
I used to have some wheel simulators on my 16.5 rims. they disappeared one by one. I now have original GMC hubcaps and they hold tight. tough to put on without denting or damaging them, but I know they are on for the good. there is also some noise with the hubcaps, so keep that in mind when you are trying to save a buck by not buying the eagles.
I know from some cars I have had in the past, it seemed new hubcaps stayed on, but after a couple weeks after i had tires installed, checked brakes, or for whatever reason had the hubcap removed and reinstalled. they started disappearing one by one.
I will probably be painting my rims, but will not look as nice as I would like them to.
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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| Re: Joined the Fraternity -- New Owner of a 33,000-mile 1976 Palm Beach [message #229596 is a reply to message #229287] |
Tue, 12 November 2013 19:42 |
AutoTraveler
Messages: 17
Registered: April 2011
Location: United States
Karma: 0
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Junior Member |
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I'm going to have the coach towed from Azuza to Miguel's in Montclair on Wednesday. I'm wondering if one possibility is if I have the later 1976 radial-capable wheels, to have them removed, blasted, and powder coated while the coach is in for service, then mount new radial tires? Because I'm going for originality, and if I can find a set of proper GMC hubcaps, might this be an alternative to buying new Eagle rims along with new tires, something that is at best, $2,000 or more?
As always, suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.
Richard Truesdell
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| Re: Joined the Fraternity -- New Owner of a 33,000-mile 1976 Palm Beach [message #229608 is a reply to message #229596] |
Tue, 12 November 2013 20:29 |
tphipps
Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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No idea what a properly done powder coated wheel would cost in your area, but here in low wage MS, I was quoted $80 a rim, times 6 is $480 plus taxes. And, you are still stuck with slim picking for tires. JmKs price for American Eagles is fair. He is a gentleman to deal with, and stands behind his products. Many more choices in 16" tires. They will not be going out of production any time soon. Even Wal-Mart has the correct tire size and load range.
JMHO
Tom, MS II with Wal-Mart tires
2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552
KA4CSG
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| Re: Joined the Fraternity -- New Owner of a 33,000-mile 1976 Palm Beach [message #229651 is a reply to message #229596] |
Wed, 13 November 2013 08:21 |
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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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| AutoTraveler wrote on Tue, 12 November 2013 20:42 |
I'm going to have the coach towed from Azuza to Miguel's in Montclair on Wednesday. I'm wondering if one possibility is if I have the later 1976 radial-capable wheels, to have them removed, blasted, and powder coated while the coach is in for service, then mount new radial tires? Because I'm going for originality, and if I can find a set of proper GMC hubcaps, might this be an alternative to buying new Eagle rims along with new tires, something that is at best, $2,000 or more?
As always, suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.
Richard Truesdell
|
Richard,
Look for a company that says it does "Truck Wheel Reconditioning" that is the code phrase for blast clean and powder coat. This last year I got 15 wheels done for 30$ each (volume discount from the usual 35$). Too bad I then had to cull two of those.
I find no problem with my now 5 year and 30K+ mile Firestone Transforce. But, the way we travel, I just don't like having a tire that is not very common.
There are lots of OE hub caps around. Anybody that changed to alloy probably had four or five to unload.
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: [GMCnet] Joined the Fraternity -- New Owner of a 33, 000-mile 1976 Palm Beach [message #229653 is a reply to message #229623] |
Wed, 13 November 2013 08:37 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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If you want to keep original, I think 16.5 radial rated rims are plenty, and original Hubcaps are easily found. I am sure you can get some for about nothing. Just the cost of tires, and cleaning up the rims.
I need to clean up 5 16" rims, I might look around more at the sandblast shops, but I am pretty sure I looked for my buggies, and it was way more then $35 a rim.
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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| Re: [GMCnet] Joined the Fraternity -- New Owner of a 33, 000-mile 1976 Palm Beach [message #229679 is a reply to message #229335] |
Wed, 13 November 2013 10:21 |
Ron77
Messages: 91
Registered: August 2012
Karma: 0
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Member |
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Good move, to have Miguel look it over and take care of what needs to be
done immediately. He's been a perfect source of information and repair when
needed, for me since we bought ours a couple of year ago.
Ron Johnson
77 Eleganza II
Escondido, CA
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Rich Truesdell
Sent: Monday, November 11, 2013 2:25 PM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Joined the Fraternity -- New Owner of a 33, 000-mile
1976 Palm Beach
Hi everyone and thanks for all the advice.
Between my first post and now, I spoke with Miguel and I'll be having the
coach towed to his shop on Wednesday. I'm going to start with the fuel
system (remove tank clean it, replace all the fuel lines), then address
other safety-related issues, such as the brakes and suspension, as he finds
them.
I'm still not sure if I'm going to take it out of non-op status quickly. I
think that I might prefer to get it down to the park where I live, clean it,
check all systems, outfit it to my needs (need either a front dinette or
rear dinette table), and put it on a hook up to see how all the systems
(heating, plumbing, et. al.) work. That seems to be the logical way to go.
I spoke with Miguel and he said the wheel solution is a set of Eagle wheels
and he had several tire recommendations. Because of the originality of the
coach, I am considering steel wheels with GMC hub caps. Does anyone reading
this have their own thoughts to share? A good source for the Eagle wheels
Miguel mentioned?
I'm really excited and while I know this will be an on-going work in
progress, I am hoping to have the coach down to my home in a week or so. And
the rally in Temecula in the Spring is certainly a possibility..
Richard Truesdell
Lake Elsinore, CA
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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