Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Hi Everyone! (new member long introduction)
| Hi Everyone! [message #110847] |
Tue, 04 January 2011 22:06  |
John Hunt
Messages: 70
Registered: January 2011
Location: Orange County, CA
Karma: 0
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Member |
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Hi Guys -
Just want to say "hi" and introduce myself. I've been lurking for quite a while - I actually spent a lot of time here about 10 years ago, but work demands kept me from taking the GMC plunge.
I managed to recently purchase a 1976 Eleganza II and drive it from its home in South Carolina to my home in Orange County, Ca last week in a brisk 3 1/2 day trip. Somehow we missed all the weather drama along the way.
It's definitely a fixer upper, but the PO is a terrific mechanic and all around good guy and had the engine (except for exhaust leak), suspension, transmission, and brakes in great shape for the trek. I was fortunate to be able to spend three days working on it with him and learned a lot in the process.
Our whole family of four was on board, and amazingly had a great time even though we had no forced air heat, no operating water or holding tanks (didn't want to experiment on the road), and no genny (I need to make a new hard fuel line between fuel pump and carb for it before it will be safe to operate - it's otherwise excellent). We stayed in Wal Mart parking lots the whole way and rang in the new year in the Phoenix Wal Mart. I can't imagine how much fun it will be when everything's working!
There's a lot to do inside and out, but my immediate challenge is fixing the exhaust leak at the manifold and getting it smogged. I'm planning to put headers on it and have a local expert check the engine for the "right stuff" as pertains to smog. I will probably have a lot of questions for you guys as I'm definitely a newbie here, but I promise to listen and learn from the experts.
Thanks to everyone for this amazing resource. This list is a big reason why I decided to buy this wonderful machine.
Oh - if anyone has tips for prepping for CA smog test, please let me know - I'm trying to get ahold of Miguel Mendez at MGM GMC, but so far, no luck via phone or email. I believe there is another GMC expert in La Puente, CA that I will try to contact as well.
John H.
1976 Eleganza II,
1969 Lotus Elan Plus 2,
1978 Merlyn Formula Ford,
1981 Lola Sports 2000
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| Re: [GMCnet] Hi Everyone! [message #110857 is a reply to message #110847] |
Tue, 04 January 2011 22:49  |
Gary Worobec
Messages: 867
Registered: May 2005
Karma: -1
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Senior Member |
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Hi John,
Unless your exhaust manifolds are cracked I wouldn't waste the money on
headers. Many dyno tests show little if no improvement on engine HP on our
motors. I'd take the manifolds off and get a set of REMFLEX manifold gaskets
from Applied GMC and put those on. They do a remarkable job on pitted heads
and manifolds. However if your manifolds are cracked headers are maybe the
only option as motorhome manifolds a very rare. I believe the left side?? is
unique to the GMC.
Thanks
Gary and Joanne Worobec
1973 GMC Glacier
Anza, CA
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Hunt" <johnhuntltd@gmail.com>
To: <gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, January 04, 2011 8:06 PM
Subject: [GMCnet] Hi Everyone!
>
>
> Hi Guys -
>
> Just want to say "hi" and introduce myself. I've been lurking for quite a
> while - I actually spent a lot of time here about 10 years ago, but work
> demands kept me from taking the GMC plunge.
>
> I managed to recently purchase a 1976 Eleganza II and drive it from its
> home in South Carolina to my home in Orange County, Ca last week in a
> brisk 3 1/2 day trip. Somehow we missed all the weather drama along the
> way.
>
> It's definitely a fixer upper, but the PO is a terrific mechanic and all
> around good guy and had the engine (except for exhaust leak), suspension,
> transmission, and brakes in great shape for the trek. I was fortunate to
> be able to spend three days working on it with him and learned a lot in
> the process.
>
> Our whole family of four was on board, and amazingly had a great time even
> though we had no forced air heat, no operating water or holding tanks
> (didn't want to experiment on the road), and no genny (I need to make a
> new hard fuel line between fuel pump and carb for it before it will be
> safe to operate - it's otherwise excellent). We stayed in Wal Mart
> parking lots the whole way and rang in the new year in the Phoenix Wal
> Mart. I can't imagine how much fun it will be when everything's working!
>
> There's a lot to do inside and out, but my immediate challenge is fixing
> the exhaust leak at the manifold and getting it smogged. I'm planning to
> put headers on it and have a local expert check the engine for the "right
> stuff" as pertains to smog. I will probably have a lot of questions for
> you guys as I'm definitely a newbie here, but I promise to listen and
> learn from the experts.
>
> Thanks to everyone for this amazing resource. This list is a big reason
> why I decided to buy this wonderful machine.
>
> Oh - if anyone has tips for prepping for CA smog test, please let me
> know - I'm trying to get ahold of Miguel Mendez at MGM GMC, but so far, no
> luck via phone or email. I believe there is another GMC expert in La
> Puente, CA that I will try to contact as well.
>
> John H.
>
>
> --
> 1976 Eleganza II
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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| Re: Hi Everyone! [message #110866 is a reply to message #110847] |
Wed, 05 January 2011 01:09 |
George Beckman
Messages: 1085
Registered: October 2008
Location: Colfax, CA
Karma: 11
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Senior Member |
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| Mr. Magoo wrote on Tue, 04 January 2011 20:06 |
Hi Guys -
Oh - if anyone has tips for prepping for CA smog test, please let me know - I'm trying to get ahold of Miguel Mendez at MGM GMC, but so far, no luck via phone or email. I believe there is another GMC expert in La Puente, CA that I will try to contact as well.
John H.
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John,
Welcome to the happy group.
CA smog equipment was different from federal equipment. Behind the wheel well of the rider's front wheel, there will be one or two carbon canisters. Two will probably signal California coach. There may also be a riveted tag on by the door telling you about CA.
I have a 78 coach (for sale) that is a Federal coach, on the "computer". The smog station put in the numbers and it came back Federal. It has one canister and passed that way because federal did not call for two. So, in my experience, you don't have to add CA equipment if it was not a CA coach. Of course, the federal stuff must be there and working.
I know this does not tell you what you need, but thought you should know that there are two standards, and both can pass.
'74 Eleganza, SE, Howell + EBL
Best Wishes,
George
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| Re: Hi Everyone! [message #110925 is a reply to message #110866] |
Wed, 05 January 2011 12:54 |
John Hunt
Messages: 70
Registered: January 2011
Location: Orange County, CA
Karma: 0
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Member |
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Thanks all for the welcome and helpful info.
Gary - great advice - I think I will try the Remflex gaskets and get the thing past smog, then address the exhaust system a little later.
George - Thanks for the basic smog info - good news that both Federal and CA versions will pass with respective equipment. I will poke around and see what I've got in carbon canisters.
John
1976 Eleganza II,
1969 Lotus Elan Plus 2,
1978 Merlyn Formula Ford,
1981 Lola Sports 2000
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| Re: Hi Everyone! [message #111008 is a reply to message #110925] |
Thu, 06 January 2011 06:19 |
klassic kampers
Messages: 93
Registered: July 2008
Location: greer,s.c./ellijay,ga
Karma: 0
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Member |
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John, the when doing the exhaust gaskets be sure to have the manifolds surfaced.........the previous owner is a good friend of mine and VERY intelligent wrench turner.........he would not have sold this GMC if he had not acquired a Scenicruiser...........here is your GMC(beside the red 3-wheeler)before the faded stripes were removed outisde my shop in sometime in 2009......the GMC with the FMCA plate is my personal ride and the other Eleganza is Donovan's..........Charles did much mechanicals to your GMC......complete brakes and wheel bearings front and rear, brake hoses, carburetor, plus more............
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=31649&title=gmc-repair-day-on-a-sa&cat=5325
Mike Stewart
1973 GMC 26' Canyonlands /
1973 B.S.A. B50 street tracker-----
Greer,S.C/Ellijay,Ga
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| Re: Hi Everyone! [message #111024 is a reply to message #110847] |
Thu, 06 January 2011 08:03 |
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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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| Mr. Magoo wrote on Tue, 04 January 2011 23:06 |
Hi Guys -
Just want to say "hi" and introduce myself. I've been lurking for quite a while - I actually spent a lot of time here about 10 years ago, but work demands kept me from taking the GMC plunge.
I managed to recently purchase a 1976 Eleganza II and drive it from its home in South Carolina to my home in Orange County, Ca last week in a brisk 3 1/2 day trip. Somehow we missed all the weather drama along the way.
It's definitely a fixer upper, but the PO is a terrific mechanic and all around good guy and had the engine (except for exhaust leak), suspension, transmission, and brakes in great shape for the trek. I was fortunate to be able to spend three days working on it with him and learned a lot in the process.
<snipped>
Thanks to everyone for this amazing resource. This list is a big reason why I decided to buy this wonderful machine.
<snipped>
John H.
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John,
I have remiss in getting my regular welcome on line. (This right or task does not really belong to me, but I enjoy it.)
Welcome to the group/cult/asylum.
We are as glad that you have found us as we are to know you are there.
Did you get your information to Dave Greenberg? He maintains a data base of all the GMC motorhomes that can be found.
This group has been sort of criticized for seeming to be all about things going wrong, but as I pointed out previously, that is because those out there having a good time (except for Dan and Teri) don't usually take the time to find wire and inform the rest of us that things are good. Of course they are, they are in a GMC.....
I think in this case we know that you are doing well after 3+ days on the road with the whole family in a recently acquired coach.
As to my regular welcome line, a paraphrase of the waterman's traditional greeting for a new vessel or owner.
May the Good Lord bless this coach and all those that set forth within her.
Welcome John and family
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] Hi Everyone! [message #111552 is a reply to message #110847] |
Mon, 10 January 2011 15:29 |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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John,
Give me your phone# and I'll make sure he will contact you.
On Tue, Jan 4, 2011 at 8:06 PM, John Hunt <johnhuntltd@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> Hi Guys -
>
> Just want to say "hi" and introduce myself. Â I've been lurking for quite a while - I actually spent a lot of time here about 10 years ago, but work demands kept me from taking the GMC plunge.
>
> I managed to recently purchase a 1976 Eleganza II and drive it from its home in South Carolina to my home in Orange County, Ca last week in a brisk 3 1/2 day trip. Â Somehow we missed all the weather drama along the way.
>
> Â It's definitely a fixer upper, but the PO is a terrific mechanic and all around good guy and had the engine (except for exhaust leak), suspension, transmission, and brakes in great shape for the trek. Â I was fortunate to be able to spend three days working on it with him and learned a lot in the process.
>
> Our whole family of four was on board, and amazingly had a great time even though we had no forced air heat, no operating water or holding tanks (didn't want to experiment on the road), and no genny (I need to make a new hard fuel line between fuel pump and carb for it before it will be safe to operate - it's otherwise excellent). Â We stayed in Wal Mart parking lots the whole way and rang in the new year in the Phoenix Wal Mart. Â I can't imagine how much fun it will be when everything's working!
>
> There's a lot to do inside and out, but my immediate challenge is fixing the exhaust leak at the manifold and getting it smogged. Â I'm planning to put headers on it and have a local expert check the engine for the "right stuff" as pertains to smog. Â I will probably have a lot of questions for you guys as I'm definitely a newbie here, but I promise to listen and learn from the experts.
>
> Thanks to everyone for this amazing resource. Â This list is a big reason why I decided to buy this wonderful machine.
>
> Oh - if anyone has tips for prepping for CA smog test, please let me know - I'm trying to get ahold of Miguel Mendez at MGM GMC, but so far, no luck via phone or email. Â I believe there is another GMC expert in La Puente, CA Â that I will try to contact as well.
>
> John H.
>
>
> --
> 1976 Eleganza II
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription 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
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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| Re: Hi Everyone! [message #111573 is a reply to message #111008] |
Mon, 10 January 2011 17:21 |
John Hunt
Messages: 70
Registered: January 2011
Location: Orange County, CA
Karma: 0
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Member |
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[quote title=klassic kampers wrote on Thu, 06 January 2011 06:19]the previous owner is a good friend of mine and VERY intelligent wrench turner.........he would not have sold this GMC if he had not acquired a Scenicruiser...........here is your GMC(beside the red 3-wheeler)before the faded stripes were removed outisde my shop in sometime in 2009......
Mike - Charles mentioned you several times as a GMC expert and friend. I'll surface the manifolds - hoping to get away with Remflexes for now and do headers a little down the line (though the exhaust system is really ready to be replaced now...) I have a lot of respect for Charles, his significant other, and his taste in buses! Amazing hospitality there in SC - we meant to fly in and drive out right away, but the DMV was unexpectedly closed for a couple days (I needed a temp plate) and Charles wanted to do a few extra things, so we spent three unplanned days with these guys. They gladly opened their house to our family of four, brewed a lot of coffee for us, and showed my wife and daughter around the area while Charles and I prepped the GMC (well, Charles did most of the work) - it was remarkable. Charles is even threatening to stop by here on his next trip out west and turn wrenches some more. We feel fortunate to have made these friends.
Jim - thanks for helping me contact Miguel. After your primer on vacuum lines and the Christmas tree I think I'll need his help making sure everything's connected right for the smog test.
1977production 001 - thanks for the info - fingers crossed no bad news at the smog check!
Matt- thanks for the nice welcome. I'm optimistic about mechanical stuff in general and not worried - I expect to see issues/bad news on a discussion forum. I'll continue where the PO Charles left off and go thru all the systems one by one. I'll have questions, for sure, so please brace yourselves.
John
1976 Eleganza II,
1969 Lotus Elan Plus 2,
1978 Merlyn Formula Ford,
1981 Lola Sports 2000
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