[ADMIN Note - This post exceeded the 7,000 character limit, but IMO
the content warranted an exception. Patrick]
Larry Nelson made a recent inquiry related to upgrades everyone had
made, their successes, etc. Over the past few weeks, much to my wife's
chagrin, I've been quietly summarizing the contents of all archived
postings from the inception of this mail list. Following is my take
on the best of the best in terms of upgrades, required modifications, etc.
1) Wheels - Alcoa Classic Style (16x6 Alcoa #160-231)
Center Hub Cap-(two styles)
[a] #003611 (this has 1.5" protrusion)
#003612 (this has a 5" protrusion)
Lug Nuts - Serial #139987 (Black Steel)
Lug Nut Covers-"chrome" -Serial #000190 (Push on type)
Alcoa has a cleaning kit out now, that is a three step process (cleaner,
polish and sealant). It is marketed by Haltec Corp, 800-321-6471.
2) Tires - Goodyear Unisteel G-159, the size is 225/75 R 16, Load Range
E or R273 Bridgestone (same size)
3) Shocks - KYB (KG-5435 for the front, KG-5436 for the back), Bilstein
(very pricey), Caspro (Old technology monotube shocks) (in that order)
4) Front Wheel Bearings - Wallace hubs used to be preferred, but
regular maintenance of originals also seems viable.
5) Ball Joints - Moog = Lower K-6215, Upper K-5238; A-Arm Upper
bushings Moog K-7104 and lower bushings Moog K-5222
6) New Brake lines (two 25ft rolls if 1/4 inch line and one 25 ft roll
of 3/16 line to replace all the brake lines plus a flairing tool plus a
bending tool from Harbor Freight.) You can also buy a "double flaring
tool"(basically a flaring tool with a set of double flare inserts) for
around $30. Ridgid 345DL(cat. no. 23337) runs about $50.
Brake hoses should all be replaced with new from any parts retailer
(original equipment is GM9758214 and that crosses to a Wagner F86578
#$36.31, or NAPA 36675)
Brake pads should be replaced (Performance Friction carbon-metallic pad
is #2154) http://www.performancefriction.com/
New brake proportioning valve GM25515634 from GMC truck dealer for $76,
7) Vacuum pump - you can find these pumps on the following cars in junk
yards.
Cadillac 82 Cimeron
Chevrolet 84-86 Celebrity-A, 82 Caprice-B, 82 Cavalier-J, 82-85
Cavalier-J Citation,
Pontiac 85- 86 6000, 82 J2000, 82- 84 Phoenix-X
Oldsmobile, 86 Cierra-A, 82 Firenza-J, 82- 84 Omega-X
Buick 82 Skyhawk-J , 82- 85 Skylark-X
The pump is also available new from GM. The part number is 22034995
and a price of about $300.
You'll find these pumps on the driver's side front fender well. There's
a small (carbon) filter that is on the line just before the pump. Insist
on getting the filter with it, and the electrical plug that goes to the
pump(and the rubber mounting plate).
8) Rear end gearing - Go to final drive of 3.42 or, if towing, higher,
say 3.67.
9) Four bag suspension system from Leigh Harrison
10) Rotary control valve from Jim Bounds for air level system -or- from
JR Slaten $225 in Louisville KY (502) 363-3011 email=jrslaten
11) Consider separate air bag compressor V-Twin or some such like Arch
installed (V twin Hadley)
12) If not already there, consider conversion to an Electro Level.
Contact Ray Rhodes, 9837 Chiswell Rd, Dallas, TX Phone 214 348-0616
13) Camshaft Replacement: 1. Crower 56-260; 2. Wolverine WG1112; 3.
Engle JM1618. The reason for this is to increase low-end torque
14) Headers - Thorley headers coated inside and outside by HPC of Salt
Lake City
Exhuast system - dual collectors to Y-pipe to Flowmasters (called the
Big Block Series) exiting at original location.
Flowmaster's 50 series/three chamber mufflers, P/N 52553 (cost $125 ea)
and also install Flowmaster's heat shield above them for added heat
protection to the floor.
Y-pipe is needed, also. It is P/N Y250300A
15) Consider engine rebuild by Mondello in California (805) 237-8808
http://www.tcsn.net/mondello
16) Timing Chain - Cloys CLO-93113 chain. It's a double roller (twin
row bicycle style) chain
17) Tortion bar tool to adjust front end. Try reaching Kent-Moore at
800-328-6657 and save a nickel. Also K-M's web address is
http://www.oetteg.com which you can use to inquire.
18) Batteries - 6 volt golf cart batteries (Trojan 104s) mounted in
series in front
19) Gas filler overflow (vent) line needs to be replaced
20) For Gas Tank Renewal - http://www.gastankrenu.com/welcome.htm
21) Oil cooler lines (re-route along frame away from exhaust)
22) Battery chargerTrueCharge 40+ battery charger available from West
Marine
23) Water heater - propane Suburban direct spark iqnition propane model
with engine heat coil and 110v back up (consider an on-demand). Change
original electric hot water heater to 3 way (gas, 100V and engine heat)
24) Two way refer - AC power then propane - stay away from DC units
Lubricants Needed:
25) Engine Oil - Mobil 1 in 20x-50
Supplemental engine oil cooler - re-route lines
The following are the numbers for the various interchangeable oil
filters for the 455 and 1977 403 engine:
AC Delco PF-24
FRAM PH-25
HASTINGS T-222
LEE LF-24
MOTORCRAFT FL-9
NAPA 1258
PUROLATOR PER-33
SHELL S-16
TEXACO T-16
UNION PF-24
WIX 51258
26) Rear end lube - Red Line 85W-90
27) Transmission - Redline ATF
Supplemental automatic transmission cooler should be installed
28) Bearing Grease - Mobil 1 Synthetic (on new bearings only - don't
mix)
CV Joints - Redline CV2
29) Ignition - MSD HEI with a variable spark advance. If you're
thinking of just updating the distributor, consider the one from Dick
Patterson, http://www.paterson-gmc.com/~gmc/motorhome.html .
30) Sparkplugs - NGK XR-5
31) Original cruise control does not have resume. Buskirk or Jim Bounds
sells one with that feature.
32) Rear air conditioning modifications by Jim Bounds
Front air conditioner modifications to maximize output
For changes away from R-12) http://www.frigc.com/
or http://www.btt.org/EC-12a.html
33) Macerator pump - ITT-Jabsco makes a pump that can be run dry
Jabsco model 18590-0000 which has been #1 for 20 years
34) Digital Dash w/digital readout of: Outside temp, battery voltage,
oil temp, oil pressure, engine temp, transmission temp outgoing and
transmission temperature return from cooler VIP Systems at (800) 927-6778
Books and Backorder Publicatons:
1) GMC motohome market place magazine phone (219) 769-7733
2) Maintenance manual from Cinnabar Engineering at (800) 720-2227
People and Parts Suppliers:
1) Ken Thoma in Fredricksburg, TX. (830) 997-3690. He is a recognized
expert on front wheel bearings, hubs, and knuckles (bearing tool)
2) Wes Caughlin
3) Alex Sirum (941) 763-1121 - Lots of supplies plus furniture
http://www.gmcmh.com/
4) Jim Bounds - The Cooperative Motor Works (877) 275-4462 or (407)
857-5777 http://www.gmccoop.com
5) Cinnabar Engineering email:gmcmh
6) Buskirk-Rush RV (800) 715-1133 http://www.buskirk-rushrv.com/
7) Caspro Co. (800) 877-1911 email: caspro
8) Golby Motor Corporation (407) 859-9000 http://www.golbymotorcorp.com/
9) JR Slaten (502) 363-3011 email=jrslaten
10) Leigh Harrison (703) 494-9914 (disk brake conversion)
- ----------------------------------'
Gary Thurlow
email to thurlow
St. Louis, MO
- ----------------------------------'
the content warranted an exception. Patrick]
Larry Nelson made a recent inquiry related to upgrades everyone had
made, their successes, etc. Over the past few weeks, much to my wife's
chagrin, I've been quietly summarizing the contents of all archived
postings from the inception of this mail list. Following is my take
on the best of the best in terms of upgrades, required modifications, etc.
1) Wheels - Alcoa Classic Style (16x6 Alcoa #160-231)
Center Hub Cap-(two styles)
[a] #003611 (this has 1.5" protrusion)
#003612 (this has a 5" protrusion)
Lug Nuts - Serial #139987 (Black Steel)
Lug Nut Covers-"chrome" -Serial #000190 (Push on type)
Alcoa has a cleaning kit out now, that is a three step process (cleaner,
polish and sealant). It is marketed by Haltec Corp, 800-321-6471.
2) Tires - Goodyear Unisteel G-159, the size is 225/75 R 16, Load Range
E or R273 Bridgestone (same size)
3) Shocks - KYB (KG-5435 for the front, KG-5436 for the back), Bilstein
(very pricey), Caspro (Old technology monotube shocks) (in that order)
4) Front Wheel Bearings - Wallace hubs used to be preferred, but
regular maintenance of originals also seems viable.
5) Ball Joints - Moog = Lower K-6215, Upper K-5238; A-Arm Upper
bushings Moog K-7104 and lower bushings Moog K-5222
6) New Brake lines (two 25ft rolls if 1/4 inch line and one 25 ft roll
of 3/16 line to replace all the brake lines plus a flairing tool plus a
bending tool from Harbor Freight.) You can also buy a "double flaring
tool"(basically a flaring tool with a set of double flare inserts) for
around $30. Ridgid 345DL(cat. no. 23337) runs about $50.
Brake hoses should all be replaced with new from any parts retailer
(original equipment is GM9758214 and that crosses to a Wagner F86578
#$36.31, or NAPA 36675)
Brake pads should be replaced (Performance Friction carbon-metallic pad
is #2154) http://www.performancefriction.com/
New brake proportioning valve GM25515634 from GMC truck dealer for $76,
7) Vacuum pump - you can find these pumps on the following cars in junk
yards.
Cadillac 82 Cimeron
Chevrolet 84-86 Celebrity-A, 82 Caprice-B, 82 Cavalier-J, 82-85
Cavalier-J Citation,
Pontiac 85- 86 6000, 82 J2000, 82- 84 Phoenix-X
Oldsmobile, 86 Cierra-A, 82 Firenza-J, 82- 84 Omega-X
Buick 82 Skyhawk-J , 82- 85 Skylark-X
The pump is also available new from GM. The part number is 22034995
and a price of about $300.
You'll find these pumps on the driver's side front fender well. There's
a small (carbon) filter that is on the line just before the pump. Insist
on getting the filter with it, and the electrical plug that goes to the
pump(and the rubber mounting plate).
8) Rear end gearing - Go to final drive of 3.42 or, if towing, higher,
say 3.67.
9) Four bag suspension system from Leigh Harrison
10) Rotary control valve from Jim Bounds for air level system -or- from
JR Slaten $225 in Louisville KY (502) 363-3011 email=jrslaten
11) Consider separate air bag compressor V-Twin or some such like Arch
installed (V twin Hadley)
12) If not already there, consider conversion to an Electro Level.
Contact Ray Rhodes, 9837 Chiswell Rd, Dallas, TX Phone 214 348-0616
13) Camshaft Replacement: 1. Crower 56-260; 2. Wolverine WG1112; 3.
Engle JM1618. The reason for this is to increase low-end torque
14) Headers - Thorley headers coated inside and outside by HPC of Salt
Lake City
Exhuast system - dual collectors to Y-pipe to Flowmasters (called the
Big Block Series) exiting at original location.
Flowmaster's 50 series/three chamber mufflers, P/N 52553 (cost $125 ea)
and also install Flowmaster's heat shield above them for added heat
protection to the floor.
Y-pipe is needed, also. It is P/N Y250300A
15) Consider engine rebuild by Mondello in California (805) 237-8808
http://www.tcsn.net/mondello
16) Timing Chain - Cloys CLO-93113 chain. It's a double roller (twin
row bicycle style) chain
17) Tortion bar tool to adjust front end. Try reaching Kent-Moore at
800-328-6657 and save a nickel. Also K-M's web address is
http://www.oetteg.com which you can use to inquire.
18) Batteries - 6 volt golf cart batteries (Trojan 104s) mounted in
series in front
19) Gas filler overflow (vent) line needs to be replaced
20) For Gas Tank Renewal - http://www.gastankrenu.com/welcome.htm
21) Oil cooler lines (re-route along frame away from exhaust)
22) Battery chargerTrueCharge 40+ battery charger available from West
Marine
23) Water heater - propane Suburban direct spark iqnition propane model
with engine heat coil and 110v back up (consider an on-demand). Change
original electric hot water heater to 3 way (gas, 100V and engine heat)
24) Two way refer - AC power then propane - stay away from DC units
Lubricants Needed:
25) Engine Oil - Mobil 1 in 20x-50
Supplemental engine oil cooler - re-route lines
The following are the numbers for the various interchangeable oil
filters for the 455 and 1977 403 engine:
AC Delco PF-24
FRAM PH-25
HASTINGS T-222
LEE LF-24
MOTORCRAFT FL-9
NAPA 1258
PUROLATOR PER-33
SHELL S-16
TEXACO T-16
UNION PF-24
WIX 51258
26) Rear end lube - Red Line 85W-90
27) Transmission - Redline ATF
Supplemental automatic transmission cooler should be installed
28) Bearing Grease - Mobil 1 Synthetic (on new bearings only - don't
mix)
CV Joints - Redline CV2
29) Ignition - MSD HEI with a variable spark advance. If you're
thinking of just updating the distributor, consider the one from Dick
Patterson, http://www.paterson-gmc.com/~gmc/motorhome.html .
30) Sparkplugs - NGK XR-5
31) Original cruise control does not have resume. Buskirk or Jim Bounds
sells one with that feature.
32) Rear air conditioning modifications by Jim Bounds
Front air conditioner modifications to maximize output
For changes away from R-12) http://www.frigc.com/
or http://www.btt.org/EC-12a.html
33) Macerator pump - ITT-Jabsco makes a pump that can be run dry
Jabsco model 18590-0000 which has been #1 for 20 years
34) Digital Dash w/digital readout of: Outside temp, battery voltage,
oil temp, oil pressure, engine temp, transmission temp outgoing and
transmission temperature return from cooler VIP Systems at (800) 927-6778
Books and Backorder Publicatons:
1) GMC motohome market place magazine phone (219) 769-7733
2) Maintenance manual from Cinnabar Engineering at (800) 720-2227
People and Parts Suppliers:
1) Ken Thoma in Fredricksburg, TX. (830) 997-3690. He is a recognized
expert on front wheel bearings, hubs, and knuckles (bearing tool)
2) Wes Caughlin
3) Alex Sirum (941) 763-1121 - Lots of supplies plus furniture
http://www.gmcmh.com/
4) Jim Bounds - The Cooperative Motor Works (877) 275-4462 or (407)
857-5777 http://www.gmccoop.com
5) Cinnabar Engineering email:gmcmh
6) Buskirk-Rush RV (800) 715-1133 http://www.buskirk-rushrv.com/
7) Caspro Co. (800) 877-1911 email: caspro
8) Golby Motor Corporation (407) 859-9000 http://www.golbymotorcorp.com/
9) JR Slaten (502) 363-3011 email=jrslaten
10) Leigh Harrison (703) 494-9914 (disk brake conversion)
- ----------------------------------'
Gary Thurlow
email to thurlow
St. Louis, MO
- ----------------------------------'
