So what did you do to your GMC today?

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That's brilliant. I have a short piece of fatwood kindling that I have used for decades. That little hatch is light enough so that's about the only place I'd do it that way though.
 
In regards to my trip on Route 66, I discovered a couple of things. The road and wind noise was tremendous. What methods have you guys found in reducing the sound levels? As I traveled from one pavement to another, the sound changed dramatically.

Also, the heat build up wasn't fun! I put my hand on the floor above the engine, and it was very warm. The engine was running at normal operating temperatures. With the worthless dash ac, I was using the rooftop ac with the generator running. It was still warm in 90 degree temperatures. What methods have you guys found in insulating the cab from the engine heat? My rig doesn't have those side vents cut into it. Do those make a dramatic difference?
 

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Do you have wing winds?

Do you have the modified air duct that fits under the dash for more direct air flow.
I don't have the wind wings. Don't know if they would have helped in 90 plus degree weather, since I did have the rooftop ac running.

I have a 1976 Eleganza II, which has the factory upgrade to the air duct, if that was what you were asking (see picture).
 

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I don't have the wind wings. Don't know if they would have helped in 90 plus degree weather, since I did have the rooftop ac running.

I have a 1976 Eleganza II, which has the factory upgrade to the air duct, if that was what you were asking (see picture).
Yes, that is the factory upgrade.
Wind wings can help circulate the around in the front cabin area. If you spread the wings fully out, fully open toll windows, and open the windows behind the driver and passenger. This creates a vacuum out the toll windows and circulates the air to the front. Do you recall the vent windows in the 50's and some 60's cars. You can get the same response from the wind wings if you pull the wind wings in toward the coach and then adjust the toll window to funnel the air on to you. Unfortunately, this only works when the coach moving.
 
Yes, that is the factory upgrade.
Wind wings can help circulate the around in the front cabin area. If you spread the wings fully out, fully open toll windows, and open the windows behind the driver and passenger. This creates a vacuum out the toll windows and circulates the air to the front. Do you recall the vent windows in the 50's and some 60's cars. You can get the same response from the wind wings if you pull the wind wings in toward the coach and then adjust the toll window to funnel the air on to you. Unfortunately, this only works when the coach moving.
I had been interested in the wind wings, but I thought their purpose was to direct airflow into the cab. I didn't realize they could actually create a vacuum to suck air out. Guess I'm getting wind wings.
 
Lots of insulation on the floor, fixed the holes in the floor, removed the inner fenders helped the most to cool the cab.
Wind wings. Not great, but better than nothing. They work best turned all the way in with the toll windows closed up against them, then you get a good blast of air
 
Lots of insulation on the floor, fixed the holes in the floor, removed the inner fenders helped the most to cool the cab.
Wind wings. Not great, but better than nothing. They work best turned all the way in with the toll windows closed up against them, then you get a good blast of air
Wind wings work best when the glass is slid forward past the trailing edge of the wind wing. Sliding the glass a little forward or back will direct the air where you want it - slide the glass further forward and the air stream moves more towards the front.

In buggy weather I leave a bit of a gap between the glass and the trailing edge of the wind wing so the bugs get blown out the back instead of straight into the screen.
 
In regards to my trip on Route 66, I discovered a couple of things. The road and wind noise was tremendous. What methods have you guys found in reducing the sound levels? As I traveled from one pavement to another, the sound changed dramatically.

Also, the heat build up wasn't fun! I put my hand on the floor above the engine, and it was very warm. The engine was running at normal operating temperatures. With the worthless dash ac, I was using the rooftop ac with the generator running. It was still warm in 90 degree temperatures. What methods have you guys found in insulating the cab from the engine heat? My rig doesn't have those side vents cut into it. Do those make a dramatic difference?

Not going to lie, I enjoy traveling at about 2am lol

Also, a auxiliary evaporator under the gaucho blowing on the dinette occupants helps immensely.

Otherwise its pretty unbearable.

I installed wind wings then took them off. I didn't enjoy the wind noise they created.
 
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nothin.
it's 98 and humid, it's like living in the south. I don't put up with minnesota politics and taxes for weather like this!
 
nothin.
it's 98 and humid, it's like living in the south. I don't put up with minnesota politics and taxes for weather like this!
I remember those days. I lived in Itasca county some decades back.... Actually, it would have been about the time the first of these coaches were being manufactured.😁
 
Putting the slightly-used Onan I installed last year to the test on this 99F day. Ran both A/C's while working on installing some gauges. The inside Start switch doesn't work (although it does Stop it), so I had the gen pulled out on its sliders and running for over an hour. When I slid it back into the coach, it ran fine for about 15 minutes and then hesitated and stopped. I think I have a kinked fuel line to it, perhaps.
 
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The wheels are off the ground and the coach is in the air.
IMG_2783.webp
The wheels are oof on the driver's side.
IMG_2784.webp
The old tanks ans=d hoses are out.
IMG_2763.webp
The new 70 gal aluminum tank is waiting to be installed.

We are removing the squashed pads between the aluminum body fram and the chassis and replacing them with hockey pucks.
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There are 4 of these that hang off of the chassis with a run=bber separator nestled in the top. I have to extend the leg about 1 1/2" further down by welding an extension for new bolt holes before it is reinstalled on the chassis.

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This is Jacob Payer He came here to help me finish off my coach. He came in his own GMC Motorhome which he renovated himself after he gutted it. Palmetto does not allow people to live in RV's in residential areas, so he is sleeping in our guest room and sharing meals with us. He is28 and grew up in South Dakota.
 
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View attachment 15481
The wheels are off the ground and the coach is in the air.
View attachment 15482
The wheels are oof on the driver's side.
View attachment 15483
The old tanks ans=d hoses are out.
View attachment 15484
The new 70 gal aluminum tank is waiting to be installed.

We are removing the squashed pads between the aluminum body fram and the chassis and replacing them with hockey pucks.
View attachment 15485
There are 4 of these that hang off of the chassis with a run=bber separator nestled in the top. I have to extend the leg about 1 1/2" further down by welding an extension for new bolt holes before it is reinstalled on the chassis.

View attachment 15486
This is Jacob Payer He came here to help me finish off my coach. He came in his own GMC Motorhome which he renovated himself after he gutted it. Palmetto does not allow people to live in RV's in residential areas, so he is sleeping in our guest room and sharing meals with us. He is28 and grew up in South Dakota.
The old nasty tanks are gone. They are at the dump as savage metal.

The new aluminum tank will never see ethanol. We are also installing FitTech fuel injection with the computer under the driver's seat.