| Hi Everyone! [message #110847] |
Tue, 04 January 2011 22:06  |
John Hunt
Messages: 70
Registered: January 2011
Location: Orange County, CA
Karma:
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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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