Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » New GMC owner (Soon to have my own GMC Motorhome )
| New GMC owner [message #351208] |
Fri, 03 January 2020 23:24  |
Ken M
Messages: 32
Registered: December 2019
Location: Redding, CA
Karma: 0
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So my 84 year old grandpa is giving me his 1975 GMC Motorhome! He really doesn't use it, and is getting to old and broken to want to deal with it. I'm rapidly learning as much as I can about these awesome rigs! To my untrained eye, it looks VERY clean. It has some issues with getting gas from the tanks to the carb - it probably needs new fuel lines at a minimum. Possibly some fuel pump issues... it starts and runs fine on a small tank of fuel strapped to the front.
The interior can use some cleaning and updating for sure. It absolutely needs new tires. So begins the journey!
1975 - 26’ Eleganza II
Unsure of what upgrades may have been done. I'm working on sorting that out in the coming months.
Ken Morefield - Redding, CA
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| Re: New GMC owner [message #351222 is a reply to message #351208] |
Sat, 04 January 2020 12:54  |
Christo
Messages: 109
Registered: April 2019
Location: Weymouth, MA
Karma: 0
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Welcome! Be sure to set up a signature file to let everyone know what kind of coach you have and where you hail from, the better to help you get questions answered quickly. If you'd like to further expand your presence in the community there are several active Facebook groups, including Classic GMC Motorhomes, and there's also a new message forum at GMCMHforum.com. Best of luck to you with your new adventure; there's nothing in the world quite like a GMC Motorhome.
Christo Darsch
GMC Nor'easters
1977 Eleganza II - "The Komet"
3.50 Power Drive, Disc Brakes, Alcoas
Weymouth, MA
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| Re: [GMCnet] New GMC owner [message #351223 is a reply to message #351220] |
Sat, 04 January 2020 12:51 |
Mike Kelley
Messages: 467
Registered: February 2017
Karma: -2
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Ken M.:
Welcome to the group!
You are headed in the right direction - replacement of all rubber items in/on your new found coach is a must in order to enjoy driving her.
Good Luck and we look forward to seeing you down the road.
Mike/The Corvair a holic
76 Eleganza II 26’ - my best.
76 Glenbrook 28’ - 2’ stretch at rear - also road ready.
78 Glenbrook - project coach.
Sent from my iPhone
> On Jan 4, 2020, at 11:42 AM, Richard Denney via Gmclist wrote:
>
> You are starting in the right direction by replacing everything that is
> rubber. There will be other things to check, too, but fuel lines and tires
> go bad just sitting there.
>
> Rick “welcome to the asylum” Denney
>
> On Sat, Jan 4, 2020 at 12:24 AM Ken Morefield via Gmclist gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
>
>> So my 84 year old grandpa is giving me his 1975 GMC Motorhome! He really
>> doesn't use it, and is getting to old and broken to want to deal with it.
>> I'm rapidly learning as much as I can about these awesome rigs! To my
>> untrained eye, it looks VERY clean. It has some issues with getting gas
>> from
>> the tanks to the carb - it probably needs new fuel lines at a minimum.
>> Possibly some fuel pump issues... it starts and runs fine on a small tank of
>> fuel strapped to the front.
>>
>> The interior can use some cleaning and updating for sure. It absolutely
>> needs new tires. So begins the journey!
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
> --
> '73 X-Glacier 230 "Jaws"
> Northern Virginia
> Offlist email: rick at rickdenney dot com
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
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| Re: [GMCnet] New GMC owner [message #351234 is a reply to message #351220] |
Sat, 04 January 2020 22:58 |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Don’t forget the mechanical fuel pump and tank selector switch, as the
rubber is deteriateD and the Ethanal is going to finish it.
Also the vapor separator is brittle inside and out.
Should you have any concers, call ME anytime so I can assist you, n/c for
phone assistance and you never obligated to purchase anything. (800)
752-7502
On Sat, Jan 4, 2020 at 9:42 AM Richard Denney via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
> You are starting in the right direction by replacing everything that is
> rubber. There will be other things to check, too, but fuel lines and tires
> go bad just sitting there.
>
> Rick “welcome to the asylum” Denney
>
> On Sat, Jan 4, 2020 at 12:24 AM Ken Morefield via Gmclist gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
>
>> So my 84 year old grandpa is giving me his 1975 GMC Motorhome! He really
>> doesn't use it, and is getting to old and broken to want to deal with it.
>> I'm rapidly learning as much as I can about these awesome rigs! To my
>> untrained eye, it looks VERY clean. It has some issues with getting gas
>> from
>> the tanks to the carb - it probably needs new fuel lines at a minimum.
>> Possibly some fuel pump issues... it starts and runs fine on a small
> tank of
>> fuel strapped to the front.
>>
>> The interior can use some cleaning and updating for sure. It absolutely
>> needs new tires. So begins the journey!
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
> --
> '73 X-Glacier 230 "Jaws"
> Northern Virginia
> Offlist email: rick at rickdenney dot com
> _______________________________________________
> 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.appliedgmcrvparts.com
1-800-752-7502
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Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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| Re: New GMC owner [message #351240 is a reply to message #351208] |
Sun, 05 January 2020 09:44 |
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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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84,
Welcome to the group, family, cult, asylum.
You found your way here and that is very good.
Yes, there are other groups and all have their usefulness. The preponderance of expertise is here, but the new GMC Forum <gmcmuforum.com> is developing nicely and is supplying reliable advice. There are also multiple pages on Facebook that are GMC or RV centered, but be very cautious there as I have seen new owners follow critical advice there and the result left the coach so salvage was not economic.
If there is any service documentation you do not have, it can all be downloaded at the GMCMI site. In actual fact, between there as Bdub's GMC site <www.bdub.net/GMCLinks.html> there is no information that you can't get. We haven't figured out how to download parts yet.....
When you get to doing things, remember that an airbag (airspring) can let go at any time. When they go down, there isn't room for a snake to get under there. That means NEVER_EVER get under the coach when it is not solidly supported. When you start to do things under it find a good working pad, hopefully concrete, and buy a three ton floor jack and a brace of similar jack stands. The manual will show where they go. I do not know if the manual says this, but do not jack the rear if the front is on jack stands, if the front can't float then there is a good chance that you will crack a wind shield. Again, if you have questions or need advice. Do a short search of this board and then ask.
JimK suggested that you call him if you need advice, put his number in your phone and take him up on this offer. His company is also real good at supplying the correct parts. If you are as well tuned to locating parts as I am (after 50+ in the business) you may be able to track them down, but even my score rate is not that good. Just go there.
Do not get discouraged by the amount of work that even this coach may need. There is very little of the needed work that cannot be done by anyone that can read and follow instruction. (There is no software to debug.) California shops are over 100$/hr. With that for cash support, you can buy the tools to do the job right. You can also borrow some TZE specific tools from people here, and other at storefront parts places (like the pullers and such). Remember, with few exceptions (Like five in the whole country) you will be hard pressed to find anybody that you can hire that will know as much about the coach as you do and there is little chance that they will care as much.
We have a standard line here...
A reliable and ready to travel coach will cost you about 30K$us. What it does not say is that sweat gets billed in at shop rate (remember the 100$/hr?). Many of us can testify that this is accurate. Most of us paid between 5K and 10K for the as-is coach and few have gotten by for less. You have one real big head start there guy. Grab the handles and hold on tight.
You will need to get the tanks down to do the fuel line replacement. There are drain plugs in the forward left corner of both tanks. They need a large hex drive to undo, but there is at best a 50% chance that they will still unscrew. Well worth a try, but I have heard that some have sheared the drain plug fitting out of the tank, so caution is advised. Plan to replace all the fuel and vent lines while you are at it. And the tank selector valve as well. When you get to this job, get back to me. For reasons I don't chose to explain again, I have had my tanks down a number of times and also have some advice about the job and a good mod or two while you are there.
You have already been advised to build a good sigfile. Please do this as it makes things better for both you and us. To do this go to <Control Panel/Account Settings>, then <Preferences> and look for the "Signature" box. Please put in your real name (so when we meet we will know who you are), a short about the coach (year and major mods if any) as there were production changes and some matter a lot and finally a geographic reference (the half that get this board as email never saw the Redding) and you may have a brand new old friend in striking range.
Now, be aware that everybody in this community has a "not so hidden" agenda. That is to see to it that you get to understand what this coach can do for you and where it can take you. This is a helping and supportive community that you may never have experienced the like of before. Do not be put off. The only other community that I know of that is like this is that of the watermen of my world. For this reason, I have taken to welcome any new owners I see come aboard much as he might be greeted there. So,
May the Good Lord bless this coach and all those that set forth within her.
Welcome Ken,
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: New GMC owner [message #351241 is a reply to message #351208] |
Sun, 05 January 2020 11:30 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Senior Member |
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Welcome, Toyota Person. Pay attention to what's been said here, particularly Jimmy the K and Matt. Both have a pretty good idea of what they're doing. Let us know who you are and what's been upgraded on your coach. I suspect there are a pretty good handful of GMC owners within a reasonable distance of you, but until you do the sigfile, many of them don't know it.
--johnny
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] New GMC owner [message #351243 is a reply to message #351241] |
Sun, 05 January 2020 11:55 |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Matt,
Tks for mentioning me as a source for technical help and parts.
I do spend lot of time assisting people with their coach issues.
I do not know everything, but I do know people that are very experienced in
various areas and they respect me enough to take time to support us.
I am committed to help anyone that reach out to me and it gives me a good
feeling that I was able to assist.
Our parts dept is manned by Nick and Gary and should they feel there are
questions they are not sure about they will refer them to me.
I do make myself available from 7:30am— 9:30pm West coast time
On Sun, Jan 5, 2020 at 9:31 AM Johnny Bridges via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
> Welcome, Toyota Person. Pay attention to what's been said here,
> particularly Jimmy the K and Matt. Both have a pretty good idea of what
> they're
> doing. Let us know who you are and what's been upgraded on your coach. I
> suspect there are a pretty good handful of GMC owners within a reasonable
> distance of you, but until you do the sigfile, many of them don't know it.
>
> --johnny
> --
> 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
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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.appliedgmcrvparts.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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| Re: New GMC owner [message #351274 is a reply to message #351269] |
Mon, 06 January 2020 12:45 |
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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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Ken,
Good start on a sigfile.
To know a lot more about her, go to <https://www.gmcmi.com/gmcmh-basic-information/> and decode the serial number that is on the plate under the right engine hatch.
If you can, it would be a good idea do try to figure out how many miles she has really been. We don't know an actual limit, but they seem to get hard to keep up with when they are over 300K.
'75 was a year with a lot of transitions. It may still have a points type distributor.
If it does not have the huge cap of HEI, I have a specific recommendation. Buy a Pertronix 1181LS to replace the points.
If it is HEI, acquire replacement parts for everything under that cap and carry the tools to replace them.
If you do not have one, start both a travel and a maintenance log. If you are like everybody else here, all of that will be a blur in what will seem to be a very short time. "Mary, what year did we go to ????" "Is the house bank really 11 years old?"
Even if you are not the world's greatest technician, there is (almost) nothing that she will need that you cannot do. The advantage of doing it yourself, is that it will get done right the first time, and you will know that much more about her and have even more confidence to travel amazing places.
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: New GMC owner [message #351844 is a reply to message #351269] |
Sun, 02 February 2020 10:49 |
jfkarls
Messages: 53
Registered: June 2019
Location: Racine, Wisconsin
Karma: 0
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WOW I wish mine started out looking that nice on the outside - even alco's. It;s taking me almost 14 thousand to look that nice AFTER purchase price - enjoy & welcome to the community
Joe & Valerie Karls
1976 Eleganza II, & 1976 Palm Beach - Also own
1967 Lincoln Continental Convertible,
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| Re: New GMC owner [message #351856 is a reply to message #351208] |
Sun, 02 February 2020 18:13 |
Tilerpep
Messages: 404
Registered: June 2013
Location: Raleigh, NC
Karma: 7
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Senior Member |
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Looks like grandpa knew what he was doing...congrats and welcome.
My usual piece is to bring to your attention you want aluminum cones in the rear air bags. My 1975 had plastic when I bought it and one did break and cut the bag on its way 20 feet from my parked coach. Still glad I was not driving. Tap with wrench for metal sound, color, and ribs or not in the recess.
Use the search function on this forum to find that info and practice for the thousand next questions you will have!
1975 Glenbrook, 1978 Royale rear bath
Raleigh, NC
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| Re: New GMC owner [message #351879 is a reply to message #351208] |
Mon, 03 February 2020 16:37 |
6cuda6
Messages: 975
Registered: June 2019
Karma: -6
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Senior Member |
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Welcome to the fold....as a recent owner and a mechanic by trade the best advice i can offer is simply ask the question as the guys here have tons of knowledge. Guys like JimK and othes also run businesses dealing with these units but are always willing to help and share info no strings attached....incredible and invaluable in my books.
I honestly think if someone on here doesnt know the answer your in trouble....lol.
Rich Mondor,
Brockville, ON
77 Hughes 2600
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| Re: New GMC owner [message #352152 is a reply to message #351208] |
Wed, 12 February 2020 18:45 |
Ken M
Messages: 32
Registered: December 2019
Location: Redding, CA
Karma: 0
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Member |
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Hi all,
So weather and life are starting to cooperate with me. I hope to be able to dig into this motorhome soon. I know it will need attention with regards to rubber (fuel lines, belts, hoses, etc.) I plan on dropping the tanks and addressing some of the fuel related issues first. I'm pretty sure that the carburetor probably needs a rebuild along with the fuel lines. Which has me thinking about EFI. Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself, but if I end up swapping carb to EFI, will this require that all rubber fuel lines be upgraded to EFI lines? If so, I might as well just buy the more expensive EFI fuel lines to start with? With regards to EFI, if I understand correctly - the Howell kit consists of mostly GM parts - therefore easier to find parts, and maybe more tried and true? I'm more concerned with reliability, easy starting, and slightly improved mileage would be a plus!
Thanks so much for your wisdom and guidance!
1975 - 26’ Eleganza II
Unsure of what upgrades may have been done. I'm working on sorting that out in the coming months.
Ken Morefield - Redding, CA
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