1973 GMC 26' Glacier Build

[ScottC]

Ok here we go, we purchased this coach on Sunday August 1st 2021 just North of Columbus, OH in Delaware, OH. The gentlemen we purchased it from bought it from an Estate about 50 miles from there. The story goes that it was the deceased prior owner's pride and joy and was described as having new rims/tires, rust free painted frame, new brake lines, new macerator pump, new fuel lines, fuel tanks cleaned, painted and new sending units, good glass (no hazing), newer A/C unit, Onan generator not running, interior almost gutted, we will finish gutting it out.

Main issues (this list will get longer) are the final drive is shot, exhaust manifold and muffler leaks, roof seams leaking, windows leaking (not windshield), the previous owner removed 2 of the 3 black tank vents (WTF), removed the bath vent and put a 14" regular vent about 1 foot in front of that (WTF), there is no fridge vent on the passenger side by the door, all vents are on the drivers side and they leak also.

We have built the jack stands, got her in the air and will start by ripping the rest of carpet out due to leaks, fix the leaks, pull out the final drive so I have it for a core when I buy the 3.70.

 

[ScottC]

More pictures

 

[pvfjr]

You've got a great project there! I was sorry to hear about your final drive, but thanks for making me check the oil in mine again! I'll be jealous of your 3.70 gears when you get them. Do you plan to travel in the west a lot? I was slowed to 35 MPH on the highway several times last weekend, thinking I could use some better gears. I also got stuck in our driveway after getting home, so I could use the LSD as well. Are you going to opt for the LSD option?

 

[ScottC]

You've got a great project there! I was sorry to hear about your final drive, but thanks for making me check the oil in mine again! I'll be jealous of your 3.70 gears when you get them. Do you plan to travel in the west a lot? I was slowed to 35 MPH on the highway several times last weekend, thinking I could use some better gears. I also got stuck in our driveway after getting home, so I could use the LSD as well. Are you going to opt for the LSD option?

I wish after reading everybody's issues with getting stuck, I am already on the hook for about $2,000 for the 3.70, its another $900 for the LSD, I think I will just keep AAA, Erie Road Side Assistance and a good tow strap on board, LOL

 

[ScottC]

I wish after reading everybody's issues with getting stuck, I am already on the hook for about $2,000 for the 3.70, its another $900 for the LSD, I think I will just keep AAA, Erie Road Side Assistance and a good tow strap on board, LOL

Let me know if that's the wrong solution, I have a lot of work to complete on this coach and will be hemorrhaging money as we go, I am trying to get priorities in order just to get this beauty useable, we are simple people so usable is mechanically sound and leaks sealed up. The LSD would delay my fuel injection, if those were your 2 choices what would you chose? I need to be talked into the LSD and relying on the community to give me advise.

Thanks

 

[Matt Colie]

Scott,
So much depends on how you expect (today) to use the coach. In spite of my having a carburetor and distributor that are just wonderful, I believe I would choose TBI with EBL and knock controlled distributor first. Without that whole package, I would not bother. The big return is the computer controlled timing. Since you will have to scrape the air filter housing, you should do it all at once.
As none of this would fit in the current budget it is all conjecture.
"If I can't have any, I might as well like them all." Tiny Tim - A Christmas Carol
Matt

 

[ScottC]

Matt thanks for the reply, as far a s using the coach, mainly weekends at state parks, occasional race track weekends, at least one trip a year down to Florida Panhandle and an occasional bike rally. As far as TOAD most likely our bikes in a trailer. Yes I plan on going the TBI route being I am a junkyard dog, lol. As far as budget, I think we got a fair deal on the coach being we bought it for the cost of the rims and tires. I realize these are money pits and knew that before we bought it, of course I will be doing all the work which helps a bunch. I am frugal and like to save a buck anywhere I can and spend it were I need to. Like I said I will be running on the community advise and will be greatly appreciated along this build. Matt what is your thought on the LSD? LOL!

Thanks Again!

 

[kidjedi]

I know it feels like a lot, but the extra $900 will be money extremely well spent. If you'd decide to do it later, this will be a huge missed opportunity, and taking everything back apart to install the LSD will really suck. If you are towing anything, and if you are *ever* off pavement (even just gravel or grass), the LSD is a must. If you read through the old forums, you'll see a lot of stories about people stuck in the grass at rallies and parks (not even difficult "off road" scenarios). If you are able to be patient, take the time to make the additional savings for the LSD. And the EFI is a huge improvement as well (just confirming that that is also the right decision).

 

[pvfjr]

I know it feels like a lot, but the extra $900 will be money extremely well spent. If you'd decide to do it later, this will be a huge missed opportunity, and taking everything back apart to install the LSD will really suck. If you are towing anything, and if you are *ever* off pavement (even just gravel or grass), the LSD is a must. If you read through the old forums, you'll see a lot of stories about people stuck in the grass at rallies and parks (not even difficult "off road" scenarios). If you are able to be patient, take the time to make the additional savings for the LSD. And the EFI is a huge improvement as well (just confirming that that is also the right decision).

True. It sure makes the total bill sting, but thinking of it at a separate purchase at the same time may help.

We've only used our coach twice now, and had issues both times with the open diff. We BARELY scratched our way back out of a boat ramp. That would've been an undesirable situation. Then we got stuck trying to go uphill on a well-packed piece of gravel. The 2300 lb toad probably broke the camel's back there, since I've got up that hill before. We tried to have the toad help push, but the first instant of slippage had already dug a hole we couldn't surmount. Couldn't back up with the toad to get a better run at it, so we had to disconnect the toad on a steep hill--not my preferred practice for tow bar operation.

Of course, none of this includes getting it bogged down in my own (flat) front yard, or my buddies (flat) field during the damp season. I had lied to myself and believed those weren't typical situations, and the open diff wouldn't cause issues during "normal" operations. Ha!

I think an LSD is on my shopping list.

 

[Mike_H]

All this talk of LSDs, fuel injection, the three speed tranny... I'm starting to think @Hal is on to something with his one ton diff (easily available parts), modern engine (he picked a diesel, but same premise for the 8.1L), and a 6l80e. Yes, it's lots of fabrication, and probably a whole bucket full of money, but it "fixes"a heck of a lot too.

All that being said, I've never had a traction problem and my engine runs sweet as honey with the quadra-junk and a Patterson ignition. My tranny still shifts firm and strong too.

 

[ScottC]

Thanks for the replies, was out of town at Michigan International Speedway, just getting caught back up on Monday, lol. I will think about the LSD, I hope to be working on the coach a couple nights this week and get some pictures uploaded.

 

[Matt Colie]

Scott,
Did you know that there is a lunch group out your way?
Matt

 

[ScottC]

Scott,
Did you know that there is a lunch group out your way?
Matt

No I did not, tell me more. I did download the application for the Great Lakers but have no joined yet. I did join GMCMI of course.

 

[ScottC]

I am probably going to sell some stuff and just go for the 3.70 with LSD, I know Nick at Allied told me I could pick it up in Pontiac, MI to save on shipping and core. It's around 4 hours from me but was thinking I could work in a stop at Cinnabar also. It's been so dam hot the only work I have done this week is inside the coach with the A/C running.

 

[tmsnyder]

I am probably going to sell some stuff and just go for the 3.70 with LSD, I know Nick at Allied told me I could pick it up in Pontiac, MI to save on shipping and core. It's around 4 hours from me but was thinking I could work in a stop at Cinnabar also. It's been so dam hot the only work I have done this week is inside the coach with the A/C running.

I don't think you'll regret going with the LSD. And the 3.70 will really help with engine braking imo. And tranny life b/c it reduces the tq on the tranny internals, more fluid flow to the cooler too.

 

[kidjedi]

I don't know what the difference is between the LSD at Cinnabar and Applied GMC, but evidently there's a guy named Jeff Ianatello who does his own version as well. I know a lot of people use him. He's in Atlanta, but he sometimes makes "house calls," especially if there are multiple people who need things done in a particular geographic location. He also does other work on GMC's, but as I understand it, he builds his own LSD. Might be a good person to have a phone/email conversation with.

 

[ScottC]

I don't know what the difference is between the LSD at Cinnabar and Applied GMC, but evidently there's a guy named Jeff Ianatello who does his own version as well. I know a lot of people use him. He's in Atlanta, but he sometimes makes "house calls," especially if there are multiple people who need things done in a particular geographic location. He also does other work on GMC's, but as I understand it, he builds his own LSD. Might be a good person to have a phone/email conversation with.

Thanks for the info, I looked him up and it is Engineered Performance, I will try and give him a call today. I know Cinnabar offers a 1 year warrantee and Allied offers a 5 year.

 

[ScottC]

I did call and it goes straight to voicemail, I will call again next week.

Update, as I said it is hot "Oppressive" around here so I did some work on the A/C Unit, it would make noise on high speed, it was not the blower so I got up on top and the condenser fan was off center on the metal shroud (little low) and would rub on high, install a couple washers to raise the motor mounts and purrs like a kitten now. Continued to work inside, pulled the plugs, looked good (light tan) maybe a little lean and did a compression test, highest at 150psi (cyl 1) and lowest was 130psi (cyl 6) all others 140-145, acceptable for me!

Somebody I know and purchased parts from texted me and said he has a 3.70 for me......sweet.

Everybody have a great weekend!

Scott

 

[kidjedi]

FWIW (something to think about in the future) a couple of people have replaced their roof toop A/C's with mini splits. It is waaaay more efficient and waaaaay quieter (you can actually have a conversation with the A/C on!). This is the unit one of the Facebook guys used (I've never heard of the brand, but the price is right):

12000 BTU 18 SEER Inverter Ductless Mini Split System HEAT PUMP 115V INNOVAIR

PowerSave AC - Ductless Mini Split Systems

powersaveac.com

 

[kidjedi]

I did call and it goes straight to voicemail, I will call again next week.

I sent Jeff a Facebook message letting him know you called, and he asked if I could let you know that he is out of town with no cell service until Sunday, so I'm letting you know!