Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Newbie says hello and has some moronic questions
| Newbie says hello and has some moronic questions [message #177079] |
Tue, 17 July 2012 19:23  |
Esmi
Messages: 12
Registered: July 2012
Karma: 0
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Junior Member |
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Hello GMCnet;
A am a newly-minted member of the GMC owners club, as I completed the purchase of a 1978 26-foot GMC in Arizona this afternoon.
I have a couple of really basic questions:
The TZE number is TZE168V100333. Is there somewhere to cross-reference that and figure out any additional info? I am lacking even basic info like the trim level (is it an Eleganza II? Or a Birchaven, Or what?)
Also, I have a switchable fuel gage for the main and auxiliary tank. But I do not see provision to put fuel into the aux tank ???
I bought this through ebay (if you look at completed listings for GMC Motorhomes, mine is the one that did not sell for $15500). I am pretty excited about it. I did as thorough a once-over as the Phoenix heat would allow, and drove it away. I am cooped up in a motel at the moment, waiting for night and cooler temps to run back to coastal California, which is where I belong.
Thanks! Esmi
Esmi • 1978 (former) Kingsley • San Luis Obispo County, Calif
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| Re: Newbie says hello and has some moronic questions [message #177081 is a reply to message #177079] |
Tue, 17 July 2012 19:34  |
stick miller
Messages: 1036
Registered: March 2010
Location: Americus, Georgia
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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No moronic questions allowed here! I have the market cornered on moronic questions.
BTW I know Esmi from another forum. We've talked about this coach and I've sent him a link to the Black List.
Welcome. The adventure begins.
Stick
Stick Miller
'78 Royale - "White Trash" - she left me for another man
'76 Eleganza - "Cousin Eddie" Sold
'84 Bluebird Wanderlodge - "Past Tents"
Americus, GA
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| Re: Newbie says hello and has some moronic questions [message #177088 is a reply to message #177079] |
Tue, 17 July 2012 20:06 |
GeorgeRud
Messages: 1380
Registered: February 2007
Location: Chicago, IL
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Forgot your main question. The main and auxiliary tanks are connected and are filled through the same fuel filler. Switching from the main to the auxiliary tank will automatically switch the fuel level sender to that tank as well.
Enjoy surfing and finding out about these coaches.
George Rudawsky
Chicago, IL
75 Palm Beach
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| Re: Newbie says hello and has some moronic questions [message #177091 is a reply to message #177079] |
Tue, 17 July 2012 20:33 |
Esmi
Messages: 12
Registered: July 2012
Karma: 0
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Junior Member |
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This is great!
I filled it up for the first time just now for my nocturnal race across the desert. The comment about "be patient," is right on the money -- 38 gallons later it was fullish!!!
T
Z
E
1 - GM finished interior
6 - 26-footer
8 - 1978
V - Assembled in Pontiac, MI (all were)
1 - Production number place holder
0 -
0 -
3 - Production number doesnt make a lot of sense
3 - to me. I read this to say that I am #333 (out of
3 - "less than 13000." Seems like my number ought to be higher
than that seeing as how it's the final production year.
Thanks to all for you tips, pointers, and advice. Got a nightful of reading to do!
Esmi • 1978 (former) Kingsley • San Luis Obispo County, Calif
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| Re: Newbie says hello and has some moronic questions [message #177092 is a reply to message #177079] |
Tue, 17 July 2012 20:42 |
C Boyd
Messages: 2629
Registered: April 2006
Karma: 18
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Senior Member |
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Sir: Since it is a GMC fitted 78 and a 26' it would either be a Palm Beach (green)or an Eleganza II (brown).
http://www.bdub.net/publications/1978%20GMC%20Motorhomes/1978%20Models.htm
The Birchhaven is a Coachman fitted 23'.
| Esmi wrote on Tue, 17 July 2012 20:23 |
Hello GMCnet;
A am a newly-minted member of the GMC owners club, as I completed the purchase of a 1978 26-foot GMC in Arizona this afternoon.
I have a couple of really basic questions:
The TZE number is TZE168V100333. Is there somewhere to cross-reference that and figure out any additional info? I am lacking even basic info like the trim level (is it an Eleganza II? Or a Birchaven, Or what?)
Also, I have a switchable fuel gage for the main and auxiliary tank. But I do not see provision to put fuel into the aux tank ???
I bought this through ebay (if you look at completed listings for GMC Motorhomes, mine is the one that did not sell for $15500). I am pretty excited about it. I did as thorough a once-over as the Phoenix heat would allow, and drove it away. I am cooped up in a motel at the moment, waiting for night and cooler temps to run back to coastal California, which is where I belong.
Thanks! Esmi
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C. Boyd
76 Crestmont
East Tennessee
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| Re: [GMCnet] Newbie says hello and has some moronic questions [message #177098 is a reply to message #177091] |
Tue, 17 July 2012 21:07 |
Bruce Hart
Messages: 1501
Registered: October 2011
Location: La Grange, Wyoming
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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That would be #333 in the year of 1978, there were five prior years of
production before yours.
On Tue, Jul 17, 2012 at 7:33 PM, Smitty Held <smithheld@sbcglobal.net>wrote:
>
>
> This is great!
>
> I filled it up for the first time just now for my nocturnal race across
> the desert. The comment about "be patient," is right on the money -- 38
> gallons later it was fullish!!!
>
> T
> Z
> E
> 1 - GM finished interior
> 6 - 26-footer
> 8 - 1978
> V - Assembled in Pontiac, MI (all were)
> 1 - Production number place holder
> 0 -
> 0 -
> 3 - Production number doesnt make a lot of sense
> 3 - to me. I read this to say that I am #333 (out of
> 3 - "less than 13000." Seems like my number ought to be higher
> than that seeing as how it's the final production year.
>
> Thanks to all for you tips, pointers, and advice. Got a nightful of
> reading to do!
> --
> Brand spankin' new (to me) 1978 26-footer
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Bruce Hart
1976 Palm Beach
Milliken, Co
GMC=Got More Class
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
Bruce Hart
1976 Palm Beach
1977 28' Kingsley
La Grange, Wyoming
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| Re: Newbie says hello and has some moronic questions [message #177122 is a reply to message #177092] |
Wed, 18 July 2012 07:09 |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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| C Boyd wrote on Tue, 17 July 2012 18:42 |
Sir: Since it is a GMC fitted 78 and a 26' it would either be a Palm Beach (green)or an Eleganza II (brown). ...
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While you are correct that considering all GM coaches, over all years, the coach would MOST LIKELY be an Eleganza II or Palm Beach. There was more of each of those models that ALL the other (1975 on) models combined. But just going on the numbers on the "Trivia" page: <http://www.gmcmhregistry.com/Trivia.html> It shows that in 1978 that about 1/3 of the GM upfitted coaches were Kingsley models. There is a SLIGHT possibility of it being a Coca Cola.
The best way to KNOW would be to check the label in the glovebox for the OPTION CODE (or RPO) that identifies the interior finish model:
641 Kingsley (223 in 1978)
685 Coca Cola (5 in 1978)
697 Eleganza II (267 in 1978)
698 Palm Beach (194 in 1978)
If the coach has been remodeled and painted, and there is no glovebox sticker, or you have a early coach, you have to guess about the model from clues of the interior and possibly exterior.
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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| Re: Newbie says hello and has some moronic questions [message #177125 is a reply to message #177079] |
Wed, 18 July 2012 07:38 |
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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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| Esmi wrote on Tue, 17 July 2012 20:23 |
Hello GMCnet;
A am a newly-minted member of the GMC owners club, as I completed the purchase of a 1978 26-foot GMC in Arizona this afternoon.
I have a couple of really basic questions:
The TZE number is TZE168V100333. Is there somewhere to cross-reference that and figure out any additional info? I am lacking even basic info like the trim level (is it an Eleganza II? Or a Birchaven, Or what?)
Also, I have a switchable fuel gage for the main and auxiliary tank. But I do not see provision to put fuel into the aux tank ???
I bought this through ebay (if you look at completed listings for GMC Motorhomes, mine is the one that did not sell for $15500). I am pretty excited about it. I did as thorough a once-over as the Phoenix heat would allow, and drove it away. I am cooped up in a motel at the moment, waiting for night and cooler temps to run back to coastal California, which is where I belong.
Thanks! Esmi
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Esmi,
Welcome to the group/family/cult/asylum.
I must object to the label of moronic that you attached to your questions for two reasons. One is that the determination of an actual original model often takes serious investigation. The other is that the obtusities (new word?) of the fuel system are not easy to understand even when you have stood on two feet looking at all the connected parts.
I have done a number of things in my life that I still believe were not well thought out (aka -stupid), but buying the coach was not one of them.
Yes, both tanks fuel from the same fill. There are two 25 gallon tanks (that I recently pumped 54 gallons out of) but the way they are interconnected - by the fill plumbing below the half level - means that you can draw 38~43 gallons out of the main tank. The main tank is the rear. That is the one that supplies the fuel to the APU (genset). The pick up for that only allows it to pick up above one quarter so you can run the APU out and still have fuel in the tank to go and get more....
Because of the fluid dynamics, the main (rear) tank actually fills first. The low vapor pressure and foaming of the current crap motor fuels make filling the difficult.
I am told that filling fuel in California will require a large rubber sleeve that I know nothing about. Someone will come by and tell you - soon.
Finally, if I am correct, you will quickly find that these coaches become more a part of your life than just another toy you own. The relationship is more like that of a waterman (like me) to his boat, so I like to welcome new owners as I might welcome any new owner or vessel in my own world. So,
May the Good Lord Bless this coach and all those that set forth within her.
Welcome Esmi
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: Newbie says hello and has some moronic questions [message #177158 is a reply to message #177122] |
Wed, 18 July 2012 11:53 |
C Boyd
Messages: 2629
Registered: April 2006
Karma: 18
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Senior Member |
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How could i forget a Kingsley??? (don`t answer that!)
| Mike Miller wrote on Wed, 18 July 2012 08:09 |
| C Boyd wrote on Tue, 17 July 2012 18:42 |
Sir: Since it is a GMC fitted 78 and a 26' it would either be a Palm Beach (green)or an Eleganza II (brown). ...
|
While you are correct that considering all GM coaches, over all years, the coach would MOST LIKELY be an Eleganza II or Palm Beach. There was more of each of those models that ALL the other (1975 on) models combined. But just going on the numbers on the "Trivia" page: <http://www.gmcmhregistry.com/Trivia.html> It shows that in 1978 that about 1/3 of the GM upfitted coaches were Kingsley models. There is a SLIGHT possibility of it being a Coca Cola.
The best way to KNOW would be to check the label in the glovebox for the OPTION CODE (or RPO) that identifies the interior finish model:
641 Kingsley (223 in 1978)
685 Coca Cola (5 in 1978)
697 Eleganza II (267 in 1978)
698 Palm Beach (194 in 1978)
If the coach has been remodeled and painted, and there is no glovebox sticker, or you have a early coach, you have to guess about the model from clues of the interior and possibly exterior.
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C. Boyd
76 Crestmont
East Tennessee
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| Re: Newbie says hello and has some moronic questions [message #177163 is a reply to message #177158] |
Wed, 18 July 2012 12:30 |
habbyguy
Messages: 896
Registered: May 2012
Location: Mesa, AZ
Karma: 3
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Senior Member |
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Since I'm local to the Ebay rig, I was VERY interested in checking it out, and tried to contact the owner of that Ebay coach a few times, but got no response. Then I saw it listed as "sold" and I sent the seller a note, and he replied almost immediately. He said he thought the buyer wasn't going to go through with the deal, and that he'd probably re-list it. I again sent him a couple emails asking if he was going to re-list it or not, after I'd located the coach I bought in west LA (a '78 Royale). He never replied, but did end up re-listing the coach later (about a day after I bought mine!)
So in the end, the CA buyer buys an AZ coach, and the AZ buyer buys a CA coach. Good luck with your return trip - if yours runs as well as mine did on the opposite trip, you won't have any problems. My only real "problem" was getting stuck in the LA early afternoon rush hour, and having to run the generator (the dash A/C didn't work, so I had to run the front roof A/C unit). I turned the A/C off after the sun went down, and it really wasn't too bad, even though the temperature was in the 90's at the time.
The rig you got looks like a very nice one, and seems to have been very well maintained (though the seller didn't seem to have any records on it, sadly). Hope you have many, many happy miles and hears with it!
Mark Hickey
Mesa, AZ
1978 Royale Center Kitchen
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| Re: Newbie says hello and has some moronic questions [message #177220 is a reply to message #177079] |
Wed, 18 July 2012 17:54 |
Esmi
Messages: 12
Registered: July 2012
Karma: 0
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Junior Member |
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Thank you all for the welcome.
572 uneventful miles from Phoenix to Morro Bay, CA, which took 64.05 gallons of gas -- 8.94 mpg aint too shabby in my book.
The speeds I thought I was maintaining was 55-60mph but I must have been going a little bit faster as my portal-to-portal time (including stops) was 10.75 hours (which is 53 mpg including stops).
I got the unit from a guy named Judd, who had not had it long or used it much. I believe he makes his living buying and reselling stuff. I wish I woulda got it from an appreciator (& a record keeper), but that is what it is.
Funny that I went from SO Cal to AZ to get mine, and habbaguy did the exact reverse. If mine had been close, I would not have bought it, as everyone knows the best deals are far away........
Esmi • 1978 (former) Kingsley • San Luis Obispo County, Calif
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