> Well, I'm home. The last coach to be worked on was running good on a test run after fixing a fuel delivery problem. I left around 4:30 PM and
> the owner was making some minor adjustments like idle speed when I left. So he should be on his way or leaving in the morning.
>
> Also Larry came back today and got his FI running after fighting is all week end. He was still there when I left but I assume it is fixed now.
>
> Richard was still there helping everyone.
>
> I was there for a week working on my stuff.
>
> Blaine and Diane spent a couple of weeks getting ready for us and another week putting up with us. A big thanks need to go to them. Everything
> thing or repair part we needed all week was in stock or made by Blaine and Diane. Lot of projects were completed including my two major ones. A
> few people, like Matt for example, just showed up to help others.
>
> Again a big thank you needs to go to Diane, Blaine, and Eastern States for hosting this event for a second year.
>
> I think if we do this again that we need to get a few volunteers to help in the preparation and clean up. Like cutting grass ,or scrubbing floors
> of the Florida room, or moving things under Blaine and Diane's direction.
Firat of all a BIG THANKS to Blaine and Diane for putting us with all of us, their hospitality and opening up their terrific facility for the rally.
I left shortly after Ken and had an uneventful ride home. I got in about 1:30 AM this morning. Sadly, that was not the case for the occupants of a
car on the WB side of I-94 in Michigan that I passed while going EB at around midnight. That car was on the side of the road, totally engulfed in
flames. Hopefully, everyone got out OK. It was quite a sight with the raging fire and all the red and blue lights of the first responder's vehicles.
I have not heard if Cary and Larry got to their respective homes OK. Cary had to abort his trip home after his engine started to overheat, backfire
and run rough. Ken and I both stayed an extra day to help troubleshoot the cause of his problems. Hopefully, we got it fixed and he got home OK. I
really enjoyed sitting around with fellow GMC motorhome owner wackos, talking about possible causes and solutions for the problems. Cary did all his
own work but had some adult supervision from Blaine and Ken.
Larry finally got his new EFI to run and it sounded great before I left. Installing that was a pretty ambitious project to attempt at a rally, but he
got it done.
I got a few things done that I had been procrastinating doing for the past few years. One of the jobs was overdue. In the 19 years and over the
100,000 miles that I have owned my coach, I had never changed my transmission fluid and filter except by changing that stuff when I installed a Manny
Tranny 40,000 miles ago. Since I was due, I figured this rally would be a good time to finally learn how to get it done. With a bit of coaching from
Blaine and others I got the pan down and about a gallon of fluid drained and the filter out. While I was doing that, magically a Ragusa pan
materialized (it had been used as a pan gasket storage fixture)and was offered to me. I agreed to buy it and proceeded to install it, along with a new
filter and a gallon of fluid. I donated my old pan for use as the new pan gasket storage fixture.
Between access to the lift and just about every tool known to mankind, there is not much that can't be done at Blaine and Diane's place. Yes, they do
have a nice inventory of parts and can make parts. For example, when it was realized that the hard line between Cary's carburetor and the fuel pump
was a toast, a replacement line was located on an engine that was sitting out in the hanger. Several new fuel pumps were also in stock and one of them
was installed. So there was no need to run out for parts.
I always learn things at work rallies. This time, besides getting a better understanding of fuel delivery in our motorhomes, tranny oil and filter
changes, etc. Blaine gave Chuck and me a hands-on lesson on how to sharpen drill bits with a belt sander.
If Blaine and Diane decide to do another rally, I will plan on being there and getting there early to help with whatever I can do to try and take some
of the load off of them. I know Ken will have already been there for a few days helping.
Between this rally and Bean Station, this is the best time of the GMC season for me. I love going to work rallies.
--
Richard
76 Palm Beach
SE Michigan
www.PalmBeachGMC.com
Coop Roller Cam 455, Howell TBI + EBL, 3.42 FD, Quadra Bag, Macerator, Manny Tranny etc.
I lived in Dearborn for two or three
