Hard use ??

[chuck will]

Hi Gene I had bearing failure at about 90,000 on my Eleganza II. It was one
of the last brand new 455's out of the crate from GM whenm it replaced the
403. I was in Utah on 80 doing 65-70 for a while, as we entered the
construction area we reduced to stop and go when I heard the bearings. The
engine later was taken apart her at home and there were cracked rings in 4
and 5 and same bearing failed. The rebuilds I got came from The Motor
Works, Spokane Washington through Barber BOlds in Salt Lake City. Their
guarantee is worthless unless they do the work. My GMC was down for a year
with two of their engines. I am in the process of a law suit with them and
the mechanics for other things. I had my 455 sent home and rebuilt
locally. Tom Green and Joe Mondello Labor and Parts. Let me tell you for
sure. This engine never sounded so good. It pulls a 6% grade by our house
at 65 and we still have pedal. I am very pleased. It is not a normal
rebuild. The entire engine was replaced inside the "L" block with 6 %
nickel rate. Valves with rotators are Manly with Chrome stems over sized
with the best guides and put in "C" heads that have been ported. Line
bored, RV Cam recommendation by Joe Mondello. New Crank, The rods were ok.
They were machined I think .16 to allow for the oil. Additionally the oil
restrict ors were installed too! New large cast water pump, my original got
lost somewhere in the mess out of Utah. The entire engine was Balanced and
Blue Printed. Painted Black, Thronly Headers, Copper Gaskets and the rest
of what was required. Tricks etc. I think it will out last me this time.
It is not a $ 2000.00 engine either. There were more than 4K in parts that
went into it. Chuck

> -- [ From: Eugene Fisher * EMC.Ver #2.5.3 ] --
>
> I guess I just do not understand why the GMC application is hard use on
> "the best v8 engine GMC built".
> The cars always went over 70 miles per hour and all the oil did not
> collect in the valve covers.
> The cars typically went 100,000 miles without an over haul.
> The RPM were about the same as in a GMC application.
> The new GMC motor homes did not break down every trip.
>
> Dave gets 200,000 miles on his GMC motor home motors. Why don't we
> all?
> It looks like we are just not getting good rebuilds. I know in the
> "old days" motor rebuilders typically replaced only the bad bearing, dug
> out the ring grove and slapped in an over size piston (no boreing) etc.
> How do you keep from getting a 50 over motor from a rebuilder with a
> 403 gasket on a 455?
>
> When Arch asked for actual bearing failures I only saw one one maybe
> two and I think they were on coaches with unknown maint. and history.
>
> Are these questions without answers or are we doing something wrong.
>
> gene 76pb/or/ca

 

[chuck will]

PS Joe Mondello is doing an article in the GMCMM magazine this month and
next month. Good tips.

> -- [ From: Eugene Fisher * EMC.Ver #2.5.3 ] --
>
> I guess I just do not understand why the GMC application is hard use on
> "the best v8 engine GMC built".
> The cars always went over 70 miles per hour and all the oil did not
> collect in the valve covers.
> The cars typically went 100,000 miles without an over haul.
> The RPM were about the same as in a GMC application.
> The new GMC motor homes did not break down every trip.
>
> Dave gets 200,000 miles on his GMC motor home motors. Why don't we
> all?
> It looks like we are just not getting good rebuilds. I know in the
> "old days" motor rebuilders typically replaced only the bad bearing, dug
> out the ring grove and slapped in an over size piston (no boreing) etc.
> How do you keep from getting a 50 over motor from a rebuilder with a
> 403 gasket on a 455?
>
> When Arch asked for actual bearing failures I only saw one one maybe
> two and I think they were on coaches with unknown maint. and history.
>
> Are these questions without answers or are we doing something wrong.
>
> gene 76pb/or/ca

 

[patrick flowers]

>
I guess I just do not understand why the GMC application is hard use on
> "the best v8 engine GMC built".
> The cars always went over 70 miles per hour and all the oil did not
> collect in the valve covers.
> The cars typically went 100,000 miles without an over haul.
> The RPM were about the same as in a GMC application.
> The new GMC motor homes did not break down every trip.
>
> Dave gets 200,000 miles on his GMC motor home motors. Why don't we
> all?

> Are these questions without answers or are we doing something wrong.

Well, there definitely is a difference between a car running 70mph and a
motorhome at the same speed, even if the engine rpm is the same. A 73
Toronado has about 1/3 the mass and probably 1/5 the drag of the GMC.
At 70mph, the Toro's motor is loafing and the GMC's is working hard. I
remember several months back someone on GMCnet wrote that "heat is the
enemy". The harder working GMC motor is generating much more heat than
the Toro's. I wonder how many GMC motor related problems are due to
poor cooling? Dick Paterson won't install one of his motors in a GMC
until he's flow tested the radiator. If it doesn't pass, he won't
install the motor until the radiator's fixed.

That said, there's still much truth is what you've said - especially
your reference to new GMC's not breaking down every trip. Dave has a
well maintained coach. Mike Finnicum does too. Mike told me at Marion,
after we had listened to a bunch of war stories, that his total
breakdown repairs to date were $17 - the result of one bad a/c blower
motor. He uses his GMC on business and changes the oil after every trip
or 2,500 miles, whichever comes first.

More than ever I'm convinced that proper repairs and proper maintenance
are the key. This attitude is gonna' be expensive for me in the short
run too. Every time I look at my coach, I see something else that needs
to come off and be gone through completely. Some of the stuff I've
found on my coach just in the past few months is plain scary. To wit:

- right side stub axle nut finger tight
- right side hub and knuckle well past service limits
- right side knuckle "staked" to get it to hold bearings
- front wheel bearings appear to have been hammered in place
- both right rear brakes inop due to brake line plugged with
rust at T hose
- right rear axle nut safetied with a U-shaped a piece of bent
wire instead of cotter pin

Any one of these items could have left me stranded beside the road with
major damage, but none of it means that there's something wrong with the
GMC. It means the guy who maintained it for the previous owner was an
idiot! BTW, the radiator is coming out next week. No telling what I'll
find there.

Sorry for the soapbox oratory. With the exception of the definition of
severe service, Gene and I are on the same page here. Of course, some
people with well maintained coaches have bad luck too. But then, so do
some people who buy new SOB's! You can't eliminate the risk of a
breakdown unless you never leave home. IMO, you can reduce it quite a
bit tho'.

My $.02,
Patrick
- --
Patrick Flowers
Mailtoatri63

The GMC Motorhome Page
http://www.gmcmotorhome.com

 

[chuck will]

Food for Thought! After I was stranded and spent a heap of money getting
home. It came to me that there must be insurance for things like this. I
know if you have an accident there is but what about a blown engine etc.
Anybody know about some insurance for people that may have had some bad
luck. Chuck, 78 Eleganza II, Lompoc, CA

> >
> I guess I just do not understand why the GMC application is hard use on
> > "the best v8 engine GMC built".
> > The cars always went over 70 miles per hour and all the oil did not
> > collect in the valve covers.
> > The cars typically went 100,000 miles without an over haul.
> > The RPM were about the same as in a GMC application.
> > The new GMC motor homes did not break down every trip.
> >
> > Dave gets 200,000 miles on his GMC motor home motors. Why don't we
> > all?
>
> > Are these questions without answers or are we doing something wrong.
>
> Well, there definitely is a difference between a car running 70mph and a
> motorhome at the same speed, even if the engine rpm is the same. A 73
> Toronado has about 1/3 the mass and probably 1/5 the drag of the GMC.
> At 70mph, the Toro's motor is loafing and the GMC's is working hard. I
> remember several months back someone on GMCnet wrote that "heat is the
> enemy". The harder working GMC motor is generating much more heat than
> the Toro's. I wonder how many GMC motor related problems are due to
> poor cooling? Dick Paterson won't install one of his motors in a GMC
> until he's flow tested the radiator. If it doesn't pass, he won't
> install the motor until the radiator's fixed.
>
> That said, there's still much truth is what you've said - especially
> your reference to new GMC's not breaking down every trip. Dave has a
> well maintained coach. Mike Finnicum does too. Mike told me at Marion,
> after we had listened to a bunch of war stories, that his total
> breakdown repairs to date were $17 - the result of one bad a/c blower
> motor. He uses his GMC on business and changes the oil after every trip
> or 2,500 miles, whichever comes first.
>
> More than ever I'm convinced that proper repairs and proper maintenance
> are the key. This attitude is gonna' be expensive for me in the short
> run too. Every time I look at my coach, I see something else that needs
> to come off and be gone through completely. Some of the stuff I've
> found on my coach just in the past few months is plain scary. To wit:
>
> - right side stub axle nut finger tight
> - right side hub and knuckle well past service limits
> - right side knuckle "staked" to get it to hold bearings
> - front wheel bearings appear to have been hammered in place
> - both right rear brakes inop due to brake line plugged with
> rust at T hose
> - right rear axle nut safetied with a U-shaped a piece of bent
> wire instead of cotter pin
>
> Any one of these items could have left me stranded beside the road with
> major damage, but none of it means that there's something wrong with the
> GMC. It means the guy who maintained it for the previous owner was an
> idiot! BTW, the radiator is coming out next week. No telling what I'll
> find there.
>
> Sorry for the soapbox oratory. With the exception of the definition of
> severe service, Gene and I are on the same page here. Of course, some
> people with well maintained coaches have bad luck too. But then, so do
> some people who buy new SOB's! You can't eliminate the risk of a
> breakdown unless you never leave home. IMO, you can reduce it quite a
> bit tho'.
>
> My $.02,
> Patrick
> --
> Patrick Flowers
> Mailtoatri63
>
> The GMC Motorhome Page
> http://www.gmcmotorhome.com

 

[john dolan]

> It looks like we are just not getting good rebuilds

>From the evidence present here so far, I have to agree with your argument
Gene. I remember a story about 2 failures (Seizures...up and locked) for
the same GMCer on the inagural trip (after the first engine was replaced
in the field). I'm sure the person that reported this, can straighten
out any fuzziness the months since I read that story, have induced.
- --
Regards,
John Dolan K3FIG
74 Glacier near Washington, DC

 

[david l greenberg]

Someone is offering insurance for engine failures, etc but only for
coaches less than 10 years old. Sooooorrrryyyyy!

Dave Greenberg
GMC Motorhome Registry
200 MacFarlane Dr PH4
Delray Beach, FL 33483-6829

>Food for Thought! After I was stranded and spent a heap of money
>getting
>home. It came to me that there must be insurance for things like
>this. I
>know if you have an accident there is but what about a blown engine
>etc.
>Anybody know about some insurance for people that may have had some
>bad
>luck. Chuck, 78 Eleganza II, Lompoc, CA
>

>

>> >
>> I guess I just do not understand why the GMC application is hard use
>on
>> > "the best v8 engine GMC built".
>> > The cars always went over 70 miles per hour and all the oil did
>not
>> > collect in the valve covers.
>> > The cars typically went 100,000 miles without an over haul.
>> > The RPM were about the same as in a GMC application.
>> > The new GMC motor homes did not break down every trip.
>> >
>> > Dave gets 200,000 miles on his GMC motor home motors. Why don't
>we
>> > all?
>>
>> > Are these questions without answers or are we doing something
>wrong.
>>
>> Well, there definitely is a difference between a car running 70mph
>and a
>> motorhome at the same speed, even if the engine rpm is the same. A
>73
>> Toronado has about 1/3 the mass and probably 1/5 the drag of the
>GMC.
>> At 70mph, the Toro's motor is loafing and the GMC's is working hard.
> I
>> remember several months back someone on GMCnet wrote that "heat is
>the
>> enemy". The harder working GMC motor is generating much more heat
>than
>> the Toro's. I wonder how many GMC motor related problems are due to
>> poor cooling? Dick Paterson won't install one of his motors in a
>GMC
>> until he's flow tested the radiator. If it doesn't pass, he won't
>> install the motor until the radiator's fixed.
>>
>> That said, there's still much truth is what you've said - especially
>> your reference to new GMC's not breaking down every trip. Dave has
>a
>> well maintained coach. Mike Finnicum does too. Mike told me at
>Marion,
>> after we had listened to a bunch of war stories, that his total
>> breakdown repairs to date were $17 - the result of one bad a/c
>blower
>> motor. He uses his GMC on business and changes the oil after every
>trip
>> or 2,500 miles, whichever comes first.
>>
>> More than ever I'm convinced that proper repairs and proper
>maintenance
>> are the key. This attitude is gonna' be expensive for me in the
>short
>> run too. Every time I look at my coach, I see something else that
>needs
>> to come off and be gone through completely. Some of the stuff I've
>> found on my coach just in the past few months is plain scary. To
>wit:
>>
>> - right side stub axle nut finger tight
>> - right side hub and knuckle well past service limits
>> - right side knuckle "staked" to get it to hold bearings
>> - front wheel bearings appear to have been hammered in place
>> - both right rear brakes inop due to brake line plugged with
>> rust at T hose
>> - right rear axle nut safetied with a U-shaped a piece of
>bent
>> wire instead of cotter pin
>>
>> Any one of these items could have left me stranded beside the road
>with
>> major damage, but none of it means that there's something wrong with
>the
>> GMC. It means the guy who maintained it for the previous owner was
>an
>> idiot! BTW, the radiator is coming out next week. No telling what
>I'll
>> find there.
>>
>> Sorry for the soapbox oratory. With the exception of the definition
>of
>> severe service, Gene and I are on the same page here. Of course,
>some
>> people with well maintained coaches have bad luck too. But then, so
>do
>> some people who buy new SOB's! You can't eliminate the risk of a
>> breakdown unless you never leave home. IMO, you can reduce it quite
>a
>> bit tho'.
>>
>> My $.02,
>> Patrick
>> --
>> Patrick Flowers
>> Mailtoatri63
>>
>> The GMC Motorhome Page
>> http://www.gmcmotorhome.com
>
>
>
>

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[thomas g. warner]

As I said previously I had 10 Toronados starting with the 1966. I can
honestly say that I never had a bearing failure or a problem with the
bearings, and I put many many high speed miles on them. I did replace the
boots occasionally and cleaned and repacked the bearings but that is all.
CORRECT maintenance is the key. correct tools, methods and parts. Short
cuts are the road to a disaster. I am constantly amazed at the quality of
the GMC coach and it is over 20 years old.

I sometimes tell the story of a 1969 Toronado that I had with about 79,000
miles on it, coming home from Rome NY in a very bad snow storm (I loved to
drive it in the snow). About 8 miles from home the engine overheated, but I
could not stop, the snow storm was that bad and I wanted to get home. Kept
driving and the temp gauge was pegged. Car ran as though nothing was wrong.
I of course was a basket case, thinking that any minute the engine would
sieze and I would be stranded in the open. Finally got home, automatic door
opener up and the Toro inside in a flash. All was well and the Toro had once
again saved the day. Turned the key off but the darned thing wanted to keep
going,it was so HOT! Tried everything I knew, car in gear, key off etc and
still it would not stop. Finally in desperation (I thought that it would
catch fire), put it in park, got out of the car, opened the hood and took
the air cleaner off the carburetor. Got the water hose off the wall and
pushed it into the carb, stood back and turned it on full blast.

Water shot out of the duel exhausts (black marks still no my garage door
after many years), water shot to the ceiling out of the carb, and the engine
shrieked and groaned like a wounded water buffalo. Finally it stopped with
lots of cracks snaps and pops. It was dead! Went into the house and to
sleep realizing that my Toro finally had to be replaced, rings annealed and
worse@!.

Next morning wife informed me that she did not have time to drop me off at
work. What to do, how to get there?
What did I have to lose, maybe the Toro would start???? Turned the key and
it leapt instantly to life and within minutes settled down to an idle like
nothing had ever happened.

Took out the thermostat, replaced the coolant, and drove to work. Kept the
car for 3 more years and many miles.

Do I like the 455 olds? Did god make little green apples? Tell me another
engine that could take this kind of torture and survive. The GMC motorhome
could not have a better engine than the 455 olds.

>Lanier
>
>Would love to hear them. I want to see if I can find a pattern. My friend who
>has the shop where we worked all last winter tells me that Toros had a lot
>of wheel bearing failures about 10--15 years out. The problem was not the
>bearings but owners who did not replace front brake hoses. They would blister
>on the inside and form a flap valve. The pressure would not bleed of the
>caliper when you took your foot off the brake. The disc would heat up
>and so would the bearing. He says GMC had a lot of problems with front
>brake hoses during this era. The problem that Les and Des had sounded
>like maybe it could have been----who knows.
>
>Take Care
>Arch
>
>>
>> Arch - I have some failures to report - just don't have time right now -
>> will
>> get back to you ASAP.
>> Lanier
>>
>>
>
>

 

[chuck will]

That is really too bad. My coach is better today than it was in 78. It even
is worth more. Thye newest engine is valued at 9K. It is insured for 65K as
it sits. Chuck

> In a message dated 98-10-23 14:41:51 EDT, you write:
>
> Anybody know about some insurance for people that may have had some bad
> luck. Chuck, 78 Eleganza II, Lompoc, CA
> >>
> There is insurance available, but they won't write anything over ten years
> old. Sorry 'bout that, Sad 'bout us!
> Lanier
> '73??MS

 

[marcus mcgee]

>

> BTW, at local garage which rebuilt a GMC engine last year (Here in Kalamazoo),
> the owner told me it would cost over $5000.00 on my coach. He said it took 4
> men to lift it out of the engine compartment and had to be taken out the side
> door
> to repair the engine. He also said it wouldn't like to do another one. So I
> guess
> I had better look for another shop.
>
> Don Martin
> '76 Eleganza II

Don,

I am currently having mine done and they took it out the bottom. The
shop is doing it complete with heads and a list of the "good" stuff, -
RV cam with entire new kit of lifters spings etc., Stainless valves,
forged pistons 30 over, turned crank, new ARP bolts on rods & crank, hi
vol oil pump, all new Cleavite bearings etc. and the cost will be about
$3,500 turn key. It took them about 4-5 hours to pull the engine.

He also quoted me 900-1100 labor plus 200+ to do the heads and install a
short block from Jasper. And they run about $2,500 plus shipping.
Seems $5000 is a bit high.

Marcus
Rochester, NY

 

[chuck will]

You want to feel good or shock, call Joe Mondello. He shipped on not long ago to
South America for a GMC down there. 13K plus shipping. I guess you get what you
pay for. Chuck

> >
>
> > BTW, at local garage which rebuilt a GMC engine last year (Here in Kalamazoo),
> > the owner told me it would cost over $5000.00 on my coach. He said it took 4
> > men to lift it out of the engine compartment and had to be taken out the side
> > door
> > to repair the engine. He also said it wouldn't like to do another one. So I
> > guess
> > I had better look for another shop.
> >
> > Don Martin
> > '76 Eleganza II
>
> Don,
>
> I am currently having mine done and they took it out the bottom. The
> shop is doing it complete with heads and a list of the "good" stuff, -
> RV cam with entire new kit of lifters spings etc., Stainless valves,
> forged pistons 30 over, turned crank, new ARP bolts on rods & crank, hi
> vol oil pump, all new Cleavite bearings etc. and the cost will be about
> $3,500 turn key. It took them about 4-5 hours to pull the engine.
>
> He also quoted me 900-1100 labor plus 200+ to do the heads and install a
> short block from Jasper. And they run about $2,500 plus shipping.
> Seems $5000 is a bit high.
>
> Marcus
> Rochester, NY

 

[chuck will]

> Chuck:
> Your wrote about your 455 engine rebuild. Where did you have (what
> city/State) this work done? What was the total cost, if not $2000, for this
> repair work?
> Hi, I can send you the bills. The original 455 from GM crated lasted about
> 90,000 when the bearings and the rings deteriorated. Barber Olds in Salt Lake
> city ccharge 1500.00 Labor to pull and replace the engine. The engine lasted
> 300 miles. I think that bill was 5K +. In Beaver Utah, Anytime did the second
> pull. another 1500.00 Labor and the engine went back to the manufacturer, The
> Motor Works in Spokane Washington. It took them five months to get the engine
> back together and into the GMC. Somebody cracked the intake manifold. The
> water pump (good) one original with the cast impeller was replaced with a not so
> good of one, I was lucky to get home with that alone. That engine lasted 700
> miles. They charged me for a new water cooler and oil cooler inside the
> radiator. 1K alone I paid for the new intake plus shipping. I think 400.00
> plus shipping. I'd have to get all the bills out for exact figuers. When I got
> it home I took it to have it smog checked for CA. The smog equipment had not
> been installed. I had to replace that, have it re torqued, another 800.00. I
> had about 8.5 thousand in those messed up ones. The Motorworks wanted me to do
> it again. I refused and had my original 455 rebuilt locally. I have about 4
> thousand in parts alone and the labor is $$ I ran out of money and traded my
> Harley Davidson valued at 16,000.00 for that engine and one for my wifes 56
> F-100 with the transmission, rear end etc. Joe Mondello supplied the parts, Tom
> Green Rural machine in Lompoc did the work. The heads were ported and the
> engine was blue printed and balanced. I will tell you that the Carb was rebuilt
> in LA and jeted by direction, Also, Thornly Headers with the ceramic coatings
> were installed. These things might be consided extras. Chuck, 78 Eleganza,
> Lompopc, CA

Chuck

> My coach is a '76 Eleganza II with 116,900 miles. It had 110,200 (supposedly
> original) when I purchased it last fall. I had synthetic oil added at the
> last oil/filterchange and the oil pressure went up to 1/2 way mark (previously
> ran at 1/4 mark) on the gauge and it runs a lot more quietly that before. But
> based on all the "engine Info" written on this net I wonder just how many
> miles are left to go on this
> machine. So just in case, I want to be prepared.
>
> BTW, at local garage which rebuilt a GMC engine last year (Here in Kalamazoo),
> the owner told me it would cost over $5000.00 on my coach. He said it took 4
> men to lift it out of the engine compartment and had to be taken out the side
> door
> to repair the engine. He also said it wouldn't like to do another one. So I
> guess
> I had better look for another shop.
>
> Don Martin
> '76 Eleganza II

 

[chuck will]

PS Don, he pulled my engine out the door too. He made rails and it worked fine.
The carpet did not even get dirty. If he could have raised it higher he would
have dropped it out the bottom. Chuck

> Chuck:
> Your wrote about your 455 engine rebuild. Where did you have (what
> city/State) this work done? What was the total cost, if not $2000, for this
> repair work?
>
> My coach is a '76 Eleganza II with 116,900 miles. It had 110,200 (supposedly
> original) when I purchased it last fall. I had synthetic oil added at the
> last oil/filterchange and the oil pressure went up to 1/2 way mark (previously
> ran at 1/4 mark) on the gauge and it runs a lot more quietly that before. But
> based on all the "engine Info" written on this net I wonder just how many
> miles are left to go on this
> machine. So just in case, I want to be prepared.
>
> BTW, at local garage which rebuilt a GMC engine last year (Here in Kalamazoo),
> the owner told me it would cost over $5000.00 on my coach. He said it took 4
> men to lift it out of the engine compartment and had to be taken out the side
> door
> to repair the engine. He also said it wouldn't like to do another one. So I
> guess
> I had better look for another shop.
>
> Don Martin
> '76 Eleganza II

 

[thomas g. warner]

I have just been quoted $6200 for a complete engine with all the goodies
from Joe Mondello for my 76 GMC Palmbeach.

>You want to feel good or shock, call Joe Mondello. He shipped on not long
ago to
>South America for a GMC down there. 13K plus shipping. I guess you get
what you
>pay for. Chuck
>

>

>> >
>>
>> > BTW, at local garage which rebuilt a GMC engine last year (Here in
Kalamazoo),
>> > the owner told me it would cost over $5000.00 on my coach. He said it
took 4
>> > men to lift it out of the engine compartment and had to be taken out
the side
>> > door
>> > to repair the engine. He also said it wouldn't like to do another one.
So I
>> > guess
>> > I had better look for another shop.
>> >
>> > Don Martin
>> > '76 Eleganza II
>>
>> Don,
>>
>> I am currently having mine done and they took it out the bottom. The
>> shop is doing it complete with heads and a list of the "good" stuff, -
>> RV cam with entire new kit of lifters spings etc., Stainless valves,
>> forged pistons 30 over, turned crank, new ARP bolts on rods & crank, hi
>> vol oil pump, all new Cleavite bearings etc. and the cost will be about
>> $3,500 turn key. It took them about 4-5 hours to pull the engine.
>>
>> He also quoted me 900-1100 labor plus 200+ to do the heads and install a
>> short block from Jasper. And they run about $2,500 plus shipping.
>> Seems $5000 is a bit high.
>>
>> Marcus
>> Rochester, NY
>
>
>
>
>
Tom & Marg Warner
Vernon Center NY
1976 palmbeach

 

[chuck will]

Sounds like a good reasonable engine. You now have the new distribuitor, carb,
headers, gaskets etc. The Thornly Headers with the Ceramic coating in and out
are about 500.00 My Q-jet was 500.00 in LA I had my old distrubitor HEI with the
Jacobs Wires and Ignition Booster. Then the labor to put it in and tweek it.
If you do the carb be sure and tell them what the compression is and what it is
going to do for you. Pull 14,000 GMC Motor Home. So when I said I had about 4
Thousand in innerds that might even be a little low. The lifters and springs
and valves are a major part as well as the porting or the heads. I know his
engines are all dynoed so you can get all the information. I think mine is
valued at about 9K total. Chuck That is everything including labor for
installations etc.

> I have just been quoted $6200 for a complete engine with all the goodies
> from Joe Mondello for my 76 GMC Palmbeach.
>

> >You want to feel good or shock, call Joe Mondello. He shipped on not long
> ago to
> >South America for a GMC down there. 13K plus shipping. I guess you get
> what you
> >pay for. Chuck
> >

> >

> >> >
> >>
> >> > BTW, at local garage which rebuilt a GMC engine last year (Here in
> Kalamazoo),
> >> > the owner told me it would cost over $5000.00 on my coach. He said it
> took 4
> >> > men to lift it out of the engine compartment and had to be taken out
> the side
> >> > door
> >> > to repair the engine. He also said it wouldn't like to do another one.
> So I
> >> > guess
> >> > I had better look for another shop.
> >> >
> >> > Don Martin
> >> > '76 Eleganza II
> >>
> >> Don,
> >>
> >> I am currently having mine done and they took it out the bottom. The
> >> shop is doing it complete with heads and a list of the "good" stuff, -
> >> RV cam with entire new kit of lifters spings etc., Stainless valves,
> >> forged pistons 30 over, turned crank, new ARP bolts on rods & crank, hi
> >> vol oil pump, all new Cleavite bearings etc. and the cost will be about
> >> $3,500 turn key. It took them about 4-5 hours to pull the engine.
> >>
> >> He also quoted me 900-1100 labor plus 200+ to do the heads and install a
> >> short block from Jasper. And they run about $2,500 plus shipping.
> >> Seems $5000 is a bit high.
> >>
> >> Marcus
> >> Rochester, NY
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> Tom & Marg Warner
> Vernon Center NY
> 1976 palmbeach

 

[peg colf]

Don:
Just my two cents: If I knew I was going to replace my engine I would give
Dick Paterson up in Canada a call.
He gave a seminar in Marion and builds a reliable engine.
The catch is you have to take the coach to his place and they do the entire
job, plus the radiator has to be done, which is a must anyway, to be sure
there is no bad stuff in the oil cooler and the coolant flows properly. I
believe I herd him say the engine is $7400 Canadian $. The radiator and if
you want, carb rebuild, ect. would be extra. He says the first 30 sec. of
run time, is the most critical.
Tim Colf
75 palm beach