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Wicked Mistress update [message #330429]

Tue, 27 March 2018 22:13

Joe Weir

Messages: 769
Registered: February 2013
Location: Columbia, SC

Karma: 7

Senior Member

Haven't posted anything here in a while, and just wanted to let you folks know I'm still plugging along and will make it to an event eventually.

Lots of stuff happening that slowed progress, but the big stuff is done thanks to you guys. I was able to drive wicked Mistress to my garage over on the other side of town via the freeway. What a ride. The old engine was definitely tired - struggling to get up to speed, and once there did not like keeping up with traffic. The new engine sprinted down the onramp to the highway and had plenty of power at speed. Don't know how much of this was also the rebuilt tranny.

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/6672/medium/IMG_6232.JPG

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/6672/IMG_6230.JPG

Lost the propane cover and a transmission funnel I had left "under the hood", but other than that it ran well - gotta tighten up those pre-flight checks...

Now That I have it inside, the old Coleman with the seized fan was swapped out for a low Profile penguin, and the roof pod removed. I might remove the ladder and rails as well, I don't like going up there anyway. Im afraid of heights and widths...

I had installed the Jim Bounds dash overlay with the two additional cutouts. Mounted the two additional guages (tach and trans oil temp) on the same plane as the speedo and multi using a steel insert. Pretty straight forward. Photos and details on the GMC Photo site:

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/new-dash-gets-gauges/p64234-img-5416.html

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/7133/medium/dashguageslose.jpg

Required moving mounting ears on the two factory gauges that were where the new gauges needed to be.

Just received the el wire kit to illuminate the switches, that will be next.

Next was the dash color - that brown was not cutting it for me. Picked up some SEM Color coat in Dark Pewter. Windsheilds are getting replaced anyway, so I was not that worried about overspray.

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/6393/medium/normal.jpg

Right side floor was replaced, floor coated with foil backed vinyl, then insulation. Carpet is next - waiting for the seat pedestals to get back.

Next was the cabinets - wanted to freshen them up, and replace the old lights with something a little more sleek and modern. PO had slapped some cheap dark stain on the original birchwood. They can be sanded down and refinished, but I am getting antsy to get this thing in the wind, and wood refinishing isn't my thing. So they got wrapped in a woodgrain vinyl to match the dash. Its durable, and it will be easier to remove than paint when I'm ready to do something else. removed the crown molding to wrap the cabinets, photo is without that trim.

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/6393/medium/cabinets2.jpg

The lights under the cabinets were secured with 7 screws each, effectively leaving lots of ugly holes in the wood. Decided to run another panel as trim under the cabinet to cover the previous holes. I bordered it with aluminum tile trim from Lowes, and wrapped the panel in a carbon fiber vinyl. The aluminum was a little pricy from there, but I think it works.

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/6393/medium/IMG_73341.JPG

The lights were 5" led's with individual switches built in. Got them from Amazon, may be cheaper elsewhere.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00YWTDZWU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Walls and bottom cabinets are next. Still debating whether to go back with the original plastic window trim, or the late model style seal. The original stuff is sooo fragile.

76 Birchaven - "Wicked Mistress" - New engine, trans, alum radiator, brakes, Sully airbags, fuel lines, seats, adult beverage center... those Coachmen guys were really thinking about us second hand owners by including that beverage center... Columbia, SC.

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