Rebuild or replace

H

hal stclair

New member
Mar 26, 2013
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The rescue coach had the air system disabled so first thing is to get the compressor on line. Motor seems to run fine on the bench but next to no
pressure production. I know the Viair's are nice and do produce lots more cfm but I'm trying to keep the budget under control. Is rebuilding the
existing Dana a good idea? Probably a $90-100 vs the $250 ish replacements. Any thoughts that might sway my thinking?
Thanks all, Hal
--
1977 Royale 101348,

1977 Royale 101586, Diesel powered,

1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout
 
> The rescue coach had the air system disabled so first thing is to get the compressor on line. Motor seems to run fine on the bench but next to no
> pressure production. I know the Viair's are nice and do produce lots more cfm but I'm trying to keep the budget under control. Is rebuilding the
> existing Dana a good idea? Probably a $90-100 vs the $250 ish replacements. Any thoughts that might sway my thinking?
> Thanks all, Hal
> Oh yes, 1975 GMC upfitted, Power level system.
I like to try to keep stuff out of the landfill. And I am a bit of a gambler when it comes to TRYING to save a buck. I would give the $80 rebuild kit
from Jim K a try before I would spring for a new compressor.

http://www.appliedgmc.com/prod.itml/icOid/861
--
73 23' Sequoia 4 Sale
73 23' CanyonLands Parts Unit 4 Sale
Upper Alabama
"Every day I become more convinced that I am the only person left on the planet that recognizes nonsense for what it is."
 
> The rescue coach had the air system disabled so first thing is to get the compressor on line. Motor seems to run fine on the bench but next to no
> pressure production. I know the Viair's are nice and do produce lots more cfm but I'm trying to keep the budget under control. Is rebuilding the
> existing Dana a good idea? Probably a $90-100 vs the $250 ish replacements. Any thoughts that might sway my thinking?
> Thanks all, Hal
> Oh yes, 1975 GMC upfitted, Power level system.

Hal,

As good as a Viair might be (no direct experience here), the rebuild of a Dana is just not an issue. It so straight forward that even if there were
no included instructions, it would still be easy. I have done two (not the same one twice) and the are both still running well. I am pretty sure
that they get killed be system leaks.

Matt Headed for the FMCA Cinci campground and then Bean Station
--
Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Still Loving OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
 
> I just disassembled my old unit. One piston was corroded in place. Not worth a rebuild IMO. JimH recently mentioned that permanent magnets fade
> over time and don't deliver specified torque. I kept the bracket for reuse and gave the rest to a scrapper for recycle.
>
> JP
You are certainly right about your old one. If you had gotten the old piston out, and tried to clean up the cylinder, the damage to the cylinder walls
from the corrosion would probably have kept it from being able to produce much pressure.

Bob said his motor spins nicely, just doesn't build up pressure. The pistons will need to seal better in their cylinders before he will know how
strong the motor is.
--
73 23' Sequoia 4 Sale
73 23' CanyonLands Parts Unit 4 Sale
Upper Alabama
"Every day I become more convinced that I am the only person left on the planet that recognizes nonsense for what it is."
 
I haven't pulled it apart but it does look to be a trivial matter to do so. The motor runs fine but only pumps up to about 60 psi with a gauge mounted
directly to the head. I'm trying to keep the investment down on this build but need to be concerned as to the longevity of the repairs. It will
probably have a life time warranty if you know what I mean but there are a LOT of things to work on....
Hal

--
1977 Royale 101348,

1977 Royale 101586, Diesel powered,

1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout
 
> I haven't pulled it apart but it does look to be a trivial matter to do so. The motor runs fine but only pumps up to about 60 psi with a gauge
> mounted directly to the head. I'm trying to keep the investment down on this build but need to be concerned as to the longevity of the repairs. It
> will probably have a life time warranty if you know what I mean but there are a LOT of things to work on....
> Hal
If you are going to warrant it for life, you are making it complicated. Trying to keep the cost down for the owner is one goal. Not having to work on
it again yourself is a different goal. They are mutually exclusive. Pick one.
--
73 23' Sequoia 4 Sale
73 23' CanyonLands Parts Unit 4 Sale
Upper Alabama
"Every day I become more convinced that I am the only person left on the planet that recognizes nonsense for what it is."
 
The coaches have all the systems of an automobile, plus a few that cars
don't, and, in addition, they have all the systems that your home has, plus
a few. That adds up to a bunch of work. Anything that is worth doing, is
worth doing the best and finest job on, that we are capable of
accomplishing. Anything less than that, will mean that we will probably be
doing the job over, or that it will underperform our expectations. Not a
place I like to find myself, especially when it rears it's ugly head many
miles from home where I am unprepared to deal with it. That is the way I
try to approach working on my coach. You guys all have your priorities I am
sure. But remember, Murphy is always lurking out there, just waiting until
you leave the toolbox at home. He now has a female companion, you can hear
her mocking voice on the speaker of your navigation system. Don't know her
first name, but her last name is GARMIN. (Grin)

Jim Hupy (presently loading and preparing the coach for the Covered Bridge
rally this weekend.)
Salem, Or
78 ROYALE 403

> I haven't pulled it apart but it does look to be a trivial matter to do
> so. The motor runs fine but only pumps up to about 60 psi with a gauge
> mounted
> directly to the head. I'm trying to keep the investment down on this build
> but need to be concerned as to the longevity of the repairs. It will
> probably have a life time warranty if you know what I mean but there are a
> LOT of things to work on....
> Hal
>
>
> --
> 1977 Royale 101348,
>
> 1977 Royale 101586, Diesel powered,
>
> 1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
Hal,

I changed to a Viair 480C, happy as to how fast it fills from empty,
not happy with the loud (77db outside, 65db st driver seat) noise when running.
This is what happens when the cfs is increased by increasing rpm = NOISE.

Going to try to better reisolate the compressor unit, if not satisfied I'll rebuild the Dana.

Rebuild the Dana.

--
”When we avoid the mistakes we might have made, we sometimes make the mistakes that we might have avoided.”

Adrien & Jenny Genesoto
75 Glenbrook 26-3
Yuba City,Ca. Text 530-nine-3-three-3-nine-nine-6
 
The overall air quantity requirements of the suspension system is very small. The real requirement is having a compressor that will develop the
required pressure which is usually around 120 PSI. The OEM Dana is more than capable of providing what is needed.

About 15 years ago John Clement ran Dana rebuild seminars at the GMCMI rallys. He would test your motor and compressor and see if it would come up to
pressure in a given amount of time. If it did not, you would sit down at the provided table and rebuild it on the spot. He had all of the parts
available. It took less than 1 hour to rebuild and test your compressor again. I rebuilt mine at one of these seminars about 15 tears ago,
reinstalled it, and forgot about even since. It is back there, runs automatically when needed, and I do not need to worry about it.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
 
Maybe the life time warranty is a little exagerated. If it could last 15 years I'm sure my daughter would give me a pass (if I'm still around then) :p
.
I do TRY to do things the best I can the first time around but I really don't have the finances for this give away project. I'm really hoping her
family is going to enjoy the GMC but there is no guarantee they will or that it won't sit unused for years. I want it to be safe and dependable of
course but at a price point I can afford. I know it will be a tough balancing act to accomplish. If I can save $150 on a compressor and have one that
still functions well, I'm all in.
Thank all of you for your input. You've swayed me to rebuilding the one I have.
Hal
--
1977 Royale 101348,

1977 Royale 101586, Diesel powered,

1975 Eleganza II, 101230

1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout
 
When you reassemble it remember to set the cog belt to time the two pistons 180 degrees from each other. When one piston is at the top the other is
all the way at the bottom.

I'm not sure what Jim supplies in that kit. I only did mine once many years ago
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
 
Hal,

About 20 years ago I had a Dana that had kind of eaten up the cylinder
walls. I made a tool to replace the cylinder sleeves. When I showed
it to John Clement, He wanted one. So I fixed him up with one. So, If you
have the complete compressor, it's possible to make it like new.
The biggest problem with the Dana compressor is the round felt filter in the
back. They disintegrate over time and get sucked into the
compressor with obvious bad results. John now has filters made with a
synthetic material that he says has cured the problem. I would
make sure the kit you get has the new filter or else get some from John. I
wish some one else would take up saving these old compressors.
John is getting quite old and no one else seems to be taking over his
business. The same problem we have with so many things.

Gary Kosier
77PB w/500Cad
Newark, Ohio

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Hal StClair"
Sent: Thursday, May 04, 2017 1:09 AM
To:
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Rebuild or replace

> Maybe the life time warranty is a little exagerated. If it could last 15
> years I'm sure my daughter would give me a pass (if I'm still around then)
> :p
> .
> I do TRY to do things the best I can the first time around but I really
> don't have the finances for this give away project. I'm really hoping her
> family is going to enjoy the GMC but there is no guarantee they will or
> that it won't sit unused for years. I want it to be safe and dependable
> of
> course but at a price point I can afford. I know it will be a tough
> balancing act to accomplish. If I can save $150 on a compressor and have
> one that
> still functions well, I'm all in.
> Thank all of you for your input. You've swayed me to rebuilding the one I
> have.
> Hal
> --
> 1977 Royale 101348,
>
> 1977 Royale 101586, Diesel powered,
>
> 1975 Eleganza II, 101230
>
> 1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
> Hal,
> About 20 years ago I had a Dana that had kind of eaten up the cylinder walls. I made a tool to replace the cylinder sleeves. When I showed it to
> John Clement, He wanted one. So I fixed him up with one. So, If you have the complete compressor, it's possible to make it like new.
> The biggest problem with the Dana compressor is the round felt filter in the back. They disintegrate over time and get sucked into the compressor
> with obvious bad results. John now has filters made with a synthetic material that he says has cured the problem. I would make sure the kit you
> get has the new filter or else get some from John. I wish some one else would take up saving these old compressors.
> John is getting quite old and no one else seems to be taking over his business. The same problem we have with so many things.
>
> Gary Kosier
> 77PB w/500Cad
> Newark, Ohio
Where do you get replacement sleeves?
--
73 23' Sequoia 4 Sale
73 23' CanyonLands Parts Unit 4 Sale
Upper Alabama
"Every day I become more convinced that I am the only person left on the planet that recognizes nonsense for what it is."
 
I got mine at Applied Technology which used to be known as Bearings Inc.
It's just a 1" ID oilite bronze sleeve IIRC.

Gary Kosier
77PB w/500Cad
Newark, Ohio

--------------------------------------------------
From: "A."
Sent: Thursday, May 04, 2017 12:12 PM
To:
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Rebuild or replace

>> Hal,
>> About 20 years ago I had a Dana that had kind of eaten up the cylinder
>> walls. I made a tool to replace the cylinder sleeves. When I showed it
>> to
>> John Clement, He wanted one. So I fixed him up with one. So, If you
>> have the complete compressor, it's possible to make it like new.
>> The biggest problem with the Dana compressor is the round felt filter in
>> the back. They disintegrate over time and get sucked into the compressor
>> with obvious bad results. John now has filters made with a synthetic
>> material that he says has cured the problem. I would make sure the kit
>> you
>> get has the new filter or else get some from John. I wish some one else
>> would take up saving these old compressors.
>> John is getting quite old and no one else seems to be taking over his
>> business. The same problem we have with so many things.
>>
>> Gary Kosier
>> 77PB w/500Cad
>> Newark, Ohio
> Where do you get replacement sleeves?
> --
> 73 23' Sequoia 4 Sale
> 73 23' CanyonLands Parts Unit 4 Sale
> Upper Alabama
> "Every day I become more convinced that I am the only person left on the
> planet that recognizes nonsense for what it is."
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
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