Hello from Cali. Potential 75 purchase!

[Racermech]

Hello All. I am looking at possibly purchasing a 75, built by roll a long in Long Beach. History that I know of. Last registered in 2005. I saw it move from its current storage area about 2 years ago. It has been stored outside, but under a canopy with just the nose really sun beat. The owner took it over from his dad. Told be he used it a ton going to the river, camping...etc. towed a boat with it for many years. Is has the olds 455 and was rebuilt once (said his dad thought it was getting tired and wanted to keep it going) Interior looks to be all original and in good condition for its ago.
Howeverit has been sitting for 10+ years, and apart from moving it to the front of the building to try and sell It it has not moved.
Tires are shot, they hold air but are very dry rotted. Air bags are shot, they might hold air but they are trashed. He did say his dad had issues with the air valves and he remembers a small compressor his dad used on the bags.
After purchase I figure I am a minimum of 2000 into getting it moving, if they are the split rims then add to that for new rims.

the question is, what else am I looking at just to get rolling, let’s assume the engine and trans are in good working order. I expect that this will need pretty constant work, but I also want to be able to take it on a trip, enjoy it and go back to fixing things. If this is a 2 year project before I can even use it theN it is just not worth it. I have a 1982 pop up camper that gets worked on between trips but it is still an enjoyable unit.

Thanks for any and all advice

 

[LarryW]

About the engine, maybe take a moment to read this. https://www.gmcmi.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/weidner-starting-engine.pdf

 

[JSanford]

The Roll-a-Long Santana is a very rare model, so finding any help with the inside stuff will be a bit challenging.
All the mechanical stuff is stock GMC and, although rare and expensive, can be obtained and fixed pretty easily. assuming you are a mechanic and have the resources to work on the GMC yourself, you should be able to get it going fairly quickly.

 

[tmsnyder]

If the interior is that rare, you might consider doing the roof completely including the rails immediately. Before any water damage can occur to the interior. It's been sitting, and it's old. If you start using it those seams will flex and crack open and could start leaking. Better safe than sorry imo. It would mean take everything off the roof, clean it well, then put everything back on with new sealant. It's easier to do all at once than piecemeal.

After keeping water out, next area to focus on would be stopping. Go through the brake system. Replace the rubber hoses.

After that, or along with that, would be replacing all the old rubber hoses, belts and fuel lines. Again, this is one of those things that's easier to just do it all at once. This stuff is easier to do in the driveway than on the side of the road.

Just some things to consider

 

[Matt Colie]

Please read the above and take it to heart. All the rubber is aged out and the brakes and coolant need to be flushed any why. Total cost of this job if you do it is less than a GMCbuck ($1e3)and it is not difficult to do.

Matt

 

[Racermech]

Thanks guys. I find out Tuesday if my storage solution is going to work out. If it does I will prep the engine and get it going, also I am going to swap the brake master cyclinder as I had one fail on another vehicle, I figure cheap insurance.
I hope my temp storage is only 2-3 miles away, I figure I can limp over there. Once there and parked the real work begins. Start swapping out fluids and rubbers. If I move it early on a weekend there is virtually no traffic so if something goes wrong it won’t be “as” dangerous.

 

[Matt Colie]

Racer?
If you buy a new master cylinder, be very cautious. Most available are new casting from pacific rim. the mounting ears are too thick and leave you with little thread engagement with the studs on the booster.
Then, there is yet another well know issue. Forget it... I was writing about removing the booster - early morning will cause issues like this.
But, another aside, if you don't want to drive it (not a bad choice), over inflate the back and find a 4000 wheel lift tow truck.
I hope you have a dull day, apart from claiming the coach, that is.... Sometime excitement is not welcome.
Matt

 

[SteveW]

Racermech -

Where in SoCal are you ?? There’s a crew of us in Orange County...

Steve W
1973. 23. Yellow.

 

[Racermech]

Matt, am I being a little odd by swapping the master? I had a car that sat for about 3 years, worked on it and on the test drive the master failed. It was stick and had an e brake so I was able to limp back without brakes. I am all for factory original or rebuilt, but as I have not figured out the parts cross reference yet I was just going to pick this up. https://www.gmcrvparts.com/product-p/g13066008.htm feel free to tell me if I am just being dumb, no offense taken here.

Steve, IE, currently in storage in Fontana, ifmy short term works it will stay in Fontana and then move to upland. I am in Pomona but parking won’t allow me to store the coach at my house.