Prospective GMCer

[eric.henning]

Greetings All,

Looked at a 73 260 w/ about 100k miles on it this weekend. Was in very good
original shape. Pretty much stock,
including original stock appliances, generator, interior, paint, air bags. Has
been well maintained and ran great. Didn't waggle over the road but steering
seemed a little vague. If bought, I would be taking this on a 6 week cross
country trip this summer.
I will have it checked out by a known GMC motorhome person (I believe known to
this list). Assuming a well maintained
drivetrain, what is the expected life from these 455's? 10,000 lbs is an awful
lot of weight to be hauling around for 27 years. I imagine a compression test
on the engine will tell if the rings and valves are ok. This vehicle did
complete a trouble free trip to the mid-west this past summer. Any similar
experiences with a vehicle with similar mileage?
Would you long term owners feel comfortable taking such a GMC on a cross country
trek?

Thanks

eric.henning

 

[richard waters]

> Looked at a 73 260 w/ about 100k miles on it this weekend.
>
> >>>>>>>what is the expected life from these 455's? 10,000 lbs is an awful
> lot of weight to be hauling around for 27 years. I imagine a compression test
> on the engine will tell if the rings and valves are ok. This vehicle did
> complete a trouble free trip to the mid-west this past summer. Any similar
> experiences with a vehicle with similar mileage?
> Would you long term owners feel comfortable taking such a GMC on a cross country
> trek?
>
> eric.henning

Welcome to this group. I've had my '76 Palm Beach for about 1 1/2
years now. I bought it with about 120,000 miles on it and now
have 140,000. Nothing much has been done to the engine since
new except for replacing the timing chain at 100,000 miles. The
carburetor was recalibrated last year. I don't have any plans in the
near future of having the engine rebuilt. It was well maintained before
I bought it, meaning oil and filter changes every 2,000 miles. Coolant
and transmission fluid changed every 2 years. I've continued the
schedule.

I don't think anyone really knows how long these things can run.
Some fail at 80,000 and some get to 180,000 miles and more.

Knowing what I know now about my engine, I would not have
hesitated to take a long cross country trip at 100,000. I'm still pretty
comfortable with it at 140,000 miles.

If yours passes inspection from your GMC expert, I would say go
for it. However, have a back up plan. Make sure you get good towing
insurance. Consider what you would do if the engine blew while in
the middle of your trip. Have a plan in place so that you would know
who and where to take it if you had to have major engine work done.
And, make sure you take the "Black List" with you.

HAVE FUN!

My .02 cents worth.
Richard Waters '76 PB, Troy, MI

 

[james bolick]

what is the expected life from these 455's? 10,000 lbs is an awful
lot of weight to be hauling around for 27 years. I imagine a compression
test
on the engine will tell if the rings and valves are ok. This vehicle did
complete a trouble free trip to the mid-west this past summer. Any similar
experiences with a vehicle with similar mileage?
Would you long term owners feel comfortable taking such a GMC on a cross
country
trek?

Eric, Can the owner show you receipt's for all the work/maintenance he has
had performed on the coach. I drove mine cross country twice with over
100,000 miles on it. The trick is maintenance, maintenance. My transmission
finally gave up the ghost at 127,000 miles so I had everything between the
front wheels replaced.

Jim Bolick
'73 Painted Desert

 

[richard waters]

Dave is 300,000 between overhauls? Wow!
Richard Waters '76 PB, Troy, MI

> Once they get over 100,000 miles they might be ready to have problems;
> however, there are a lot of them out there with a whole lot more. I think
> Dave Greenberg has over 300,000!

> Emery Stora

> 77 Kingsley
> Santa Fe, NM

 

[david l greenberg]

1st engine (403) was pulled at 277k miles, one overhaul. Second engine
(455) was rebuilt by Mondello and has had a top end done. Now has 302k
miles on it. Still strong!
Dave G.

On Tue, 08 Feb 2000 09:11:20 -0500 Richard Waters
writes:
>Dave is 300,000 between overhauls? Wow!
>Richard Waters '76 PB, Troy, MI
>
>> Once they get over 100,000 miles they might be ready to have
>problems;
>> however, there are a lot of them out there with a whole lot more. I
>think
>> Dave Greenberg has over 300,000!
>
>> Emery Stora
>
>> 77 Kingsley
>> Santa Fe, NM
>

 

[richard waters]

Dave,
Forgive me if I appear dense. You say you had 277K
miles on the first engine before an overhaul? Then you have
302K now or on the 455?
Richard Waters

> 1st engine (403) was pulled at 277k miles, one overhaul. Second engine
> (455) was rebuilt by Mondello and has had a top end done. Now has 302k
> miles on it. Still strong!
> Dave G.
>
> On Tue, 08 Feb 2000 09:11:20 -0500 Richard Waters

> >Dave is 300,000 between overhauls? Wow!
> >Richard Waters '76 PB, Troy, MI
> >
> >> Once they get over 100,000 miles they might be ready to have
> >problems;
> >> however, there are a lot of them out there with a whole lot more. I
> >think
> >> Dave Greenberg has over 300,000!
> >
> >> Emery Stora
> >
> >> 77 Kingsley
> >> Santa Fe, NM
> >

 

[david l greenberg]

On Sun, 13 Feb 2000 19:41:48 -0500 Richard Waters
writes:
>Dave,
>Forgive me if I appear dense. You say you had 277K
>miles on the first engine before an overhaul? Then you have
>302K now or on the 455?
>Richard Waters
>

Sorry, Richard...I should have been more clear. The second engine (the
455) has 302k miles. The coach has 579k in total. The first engine ( the
403) wasn't rebuildable after 277k due to serious damage.

To the prospective GMCr, I consider the Olds big block to be bullet proof
with reasonable care.

When I bought this coach it had nearly 500,000 miles on it. I would have
been more wary if it only had 20,000 miles on it after 20 years or so.

David Lee Greenberg
The GMC Motorhome Registry
Dedicated To The Classic GMC
www.gmcss.com/registry.htm