Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Ok, time to muscle up!
| Ok, time to muscle up! [message #340902] |
Mon, 11 February 2019 12:23  |
tgeiger
Messages: 518
Registered: February 2006
Location: kansas city
Karma: -1
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So this is what I mean by the topic heading. I've been improving the motorhome over the past few year but really have just used it to camp locally. There is rumbling in my family to take a vacation out west to Zion and the surrounding areas. It would be cool if we could all go out there using the GMC and a chaparon car. I just need to know what items I should look at to make sure I get out there and back in one piece?
Thanks,
Tom
76 Eleganza 2
KCMO
Tom Geiger
76 Eleganza II
KCMO
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| Re: [GMCnet] Ok, time to muscle up! [message #340904 is a reply to message #340902] |
Mon, 11 February 2019 13:00  |
JerryW
Messages: 256
Registered: August 2018
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What I try to do is, as Gene Fisher says, "Drive your best parts". That
means, BEFORE the trip starts, tires, brakes, belts, hoses, etc all need to
be renewed, inspected, adjusted. Spares you might need will be mechanical
fuel pump, water pump, alternator, thermostat. Of course a current copy of
the Black list, and manuals appropriate for your vehicle. Tools, AAA
roadside service numbers, first aid kit, fire suppression and
extinguishers. Probably more stuff.
Jim Hupy
On Mon, Feb 11, 2019, 10:45 AM tom geiger via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org wrote:
> So this is what I mean by the topic heading. I've been improving the
> motorhome over the past few year but really have just used it to camp
> locally.
> There is rumbling in my family to take a vacation out west to Zion and the
> surrounding areas. It would be cool if we could all go out there using the
> GMC and a chaparon car. I just need to know what items I should look at to
> make sure I get out there and back in one piece?
>
> Thanks,
> Tom
> 76 Eleganza 2
> KCMO
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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| Re: Ok, time to muscle up! [message #340905 is a reply to message #340902] |
Mon, 11 February 2019 13:09 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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tgeiger wrote on Mon, 11 February 2019 11:23So this is what I mean by the topic heading. I've been improving the motorhome over the past few year but really have just used it to camp locally. There is rumbling in my family to take a vacation out west to Zion and the surrounding areas. It would be cool if we could all go out there using the GMC and a chaparon car. I just need to know what items I should look at to make sure I get out there and back in one piece?
Thanks,
Tom
76 Eleganza 2
KCMO
Tom, living in "The West" I can speak to your question:
As long as your basic systems (cooling system, bearings, brakes, engine/transmission) are all in good working order and have been well maintained, you shouldn't have any issues that would be any different than you do in your local area.
If you haven't already, you may want to add an auxiliary electric fuel pump near your tanks to combat fuel starvation or "vapor lock" on some of the long grades. I fought that for years and seem to have finally won that battle be moving my fuel lines to the outside of the frame and adding a cartridge filter and Carter fuel pump from Jim K.
A lower geared final drive is helpful, but not entirely necessary, just shift into second gear at about 40 - 45 mph and hold it there until you get up the hill or hit 50 mph, whichever comes first. Be careful on the braking and don't ride your brakes so they don't overheat on the downgrades.
You should be fine. Nothing to fear out here.
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: Ok, time to muscle up! [message #340913 is a reply to message #340902] |
Mon, 11 February 2019 14:37 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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I use to carry all of that crap for spares. Then I figured out, with a few exceptions, that anything you carry as a spare will not fail on the road. So now the only thing that I carry is a spare cap and coil, an ignition module, and spare belts. If anything else fails, I'll buy it locally as needed. Using that philosophy I used to tell Dan Gregg after he blew his second engine that he needed to carry a spare engine. That way he would never need another replacement engine again.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: Ok, time to muscle up! [message #340926 is a reply to message #340902] |
Mon, 11 February 2019 18:59 |
tgeiger
Messages: 518
Registered: February 2006
Location: kansas city
Karma: -1
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Ok, as far as I understand the engine and transmission are in good shape. I thought I'd do the mid axle brake upgrade. I've got Dick Patterson's distributor to install yet. I was hoping to be able to take the trip with my Quadrojet setup. Would like to have upgraded to a EFI system but don't think I can swing it this year. Any suggetions on carb adjustment when I get to higher elevation, or should I just not worry about it? I will for sure check the belts hoses, ect.
Tom
Tom Geiger
76 Eleganza II
KCMO
[Updated on: Mon, 11 February 2019 19:00] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Ok, time to muscle up! [message #340927 is a reply to message #340902] |
Mon, 11 February 2019 19:02 |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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I'm largely with KenB. We have a 23 and the related lack of storage space. So, I carry a one handle tool box (it is heavy, but it has just one handle). It does not contain the full SAE and metric combination wrenches, cheap socket set or the kit to remount a drive axle flange. That last is because those are strange and small. I also carry a spare of the one belt that will run the water pump.
The only heavy spare I carry is a starter. That is because - think about it - that is one piece for which there is no jury rig. Our starter went out of production with the 425 about 40 years ago. When mine went out some years back we were a 200 miles from home. There none available in striking range and I was told by one store that they could have one in three days.
It is a 10MT and except for the nose casting, it was used for decades. Lots of parts are available and they are easy to rebuild.
I don't carry HEI parts, but if you have one, you should carry the complete kit.
But then, I had a life on boats off shore. There, if you might absolutely need it, you better have or have the jury kit handy.
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: Ok, time to muscle up! [message #340930 is a reply to message #340926] |
Mon, 11 February 2019 21:48 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Tom,
My coach still has the Q-jet and I regularly drive it from below sea level to over 8000 feet without issue. I'm sure EFI compensates for elevation changes better, but I haven't really noticed any serious reduction of power at higher elevations.
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] Ok, time to muscle up! [message #340931 is a reply to message #340930] |
Mon, 11 February 2019 23:56 |
gmc-email-list
Messages: 124
Registered: February 2019
Karma: 2
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Whatever you do, do not make drastic changes and then go on a long trip
without a shakedown trip.
On Mon, Feb 11, 2019 at 9:20 PM Carl Stouffer via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
> Tom,
>
> My coach still has the Q-jet and I regularly drive it from below sea level
> to over 8000 feet without issue. I'm sure EFI compensates for elevation
> changes better, but I haven't really noticed any serious reduction of
> power at higher elevations.
> --
> 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
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
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--
*John Phillips*
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| Re: [GMCnet] Ok, time to muscle up! [message #340933 is a reply to message #340931] |
Tue, 12 February 2019 07:50 |
JohnS
Messages: 126
Registered: December 2014
Location: Vacaville, CA
Karma: -2
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I agree with others, Many of us in the West have & still do run in these mountains with a caruretor. A manual shift down to second gear will be your friend. So bring your Quadrajet on & enjoy. Also agree, don't do any modifications without a shake-down trip.
John S
John Shutzbaugh, Vacaville, CA, ncserv@aol.com;
78 Buskirk stretch, "What were we thinking?"
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| Re: Ok, time to muscle up! [message #340934 is a reply to message #340902] |
Tue, 12 February 2019 08:27 |
JohnL455
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
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Senior Member |
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Leave the Qjet alone. Timing and properly functioning mechanical advance and vacuum advance are very important. Many do not work due to 40 year old dried grease in the distributor and worn parts. Also if HEI this is a good time to clean all connections and refresh the module's white heat sink compound as that drys out and shrinks and becomes ineffective. Use heatsink compound not dielectric grease under the module
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
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| Re: Ok, time to muscle up! [message #340937 is a reply to message #340902] |
Tue, 12 February 2019 09:49 |
tgeiger
Messages: 518
Registered: February 2006
Location: kansas city
Karma: -1
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Senior Member |
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Whew, awesome news guys. Had a limited budget for improvements this year so was hoping to hear the carb would be fine. First time for it to be a billy goat since it went through the Smokies when I bought it. So true for the comment on leave well enough alone and make no major changes before a big trip without testing it. The comment made me laugh outloud because it could easly apply to me. I do get over excited on preparation and in the past thats gotten me.
Thanks guys!
Tom
Tom Geiger
76 Eleganza II
KCMO
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| Re: [GMCnet] Ok, time to muscle up! [message #340938 is a reply to message #340935] |
Tue, 12 February 2019 09:45 |
gmc-email-list
Messages: 124
Registered: February 2019
Karma: 2
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There are only so many trouble free miles in any transportation device.
Makes no difference whether the badge on the front says GMC or Rolls Royce,
or if it has 2 wheels or 18. Some parts have a short life, some longer.
Consumable parts like tires, brake shoes and pads, etc. require constant
attention. Ignore them, and you are sure to pay the price. BEFORE YOUR TRIP
STARTS, is maintenance time. Even then, stuff happens. Spares that are
unique to a vehicle should be carried. Those that can be easily found on
the way, not so much.
Jim Hupy
On Tue, Feb 12, 2019, 7:23 AM Tom Lins via Gmclist gmc-email-list wrote on Tue, 12 February 2019 00:56[/color]
>> Whatever you do, do not make drastic changes and then go on a long trip
>> without a shakedown trip.
>>
>> --
>>
>> *John Phillips*
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
>
> I agree about no major changes without a shakedown trip.
>
> Some years ago we were having an issue with overheating and I installed an
> aluminum radiator a few weeks before we drove to Florida from New Jersey to
> visit relatives. We got to South Carolina before the water pump failed. It
> took 2 days to get the pump replaced.
>
> So don't plan on having a strict timeline just in case and keep a copy of
> the Blacklist handy.
>
>
> --
> Tom Lins
> St Augustine, FL
> 77 GM Rear Twin, Dry Bath, 455, FI-Tech EFI
> Manuals on DVD
> http://www.bdub.net/tomlins/
>
> _______________________________________________
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> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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