Our first 78 Royale was so dependable. It's all in the mainenance. New owners. Ask for help here. with you issues.

Bob Dunahugh

New member
Sep 17, 2012
2,784
4
3
!3 years, 52,000 miles, and 38 states. Never left us stranded to the side of the road even once. Did have an alternator belt brake once. Turned on the gen to run the roof A/C. And we went the next 75 miles home. Had a carb float sink 100 miles from Las Vegas. So what. It just ran rich that 100 miles. Never did put a lot of money in that GMC. The key was that the PO went to a lot of GMCMI events. Learned a lot about preventive maintenance. His log book listed oil changes at 2500 miles mostly. Trans, and FD at every 15,000 miles, and so on. I'm now trying to keep this GMC we have now to that dependability. The problem with this GMC. Is that it was parked next to a cornfield from Oct 1995 to Oct 2015. Bob Dunahugh 78 Royale
 
Bob,
What happened to the first GMC,
John Phillips
75 Avon VIN A26000
Rancho Cordova, CA

> !3 years, 52,000 miles, and 38 states. Never left us stranded to the side
> of the road even once. Did have an alternator belt brake once. Turned on
> the gen to run the roof A/C. And we went the next 75 miles home. Had a carb
> float sink 100 miles from Las Vegas. So what. It just ran rich that 100
> miles. Never did put a lot of money in that GMC. The key was that the PO
> went to a lot of GMCMI events. Learned a lot about preventive maintenance.
> His log book listed oil changes at 2500 miles mostly. Trans, and FD at
> every 15,000 miles, and so on. I'm now trying to keep this GMC we have now
> to that dependability. The problem with this GMC. Is that it was parked
> next to a cornfield from Oct 1995 to Oct 2015. Bob Dunahugh 78 Royale
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--

*John Phillips*
 
John. I was at a road race track event with one of my Yenkos in Hastings =
Neb. We found it burning in the parking lot on Aug 28, 2015. We had bought =
a new refrigerator the year before. There was a fire recall that we never g=
ot. Bought another 78 Royale in Oct of 15. I then took that GMC completel=
y, and I seriously mean completely apart. Got lucky that the fire was conta=
ined to above the floor. I was able to salvage the new tires, rims, Quad b=
ags, and front knuckles. Then reused the 3:70 FD, rebuilt trans, gas tank=
s, bumpers, and now the trans shift cable.. The 403 had been rebuilt by the=
PO. It had just 1880 miles in it. By June of 2016. 8 months. $41,000 in p=
arts. And all my lonely days in my shop. This latest 78 Royale went to the =
Summer GMCMI rally in Branson Mo with it's widened entry door, and wheelc=
hair drive in bath. I was a man on a mission. Linda had a knee replaced. Go=
t an infection. Then lost her leg. GMCMI. It's members, and the GMC have br=
ought great enjoyment to our lives. A fire wasn't going to get in my way. =
Bob Dunahugh The Mouse House 78 Royale. __________________________=
______ From: Bob Dunahugh Sent: Sunday, March 25=
, 2018 12:21 AM To: gmclist Subject: Our first 78 Royal=
e was so dependable. It's all in the mainenance. New owners. Ask for help h=
ere. with you issues. !3 years, 52,000 miles, and 38 states. Never=
left us stranded to the side of the road even once. Did have an alternator=
belt brake once. Turned on the gen to run the roof A/C. And we went the ne=
xt 75 miles home. Had a carb float sink 100 miles from Las Vegas. So what. =
It just ran rich that 100 miles. Never did put a lot of money in that GMC. =
The key was that the PO went to a lot of GMCMI events. Learned a lot about =
preventive maintenance. His log book listed oil changes at 2500 miles mos=
tly. Trans, and FD at every 15,000 miles, and so on. I'm now trying to keep=
this GMC we have now to that dependability. The problem with this GMC. I=
s that it was parked next to a cornfield from Oct 1995 to Oct 2015. Bob =
Dunahugh 78 Royale
 
I have a question: Is there any thing you should be doing, in between major uses, to run your GMC? The last time I actually drove it was about 2
months ago, although I have started it a couple times since. But idling costs gas, so does it make sense to just take it out and drive it a couple
miles regularly?
--
Brian K
1977 Eleganza II, TZE167V100261
Bellevue, WA
Rebuilt 455, New brake system, a lot of Original Equipment ready to fall apart (discovering more as I go along....)
 
Idleing the engine when cold is a worse thing to do.
Start it and in half a minute put it in gear and drive it slowly.
Engine will warm up twicw as fast this way than idle.
Once every few month is fine, but the oil tends to drain off so I have no
real answer on frequency.
New oils follow the SAE /SPE for oil adhesion on parts for time.
The tires need to warm up to keep adhesives alive.

> I have a question: Is there any thing you should be doing, in between
> major uses, to run your GMC? The last time I actually drove it was about 2
> months ago, although I have started it a couple times since. But idling
> costs gas, so does it make sense to just take it out and drive it a couple
> miles regularly?
> --
> Brian K
> 1977 Eleganza II, TZE167V100261
> Bellevue, WA
> Rebuilt 455, New brake system, a lot of Original Equipment ready to fall
> apart (discovering more as I go along....)
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
 
> I have a question: Is there any thing you should be doing, in between major uses, to run your GMC? The last time I actually drove it was about 2
> months ago, although I have started it a couple times since. But idling costs gas, so does it make sense to just take it out and drive it a couple
> miles regularly?

Take it out every month and go for a drive. Go to the grocery store. Give it some exercise. Drive to the grandkids house. Don't park it next to a
cornfield for 20 years. Like people they need to move around to function well.

JMHO

--
Tom Lins
Elkton, FL
77 GM Rear Twin, Dry Bath, 455
 
Brian K.:
I am not a mechanic, but was told by P O of my 1st of 5 GMC's to drive it regularly at least 20 continuous mins per month.
That is what I have done and it seems to have worked very well for me.
Hope this helps!
Mike/The Corvair a holic

Sent from my iPhone

>

>> I have a question: Is there any thing you should be doing, in between major uses, to run your GMC? The last time I actually drove it was about 2
>> months ago, although I have started it a couple times since. But idling costs gas, so does it make sense to just take it out and drive it a couple
>> miles regularly?
>
>
>
> Take it out every month and go for a drive. Go to the grocery store. Give it some exercise. Drive to the grandkids house. Don't park it next to a
> cornfield for 20 years. Like people they need to move around to function well.
>
> JMHO
>
>
> --
> Tom Lins
> Elkton, FL
> 77 GM Rear Twin, Dry Bath, 455
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
Mike,

If I may make a suggestion: Sounds to me like your signature line should
be "Mike/The Corvair & GMC a holic". :-)

Ken H.

> Brian K.:
> I am not a mechanic, but was told by P O of my 1st of 5 GMC's to drive it
> regularly at least 20 continuous mins per month.
> That is what I have done and it seems to have worked very well for me.
> Hope this helps!
> Mike/The Corvair a holic
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>

> >

> >> I have a question: Is there any thing you should be doing, in between
> major uses, to run your GMC? The last time I actually drove it was about 2
> >> months ago, although I have started it a couple times since. But
> idling costs gas, so does it make sense to just take it out and drive it a
> couple
> >> miles regularly?
> >
> >
> >
> > Take it out every month and go for a drive. Go to the grocery store.
> Give it some exercise. Drive to the grandkids house. Don't park it next to a
> > cornfield for 20 years. Like people they need to move around to function
> well.
> >
> > JMHO
> >
> >
> > --
> > Tom Lins
> > Elkton, FL
> > 77 GM Rear Twin, Dry Bath, 455
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
Thanks everyone for the input. I like the idea of just taking it out to the grocery store, or whatever, once a month. I've never really thought
about that (probably because of it's size!).
--
Brian K
1977 Eleganza II, TZE167V100261
Bellevue, WA
Rebuilt 455, New brake system, a lot of Original Equipment ready to fall apart (discovering more as I go along....)
 
Ken H.:
Ya - I have thought about that!
But my goal is to get down to just 2 GMC's (from 5) - whereas my goal on Corvairs is still undetermined - maybe down to 5 from 13.
Either way they are both addictions that I thoroughly enjoy. Just wish I had lots of storage space - like you!
Mike/The Corvair a holic

Sent from my iPhone

>
> Thanks everyone for the input. I like the idea of just taking it out to the grocery store, or whatever, once a month. I've never really thought
> about that (probably because of it's size!).
> --
> Brian K
> 1977 Eleganza II, TZE167V100261
> Bellevue, WA
> Rebuilt 455, New brake system, a lot of Original Equipment ready to fall apart (discovering more as I go along....)
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
Bob and Mike will both appreciate - A perfectly restored down to the pipes black Corsa coupe with a kid driving it came by me on I 85 Sunday
afternoon on the way home from Raleigh. He was flogging it pretty good through traffic, got off at Anderson SC. I hope he gets or has a GMC and does
as good a job as someone did on his Corvair.

--johnny
--
76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
"I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell" - ol Andy, paraphrased
 
Here in the Great White North, I don't have much choice than to let it sit from late October to April. I don't want to take it out on the salt laden
roads, or let it sit idling and loading the oil up on moisture. I remove the road liability insurance to save a few hundred dollars over the winter.

It does get to sleep in a heated shop up on blocks to take the weight off the suspension and tires.

I change the oil each fall then take it for a run to get everything covered in the engine with fresh oil before storing it, (Amsoil Z-Rod just to stir
the pot here).

It does serve as the shop beer fridge and a place to take a snooze during the long winter months.

JWID

--
Bruce Hislop
ON Canada
77PB, 455 Dick P. rebuilt, DynamicEFI EBL EFI & ESC.1 ton front end
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=29001
My Staff says I never listen to them, or something like that
 
Johnny B.:
Ha - thanks Johnny. And I bet I know who was driving it. Anderson, S C is the home of a good friend and Corvair buff - In fact he sold me my first collector Vair in 2013.
Mike/The Corvair a holic

Sent from my iPhone

>
> Here in the Great White North, I don't have much choice than to let it sit from late October to April. I don't want to take it out on the salt laden
> roads, or let it sit idling and loading the oil up on moisture. I remove the road liability insurance to save a few hundred dollars over the winter.
>
> It does get to sleep in a heated shop up on blocks to take the weight off the suspension and tires.
>
> I change the oil each fall then take it for a run to get everything covered in the engine with fresh oil before storing it, (Amsoil Z-Rod just to stir
> the pot here).
>
> It does serve as the shop beer fridge and a place to take a snooze during the long winter months.
>
> JWID
>
> --
> Bruce Hislop
> ON Canada
> 77PB, 455 Dick P. rebuilt, DynamicEFI EBL EFI & ESC.1 ton front end
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=29001
> My Staff says I never listen to them, or something like that
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org