First Start in 20 years

[Bodie Miller]

Hi everyone, I have a new exciting purchase, a barn find, 1975 GMC II Explorer Conversion motorhome. It was driven in and parked due to the level system starting to fail. It has set now for 20 years with only 15k miles on it. I plan on putting it on a flatbed for initial move to my home. Motorhome is immaculate but because of not being started, I don't want to jeopardize the process without some advice from this forum. This is the 26ft model with the side all in one bath and rear bedroom.

 

[werewilfs]

Welcome Bodie. Thank you for not just throwing a battery on the engine and cracking it up. So many do so much harm to what is likely a very good engine. Take a look at this post for steps to take before starting a long sitting engine for the first time.

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Starting an engine that has been sitting for an extended period

Monday at 11:23 AM

Starting an engine that has been sitting for an extended period

• LarryW
• Engine

 

[Bodie Miller]

Thank you Sir, That is some great information and I will follow his lead.

 

[bdub]

Congratulations on a most likely still premium GMC Motorhome. I'm glad to hear you'll be carefully bringing it home to restore.
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 9,132 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". This example indicates the build date as March 21st, 1974. *

I'll reply with history I know about your GMC.

Thank you
Billy Massey
The GMC Motorhome Registry
www.gmcmhregistry.com

 

[werewilfs]

I would add to Larry's fantastic write up to use a separate source of gas. If there's a mechanical fuel pump, it's as simple as getting a 5' length of fuel hose and connecting it to the suction side of the pump and putting the other end into a 5 gallon fuel container of fresh ethanol free gas. You'll 100% want to drain the tanks of the old fuel.

 

[Bodie Miller]

Thank you Sir, That is some great information and I will follow his lead.

Im sure some of the hardcore GMC owners may not like my unit because it isn't original in 2000 it was sent to the EXPLORER van conversion company and converted. This may cause me some issues in tracing electrical from specs if I need too, but this is a beautiful unit all the way around. The interior is spectacular and paint job immaculate.

 

[werewilfs]

would love to see some pictures of it. Where are you located?

 

[Bodie Miller]

Thank you Bdub, I will certainly do that.

 

[werewilfs]

You'll find quickly that the "hardcore" GMCers just want to see these beauties on the road. No matter what has been done to them. Most of us "hardcores" simply advise new owners to not get too in over their heads with redoing and changing a perfectly working interior for no other reason than "they wanted to." A lot of new owners find that it's a lot harder to put things back together after taking things apart and then they end up with a shell and they're selling what was a perfectly working coach that is now gutted for pennies on the dollar.

 

[Bodie Miller]

would love to see some pictures of it. Where are you located?

I am in Caney, Oklahoma, southeastern Oklahoma, about 100 miles north of Dallas on hw 75. not far into OK after you cross the Red River

 

[werewilfs]

You're only a couple hours away from the great Ty Hardiman. GMCer extraordinaire. He's in Norman and is an amazing resource for these coaches. I'd highly advise getting to know him.

 

[Bodie Miller]

Congratulations on a most likely still premium GMC Motorhome. I'm glad to hear you'll be carefully bringing it home to restore.
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 9,132 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". This example indicates the build date as March 21st, 1974. *

I'll reply with history I know about your GMC.

Thank you
Billy Massey
The GMC Motorhome Registry
www.gmcmhregistry.com

I registered however the motorhome is still in TX and I do not have the manufacture date from glovebox

 

[werewilfs]

I registered however the motorhome is still in TX and I do not have the manufacture date from glovebox

Can usually tell the approx date based on the TZE.

 

[Bodie Miller]

would love to see some pictures of it. Where are you located?

 

[Bodie Miller]

You'll find quickly that the "hardcore" GMCers just want to see these beauties on the road. No matter what has been done to them. Most of us "hardcores" simply advise new owners to not get too in over their heads with redoing and changing a perfectly working interior for no other reason than "they wanted to." A lot of new owners find that it's a lot harder to put things back together after taking things apart and then they end up with a shell and they're selling what was a perfectly working coach that is now gutted for pennies on the dollar.

Thank you so much for the advice, I have always loved these since I was a kid and am looking forward to meeting other owners.

 

[Bodie Miller]

Additional interior and generator pics

 

[Bodie Miller]

You're only a couple hours away from the great Ty Hardiman. GMCer extraordinaire. He's in Norman and is an amazing resource for these coaches. I'd highly advise getting to know him.

That is fantastic to know. Does he have a shop or an individual Are you able to see the pictures I have been attaching?

 

[werewilfs]

That is fantastic to know. Does he have a shop or an individual Are you able to see the pictures I have been attaching?

Yes I'm seeing them. Great! Ty is just a regular GMCer that works on his own coach and helps others help themselves. He runs a roofing business in Norman so the GMCing is just the hobby like the rest of us. He's just a very knowledgeable owner/mechanic and is very generous with his time and talent. A very good friend to have if you're in the area.

 

[Christo]

That is fantastic to know. Does he have a shop or an individual Are you able to see the pictures I have been attaching?

The photos are visible but they're all rotated 90 degrees CW.

 

[Bodie Miller]

The photos are visible but they're all rotated 90 degrees CW.

Dang, not sure how to correct that.