Diesel swap thoughts

H

hal stclair

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Just wanted to update my previous (November) remarks on the Diesel swap and maybe modify the conclusions I'd made a bit.
Over the last approximately 1900 miles it seems the combination has been 'dialed in' a bit more and the results have been pretty impressive. The
mileage has definitely increased and the overall performance is better. A run from Albuquerque to Kingman AZ netted 15.95 mpg running into a head wind
running 63/64 mph. On to Las Vegas and near 100 miles of Las Vegas urban driving, down to San Diego and over to Quartzsite managed 14+ (nice to carry
75 gallons and fill at the cheaper locations). The coach ran up Baker grade at 60 mph in 3rd gear. A direct comparison to the old motor 403/3.55
geared coach was 40 mph in second. If you aren't familiar with Baker grade it has been the death of many an RV. A six percent grade that peaks out
about 4700' it's probably one of the 10 toughest hills in the west.
There still is a little tuning to be done but 15+ mpg and the performance of the combo really brings a smile to my old face. Ain't it fun.
Hal
--
1977 Royale 101348,

1977 Royale 101586, Diesel powered,

1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout
 
If I had your skill set I'd do my 23' that way. Sigh. How's the split window coming along?

--johnny

--
'76 23' transmode Norris upfit, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
"The road goes on forever, and the party never ends" --Robert Earl Keen
 
What diesel did you put in Hal?
Gaham

From: "Hal StClair"
To: "gmclist"
Sent: Friday, January 6, 2017 3:47:06 PM
Subject: [GMCnet] Diesel swap thoughts

Just wanted to update my previous (November) remarks on the Diesel swap and maybe modify the conclusions I'd made a bit.
Over the last approximately 1900 miles it seems the combination has been 'dialed in' a bit more and the results have been pretty impressive. The
mileage has definitely increased and the overall performance is better. A run from Albuquerque to Kingman AZ netted 15.95 mpg running into a head wind
running 63/64 mph. On to Las Vegas and near 100 miles of Las Vegas urban driving, down to San Diego and over to Quartzsite managed 14+ (nice to carry
75 gallons and fill at the cheaper locations). The coach ran up Baker grade at 60 mph in 3rd gear. A direct comparison to the old motor 403/3.55
geared coach was 40 mph in second. If you aren't familiar with Baker grade it has been the death of many an RV. A six percent grade that peaks out
about 4700' it's probably one of the 10 toughest hills in the west.
There still is a little tuning to be done but 15+ mpg and the performance of the combo really brings a smile to my old face. Ain't it fun.
Hal
--
1977 Royale 101348,

1977 Royale 101586, Diesel powered,

1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout

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> If I had your skill set I'd do my 23' that way. Sigh. How's the split window coming along?
>
>
> --johnny

Not too well Johnny, seems others have much of my time allocated. Just finished a garage remodel at my daughters last week. Too bad they live 800
miles away but it does seem to give the GMC a work out. Their GMC is probably next up so the 63 will have to wait a while.
Hal
--
1977 Royale 101348,

1977 Royale 101586, Diesel powered,

1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout
 
Split window...63...we talking about a bus?
Sorry, couldn't help but overhear..

Mike in NS

On Fri, Jan 6, 2017 at 11:11 PM, Hal StClair
wrote:

> > If I had your skill set I'd do my 23' that way. Sigh. How's the split
> window coming along?
> >
> >
> > --johnny
>
>
> Not too well Johnny, seems others have much of my time allocated. Just
> finished a garage remodel at my daughters last week. Too bad they live 800
> miles away but it does seem to give the GMC a work out. Their GMC is
> probably next up so the 63 will have to wait a while.
> Hal
> --
> 1977 Royale 101348,
>
> 1977 Royale 101586, Diesel powered,
>
> 1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Michael Beaton
1977 Kingsley 26-11
1977 Eleganza II 26-3
Antigonish, NS

Life is too short to hold a grudge; slash some tires and call it even !
 
> Split window...63...we talking about a bus?
> Sorry, couldn't help but overhear..
>
> Mike in NS
>
> 1963 Split window Corvette, slightly modified :lol:
> Hal
>
> On Fri, Jan 6, 2017 at 11:11 PM, Hal StClair

>

> >> If I had your skill set I'd do my 23' that way. Sigh. How's the split
> > window coming along?
> >>
> >>
> >> --johnny
> >
> >
> > Not too well Johnny, seems others have much of my time allocated. Just
> > finished a garage remodel at my daughters last week. Too bad they live 800
> > miles away but it does seem to give the GMC a work out. Their GMC is
> > probably next up so the 63 will have to wait a while.
> > Hal
> > --
> > 1977 Royale 101348,
> >
> > 1977 Royale 101586, Diesel powered,
> >
> > 1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Michael Beaton
> 1977 Kingsley 26-11
> 1977 Eleganza II 26-3
> Antigonish, NS
>
> Life is too short to hold a grudge; slash some tires and call it even !
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

--
1977 Royale 101348,

1977 Royale 101586, Diesel powered,

1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout
 
I wasn't even close! That's what I get for eavesdropping on conversations

Tks

Mike in NS

On Fri, Jan 6, 2017 at 11:38 PM, Hal StClair
wrote:

> > Split window...63...we talking about a bus?
> > Sorry, couldn't help but overhear..
> >
> > Mike in NS
> >
> > 1963 Split window Corvette, slightly modified :lol:
> > Hal
> >
> > On Fri, Jan 6, 2017 at 11:11 PM, Hal StClair

> >

> > >> If I had your skill set I'd do my 23' that way. Sigh. How's the
> split
> > > window coming along?
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> --johnny
> > >
> > >
> > > Not too well Johnny, seems others have much of my time allocated. Just
> > > finished a garage remodel at my daughters last week. Too bad they
> live 800
> > > miles away but it does seem to give the GMC a work out. Their GMC is
> > > probably next up so the 63 will have to wait a while.
> > > Hal
> > > --
> > > 1977 Royale 101348,
> > >
> > > 1977 Royale 101586, Diesel powered,
> > >
> > > 1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > GMCnet mailing list
> > > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Michael Beaton
> > 1977 Kingsley 26-11
> > 1977 Eleganza II 26-3
> > Antigonish, NS
> >
> > Life is too short to hold a grudge; slash some tires and call it even !
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
>
> --
> 1977 Royale 101348,
>
> 1977 Royale 101586, Diesel powered,
>
> 1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Michael Beaton
1977 Kingsley 26-11
1977 Eleganza II 26-3
Antigonish, NS

Life is too short to hold a grudge; slash some tires and call it even !
 
When I stopped of at Hal's place bringing the 26' back to Ga, he had/has a '63 Corvette in progress. Frame and driveline in one bay, body being
reworked on a carrier in the other. You have to see Hal's work up close to appreciate his attention to detail, fit, and finish. Get a tour nect time
you're at the same rally.

--johnny
--
'76 23' transmode Norris upfit, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
"The road goes on forever, and the party never ends" --Robert Earl Keen
 
Thank you for the kind words Johnny :blush: Hoping to get the time to finish up some projects, the SW is high on the list for sure. Wonder how I ever
got things done before retirement. Hal
--
1977 Royale 101348,

1977 Royale 101586, Diesel powered,

1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout
 
I wish my shop would accommodate the GMC. It has to live outside on a pad.. which precludes work today. On a fixed income though, there isn't one in
sight.

--johnny

--
'76 23' transmode Norris upfit, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
"The road goes on forever, and the party never ends" --Robert Earl Keen
 
> ...You have to see Hal's work up close to appreciate his attention to detail, fit, and finish. Get a tour nect time you're at the same rally.
>
> --johnny

I'll agree. There are few people who can match the skill, engineering, and quality of Hal's build. Absolutely first rate work. I consider myself a
pretty good fabricator but Hal is WAAAY above my skill level.

--
Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama

77 Eleganza II, 403CI, Manny Brakes, 1 ton, tranny, lots of aluminum goodies.

http://www.bdub.net/pinkerton/

'03 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
 
For those of us with more $$ than fabrication skills, Manny sells a diesel conversion kit that mates to the TH425. I was Kit #9. Drove the 455 from
Boise to SanJose, over the Owyhees and Sierra Nevadas. Got a bit over 8mpg. Manny with my help took a week to drop the 455 install the 6.5TD from AM
General and button up. Drove back with a new diesel and got 12.5mpg. Not sure if I will see the kind of mileage Hal has seen, but he has an OD
transmission, and it is really not about the mileage anyway. It's about having adequate torque where it is needed, and eliminating all that engine
worry - overheating, vapor lock, carb adjustments, etc etc. All gone. More of a mule than a race horse, but so far it seems like the engine belongs
in this vehicle.
Looking forward to logging some miles this year, as soon as we are released from the grip of the worst winter here in 30 years.
Sure would like to get the spare 403 into somebody's vehicle, instead of my garage.
Jeff
--
1973/94 GMCII Manny 6.5 TD AL radiator 1 ton front 4 bags back, Huber TBs
 
Roughly what cost, Jeff?

--johnny
--
'76 23' transmode Norris upfit, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
"The road goes on forever, and the party never ends" --Robert Earl Keen
 
Please ask Manny, don't quote me, but I remember the kit price around $11K. , and . I did lots of other repairs and upgrades while at the shop,
including the 52 gal fuel tank and a trans rebuild, so my bill out the door was closer to $15K. I recall some reference to the diesel in my kit being
the last one of the first batch so engine prices may have changed. The interest in the conversions was quite high until gas prices dropped, and will
be again when they go up. Really with the differential in gasoline-diesel the fuel savings are not a rationale for spending the money on a
conversion. In my case the 455 was worn out anyway, and wanted to end up with a 20 year solution.
Jeff
--
1973/94 GMCII Manny 6.5 TD AL radiator 1 ton front 4 bags back, Huber TBs
 
Makes sense with a tired motor. ~~ two 455s, and it ought to outlast two of them. You pays your money and you takes your choice.

--johnny
--
'76 23' transmode Norris upfit, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
"The road goes on forever, and the party never ends" --Robert Earl Keen
 
Jeff,
Did you also change to a diesel generator? If so, which one? an Onan? How much? If not, do you have one fuel tank for gas and another for diesel?

Thanks for the info.
Russell
--
Russell Keith

1978 Eleganza II

Dunedin, Florida
 
> Jeff,
>
> Did you also change to a diesel generator? If so, which one? an Onan? How
> much? If not, do you have one fuel tank for gas and another for diesel?


> Go to propane on your onan,it is almost free when you sell your revved
> parts, and gets rid of the gas problems


> http://gmc49ers.blogspot.com/2015/09/onan-gmc-propane-conversion.html


>
>
>
>
> Thanks for the info.
>
> Russell
>
> --
>
> Russell Keith
>
>
>
> 1978 Eleganza II
>
>
>
> Dunedin, Florida
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
> GMCnet mailing list
>
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
>
 
Propane. Did the conversion by myself, it was easy after I figured out a plumbing scheme. My GMCII has an Onan 7000 from 1994, it ran well enough
before, even better on propane. If it ever craps out I would shop for diesel replacements, but they are really expensive and I am told noisier and
shakier in our little coaches.
--
1973/94 GMCII Manny 6.5 TD AL radiator 1 ton front 4 bags back, Huber TBs
 
Oh, you need to see Hal StClair's diesel generator installation. Another
work of art!

And, quite as a mouse!
bdub

On Thu, Jan 12, 2017 at 9:32 AM, jeff sugheir
wrote:

> Propane. Did the conversion by myself, it was easy after I figured out a
> plumbing scheme. My GMCII has an Onan 7000 from 1994, it ran well enough
> before, even better on propane. If it ever craps out I would shop for
> diesel replacements, but they are really expensive and I am told noisier and
> shakier in our little coaches.
> --
> 1973/94 GMCII Manny 6.5 TD AL radiator 1 ton front 4 bags back, Huber TBs
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
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