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| New Member [message #346533] |
Fri, 16 August 2019 17:36  |
agoogol
Messages: 43
Registered: August 2019
Location: Centennial, Colorado
Karma: 0
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Member |
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Good day everyone! My wife and I bought an drestored a 1959 Shasta bumper pull travel trailer back in 2014, started using it in 2015 and have used it cince. But as our kids have grown, we seem to use it less. With that in mind, it was time to switch gears a bit and get something bigger, and potentially more useful for pending retirement down the road.
I have always wanted a GMC, and reasons are many, and obvious to all of you. My wife is supportive of my lunacy, and after looking at options, was on board.
While intending to wait to sell the Shasta before buying something, we had one come up that I couldn't pass up.
We are now the proud owners of a 1977 GMC Kingsley coach, 403 of course, all original as far as I can tell, and with the orange (velour?) interior.
It seems there are many resources, many options, many things to think about. Quite a few more systems that our old Shasta. But we are not afraid of hard work, and intend on taking this bit by bit in an orderly fashion, and of course a little strapped for cash until the Shasta sells.
First up are all things related safety and mechanical, just to see what we are dealing with. Brakes brakes and brakes. Tuneup the 403, flush/drain/replace all engine fluids etc. Replace all exterior lighting with LED.
Suggestions, recommendations, lessons learned are always appreciated I know I can' do everything mechanical, so my first question is, where is the best shop here in Colorado for GMC?
Kevin
Kevin Carter
1977 Kingsley - 403 c.i.
Centennial CO
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| Re: [GMCnet] New Member [message #346535 is a reply to message #346533] |
Fri, 16 August 2019 17:55  |
emerystora
Messages: 4442
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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Where do you live in Colorado. With that information it might be easier for someone to help. I suggest you put your location in your signature line.
By the way I have a 77 Kingsley and it came from the factory with a 455 so you can’t assume they are all 403’s.
Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Frederick, CO
> On Aug 16, 2019, at 4:36 PM, KC via Gmclist wrote:
>
> Good day everyone! My wife and I bought an drestored a 1959 Shasta bumper pull travel trailer back in 2014, started using it in 2015 and have used it
> cince. But as our kids have grown, we seem to use it less. With that in mind, it was time to switch gears a bit and get something bigger, and
> potentially more useful for pending retirement down the road.
>
> I have always wanted a GMC, and reasons are many, and obvious to all of you. My wife is supportive of my lunacy, and after looking at options, was on
> board.
>
> While intending to wait to sell the Shasta before buying something, we had one come up that I couldn't pass up.
>
> We are now the proud owners of a 1977 GMC Kingsley coach, 403 of course, all original as far as I can tell, and with the orange (velour?) interior.
>
> It seems there are many resources, many options, many things to think about. Quite a few more systems that our old Shasta. But we are not afraid of
> hard work, and intend on taking this bit by bit in an orderly fashion, and of course a little strapped for cash until the Shasta sells.
>
> First up are all things related safety and mechanical, just to see what we are dealing with. Brakes brakes and brakes. Tuneup the 403,
> flush/drain/replace all engine fluids etc. Replace all exterior lighting with LED.
>
> Suggestions, recommendations, lessons learned are always appreciated I know I can' do everything mechanical, so my first question is, where is the
> best shop here in Colorado for GMC?
>
> Kevin
>
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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| Re: [GMCnet] New Member [message #346537 is a reply to message #346535] |
Fri, 16 August 2019 18:22 |
agoogol
Messages: 43
Registered: August 2019
Location: Centennial, Colorado
Karma: 0
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Member |
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Thanks Emery.
I am in the southern part of Denver metro suburbs, Centennial if you know where that is.
Oops on the signature, my bad, fixed I think!
I assume it is the 403 as the previous owner thought it was, but I suppose he could be wrong.
Kevin Carter
1977 Kingsley - 403 c.i.
Centennial CO
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| Re: [GMCnet] New Member [message #346538 is a reply to message #346537] |
Fri, 16 August 2019 18:34 |
James Hupy
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
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Senior Member |
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Count the valve cover bolts. If they have 5 bolts holding the cover, it's a
403. If they have 10, it's a 455.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon
On Fri, Aug 16, 2019, 4:23 PM KC via Gmclist
wrote:
> Thanks Emery.
>
> I am in the southern part of Denver metro suburbs, Centennial if you know
> where that is.
>
> Oops on the signature, my bad, fixed I think!
>
> I assume it is the 403 as the previous owner thought it was, but I suppose
> he could be wrong.
> --
> Kevin
> 1977 Kingsley
> Centennial CO
>
> _______________________________________________
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> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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| Re: [GMCnet] New Member [message #346542 is a reply to message #346539] |
Fri, 16 August 2019 20:42 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Welcome aboard, to you and your Family.
Just one caution: Before you even give any more thought to those LED
lights, as soon as you get those brakes done, replace ALL of the rubber
components related to the engine. Most especially the rubber supply and
vent hoses for the fuel system, from the tops of the tanks all the way to
the engine. You'll get lots of advice about that, but my own preference is
to eliminate the 2-way fuel selector valve and the mechanical fuel pump,
replacing them with electric pumps near the tanks and selected by the tank
selector switch on the dash. That should eliminate all of the vapor lock
possibilities you're likely to have (especially in your geography). At the
same time, replace 'most all of the old ethanol-susceptible rubber hoses
with steel lines, using good barrier hose (30R9 or 30R14 grade) for
couplings.
The other rubber that needs immediate attention is the tires: If their DOT
date codes are more than 5-6 years old, give serious consideration to
replacing them with new ones (with those date codes NO more than 6 months
old). If you blow a tire/sling a tread at speed, as MANY GMCers have done,
the fiberglass work will probably be $2000+.
Ken H.
Americus, GA
'76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI & EBL,
Manny Brakes & 1-Ton, Troy-Bilt APU, etc., etc., etc.
www.gmcwipersetc.com
On Fri, Aug 16, 2019 at 7:52 PM Tom Lins via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
> Welcome to the affliction.
> And like Emery I have a 77 that has a 455 from the factory.
> The 403's started in late January after they ran out of the 455's
> The 403's started with TZE167V101285
>
>
> --
> Tom Lins
> St Augustine, FL
> 77 GM Rear Twin, Dry Bath, 455, FI-Tech EFI, Aluminum Radiator Quad-Bag
> Suspension
> Manuals on DVD
> GMC Dealer Training Tapes
> http://www.bdub.net/tomlins/
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
_______________________________________________
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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] New Member [message #346573 is a reply to message #346542] |
Sun, 18 August 2019 07:54 |
Bruce Hart
Messages: 1501
Registered: October 2011
Location: La Grange, Wyoming
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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Glad you found this spot Kevin.
The rubber hoses to the front calipers as well as the rubber hoses to the
rear brake cylinder needs to be checked carefully or replaced.
As far as mechanics go I used to recommend people to Truck City at Weld
County Garage in Greeley.
The knowledgeable mechanic is no longer there due to health reasons.
On Fri, Aug 16, 2019 at 7:44 PM Ken Henderson via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
> Welcome aboard, to you and your Family.
>
> Just one caution: Before you even give any more thought to those LED
> lights, as soon as you get those brakes done, replace ALL of the rubber
> components related to the engine. Most especially the rubber supply and
> vent hoses for the fuel system, from the tops of the tanks all the way to
> the engine. You'll get lots of advice about that, but my own preference is
> to eliminate the 2-way fuel selector valve and the mechanical fuel pump,
> replacing them with electric pumps near the tanks and selected by the tank
> selector switch on the dash. That should eliminate all of the vapor lock
> possibilities you're likely to have (especially in your geography). At the
> same time, replace 'most all of the old ethanol-susceptible rubber hoses
> with steel lines, using good barrier hose (30R9 or 30R14 grade) for
> couplings.
>
> The other rubber that needs immediate attention is the tires: If their DOT
> date codes are more than 5-6 years old, give serious consideration to
> replacing them with new ones (with those date codes NO more than 6 months
> old). If you blow a tire/sling a tread at speed, as MANY GMCers have done,
> the fiberglass work will probably be $2000+.
>
> Ken H.
> Americus, GA
> '76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI & EBL,
> Manny Brakes & 1-Ton, Troy-Bilt APU, etc., etc., etc.
> www.gmcwipersetc.com
>
>
> On Fri, Aug 16, 2019 at 7:52 PM Tom Lins via Gmclist gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
>
>> Welcome to the affliction.
>> And like Emery I have a 77 that has a 455 from the factory.
>> The 403's started in late January after they ran out of the 455's
>> The 403's started with TZE167V101285
>>
>>
>> --
>> Tom Lins
>> St Augustine, FL
>> 77 GM Rear Twin, Dry Bath, 455, FI-Tech EFI, Aluminum Radiator Quad-Bag
>> Suspension
>> Manuals on DVD
>> GMC Dealer Training Tapes
>> http://www.bdub.net/tomlins/
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
--
Bruce Hart
1976 Palm Beach
Milliken, Co
GMC=Got More Class
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Bruce Hart
1976 Palm Beach
1977 28' Kingsley
La Grange, Wyoming
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| Re: [GMCnet] New Member [message #346575 is a reply to message #346573] |
Sun, 18 August 2019 08:00 |
Bruce Hart
Messages: 1501
Registered: October 2011
Location: La Grange, Wyoming
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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Not sure you can attend but the Mountainaires are having a rally at Parish
Ranch this Monday thru Thursday.
Great group with lots of knowledgeable guys there.
http://www.parrishranch.net/
On Sun, Aug 18, 2019 at 6:54 AM Bruce Hart wrote:
> Glad you found this spot Kevin.
> The rubber hoses to the front calipers as well as the rubber hoses to the
> rear brake cylinder needs to be checked carefully or replaced.
> As far as mechanics go I used to recommend people to Truck City at Weld
> County Garage in Greeley.
> The knowledgeable mechanic is no longer there due to health reasons.
>
> On Fri, Aug 16, 2019 at 7:44 PM Ken Henderson via Gmclist gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
>
>> Welcome aboard, to you and your Family.
>>
>> Just one caution: Before you even give any more thought to those LED
>> lights, as soon as you get those brakes done, replace ALL of the rubber
>> components related to the engine. Most especially the rubber supply and
>> vent hoses for the fuel system, from the tops of the tanks all the way to
>> the engine. You'll get lots of advice about that, but my own preference
>> is
>> to eliminate the 2-way fuel selector valve and the mechanical fuel pump,
>> replacing them with electric pumps near the tanks and selected by the tank
>> selector switch on the dash. That should eliminate all of the vapor lock
>> possibilities you're likely to have (especially in your geography). At
>> the
>> same time, replace 'most all of the old ethanol-susceptible rubber hoses
>> with steel lines, using good barrier hose (30R9 or 30R14 grade) for
>> couplings.
>>
>> The other rubber that needs immediate attention is the tires: If their
>> DOT
>> date codes are more than 5-6 years old, give serious consideration to
>> replacing them with new ones (with those date codes NO more than 6 months
>> old). If you blow a tire/sling a tread at speed, as MANY GMCers have
>> done,
>> the fiberglass work will probably be $2000+.
>>
>> Ken H.
>> Americus, GA
>> '76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI & EBL,
>> Manny Brakes & 1-Ton, Troy-Bilt APU, etc., etc., etc.
>> www.gmcwipersetc.com
>>
>>
>> On Fri, Aug 16, 2019 at 7:52 PM Tom Lins via Gmclist > gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
>>
>>> Welcome to the affliction.
>>> And like Emery I have a 77 that has a 455 from the factory.
>>> The 403's started in late January after they ran out of the 455's
>>> The 403's started with TZE167V101285
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Tom Lins
>>> St Augustine, FL
>>> 77 GM Rear Twin, Dry Bath, 455, FI-Tech EFI, Aluminum Radiator Quad-Bag
>>> Suspension
>>> Manuals on DVD
>>> GMC Dealer Training Tapes
>>> http://www.bdub.net/tomlins/
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> GMCnet mailing list
>>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
>
>
> --
> Bruce Hart
> 1976 Palm Beach
> Milliken, Co
> GMC=Got More Class
>
>
--
Bruce Hart
1976 Palm Beach
Milliken, Co
GMC=Got More Class
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
Bruce Hart
1976 Palm Beach
1977 28' Kingsley
La Grange, Wyoming
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| Re: New Member [message #346576 is a reply to message #346533] |
Sun, 18 August 2019 08:57 |
 |
Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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Senior Member |
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Kevin,
Welcome to the group, family, cult, asylum......
I am glad you found your way here. I hope you can grasp that you have just collected a couple thousand brand new old friends. You will quickly discover that the real value in being a GMC owner (dare I say curator) is the community it connects you to. As you come along, you will soon realize that most here have a not so hidden personal agenda. That agenda is to see that you can enjoy both the coach itself and what it can do for you.
You already have a built in friend is Emery Stora. He (Like I) will not be interested in crawling under the coach to assist, but I can guarantee that he can be an effective native guide and save you many mis-steps. I could tell you our personal very good story in this line, but you will get to understanding soon enough.
As to type specific communities, there is a large following on Face Book. If you are not on FB, don't go there now.... If you are, do not take any technical advice there as there are several that write there that are dangerous. (I have now seen three coaches lost to wrong advice. It hurts because this was so avoidable.)
While it is not too late to sign up for the Western States Fall Rally, as best I can tell, it will be about a thousand miles away and that is not road miles. I personally would not suggest you do that with an untried and unispected coach. So, as soon as you can, take it places and get it to be a "tried" coach.
Please take Ken Henderson's advice to heart. We have one saying here that applies: If you can't prove it hasn't been done, it hasn't. At the age of the coach, all the rubber parts should be suspect. The good thing is, most of them can be inspected or replaced by you and yours so the overall expense is very manageable. Fuel lines are also a given. If they have not been replaced recently, they are not compatible with current "motorfuel". (I don't think it can be called gasoline any longer.)
If you are not aware of Tin Can Tourists, look it up. They have scores of Shasta owners and probably a few people looking for a good Shasta that they might not have to restore to use. They have gatherings all over and all the time, but you really need the newsletter to advertise.
Now as said, you are a part of an amazing community now. Do not fear to take advantage of this fact. As soon as you can, find and join a local chapter. (Ask Emory for help here.)
As said, this is an amazing community. The only other like this that I am personally aware of is that of the watermen that are my world. For that very reason, I like to welcome new owners here with a paraphrase of the welcome given there. So,
May the Good Lord bless this coach and all those that set forth within here.
Welcome Kevin and spouse.
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] New Member [message #346579 is a reply to message #346576] |
Sun, 18 August 2019 11:35 |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Kevin,
You will find the group to be very helpful as well as us Venders.
Never hesitate to reach out to us for information.
Realize most of the venders work on these all the time and constantly in
contact with each so we tend to know some.
On Sun, Aug 18, 2019 at 7:02 AM Matt Colie via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
> Kevin,
>
> Welcome to the group, family, cult, asylum......
>
> I am glad you found your way here. I hope you can grasp that you have
> just collected a couple thousand brand new old friends. You will quickly
> discover that the real value in being a GMC owner (dare I say curator) is
> the community it connects you to. As you come along, you will soon realize
> that most here have a not so hidden personal agenda. That agenda is to
> see that you can enjoy both the coach itself and what it can do for you.
>
> You already have a built in friend is Emery Stora. He (Like I) will not
> be interested in crawling under the coach to assist, but I can guarantee
> that
> he can be an effective native guide and save you many mis-steps. I could
> tell you our personal very good story in this line, but you will get to
> understanding soon enough.
>
> As to type specific communities, there is a large following on Face Book.
> If you are not on FB, don't go there now.... If you are, do not take any
> technical advice there as there are several that write there that are
> dangerous. (I have now seen three coaches lost to wrong advice. It hurts
> because this was so avoidable.)
>
> While it is not too late to sign up for the Western States Fall Rally, as
> best I can tell, it will be about a thousand miles away and that is not road
> miles. I personally would not suggest you do that with an untried and
> unispected coach. So, as soon as you can, take it places and get it to be a
> "tried" coach.
>
> Please take Ken Henderson's advice to heart. We have one saying here that
> applies: If you can't prove it hasn't been done, it hasn't. At the age of
> the coach, all the rubber parts should be suspect. The good thing is,
> most of them can be inspected or replaced by you and yours so the overall
> expense is very manageable. Fuel lines are also a given. If they have
> not been replaced recently, they are not compatible with current
> "motorfuel".
> (I don't think it can be called gasoline any longer.)
>
> If you are not aware of Tin Can Tourists, look it up. They have scores of
> Shasta owners and probably a few people looking for a good Shasta that they
> might not have to restore to use. They have gatherings all over and all
> the time, but you really need the newsletter to advertise.
>
> Now as said, you are a part of an amazing community now. Do not fear to
> take advantage of this fact. As soon as you can, find and join a local
> chapter. (Ask Emory for help here.)
>
> As said, this is an amazing community. The only other like this that I am
> personally aware of is that of the watermen that are my world. For that
> very reason, I like to welcome new owners here with a paraphrase of the
> welcome given there. So,
>
> May the Good Lord bless this coach and all those that set forth within
> here.
>
> Welcome Kevin and spouse.
>
> Matt
> --
> Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
> Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
> OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
> SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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