Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] Have there been many issues with the shift cable? I haven't.
| [GMCnet] Have there been many issues with the shift cable? I haven't. [message #330280] |
Sat, 24 March 2018 09:27  |
BobDunahugh
Messages: 2465
Registered: October 2010
Location: Cedar Rapids, IA
Karma: 11
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Senior Member |
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Mine has worked freely for the two years that we've owned this 78 Royale. Last drove it in early Dec. Been in it's heated garage all Winter at 70 degrees. I never turn the temp down in there. Went to take it over to fill the LP tank yesterday. Cable was locked up. Thankfully I had the one out of the burned 78 Royale. If it had been getting harder to shift lately. I'd get that. So just to see how hard it was stuck. Put it in a vise. Tried to move the cable end with a hammer. Wouldn't move. Just glad this happened before our trip. We're to get a little snow today. 6 to 8 inches. So I'm playing in the garage. Planning to leave for Tucson as soon as the roads get dry. Bob Dunahugh 78 Royale
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| Re: [GMCnet] Have there been many issues with the shift cable? I haven't. [message #330283 is a reply to message #330281] |
Sat, 24 March 2018 09:48  |
k2gkk
Messages: 4452
Registered: November 2009
Karma: -8
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Here's an eBay item that might be helpful.
(http://www.ebay.com/itm/302333843484)
The seller has other sizes available, probably what may be needed for this application.
D C "Mac" Macdonald
Amateur Radio K2GKK
Since 30 November '53
USAF and FAA, Retired
Member GMCMI & Classics
Oklahoma City, OK
"The Money Pit"
TZE166V101966
'76 ex-Palm Beach
k2gkk + hotmail dot com
[https://i.ebayimg.com/images/i/302333843484-0-1/s-l1000.jpg]
DEI Heat Protection Sheath Aluminized Sleeving 1" x 36" Wire & Hose Shielding | eBay
www.ebay.com
Heat Sheath is constructed from a Hi-Temp fiberglass fabric bonded to an aluminized material with sides sewn together forming a sleeve. Heat Sheath will reflect up to 90% of the radiant heat and insulates up to 500°F direct continuous heat. | eBay!
________________________________
From: Gmclist on behalf of James Hupy
Sent: Saturday, March 24, 2018 09:35
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Have there been many issues with the shift cable? I haven't.
Bob, do you have headers? If you do, are they the ones that clear the
transmission governor? When the exhaust on the drivers side comes really
close to the shift cable, it gets so hot that it burns the lube and
sometimes the rubber sheath. THEN, it locks up. Some have fabricated a heat
shield to protect it from the header heat. Kinda like fix one problem,
create a different one.
Jim. Hupy
On Sat, Mar 24, 2018, 7:28 AM Bob Dunahugh wrote:
> Mine has worked freely for the two years that we've owned this 78 Royale.
> Last drove it in early Dec. Been in it's heated garage all Winter at 70
> degrees. I never turn the temp down in there. Went to take it over to fill
> the LP tank yesterday. Cable was locked up. Thankfully I had the one out of
> the burned 78 Royale. If it had been getting harder to shift lately. I'd
> get that. So just to see how hard it was stuck. Put it in a vise. Tried to
> move the cable end with a hammer. Wouldn't move. Just glad this happened
> before our trip. We're to get a little snow today. 6 to 8 inches. So I'm
> playing in the garage. Planning to leave for Tucson as soon as the roads
> get dry. Bob Dunahugh 78 Royale
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| Re: [GMCnet] Have there been many issues with the shift cable? I haven't. [message #330290 is a reply to message #330280] |
Sat, 24 March 2018 11:42 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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I have set of the stainless steel headers that I am ready to install, that are the set that are to allow governor clearance. 25 degrees out this morning, warming to 38.... I tried to go outside to start working on it, but tucked my tail between my legs and came back inside the house as my GMC does not fit into my garage. Was really hoping for some warm weekends to get some things done, but looks like that is not happening soon. First Camping trip is in May, but April is usually my time to get some things fixed/upgraded, and with Easter, and a quick weekend vacation to Phoenix I am now at 2-3 weekends at the end of April. Just means More time for the kroil to soak the bolts, even though I know they will all come off without an issue since I had installed new remflex last September, and had the bolts all out then.
I was sent a heat shield for the shift cable, along with the headers. I obviously plan on using that, as well as I have a brand new speedometer cable, along with that heat shielding that will be wrapped on a couple things. I maybe should of bought brand new manifolds to try, but I just can't get a long term seal with the manifolds/head that I have, so going to headers to see if it will seal more long term. These headers do have a really nice flange that give some area to the head.
I have talked to others who claim they get less heat in the engine compartment with the headers as the heat is pushed out the exhaust quickly?. I find that opposite of what I have always known, so I am curious about what my experience will be this summer. If I can get to November on the same Remflex gasket, I will be happy.
I have talked to a few owners that had water frozen shift cables. and a couple others that was able to get them working with penetrating oil, and never replaced them after that. It does not take much to make a cable like that seem super stuck!
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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| Re: [GMCnet] Have there been many issues with the shift cable? I haven't. [message #330291 is a reply to message #330286] |
Sat, 24 March 2018 11:46 |
Sandra Price
Messages: 709
Registered: May 2006
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Bob, order the newer, improved version of the shift cable from Jim K.
Ours broke in British Columbia on our way home from AK in '05. Bob drove
home by shifting manually, even over Monarch Pass. Lanny Young ordered one
from Jim K and Bob put it in when we got back to TX.
Then in 2015, when we went to Oregon, it broke as we stopped to take
pictures along the Columbia River. Driving on into Portland, I called Jim
K about 4:30 p.m. and ordered the cable. The next day, just before noon, I
went to the office to tell them we were expecting a package. She said, "I
believe it's here.". That's the kind of service we get from Jim K and his
shop.
Also, we have decided a shift cable lasts about 10 years. At that time we
had driven to AK twice, the Maritimes once and to most of the GMCMI
conventions, putting lots of miles on our coach.
We'll be on the road to Tucson April 1. See you there.
Sandra
On Mar 24, 2018 10:45 AM, "Bob Dunahugh" wrote:
> No headers James. The outside cover has no damage to it. Some owners like
> headers. I'm just not a fan of the heat that headers put in the engine
> compartment, to the transmission and gas tanks. Then the parts that you
> need to remove the headers to service. Not against headers. But the cons
> out weigh the pros for me. My 2 cents on that subject. Bob Dunahugh 78
> Royale
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Bob Dunahugh
> Sent: Saturday, March 24, 2018 9:27 AM
> To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
> Subject: Have there been many issues with the shift cable? I haven't.
>
>
> Mine has worked freely for the two years that we've owned this 78 Royale.
> Last drove it in early Dec. Been in it's heated garage all Winter at 70
> degrees. I never turn the temp down in there. Went to take it over to fill
> the LP tank yesterday. Cable was locked up. Thankfully I had the one out of
> the burned 78 Royale. If it had been getting harder to shift lately. I'd
> get that. So just to see how hard it was stuck. Put it in a vise. Tried to
> move the cable end with a hammer. Wouldn't move. Just glad this happened
> before our trip. We're to get a little snow today. 6 to 8 inches. So I'm
> playing in the garage. Planning to leave for Tucson as soon as the roads
> get dry. Bob Dunahugh 78 Royale
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
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| Re: [GMCnet] Have there been many issues with the shift cable? I haven't. [message #330292 is a reply to message #330291] |
Sat, 24 March 2018 12:36 |
Emery Stora
Messages: 959
Registered: January 2011
Karma: 4
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Senior Member |
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Well, I am still using the factory shift cable. Now 41 years old. Of course, other than the first 5 years in Michigan it was in California for 10 years and Santa Fe for 20 years and then
Colorado for 6 years now. Those last 36 years were relatively low humidity and that may be the reason that it has lasted.
Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Frederick, CO
> On Mar 24, 2018, at 10:46 AM, Sandra Price wrote:
>
> Bob, order the newer, improved version of the shift cable from Jim K.
>
> Ours broke in British Columbia on our way home from AK in '05. Bob drove
> home by shifting manually, even over Monarch Pass. Lanny Young ordered one
> from Jim K and Bob put it in when we got back to TX.
>
> Then in 2015, when we went to Oregon, it broke as we stopped to take
> pictures along the Columbia River. Driving on into Portland, I called Jim
> K about 4:30 p.m. and ordered the cable. The next day, just before noon, I
> went to the office to tell them we were expecting a package. She said, "I
> believe it's here.". That's the kind of service we get from Jim K and his
> shop.
>
> Also, we have decided a shift cable lasts about 10 years. At that time we
> had driven to AK twice, the Maritimes once and to most of the GMCMI
> conventions, putting lots of miles on our coach.
>
> We'll be on the road to Tucson April 1. See you there.
>
> Sandra
>
> On Mar 24, 2018 10:45 AM, "Bob Dunahugh" wrote:
>
>> No headers James. The outside cover has no damage to it. Some owners like
>> headers. I'm just not a fan of the heat that headers put in the engine
>> compartment, to the transmission and gas tanks. Then the parts that you
>> need to remove the headers to service. Not against headers. But the cons
>> out weigh the pros for me. My 2 cents on that subject. Bob Dunahugh 78
>> Royale
>>
>>
>> ________________________________
>> From: Bob Dunahugh
>> Sent: Saturday, March 24, 2018 9:27 AM
>> To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
>> Subject: Have there been many issues with the shift cable? I haven't.
>>
>>
>> Mine has worked freely for the two years that we've owned this 78 Royale.
>> Last drove it in early Dec. Been in it's heated garage all Winter at 70
>> degrees. I never turn the temp down in there. Went to take it over to fill
>> the LP tank yesterday. Cable was locked up. Thankfully I had the one out of
>> the burned 78 Royale. If it had been getting harder to shift lately. I'd
>> get that. So just to see how hard it was stuck. Put it in a vise. Tried to
>> move the cable end with a hammer. Wouldn't move. Just glad this happened
>> before our trip. We're to get a little snow today. 6 to 8 inches. So I'm
>> playing in the garage. Planning to leave for Tucson as soon as the roads
>> get dry. Bob Dunahugh 78 Royale
>> _______________________________________________
>> 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
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| Re: [GMCnet] Have there been many issues with the shift cable? I haven't. [message #330293 is a reply to message #330291] |
Sat, 24 March 2018 12:41 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
|
Senior Member |
|
|
OTOH, the shift cable on my '76 is probably original. I know for sure it's
the same one that was on it when I took possession in April '98. After
adding another 100,000+ miles it shows no sign of failing. However, since
hearing of Bob's "instant failure", I'm going to put the new spare into the
on-board parts bin.
Ken H.
On Sat, Mar 24, 2018 at 12:46 PM, Sandra Price
wrote:
> Bob, order the newer, improved version of the shift cable from Jim K.
>
> Ours broke in British Columbia on our way home from AK in '05. Bob drove
> home by shifting manually, even over Monarch Pass. Lanny Young ordered one
> from Jim K and Bob put it in when we got back to TX.
>
> Then in 2015, when we went to Oregon, it broke as we stopped to take
> pictures along the Columbia River. Driving on into Portland, I called Jim
> K about 4:30 p.m. and ordered the cable. The next day, just before noon, I
> went to the office to tell them we were expecting a package. She said, "I
> believe it's here.". That's the kind of service we get from Jim K and his
> shop.
>
> Also, we have decided a shift cable lasts about 10 years. At that time we
> had driven to AK twice, the Maritimes once and to most of the GMCMI
> conventions, putting lots of miles on our coach.
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] Have there been many issues with the shift cable? I haven't. [message #330296 is a reply to message #330283] |
Sat, 24 March 2018 13:41 |
 |
USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
|
Senior Member |
|
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Mac,
GREAT FIND!
Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808
-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces@list.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of D C _Mac_ Macdonald
Sent: Sunday, March 25, 2018 1:48 AM
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Have there been many issues with the shift cable? I haven't.
Here's an eBay item that might be helpful.
(http://www.ebay.com/itm/302333843484)
The seller has other sizes available, probably what may be needed for this application.
D C "Mac" Macdonald
Amateur Radio K2GKK
Since 30 November '53
USAF and FAA, Retired
Member GMCMI & Classics
Oklahoma City, OK
"The Money Pit"
TZE166V101966
'76 ex-Palm Beach
k2gkk + hotmail dot com
[https://i.ebayimg.com/images/i/302333843484-0-1/s-l1000.jpg]
DEI Heat Protection Sheath Aluminized Sleeving 1" x 36" Wire & Hose Shielding | eBay
www.ebay.com
Heat Sheath is constructed from a Hi-Temp fiberglass fabric bonded to an aluminized material with sides sewn together forming a
sleeve. Heat Sheath will reflect up to 90% of the radiant heat and insulates up to 500°F direct continuous heat. | eBay!
________________________________
From: Gmclist on behalf of James Hupy
Sent: Saturday, March 24, 2018 09:35
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Have there been many issues with the shift cable? I haven't.
Bob, do you have headers? If you do, are they the ones that clear the
transmission governor? When the exhaust on the drivers side comes really
close to the shift cable, it gets so hot that it burns the lube and
sometimes the rubber sheath. THEN, it locks up. Some have fabricated a heat
shield to protect it from the header heat. Kinda like fix one problem,
create a different one.
Jim. Hupy
On Sat, Mar 24, 2018, 7:28 AM Bob Dunahugh wrote:
> Mine has worked freely for the two years that we've owned this 78 Royale.
> Last drove it in early Dec. Been in it's heated garage all Winter at 70
> degrees. I never turn the temp down in there. Went to take it over to fill
> the LP tank yesterday. Cable was locked up. Thankfully I had the one out of
> the burned 78 Royale. If it had been getting harder to shift lately. I'd
> get that. So just to see how hard it was stuck. Put it in a vise. Tried to
> move the cable end with a hammer. Wouldn't move. Just glad this happened
> before our trip. We're to get a little snow today. 6 to 8 inches. So I'm
> playing in the garage. Planning to leave for Tucson as soon as the roads
> get dry. Bob Dunahugh 78 Royale
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
_______________________________________________
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Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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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] Have there been many issues with the shift cable? I haven't. [message #330299 is a reply to message #330293] |
Sat, 24 March 2018 13:49 |
|
USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
|
Senior Member |
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Ken,
When you get the cable use an "old" bikers trick.
1) Hang the cable with vertically
2) Mix some moly grease with acetone or MEK
3) Squirt the mixture on the exposed cable until it drips out the bottom end
4) Come back the next day and repeat step three
5) Repeat until you're tired of messing with it
You now have a cable lubricated with moly that will last.
Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808
-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces@list.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Ken Henderson
Sent: Sunday, March 25, 2018 4:41 AM
To: GMC Mail List
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Have there been many issues with the shift cable? I haven't.
OTOH, the shift cable on my '76 is probably original. I know for sure it's
the same one that was on it when I took possession in April '98. After
adding another 100,000+ miles it shows no sign of failing. However, since
hearing of Bob's "instant failure", I'm going to put the new spare into the
on-board parts bin.
Ken H.
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
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] Have there been many issues with the shift cable? I haven't. [message #330304 is a reply to message #330280] |
Sat, 24 March 2018 16:26 |
JohnL455
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
|
Senior Member |
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And if you do that every 10 years or so you won't have a problem. Or buy cable/chain lube in spray can and spray a shot under the bellows up top with the extension straw stuck in as far in as possible. The Gunk /Liquid Wrench brand really stains your hands and clothes-- to let you know if's working.
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
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| Re: [GMCnet] Have there been many issues with the shift cable? I haven't. [message #330305 is a reply to message #330290] |
Sat, 24 March 2018 17:08 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Jon,
You might as well go ahead right now, while you'll probably have it out
anyway, and protect the right wheel well liner. It's almost certain to be
melted where it's closest to the headers & exhaust pipe. Mine melted so
badly that I just replaced that whole area with pop-riveted sheet
aluminum. Others, acting more quickly, have covered the area. There
should be photos on the photo site showing the area of concern. Here's one
of mine in a related album which will at least give you an idea:
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/2-piece-wheel-well-liner/p6825.html
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 Sat, Mar 24, 2018 at 12:42 PM, Jon Roche wrote:
> I have set of the stainless steel headers that I am ready to install, that
> are the set that are to allow governor clearance.
> ...
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] Have there been many issues with the shift cable? I haven't. [message #330307 is a reply to message #330280] |
Sat, 24 March 2018 17:17 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
|
Senior Member |
|
|
The problem with the cable is usually on the bottom (transmission) end. It get exposed to road moisture (rain). IF the lower boot is cracked or not sealing good in comes the water. Now park if for a while and the cable rusts on that end.
To free one up, remove the cable and hang vertically and partially fill it with Kroil. Come back in four or five few days and the cable will be free. Then push the cable all the way out the bottom end and cover it with anti-seize. Reinstall the cable.
The bottom boot is unobtainium. I made one once but I forget what I used.
Other things to happen to it but if it fails after being parked for a few weeks or months then this is your problem.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] Have there been many issues with the shift cable? I haven't. [message #330308 is a reply to message #330305] |
Sat, 24 March 2018 17:11 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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That, or do as I've done for the past few years: Do that "2-Piece Liner",
then, after a few R&R's of the inner 1/2, just leave it out. It's probably
cooler in the engine compartment than with manifolds, and road splash has
been no problem.
Ken H.
On Sat, Mar 24, 2018 at 6:08 PM, Ken Henderson
wrote:
> Jon,
>
> You might as well go ahead right now, while you'll probably have it out
> anyway, and protect the right wheel well liner. It's almost certain to be
> melted where it's closest to the headers & exhaust pipe. Mine melted so
> badly that I just replaced that whole area with pop-riveted sheet
> aluminum. Others, acting more quickly, have covered the area. There
> should be photos on the photo site showing the area of concern. Here's one
> of mine in a related album which will at least give you an idea:
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/2-piece-wheel-well-liner/p6825.html
>
> 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 Sat, Mar 24, 2018 at 12:42 PM, Jon Roche wrote:
>
>> I have set of the stainless steel headers that I am ready to install,
>> that are the set that are to allow governor clearance.
>> ...
>>
>
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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