Advice for a "Newby

[richard bachert]

Gang, Just logged on a day or so ago and have enjoyed the sharing of wisdom
and thoughts re. the various mechanical aspects of the GMC.
I am about to lauch the restoration of the '75 Palm Beach 260 with 38,000
original miles which has been more or less idle (except for periodic engine
starts for 455 and geny) for about 8 years. Realize I must go through it
system by system and wheel by wheel. If basics of main mill check out, plan
to replace everything that bolts to it (pwr steering, A/C
compressor/alternator/belts/hoses/wiring as needed/etc.) in order to avoid
some of the horror stories I read in a post just today.
I wondered if those of you who have been down this road would -- knowing
what you know now -- have taken that first step? And if you would start
down that road again, can you point me to any sort of checklist which might
prevent my making some of the mistakes common to these sorts of undertakings?
Just want to avoid -- if I can -- adding this GMC to the list of things
(pools and boats) which cannot be filled with money.
One thing I MAY have going for me is a son-in-law who is a veritable
mechanical genius (and I ain't half bad myself) who has offered to assist
for periodic access to the finished product. I told him that if we're still
talking when we finish, no problema. I also have the full maintenance/parts
manuals for her.
I must also say that what has moved me to even consider resurrecting the old
girl is this outstanding network of GMC owners/lovers. 3 years ago, there
was nothing out there like this. Thanks to the good folks who kicked it off
and maintain it.
Thanks on advance for any and all information/assistance.
Dick Bachert
Norcross, GA

 

[mark grady]

I did basically the same thing with a '77 Kingsley when we got it years ago.
For what it's worth, here's what I did, both right away and over the past
several years, more or less in order of attack:

Get a set of maintenance manuals from Cinnabar; memorize them.

Brake lines, cylinders and all rubber hoses
Replace your front wheel bearings with the right ones
Replace the brake booster vacuum hose
The master cylinder is probably OK if it doesn't die during bleeding
Rad, heater, engine and hot water heater hoses and vacuum valves
Oil cooler lines, cooler adapter mounting gasket
Alternator bearings, brushes and regulator
Distributor (I rebuilt my HEI; check Dick Patterson's new stuff if you've
got $$$)
Water pump (send it for a re-build to Winterfeldt, don't replace it)
Epoxy the reservoir plugs in your Q-jet, put on a new base gasket
Put in the correct water temp sending unit

Lubricate the heater controls so the 'programmer' doesn't self-destruct
Replace all engine, Heater A/C vacuum lines
Renew the generator wiring harness connector (to eliminate corrosion)
Air cleaner on the generator, plugs, new points (or magna-arc, if you've got
$$$)
New headlights
Decide if the tranny shift cable and throttle cables work freely. If not...
Change and flush the tranny fluid with synthetic, add a Ragusa tranny pan
Change and flush the final drive with synthetic, make the mod to provide a
vent
Change what you can of the power steering fluid, repeat as necessary
Clean/replace the filter on the windshield wipers, put on new blades

New air bags!! Your originals just aren't safe anymore
New tires (if over 5 years old and/or Michelin)
Update the Dana air suspension compressor
Add an air system moisture trap, leak check/replace all fittings
Get 2 schrader valve inserts for emergencies
Get a jack and wrench so you can change a tire on the road

Drop your gas tanks, clean the pick up tube 'socks'
Have the tanks Renu'd
Replace all rubber hoses with new ones that are alcohol resistant
Replace the fuel pump
Decide if you need / want to replace your shocks

Leak test the A/C system, especially the R-12 compressor shaft seal
Decide if you are going to have to change the A/C hoses to a barrier type
Decide if you are converting to a new refrigerant or an R-12 look-alike

Put new start/run capacitors in the Duo-therms if you plan to use them
Fresh water tank level sensor
Clean out your holding tank (remove solids)
Rebuild the faucet on the kitchen sink
Consider a new fresh water pump (if it hasn't already been changed)

Service the furnace, and check for any LP leaks
Disconnect the booster blower motor for the furnace to prevent a fire
Have your LP tank checked for integrity
Check the static line setting of your LP regulator, adjust/replace as needed

Rebuild the wood contraption behind the refrigerator, or...
Close it up --
Change the cabinetry to provide a convection path for the refrig (all
electric only)

Leak check / make water tight the entire coach, over and over and over and
over
Seal the front body seams
Lubricate the latch/lock assembly on the entrance door
Straighten the door so it seals
Replace the front slider window tracks and the 'bolts' that hold on the
latches
Replace the window latches with new ones from Hehr International
Make short dowel rods to lay in the window tracks to keep the windows safe
from break ins
Replace the yellowed lenses on the lights or put up trim lite fluorescents
Use Elmer's colored glue and re-glue all the cabinet door louvers from the
back
Add a TV antenna/CATV wiring for the campground

Enjoy the quiet -- floating ride, the performance, the handling, the economy
of operation.
Answer any questions you get from admirers, seek out fellow GMC'ers where
ever they might be.

Consider that if you approach this the right way, you and your son-in-law
are starting a project that will continue for years, and give you joy and
camaraderie like no other. I know it certainly has between my brother-in-law
and me, and for both our families.

Mark Grady

PS -- Any one else should feel free to add in whatever I've missed.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-gmcmotorhome
> [mailtowner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf Of Richard Bachert
> Sent: Sunday, March 14, 1999 2:33 AM
> To: gmcmotorhome
> Subject: GMC: Advice for a "Newby"
>
>
> Gang, Just logged on a day or so ago and have enjoyed the sharing
> of wisdom
> and thoughts re. the various mechanical aspects of the GMC.
> I am about to lauch the restoration of the '75 Palm Beach 260 with 38,000
> original miles which has been more or less idle (except for
> periodic engine
> starts for 455 and geny) for about 8 years. Realize I must go through it
> system by system and wheel by wheel. If basics of main mill
> check out, plan
> to replace everything that bolts to it (pwr steering, A/C
> compressor/alternator/belts/hoses/wiring as needed/etc.) in order to avoid
> some of the horror stories I read in a post just today.
> I wondered if those of you who have been down this road would -- knowing
> what you know now -- have taken that first step? And if you would start
> down that road again, can you point me to any sort of checklist
> which might
> prevent my making some of the mistakes common to these sorts of
> undertakings?
> Just want to avoid -- if I can -- adding this GMC to the list of things
> (pools and boats) which cannot be filled with money.
> One thing I MAY have going for me is a son-in-law who is a veritable
> mechanical genius (and I ain't half bad myself) who has offered to assist
> for periodic access to the finished product. I told him that if
> we're still
> talking when we finish, no problema. I also have the full
> maintenance/parts
> manuals for her.
> I must also say that what has moved me to even consider
> resurrecting the old
> girl is this outstanding network of GMC owners/lovers. 3 years ago, there
> was nothing out there like this. Thanks to the good folks who
> kicked it off
> and maintain it.
> Thanks on advance for any and all information/assistance.
> Dick Bachert
> Norcross, GA
>

 

[david l greenberg]

snip.........

>avoid
>some of the horror stories I read in a post just today.
>I wondered if those of you who have been down this road would --
>knowing
>what you know now -- have taken that first step? And if you would
>start
>down that road again,
Dick, I bought my first GMC new in early 1976 and for the ten years I
owned it, I had problems on nearly every trip. You see, I was working
then and living in Asia. The coach was basically used 2-3 weeks per year.

Then in 1993 I bought a 1977 coach with 500k miles on it. I use it all
the time. I have been putting 12-15k miles on it per year and now have
573k on the coach and 300k on the second engine.

The point is, these coaches are like boats. They like to be exersised
regularly. Do this, give them the regular maintainance they deserve and
they will give you pretty reliable service.

David Lee Greenberg F22009
GMC Motorhome Registry
200 MacFarlane Drive PH4
Delray Beach, FL 33483-6829

 

[richard bachert]

Mark, A great big THANK YOU for what amounts to the check list I needed.
Your effort is heartily appreciated. It is being printed as I type this and
will go into my soon to be thick file of receipts and notes re. this project.
I guess calling this a "labor of love" would not be too extreme.
Dick

>I did basically the same thing with a '77 Kingsley when we got it years ago.
>For what it's worth, here's what I did, both right away and over the past
>several years, more or less in order of attack:
>
>Get a set of maintenance manuals from Cinnabar; memorize them.
>
>Brake lines, cylinders and all rubber hoses
>Replace your front wheel bearings with the right ones
>Replace the brake booster vacuum hose
>The master cylinder is probably OK if it doesn't die during bleeding
>Rad, heater, engine and hot water heater hoses and vacuum valves
>Oil cooler lines, cooler adapter mounting gasket
>Alternator bearings, brushes and regulator
>Distributor (I rebuilt my HEI; check Dick Patterson's new stuff if you've
>got $$$)
>Water pump (send it for a re-build to Winterfeldt, don't replace it)
>Epoxy the reservoir plugs in your Q-jet, put on a new base gasket
>Put in the correct water temp sending unit
>
>Lubricate the heater controls so the 'programmer' doesn't self-destruct
>Replace all engine, Heater A/C vacuum lines
>Renew the generator wiring harness connector (to eliminate corrosion)
>Air cleaner on the generator, plugs, new points (or magna-arc, if you've got
>$$$)
>New headlights
>Decide if the tranny shift cable and throttle cables work freely. If not...
>Change and flush the tranny fluid with synthetic, add a Ragusa tranny pan
>Change and flush the final drive with synthetic, make the mod to provide a
>vent
>Change what you can of the power steering fluid, repeat as necessary
>Clean/replace the filter on the windshield wipers, put on new blades
>
>New air bags!! Your originals just aren't safe anymore
>New tires (if over 5 years old and/or Michelin)
>Update the Dana air suspension compressor
>Add an air system moisture trap, leak check/replace all fittings
>Get 2 schrader valve inserts for emergencies
>Get a jack and wrench so you can change a tire on the road
>
>Drop your gas tanks, clean the pick up tube 'socks'
>Have the tanks Renu'd
>Replace all rubber hoses with new ones that are alcohol resistant
>Replace the fuel pump
>Decide if you need / want to replace your shocks
>
>Leak test the A/C system, especially the R-12 compressor shaft seal
>Decide if you are going to have to change the A/C hoses to a barrier type
>Decide if you are converting to a new refrigerant or an R-12 look-alike
>
>Put new start/run capacitors in the Duo-therms if you plan to use them
>Fresh water tank level sensor
>Clean out your holding tank (remove solids)
>Rebuild the faucet on the kitchen sink
>Consider a new fresh water pump (if it hasn't already been changed)
>
>Service the furnace, and check for any LP leaks
>Disconnect the booster blower motor for the furnace to prevent a fire
>Have your LP tank checked for integrity
>Check the static line setting of your LP regulator, adjust/replace as needed
>
>Rebuild the wood contraption behind the refrigerator, or...
>Close it up --
>Change the cabinetry to provide a convection path for the refrig (all
>electric only)
>
>Leak check / make water tight the entire coach, over and over and over and
>over
>Seal the front body seams
>Lubricate the latch/lock assembly on the entrance door
>Straighten the door so it seals
>Replace the front slider window tracks and the 'bolts' that hold on the
>latches
>Replace the window latches with new ones from Hehr International
>Make short dowel rods to lay in the window tracks to keep the windows safe
>from break ins
>Replace the yellowed lenses on the lights or put up trim lite fluorescents
>Use Elmer's colored glue and re-glue all the cabinet door louvers from the
>back
>Add a TV antenna/CATV wiring for the campground
>
>Enjoy the quiet -- floating ride, the performance, the handling, the economy
>of operation.
>Answer any questions you get from admirers, seek out fellow GMC'ers where
>ever they might be.
>
>Consider that if you approach this the right way, you and your son-in-law
>are starting a project that will continue for years, and give you joy and
>camaraderie like no other. I know it certainly has between my brother-in-law
>and me, and for both our families.
>
>Mark Grady
>
>PS -- Any one else should feel free to add in whatever I've missed.
>
>
>
>
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: owner-gmcmotorhome
>> [mailtowner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf Of Richard Bachert
>> Sent: Sunday, March 14, 1999 2:33 AM
>> To: gmcmotorhome
>> Subject: GMC: Advice for a "Newby"
>>
>>
>> Gang, Just logged on a day or so ago and have enjoyed the sharing
>> of wisdom
>> and thoughts re. the various mechanical aspects of the GMC.
>> I am about to lauch the restoration of the '75 Palm Beach 260 with 38,000
>> original miles which has been more or less idle (except for
>> periodic engine
>> starts for 455 and geny) for about 8 years. Realize I must go through it
>> system by system and wheel by wheel. If basics of main mill
>> check out, plan
>> to replace everything that bolts to it (pwr steering, A/C
>> compressor/alternator/belts/hoses/wiring as needed/etc.) in order to avoid
>> some of the horror stories I read in a post just today.
>> I wondered if those of you who have been down this road would -- knowing
>> what you know now -- have taken that first step? And if you would start
>> down that road again, can you point me to any sort of checklist
>> which might
>> prevent my making some of the mistakes common to these sorts of
>> undertakings?
>> Just want to avoid -- if I can -- adding this GMC to the list of things
>> (pools and boats) which cannot be filled with money.
>> One thing I MAY have going for me is a son-in-law who is a veritable
>> mechanical genius (and I ain't half bad myself) who has offered to assist
>> for periodic access to the finished product. I told him that if
>> we're still
>> talking when we finish, no problema. I also have the full
>> maintenance/parts
>> manuals for her.
>> I must also say that what has moved me to even consider
>> resurrecting the old
>> girl is this outstanding network of GMC owners/lovers. 3 years ago, there
>> was nothing out there like this. Thanks to the good folks who
>> kicked it off
>> and maintain it.
>> Thanks on advance for any and all information/assistance.
>> Dick Bachert
>> Norcross, GA
>>
>
>

 

[richard guthart]

>PS -- Any one else should feel free to add in whatever I've missed.
>

Mark,

Missed??? That is the most thorough recounting of a restoration that I have ever
seen. A work of art - nice going!

Richard

 

[richard bachert]

Amen! It's now safely ensconced in my official restoration binder. I may
even laminate it so it won't get mussed up.
Again, THANKS!
Dick Bachert

>>PS -- Any one else should feel free to add in whatever I've missed.
>>
>
>Mark,
>
>Missed??? That is the most thorough recounting of a restoration that I have
ever
>seen. A work of art - nice going!
>
>Richard
>
>