Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Trip Report and some Thank Yous (Trip Report and some Thank Yous)
| Trip Report and some Thank Yous [message #266938] |
Sun, 30 November 2014 09:32  |
jknezek
Messages: 1057
Registered: December 2007
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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Our Thanksgiving trip has successfully ended, even if it wasn't without a few hiccups. We once again loaded the coach with 3 small kids, a parrot, a large dog, and my wife and I for the trip from Birmingham AL to the east side of Lake Okeechobee. Day 1 involved a 2:15 a.m. departure and we smoothly sailed with sleeping family to Tallahassee. A quick breakfast stop and we were back on the road when we hit our first snag.
Showers north of Gainesville led to the discovery of a dead electric wiper motor. I pulled Ken H. away from his lunch for a quick discussion and an attempt to secure a replacement. Thank you Ken for your reassurance. No dice until the next day, and the trip couldn't wait. So I Rain-X'd the windshield and we moved on. If you haven't Rain-X'd your windshield I can tell you that we passed through heavy storms with no problem as everyone else furiously used wipers. I prefer wipers, but Rain-X was a wonderful backstop so long as we kept moving at 30mph+.
A late afternoon arrival in Tampa after 11 hours on the road had camp set up and a wonderful motor home dinner. The next day was a nice visit with my wife's maternal grandparents who, despite both being over/under 90 were easily able to climb into a lowered coach for a trip to lunch. After dropping them back off, we headed out over the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. 40+ mph crosswinds and the big signs saying "High Wind Advisory, Trucks Use Alternative Route" were minor obstacles. We white knuckled our way over the bridge before setting off across Florida's cattle country.
Snag number 2 developed as the transmission started shifting early and then slipping between second and third. A quick call to Jim Bounds, who answered his phone on a Sunday, suggested vacuum problems, either the hose or the modulator. I was able to successfully shift using manual, so we proceeded to the in-laws place in Indiantown FL.
Monday had me scurrying out to Okeechobee, about 30 miles back the way we came, for my annual visit with Jeff at Alex Sirum's. The transmission wouldn't repeat its problems, but we changed some rubber hose, fluid and filter, looked into some other squeaks and squeals, and spent a nice day puttering around and learning things. After being poked and prodded, the coach then rested while I replaced the bad wiper motor, put on some new geegaws I picked up, and had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Nothing beats a good cajun fried turkey!
Our return journey started Saturday morning at 7:15 CST. The coach ran great, the traffic did not. At 1p.m. CST we finally hit I10 and gassed up. 2 hours later as we approached the turn to Dothan, my wife and I discussed our options. We were still 4.5 hours from home, it was getting late, and Sunday after Thanksgiving traffic was going to be even worse than Saturday.
Instead of camping, we stopped for food and gas on the northern outskirts of Dothan and decided to put the kids to bed and press on through to home. The coach ran well, something still needs to be addressed with the transmission as I think the vacuum modulator needs to be replaced, but we arrived safely in the driveway at 10:30 CST. The kids were transferred to the house and my wife and I went to bed.
After 1500 miles and more hours underway than I recommend at any one time, we completed our trip with only minor issues. The GMC remains my favorite way to travel with small kids. Nothing beats an easy to drive house on wheels!
Thanks to Ken H., Jim B., and Jeff S., for all the help underway. I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving and for those that were out and about I hope you arrive safely, happily and on time from wherever you ventured.
Thanks,
Jeremy Knezek
1976 Glenbrook
Birmingham, AL
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| Re: [GMCnet] Trip Report and some Thank Yous [message #266939 is a reply to message #266938] |
Sun, 30 November 2014 09:43  |
Tim Conway
Messages: 412
Registered: September 2005
Location: Long Island, New York
Karma: 0
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On Nov 30, 2014, at 10:32 AM, Jeremy wrote:
> Thanks to Ken H., Jim B., and Jeff S., for all the help underway. I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving and for those that were out and about I
> hope you arrive safely, happily and on time from wherever you ventured.
> --
> Thanks,
> Jeremy Knezek
And thank you Jeremy for the great report. Nice to read.
Tim Conway
LI NY 78 PB
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| Re: [GMCnet] Trip Report and some Thank Yous [message #266940 is a reply to message #266939] |
Sun, 30 November 2014 10:20 |
Mr ERFisher
Messages: 7117
Registered: August 2005
Karma: 2
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Hurrah-- nice report--tanks-
Erf
On Sunday, November 30, 2014, Tim Conway wrote:
>
> On Nov 30, 2014, at 10:32 AM, Jeremy wrote:
>
>> Thanks to Ken H., Jim B., and Jeff S., for all the help underway. I hope
> everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving and for those that were out and about I
>> hope you arrive safely, happily and on time from wherever you ventured.
>> --
>> Thanks,
>> Jeremy Knezek
>
> And thank you Jeremy for the great report. Nice to read.
>
> Tim Conway
> LI NY 78 PB
>
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--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
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Alternator Protection Cable
http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
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| Re: Trip Report and some Thank Yous [message #266943 is a reply to message #266938] |
Sun, 30 November 2014 12:17 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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On that vacuum line to the modulator, besides checking / replacing the two vacuum hoses, there is a steel line that runs between those two hoses. It runs from the right front of the engine along the top of the intake manifold to the rear and then down the back of the engine. It ends near the starter.
On the end that terminates on the right front top of the engine there is a small crimp built into the tube. This crimp sometime clogs up with carbon or rust. You need to verify that this steel tube is completely open and moving air. Mine was so badly clogged that I had to remove the steel tube. I put compressed air at around 100 PSI to it and it still would not move air. I ended leaving the air pressure attached and heating it with a torch in the crimp area until the obstruction finally cleared.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] Trip Report and some Thank Yous [message #266944 is a reply to message #266943] |
Sun, 30 November 2014 12:56 |
James Hupy
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
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With regards to that crimp in the steel line, they frequently were
problematic with issues like Ken described. Later GM cars used a molded
plastic check valve/surge preventer that could easily be checked and
replaced if necessary. Don't know if they are even still available, but
beings as how they were part of the emission equipment, it is possible that
aftermarket still carries some of them in stock. Don't know the part
number, though. When they were fitted, the steel line was merely shortened
to remove the crimp section, and placed inline.
Jim Hupy
Salem, OR
78 GMC Royale 403
On Sun, Nov 30, 2014 at 10:17 AM, Ken Burton wrote:
> On that vacuum line to the modulator, besides checking / replacing the two
> vacuum hoses, there is a steel line that runs between those two hoses. It
> runs from the right front of the engine along the top of the intake
> manifold to the rear and then down the back of the engine. It ends near the
> starter.
>
> On the end that terminates on the right front top of the engine there is a
> small crimp built into the tube. This crimp sometime clogs up with carbon
> or rust. You need to verify that this steel tube is completely open and
> moving air. Mine was so badly clogged that I had to remove the steel tube.
> I put compressed air at around 100 PSI to it and it still would not move
> air. I ended leaving the air pressure attached and heating it with a torch
> in the crimp area until the obstruction finally cleared.
> --
> Ken Burton - N9KB
> 76 Palm Beach
> Hebron, Indiana
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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| Re: [GMCnet] Trip Report and some Thank Yous [message #266946 is a reply to message #266944] |
Sun, 30 November 2014 13:36 |
 |
USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Jeremy,
Most importantly your trip was SAFE and you all arrived back home SOUND! The couple of minor difficulties are par for the course on
one of our GMC's.
I found that the metal line to the vacuum modulator on Double Trouble had a hole in it where it had rusted through. I wound up
cutting it at the hole and using a rubber line to join the two pieces together.
Also I may be wrong but I vaguely remember Bill Bramlet "saying" that there is a restrictor / restriction in that line and if you
remove it the transmission will shift better. Maybe someone will remember what Bill "said" and I'll see if I can remember where I
"saw" it. I may be hallucinating! ;-)
Regards,
Rob M.
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
-----Original Message-----
From: James Hupy
With regards to that crimp in the steel line, they frequently were
problematic with issues like Ken described. Later GM cars used a molded
plastic check valve/surge preventer that could easily be checked and
replaced if necessary. Don't know if they are even still available, but
beings as how they were part of the emission equipment, it is possible that
aftermarket still carries some of them in stock. Don't know the part
number, though. When they were fitted, the steel line was merely shortened
to remove the crimp section, and placed inline.
Jim Hupy
Ken Burton wrote:
> On that vacuum line to the modulator, besides checking / replacing the two
> vacuum hoses, there is a steel line that runs between those two hoses. It
> runs from the right front of the engine along the top of the intake
> manifold to the rear and then down the back of the engine. It ends near the
> starter.
>
> On the end that terminates on the right front top of the engine there is a
> small crimp built into the tube. This crimp sometime clogs up with carbon
> or rust. You need to verify that this steel tube is completely open and
> moving air. Mine was so badly clogged that I had to remove the steel tube.
> I put compressed air at around 100 PSI to it and it still would not move
> air. I ended leaving the air pressure attached and heating it with a torch
> in the crimp area until the obstruction finally cleared.
> --
> Ken Burton - N9KB
> 76 Palm Beach
> Hebron, Indiana
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: [GMCnet] Trip Report and some Thank Yous [message #266950 is a reply to message #266946] |
Sun, 30 November 2014 17:43 |
Bruce Hart
Messages: 1501
Registered: October 2011
Location: La Grange, Wyoming
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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Spot on Rob, when Bill was checking out my rig that was one of the first
things he did was to cut the restriction out of the steel line.
On Sun, Nov 30, 2014 at 12:36 PM, Robert Mueller
wrote:
> Jeremy,
>
> Most importantly your trip was SAFE and you all arrived back home SOUND!
> The couple of minor difficulties are par for the course on
> one of our GMC's.
>
> I found that the metal line to the vacuum modulator on Double Trouble had
> a hole in it where it had rusted through. I wound up
> cutting it at the hole and using a rubber line to join the two pieces
> together.
>
> Also I may be wrong but I vaguely remember Bill Bramlet "saying" that
> there is a restrictor / restriction in that line and if you
> remove it the transmission will shift better. Maybe someone will remember
> what Bill "said" and I'll see if I can remember where I
> "saw" it. I may be hallucinating! ;-)
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
> Sydney, Australia
> AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
> USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: James Hupy
>
> With regards to that crimp in the steel line, they frequently were
> problematic with issues like Ken described. Later GM cars used a molded
> plastic check valve/surge preventer that could easily be checked and
> replaced if necessary. Don't know if they are even still available, but
> beings as how they were part of the emission equipment, it is possible that
> aftermarket still carries some of them in stock. Don't know the part
> number, though. When they were fitted, the steel line was merely shortened
> to remove the crimp section, and placed inline.
> Jim Hupy
>
>
> Ken Burton wrote:
>
>> On that vacuum line to the modulator, besides checking / replacing the
> two
>> vacuum hoses, there is a steel line that runs between those two hoses. It
>> runs from the right front of the engine along the top of the intake
>> manifold to the rear and then down the back of the engine. It ends near
> the
>> starter.
>>
>> On the end that terminates on the right front top of the engine there is
> a
>> small crimp built into the tube. This crimp sometime clogs up with
> carbon
>> or rust. You need to verify that this steel tube is completely open and
>> moving air. Mine was so badly clogged that I had to remove the steel
> tube.
>> I put compressed air at around 100 PSI to it and it still would not move
>> air. I ended leaving the air pressure attached and heating it with a
> torch
>> in the crimp area until the obstruction finally cleared.
>> --
>> Ken Burton - N9KB
>> 76 Palm Beach
>> Hebron, Indiana
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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
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Bruce Hart
1976 Palm Beach
1977 28' Kingsley
La Grange, Wyoming
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| Re: Trip Report and some Thank Yous [message #266953 is a reply to message #266938] |
Sun, 30 November 2014 19:56 |
Luvn737s
Messages: 1106
Registered: June 2007
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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Jeremy- I am glad your family is enjoying the GMC as it was designed. We've already reserved a spot at Bryce Canyon for our family over Memorial Day weekend.
Randy
1973 26' Painted Desert
Ahwatukee (Phoenix) AZ
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| Re: Trip Report and some Thank Yous [message #266969 is a reply to message #266938] |
Mon, 01 December 2014 09:09 |
jknezek
Messages: 1057
Registered: December 2007
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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Thanks everyone. I'll check the steel line at some point this winter. Other than a trip through the Holiday Lights at our local state park, we're probably done until March so I should have plenty of time.
Thanks,
Jeremy Knezek
1976 Glenbrook
Birmingham, AL
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