Is this a good find?

Mikep976

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Aug 23, 2023
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Hi all. I’ve loved the GMC motorhome from the first time I saw one. I recently saw a local dealership have one sitting on their lot for what appears to be a good deal - what are your thoughts on this Birchaven. I stopped in to take a quick look and it looked (and smelled) like it was in good condition, but as a total noob, didn’t 100% know what to be looking for or asking.

Thoughts? https://www.rickskarkorner.com/vehi...birchaven-23-49f5871d90db044e9d60e14933199aba
 
There are GMC owner volunteers called the blacklist
https://www.gmcmotorhome.org/resources/the-gmc-assist-list-a-k-a-blacks-list.3/

Check the Spokane region, and you may get a seasoned GMCr to help you out with an inspection.
 
Mike,
It does sure look good, but get into the community to find a native guide before you get too far.
Some things jump out at me.
As a 78, the engine should be a 403 but that does not make a big difference. More than a few 403s were swapped out as warranty engine jobs.
It is 35 years old and any original rubber (not just tires) will have to be replaced if it has not been already.
At 13K $us, I would kind of expect alloy wheels.
Keep us in the loop. (Some of us love 23s.)
Matt_C
 
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It LOOKS really good and it doesn't surprise me that the dealer doesn't know enough about it to list the engine as a 455 instead of a 403 (but it could have a 455 if it is not the original engine).

The main thing to check is the frame If it (the frame) is relatively rust free and sound, it looks worth making an offer on it, but maybe not the asking price.

Of course you will want to look at/replace all the rubber incl hoses and belts, and go over the bearings and brakes.
 
Omg. This is the first time I've felt the sting of buyer's remorse since I bought my coach. I'd be on a plane to Wa right now if I didn't already have a GMC. (Maybe I should have two.......)
Just tell yourself that they ALL have tons of hidden gremlins, and the devil you know is better than the devil you don't.
;)
 
Last edited:
There are GMC owner volunteers called the blacklist
https://www.gmcmotorhome.org/resources/the-gmc-assist-list-a-k-a-blacks-list.3/

Check the Spokane region, and you may get a seasoned GMCr to help you out with an inspection.
Notice that the links on GMCMI.com are OUT OF DATE. Only one takes you to the correct page. It's very frustrating and Kim is too busy to update her links.
So
To send folks to the latest update of the Black List, direct them to
gmcblacklist.com
or
bdub.net/Black_List/
 
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Looks like it's been kept inside. No windshield fogging, perfect headliner, all it needs is a set of wheels and tires!
I LIKE IT!
Now to find out about it's history! :) Please find the VIN behind the passenger side hood on the firewall or in the glovebox door. Send photos!
 
I see these coaches for sale that have really good paint and everything is fresh and clean. But then I think about all the stuff I've done to mine, in random order:

New fuel tanks
New wheels
New engine
Freshly overhauled transmission
New 3.21 final drive
New front end
Fresh rear suspension
Rear disk brakes and reaction rods
Windshields
New windows
Aluminum radiator
Aluminum intake manifold
Springfield electronic distributor and ignition
New airbags (well, not so new any more, but they were new when I bought them)
New generator
Cruise control
Steering gearbox
Pressure hoses
Much-improved cockpit seats
Headers and (part of) the exhaust
Brake master cylinder
Many chassis electrical improvements
Many house electrical improvements, including intellipower converter/charger
Electric wipers
New furnace
Vacuum pump for power-brake preservation
All new Power Level parts--tank, leveling and control valves, pump, pressure switch, hoses, fittings
Instrumentation

None of that is easy to see in photos. Just adding it up from memory, all of that stuff cost at least $30K (at the time I bought the stuff-it would be more now) plus all the time spent installing it--time I would not want to have to spend again. Was it all necessary? Maybe not. But I wouldn't want to go backwards.

I'm not even including maintenance items like alternators, etc. I've bought at least two alternators for the coach since we've owned it, and maybe three fan clutches and a couple of water pumps. And I'm not including the money I spent on sprucing up the engine I removed, including timing chains and so forth.

Then, I look again at that pretty coach and think--I'd have to do all that again.

A new paint job would be cheaper. But I never seem to get around to that..

Rick "not including all the time and treasure spent on the Adobe Posterior and renovating the interior" Denney
 
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I see these coaches for sale that have really good paint and everything is fresh and clean. But then I think about all the stuff I've done to mine, in random order:

New fuel tanks
New wheels
New engine
Freshly overhauled transmission
New 3.21 final drive
New front end
Fresh rear suspension
Rear disk brakes and reaction rods
Windshields
New windows
Aluminum radiator
Aluminum intake manifold
Springfield electronic distributor and ignition
New airbags (well, not so new any more, but they were new when I bought them)
New generator
Cruise control
Steering gearbox
Pressure hoses
Much-improved cockpit seats
Headers and (part of) the exhaust
Brake master cylinder
Many chassis electrical improvements
Many house electrical improvements, including intellipower converter/charger
Electric wipers
New furnace
Vacuum pump for power-brake preservation
All new Power Level parts--tank, leveling and control valves, pump, pressure switch, hoses, fittings
Instrumentation

None of that is easy to see in photos. Just adding it up from memory, all of that stuff cost at least $30K (at the time I bought the stuff-it would be more now) plus all the time spent installing it--time I would not want to have to spend again. Was it all necessary? Maybe not. But I wouldn't want to go backwards.

I'm not even including maintenance items like alternators, etc. I've bought at least two alternators for the coach since we've owned it, and maybe three fan clutches and a couple of water pumps. And I'm not including the money I spent on sprucing up the engine I removed, including timing chains and so forth.

Then, I look again at that pretty coach and think--I'd have to do all that again.

A new paint job would be cheaper. But I never seem to get around to that..

Rick "not including all the time and treasure spent on the Adobe Posterior and renovating the interior" Denney
Been there done all that including an engine and transmission rebuild and paint job. Love it!
 
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