How long do these engines run?

richard waters

New member
Feb 8, 1999
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After I read the following:

> >"As old and as worn as I think my engine is with over 300k miles on it, she
> >still holds good oild pressure and decent compression readings so why not.
> >According to the mechanic who took care of my coach for 450k miles of its
> >life, he used Slick 50 all the time."
> >
> >
> Tom & Marg Warner
> Vernon Center NY
> 1976 palmbeach

I started to wonder about my coach. As a new owner I'm still getting used to what
to expect from it. From reading these postings for the last week it seems like
these old engines can keep running and running for hundreds of thousands of
miles.

I've worried about how long my 1976 455 engine might run. It has 125,000 on it
now. The previous owner (for 18 years) changed the oil every 2,000 miles,
coolant every year, trans fluid every 10,000 miles and never drove in the
Winter. I'm pretty sure he did all that (I have his logs and receipts detailing
the work etc.). The exhaust manifolds, timing chain, fuel pump, oil and fuel
system hoses as well as the carburetor were replaced within the last 40,000
miles. I plan on continuing the same maintenance schedule he did.

I've never driven a vehicle much beyond 100,000 miles. Especially one that is
close to 25 years old.

I've been putting off improvements to the coach worried that the engine or trans
will blow any time. Right now she runs just fine. Are my worries unfounded?
Should I put my money into the new window treatments, paint etc. that she really
needs instead of waiting for something that might not happen for many years to
come?

Richard Waters
1976 Palm Beach
Troy, MI
 
>
>> >"As old and as worn as I think my engine is with over 300k miles on
>it, she
>> >still holds good oild pressure and decent compression readings so
>why not.
>> >According to the mechanic who took care of my coach for 450k miles
snip.................
>
>I started to wonder about my coach. As a new owner I'm still getting
>used to what
>to expect from it. From reading these postings for the last week it
>seems like
>these old engines can keep running and running for hundreds of
>thousands of
>miles.
>
>I've worried about how long my 1976 455 engine might run. It has
>125,000 on it
>now. The previous owner (for 18 years) changed the oil every 2,000
>miles,
>coolant every year, trans fluid every 10,000 miles and never drove in
>the
>Winter. I'm pretty sure he did all that (I have his logs and receipts
>detailing
>the work etc.). The exhaust manifolds, timing chain, fuel pump, oil
>and fuel
>system hoses as well as the carburetor were replaced within the last
>40,000
>miles. I plan on continuing the same maintenance schedule he did.
>
>I've never driven a vehicle much beyond 100,000 miles. Especially one
>that is
>close to 25 years old.
>
>I've been putting off improvements to the coach worried that the
>engine or trans
>will blow any time. Right now she runs just fine. Are my worries
>unfounded?
>Should I put my money into the new window treatments, paint etc. that
>she really
>needs instead of waiting for something that might not happen for many
>years to
>come?
>
>Richard Waters
>1976 Palm Beach
>Troy, MI
>
>
I can't tell you how to prioritize your expenditures(Investment?) for
your GMC but the engines, with proper care, are fairly bullet proof. The
unknown is how well your coach was maintained over its life. If you are
comfortable that the records are correct and the upkeep was properly
done, then spend your money elsewhere.

With 300k miles on this engine, I am undecided whether to go for the new
paint job or put some money in an interest bearing "Mondello Engine
Account" Especially when I recall from the mechanic that the original
engine was pulled at 265k miles.

At an average 12k miles per year, you may have quite a few worry-free
years ahead of you.

David Lee Greenberg
Boston Homes, Inc & GMC Registry
1220 US Highway 1, Suite B
North Palm Beach, FL 33408
T:561-776-1414 F:561-776-1788
 
Thanks for all the responses. I guess I can breath easy tonight knowing
that my engine should keep running for a while. I'm also going to keep
breathing easier knowing that I can get information in a hurry from the GMC
Net.

Richard Waters
1976 Palm Beach
Troy, MI

> >
> >> >"As old and as worn as I think my engine is with over 300k miles on
> >it, she
> >> >still holds good oild pressure and decent compression readings so
> >why not.
> >> >According to the mechanic who took care of my coach for 450k miles
> snip.................
> >
> >I started to wonder about my coach. As a new owner I'm still getting
> >used to what
> >to expect from it. From reading these postings for the last week it
> >seems like
> >these old engines can keep running and running for hundreds of
> >thousands of
> >miles.
> >
> >I've worried about how long my 1976 455 engine might run. It has
> >125,000 on it
> >now. The previous owner (for 18 years) changed the oil every 2,000
> >miles,
> >coolant every year, trans fluid every 10,000 miles and never drove in
> >the
> >Winter. I'm pretty sure he did all that (I have his logs and receipts
> >detailing
> >the work etc.). The exhaust manifolds, timing chain, fuel pump, oil
> >and fuel
> >system hoses as well as the carburetor were replaced within the last
> >40,000
> >miles. I plan on continuing the same maintenance schedule he did.
> >
> >I've never driven a vehicle much beyond 100,000 miles. Especially one
> >that is
> >close to 25 years old.
> >
> >I've been putting off improvements to the coach worried that the
> >engine or trans
> >will blow any time. Right now she runs just fine. Are my worries
> >unfounded?
> >Should I put my money into the new window treatments, paint etc. that
> >she really
> >needs instead of waiting for something that might not happen for many
> >years to
> >come?
> >
> >Richard Waters
> >1976 Palm Beach
> >Troy, MI
> >
> >
> I can't tell you how to prioritize your expenditures(Investment?) for
> your GMC but the engines, with proper care, are fairly bullet proof. The
> unknown is how well your coach was maintained over its life. If you are
> comfortable that the records are correct and the upkeep was properly
> done, then spend your money elsewhere.
>
> With 300k miles on this engine, I am undecided whether to go for the new
> paint job or put some money in an interest bearing "Mondello Engine
> Account" Especially when I recall from the mechanic that the original
> engine was pulled at 265k miles.
>
> At an average 12k miles per year, you may have quite a few worry-free
> years ahead of you.
>
> David Lee Greenberg
> Boston Homes, Inc & GMC Registry
> 1220 US Highway 1, Suite B
> North Palm Beach, FL 33408
> T:561-776-1414 F:561-776-1788
 
Caught the last part of this thread yesterday. Reminded me of the
time I asked the mechanic that services my Acura the same question.
His reply; "We don't know yet."

Keith
'73 Ft. Lauderdale

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Maybe that was a dumb question that I asked. But I've always been told
that "there is no such thing as a dumb question." Anyway, I think I can
be confident that my 125,000 mile engine with proper maintenance will
last a lot longer. I'm going to get the old coach some stuff like a
new headliner and window treatments instead of a new engine!

Richard Waters, 1976 Palm Beach, Troy, MI

- ---------

> Caught the last part of this thread yesterday. Reminded me of the
> time I asked the mechanic that services my Acura the same question.
> His reply; "We don't know yet."
>
> Keith
> '73 Ft. Lauderdale
>
> _________________________________________________________
> DO YOU YAHOO!?
> Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com