Became a driver Sunday

G

Garycxgvd

New member
May 24, 2022
29
21
3
Charing Cross, Ontario
I took possession of a 1976 Royale Sunday from the couple who maintained it for thirty-five years. I drove the coach home four hundred kilometers (250 miles) and we slept in it last night. Here are my initial impressions. Quieter than I was expecting, transmission shifted effortlessly, the panoramic windshield and side glass are beautiful and the quality of the upholstery and woodwork are top notch. The coach wanders on the two lane blacktop with a moderate wind from the side, I hope it can be tightened.

The main issue I had was in the fuel or perhaps gauge. When I received the Royale the fuel gauge showed low and my first stop was the gas station. I pumped in 120 liters and the gauge registered near full. I thought the 120 liters would bring me to my regular station, when I pulled a stop for the night the gauge still registered over 1/2. This morning, after a good nights rest, the engine began to run out of power and I recalled Roy telling me to switch to Aux Fuel, I did and the problem was solved. He also told me aux fuel was five gallons so I stopped and bought another 50 liters. When I stopped at my usual station where the gas is on sale the most the tank would accept was 70 liters and the gauge registered more than F. I drove another 80 kms to get home and the gauge is the same, pegged at over F.

This afternoon I changed the engine oil with Mobil 1 10W30 as Roy used. I've arranged for a safety inspection this week so I can get permanent plates and we are planning day trips in our new hobby. Gary
 
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Welcome to the GMC Motorhome family!

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 8,860 GMCs accounted for)

* 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
 
Glad to hear everything on your maiden trip went without a hitch.

There are two 25 US gallon tanks on the coach connected together with a common fill pipe. The tanks are consumed together down to about the 1/3 level, then the fuel is below the fill pipe connections.

Read the info and study the diagrams of the tanks in this link. Understand that the fill pipe connections are at the front of the tanks so going up and down hills can transfer fuel to and from each tank. going down hill while braking can move a lot of fuel out of the Main (rear) tank and into the Aux (front) tank.
Fuel tank operation
 
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My fuel gauge will not go below full until it has burned 25 gallons of gas. Roughly 200 miles of driving. Then it gives me accurate readings for the remaining 25 gallons. I don’t know if that is normal or not. i Drive with my fuel selector set to main, but that is for my electric fuel pumps set up. I prefer to run with full tanks, but with todays fuel prices, that could change.
Scott
 
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Gary,
If the fuel level gauges are accurate, those are the only surviving examples. When you find out what they are reporting to you, they should be reliable at that.
Yes, the steering can probably be tightened and that isn't even difficult.
Glad the excursion was pleasant.
Matt
 
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Scott Nutter said:
My fuel gauge will not go below full until it has burned 25 gallons of gas. Roughly 200 miles of driving. Then it gives me accurate readings for the remaining 25 gallons. I don’t know if that is normal or not. i Drive with my fuel selector set to main, but that is for my electric fuel pumps set up. I prefer to run with full tanks, but with todays fuel prices, that could change.
Scott
Click to expand...
Ours is very similar to what Scott describes. The gauge says basically "full" until about 20 to 25 gallons are used, then it begins to go down. We typically stop for refueling at approximately every 200± miles anyway.
Russell
 
I studied the fuel tank diagram and it holds genius or madness, I do not know. In my case, I think, I put fuel in both tanks initially via the link, used the gas in the main until it was below the link tube and began to sputter. I switched to the Aux used it until I poured in more fuel, switched back to the main tank, used it until I filled both tanks. Presently I drove 100 kms (60 miles) on a fill up, the gauge hasn't moved yet, though it will. Got it, keep it full of gas, cost is the same whether you keep gas in the top half or bottom half.

I declare I am pleasantly pleased the coach. Everything, other than wiper blades and some lamps, works well.

Regards, Gary
 
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Gary, that's one way to drive it as long as there are gas stations in front of you. Run it until it starts to sputter, then switch tanks and start looking for gas. Should be able to find a station within 50 miles.

You can also get fuel based on number of miles driven. Some say 200-300 miles and then get gas.

Usually my bladder tells me when to get fuel.
 
Friday, Canada Day, we used the MH for a day trip to nearby Rondeau Park. It was a bit dicey navigating the narrow pavement in the park with pedestrians and bicyclists sharing the road. Three people stopped to ask about our MH including one who said he sold them in 1973. A restful time, however I took the opportunity to learn how set out the awning.

The gas gauge began to register on the return trip after 115 miles of use. I scrubbed the exteriorDSC_6686j.webp with soap and a brush on a pole at the end of the day in our driveway. Much brighter.

GaryDSC_6686j.webp
 
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My mechanic safety inspected the coach yesterday in preparation to get the permanent license plates. I need to replace the front brake pads, seems the calipers were not working properly and wore out one side and left the other as new. Today I will find out if parts are as readily accessible as advertised when I call in at the parts store I prefer. I'd like to replace the calipers too.

I also plan to replace the rear wheel bearings and seals because they are worn and loose.

Gary
 
Gary,
The rear hub seals available today will rub against the inner bearing race unless they are installed slightly proud of the rear hub. The axles retaining nut also has a specific procedure to follow if you don't want the bearings to fail. Download this document, print it out and give it to your mechanic.

www.gmcmotorhome.org

Rear hub seal & retaining nut proceedures

Diagram of the rear hub showing how the seal must be installed slightly proud of the hub. The housing of the new seals is deeper and curves slightly inwards such that they could rub on the inner bearing race. Also proper procedure for...
www.gmcmotorhome.org www.gmcmotorhome.org

Many owners have upgraded the front calipers to 80mm units. This gives better braking on the front. I can't help you with part numbers as mine has a one-ton front end upgrade, which is different again.

Stuff like this are things that Borrmann's knows about.
 
Here is some info on the 80mm caliper upgrade. You may already have this and the hoses have a different fastener to the caliper.
Did you get your GMCMI parts interchange guide?

And a thread on this forum regarding them
www.gmcmotorhome.org

80mm brakes

Hi all, What’s the thinking around the 80mm brake conversion? Is it a must? Currently my thinking is to go OEM unless there is a compelling reason to change. I’m keen to hear what others think Regards Gerry
www.gmcmotorhome.org www.gmcmotorhome.org
 
Gary,
If the calipers worn one side's pad more than the other, that usually means that the caliper is not sliding as it should. Get so caliper grease while you are at it and clean and grease the gibs when putting things back together.
Matt
 
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So far so good. The local Canadian Tire parts counter guy couldn't help me with front pads for a MH but could supply Olds pads, I ordered them and picked them up the same day. My regular Parts store has the rear shoes in stock and new calipers are $71.00 each.

My bearing house has the inner bearing in stock and is searching for the outer for the rear hubs. I have plans to camp with some others about an hour away on Friday. Gary
 
Get your shine on at www.cruzingear.co
Applied GMC

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