I want better performance out of my stock 1976 GMC!
Yea, I know, doesn't everyone?
Its not that ours runs bad, it actually runs ok. It starts (reluctantly
when cold), gets 8 MPG (no toad, 60 MPH), eventually makes it to the top of
11,000 ft. passes, doesn't boil over and ultimately gets us to anywhere
we've asked it to. But I know it could be better.
I've read all the comments made by the many learned experts who freely
offer their expertise to this group, and offer my thanks for their
unselfish commitment to our "cause". I like it when the experts disagree as
to the optimum way to solve a given problem because, in many cases, there
is more than one right answer. I want the freedom to choose. I may still
make a mistake, but have a far better chance for success than if I had only
my "guess" to go by. Thanks guys. Keep it up.
Back to my desire for improvement - If money were no object, we would just
have it all done; a new Mondelo motor with fuel injection, headers & 3"
pipes, a freshly overhauled tranny w/ shift kit, new torque converter and
3.55 finals (yea, I know, I've left out your personal favorite). But alas,
money is an object, and not a small one at that. We've either done or don't
need improvements to the brakes, suspension, etc., so our concern here is
performance. So, what would get us the most improvement if we only had
$1,000 - $1,500 to spend? Here's my choices:
1) Bob Lamey overhauled and recurved distributor
2) Cinnabar overhauled and calibrated carburetor
3) Caspro shift kit for the tranny
4) New exhaust system; Thorley headers, Flowmaster mufflers & 3" tail pipe
When and if we can find another grand or so, a 3.55 final drive would
likely be at the top of the 2nd list, with fuel injection being my 2nd
choice.
We can't do anything 'til July, but when we get to it, which are the most
important and what would y'all suggest we add to the list?
We'll sure appreciate your input.
Dave (advisor/navigator) & Dege (ALL else), '76 Royale, Santa Barbara, CA
Yea, I know, doesn't everyone?
Its not that ours runs bad, it actually runs ok. It starts (reluctantly
when cold), gets 8 MPG (no toad, 60 MPH), eventually makes it to the top of
11,000 ft. passes, doesn't boil over and ultimately gets us to anywhere
we've asked it to. But I know it could be better.
I've read all the comments made by the many learned experts who freely
offer their expertise to this group, and offer my thanks for their
unselfish commitment to our "cause". I like it when the experts disagree as
to the optimum way to solve a given problem because, in many cases, there
is more than one right answer. I want the freedom to choose. I may still
make a mistake, but have a far better chance for success than if I had only
my "guess" to go by. Thanks guys. Keep it up.
Back to my desire for improvement - If money were no object, we would just
have it all done; a new Mondelo motor with fuel injection, headers & 3"
pipes, a freshly overhauled tranny w/ shift kit, new torque converter and
3.55 finals (yea, I know, I've left out your personal favorite). But alas,
money is an object, and not a small one at that. We've either done or don't
need improvements to the brakes, suspension, etc., so our concern here is
performance. So, what would get us the most improvement if we only had
$1,000 - $1,500 to spend? Here's my choices:
1) Bob Lamey overhauled and recurved distributor
2) Cinnabar overhauled and calibrated carburetor
3) Caspro shift kit for the tranny
4) New exhaust system; Thorley headers, Flowmaster mufflers & 3" tail pipe
When and if we can find another grand or so, a 3.55 final drive would
likely be at the top of the 2nd list, with fuel injection being my 2nd
choice.
We can't do anything 'til July, but when we get to it, which are the most
important and what would y'all suggest we add to the list?
We'll sure appreciate your input.
Dave (advisor/navigator) & Dege (ALL else), '76 Royale, Santa Barbara, CA
wner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf Of Dave Lowry
. 
