2,900 Mile Maiden Voyage?

GMCWIZARD

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Aug 21, 2023
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Hey you all,
I am new to the RV/Motorhome world and I recently purchased a 1978 Birchaven with an Oldsmobile 403 (about 2 weeks ago) and am getting ready to drive it from Portland to the New York area.
It’s a little more than a 2900 mile drive.

The vehicle itself looks good, and has had some new replacements but for the most part, still original.
61k original miles.

- Currently we’re getting the brakes completely changed out since that was the main concern.

My main question for you guys and gals is if you think it could make the coast to coast drive of the bat or if you have any suggestions on what I should do, things to look out for, etc.

Thanks!
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You will probably take i-90. But if for any reason your on i-94 in minnesota i am just off freeway in st. Cloud, mn.

I think you are asking quite a bit out of that coach. But the photos you posted tell nothing but it has 16.5 rims. A 78 403 engine is a good start
Though.

If the coach has been being driven lately, that is a good thing. If it has been sitting you better be prepared for pissible fuel starvation issues…. Handful of carb filters.

But the maiden voyage of that magnitude is like tossing a kid into the deep end of a pool to learn to swim. Some will learn fast, other will sink. I see some motorhome’s that people buy that should be good, break down 50 miles later. Yet others that have been neglected have been know.n to take a new owner thousands of miles. You just never know.

Let us know how it goes!
 
Makes me excited to hear. I've done that 3 times for their owners. All we're riddled with small adventures of different sorts but easily overcome.
Definitely take spares, tools, and fluids. And tow a dingy, if possible, it can be a lifesaver and a great place to store said spares. Belts, filters, hoses, duct tape, baling wire, bottle jack, multi meter, trans & motor oil, coolant, ... THE BLACK LIST, parts interchange, US as best ya can, we're here to help.

I envy you.

Go for it! But be prepared.
 
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Go for it! But be prepared.
BTW,
For the purpose of locating and keeping track of all Classic GMC Motorhomes.
Please fill out and submit the online form at www.gmcmhregistry.com/contact/form.html
(There are currently over 8,960 GMCs accounted for)

Find the VIN tag is on the firewall behind the passenger side hood.
Or on the inner glove box door tag.
Or on the title.

* Note about the Build Date of your GMC: From the decal on the inside of the glove box door - look for a number on the top line just left of center, similar to "032174". The example indicates the build date as March 21st, 1974. *

Thank you
Billy Massey
The GMC Motorhome Registry
www.gmcmhregistry.com
 
There are a certain few things I would do as a matter of safety. One is: If the tires are showing lots of sun-checking on the sidewalls, particularly if they are old, replace them before the trip. 16.5" tires aren't so easy to find any more, but a blowout at highway speed would be bad.

Second thing: Replace the belts. Do it now or on the road.

Third thing: Put eyes on the fuel hoses, including the special large-diameter sections of fill hose on the ends of the tanks. Yes, you have to get under the coach to do this, so exercise appropriate safety measures. But cracked and leaking fuel hoses are not something you want to take on a long journey.

Fourth thing: Make sure your brake job mechanic installs new hoses in the front. Old hoses can swell up and retain pressure in the calipers, which you don't want. If the hoses in the rear look less than perfect, have them do those, too.

Notice how much I'm focusing on the rubber bits?

There are lots of other things that can cause adventures, so as with all new owners, the correct question is: What is your mechanical background? Lots of us were amateur (and some of us professional) mechanics back when these coaches were new, and have some intuition about how things should work and how to make repairs on the road if needed.

The other correct question is: How long has this coach been sitting since it was in regular use in a state of good repair? If it's been used four times a years up until last week, then it might be just fine. But if it "worked before being stored" and was put into storage 8 years go (or 18 years ago), then there will be age-related issues to resolve.

Without that background, I think I'd be tempted to invite an old GMCer along for the adventure. You might be able to find a retired GMCer who wouldn't mind a road trip with a new friend. There are all sorts of tricks experienced GMC mechanics have in their heads which can really help if something breaks on the road, even including how to tow them without destroying the coach. We all know guys who have recovered disused GMCs using a gas can strapped to the bumper and plumbed into the fuel pump directly, for example, to get to the next convenient spot to do something more sustainable on a long trip.

At the very least, find an experience GMC mechanic to help you inspect the coach prior to the big drive. There are a number of guys in the Pac Northwest who have that experience. Kelvin Dietz is one example. (@Kelvin but I don't know how much he pays attention to this forum at present.)

Rick "mitigating certain risks" Denney
 
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GMCWiz,
Go to the GMCMI site and print a copy of the GMC Assist aka Black's list. If you need it, it will be invaluable.
Assume all the rubber parts are shot. They age out no matter what.
If you did not get the full set of service documentation, you can download that too.
Our Maiden Voyage was 2500 miles but never more than ~1200 miles from home.
Matt_C
 
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We are 50mi east of Minneapolis off of I94 in Menomonie WI. You are welcome to stop for a night or more.We are on the Black list so call to make sure we are here. If you make it as far as lower Michigan around Sept 19-25, you might consider spending a week with us at the GMCMI convention. Wanna meet a lot of great people, and learn a LOT about your 1978 Birchaven? See this:


Hope your trip is successful and we can see you along the way.
 
You will probably take i-90. But if for any reason your on i-94 in minnesota i am just off freeway in st. Cloud, mn.

I think you are asking quite a bit out of that coach. But the photos you posted tell nothing but it has 16.5 rims. A 78 403 engine is a good start
Though.

If the coach has been being driven lately, that is a good thing. If it has been sitting you better be prepared for pissible fuel starvation issues…. Handful of carb filters.

But the maiden voyage of that magnitude is like tossing a kid into the deep end of a pool to learn to swim. Some will learn fast, other will sink. I see some motorhome’s that people buy that should be good, break down 50 miles later. Yet others that have been neglected have been know.n to take a new owner thousands of miles. You just never know.

Let us know how it goes!
Thank you for the response! Yes I’m figuring out that it might be a bit much but I have 0 choice but to do it since I have to get it registered.
(Sadly Oregon titles don’t show the weight)

I live up in New York and couldn’t find any GMC’s I resonated with nearby and that lead me to a few options on the west coast.

I plan to Full-time once all is said and done.

This coach has been sitting for just about two years PO said but yes I did make sure to buy a couple of wix filters and I grabbed a NAPA oil filter as well too. Definitely the first thing will be to install those and do an oil change.


Thanks again for your response!
 
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Wishing you well on your journey. All of the above is sound advice. Cruddy fuel tanks have caused lots of problems! If you find that the coach is not up to the journey, keep my number handy. I have " rescued " more than a few of these. I do flatbed transport for a reasonable cost. Of course I hope I don't hear from you!

Coastal Bend Express Transport
817-980-6272
 
I like many others who I am sure are lurking are wishing you great luck. If you can, check under the drivers side to see if the P.O. install an additional quick change/canister fuel filter? You may want to get a spare if so.

Good Luck,
Tom K.
 
Wishing you well on your journey. All of the above is sound advice. Cruddy fuel tanks have caused lots of problems! If you find that the coach is not up to the journey, keep my number handy. I have " rescued " more than a few of these. I do flatbed transport for a reasonable cost. Of course I hope I don't hear from you!

Coastal Bend Express Transport
817-980-6272
I'm here to tell ya, Coastal Bend Express is the best and much more economical than anyone else!
 
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I like many others who I am sure are lurking are wishing you great luck. If you can, check under the drivers side to see if the P.O. install an additional quick change/canister fuel filter? You may want to get a spare if so.

Good Luck,
Tom K.
Thanks, i appreciate it a bunch!

And yes I did buy a couple extra filters to bring with me just in case.
 
Wishing you well on your journey. All of the above is sound advice. Cruddy fuel tanks have caused lots of problems! If you find that the coach is not up to the journey, keep my number handy. I have " rescued " more than a few of these. I do flatbed transport for a reasonable cost. Of course I hope I don't hear from you!

Coastal Bend Express Transport
817-980-6272
Thanks, i appreciate it and I will definitely give you a call if anything were to happen.
 
Makes me excited to hear. I've done that 3 times for their owners. All we're riddled with small adventures of different sorts but easily overcome.
Definitely take spares, tools, and fluids. And tow a dingy, if possible, it can be a lifesaver and a great place to store said spares. Belts, filters, hoses, duct tape, baling wire, bottle jack, multi meter, trans & motor oil, coolant, ... THE BLACK LIST, parts interchange, US as best ya can, we're here to help.

I envy you.

Go for it! But be prepared.
Definitely keeping a note of this.
I did check out the black list and it sounds like an invaluable resource thanks to you all!

I appreciate you taking the time to give me some advice. Much appreciated!
 
More advice from bleachers here...

Make sure you have ALL new Fluids, Belts, plugs, check vacuum lines - fuel lines - replace any and all that are questionable. If you have original fuel lines - use non-ethanal fuel where possible - as ethanol will deteriorate the original fuel lines and you will have leaks - no need to expedite that failure.... - eventually you will need to replace your fuel lines regardless. Make sure you air bags work and hold air. tires have already been discussed.

Brakes completely changed out? Are you just referring to the pads and shoes? Don't overlook the Master Cylinder, Proportioning Valve, rubber lines, steel lines and Booster - Ask me how I know - even an improperly adjusted (or kinked) parking brake can have adverse effects on this system - not to mention lack of vacuum (engine stall) can/will result in no brakes.

Remember - be vigilant
and know that we are all here to share your adventure and help where we can
 
As stated above, change ALL the fluids if for no other reason, you will have a baseline on that. Tires are a must, even if they look good. The possible exception is if they have date codes that are under five years old.

It's not a bad idea to have a spare alternator and maybe a starter (if your starter dies, you are out of luck getting it started, although sometimes hitting it with a hammer helps). An ignition module for the distributor should be in every coach as well.

Of course you will need tools (and maybe never use them) to install all this stuff if the need arises.
 
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As stated above, change ALL the fluids if for no other reason, you will have a baseline on that. Tires are a must, even if they look good. The possible exception is if they have date codes that are under five years old.

It's not a bad idea to have a spare alternator and maybe a starter (if your starter dies, you are out of luck getting it started, although sometimes hitting it with a hammer helps). An ignition module for the distributor should be in every coach as well.

Of course you will need tools (and maybe never use them) to install all this stuff if the need arises.

There is no end to the possible spares that you should have.
I have ran competitions where we carried alot of spares. You can add enough to justify adding another vehicle....

My philosophy is carry the parts that can get you home, or keep you from getting there...

If you don't have the knowledge to get you from broke to home, bring a CC and know how to use it.....
 
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My maiden voyage was from the Phoenix AZ to the Salem OR area. It was an insurance auction coach that had been wrecked, and was listing as "non-running". I documented the adventure here:


The presumption was that it ran/drove when it was wrecked, and I would only need to undo the accident damage to get it going again. But, there's no accounting for PO nonsense, so the surprises were abundant.

I'm still outside the Salem OR area if you need anything. I have lots of tools, a modicum of GMC experience, and a number of GMC parts.
 
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