I'm back. This is Dave Hilsdorf in Bellevue, NE. After 6 months away
from the mailing list and the motor home, I am ready to get my '73 260
road worthy. I CAN do it myself, but would like advice on things that
perhaps should not be done by a DIYer. Brand names, sources & part
numbers would be appreciated.
I drive it locally, but want to make sure I'm really safe before
going to Vermont this (or next) summer.
Things I need to do:
SHOCKS: definitely front. Should I do rear at same time?
Recommendations (KYB, Bilstien, Monro, etc.)? I asked this last year,
received a wonderful response, didn't do the job then, and
subsequently lost those messages.
FUEL LINES: the rubber appears cracked and is firm/not as pliable
as I expected where the line changes from metal to rubber at the front
of the engine, where there is a fuel filter, and back to metal as it
enters the carb. If this is happening, where else do you recommend I
look for similar deterioration?
JACK: I don't have one. What should I use if I need to change a
tire? I have the lug wrench.
BATTERIES: All three need replaced. Actually, I'm running only one
up front now, and the one on the generator. I welcome recomendations
for a specific brand/model/type/CCA. For my pickup truck, I use the
least expensive battery that meets the minimum CCA required, and have
never had a problem with one.
That's it for roadworthiness. Now for some questions/ideas I had
before I do cosmetic work. Please tell me what you think.
REMOVE THE LUGGAGE RACK and TV, FM & CB ANTENNAS FROM THE ROOF? I
never use the things, and want to guarantee leakproof-ness. I don't
watch TV, even at home. I don't have a CB, and if I get one, I would
use a bumper mount fiberglass whip. For the AM/FM radio, I was
thinking of one of those thin metallic ones that stick on to the
perimeter of the windshield, like in the 70s GM cars.
CARPET: Anyone ever use the outdoor carpet? I'll be having 9 & 12
year olds in & out of it. Right now, it has some mid 80s brown carpet
that absorbs water, of course, and can't be good for the wood subfloor.
FURNITURE: I want to replace the non-original fold-out couch and
kitchen chairs (they even have wheels) with an original couch/fold-up
bunk combo and a dinette. I have the little loops on the ceiling
where the original bunk would hook in for support. Either that, or
perhaps add in the bunk that folds down from the ceiling in the rear.
I read about that in an GMC Motorhome Marketplace ad for a '78
Birchaven. OR... has anyone recently done a refurb (Golby, Buskirk
Rush, a local handyman, yourself, etc.)? If so, what do you think of
the finished job? If you did it yourself, where did you get the
furniture? Mail order (Camping World, etc.), RV store?
Is there a publically accessable directory of GMC owners names & phone
#s? I know Dave in FL has a directory he keeps.
Thanks in advance for any advice & suggestions.
Dave Hilsdorf - '73 260
2605 Ponderosa Drive
Bellevue, NE 68123
(402) 291-9198
feel free to call.
_________________________________________________________
DO YOU YAHOO!?
Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com
from the mailing list and the motor home, I am ready to get my '73 260
road worthy. I CAN do it myself, but would like advice on things that
perhaps should not be done by a DIYer. Brand names, sources & part
numbers would be appreciated.
I drive it locally, but want to make sure I'm really safe before
going to Vermont this (or next) summer.
Things I need to do:
SHOCKS: definitely front. Should I do rear at same time?
Recommendations (KYB, Bilstien, Monro, etc.)? I asked this last year,
received a wonderful response, didn't do the job then, and
subsequently lost those messages.
FUEL LINES: the rubber appears cracked and is firm/not as pliable
as I expected where the line changes from metal to rubber at the front
of the engine, where there is a fuel filter, and back to metal as it
enters the carb. If this is happening, where else do you recommend I
look for similar deterioration?
JACK: I don't have one. What should I use if I need to change a
tire? I have the lug wrench.
BATTERIES: All three need replaced. Actually, I'm running only one
up front now, and the one on the generator. I welcome recomendations
for a specific brand/model/type/CCA. For my pickup truck, I use the
least expensive battery that meets the minimum CCA required, and have
never had a problem with one.
That's it for roadworthiness. Now for some questions/ideas I had
before I do cosmetic work. Please tell me what you think.
REMOVE THE LUGGAGE RACK and TV, FM & CB ANTENNAS FROM THE ROOF? I
never use the things, and want to guarantee leakproof-ness. I don't
watch TV, even at home. I don't have a CB, and if I get one, I would
use a bumper mount fiberglass whip. For the AM/FM radio, I was
thinking of one of those thin metallic ones that stick on to the
perimeter of the windshield, like in the 70s GM cars.
CARPET: Anyone ever use the outdoor carpet? I'll be having 9 & 12
year olds in & out of it. Right now, it has some mid 80s brown carpet
that absorbs water, of course, and can't be good for the wood subfloor.
FURNITURE: I want to replace the non-original fold-out couch and
kitchen chairs (they even have wheels) with an original couch/fold-up
bunk combo and a dinette. I have the little loops on the ceiling
where the original bunk would hook in for support. Either that, or
perhaps add in the bunk that folds down from the ceiling in the rear.
I read about that in an GMC Motorhome Marketplace ad for a '78
Birchaven. OR... has anyone recently done a refurb (Golby, Buskirk
Rush, a local handyman, yourself, etc.)? If so, what do you think of
the finished job? If you did it yourself, where did you get the
furniture? Mail order (Camping World, etc.), RV store?
Is there a publically accessable directory of GMC owners names & phone
#s? I know Dave in FL has a directory he keeps.
Thanks in advance for any advice & suggestions.
Dave Hilsdorf - '73 260
2605 Ponderosa Drive
Bellevue, NE 68123
(402) 291-9198
feel free to call.
_________________________________________________________
DO YOU YAHOO!?
Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com