Servant of Master?

C

charless fowlkes

New member
Mar 21, 1999
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I have been an enthusiastic admirer of the GMC motorhome since the
beginning. Recently I have been looking at buying a GMC coach and have
been reading this interesting mailing list, Sandy's wonderful archives,
etc.

1) I just returned from a 10-day trip in southern Utah in our 1979 Chevy,
home-made camper van. It has 200K miles on the chassis and 100K on the
engine. It has been from Canada to Mexico and it pulls my 22 foot sailboat
over the Continental divide to Puget Sound every summer. I put gas in it
and go; 12,000 miles/year.

2) A neighbor with a GMC Canyonland has spent the last 6 months rebuilding
his coach. He missed going to Arizona this winter. He was working on his
GMC while I was in the "real" Canyonland.

I sleep lying down and eat sitting down so the small space available in my
Chevy van is not always noticed. It would be a luxury to stand up to pull
on my pants.

I enjoy fixing stuff and "messing about", but I also want an RV that will
TAKE ME PLACES. I don't want to travel with a cell phone with Cinnibar
punched into the speed dial.

Charless Fowlkes
Bozeman, MT
 
- -----Original Message-----
From: Charless Fowlkes
To: gmcmotorhome
Date: March 29, 1999 11:23 AM
Subject: GMC: Servant of Master?

>I enjoy fixing stuff and "messing about", but I also want an RV that will
>TAKE ME PLACES. I don't want to travel with a cell phone with Cinnibar
>punched into the speed dial.
>
>
>Charless Fowlkes
>Bozeman, MT
>
Charless, as a long time GMC owner (I bought my 78 model when I found out in
1982 that they no longer made them) I am sometimes amazed at the horror
stories that I read about on this GMCnet. In my opinion, properly
maintained GMCs are the most reliable motorhomes ever produced. They are
very well designed, and the engine and transmission are very strong. The
front wheel bearings are heavily loaded, and poor maintenance can lead to
premature failure. The rear suspension is unique to this coach, and
accounts for its low profile and excellent ride. However, it is not nearly
as tough as a solid dual axle, and is easily knocked out of alignment from
accidental contact with curbs. If you keep these things in mind, you will
be pleased with this excellent coach.

The problem with a used 20+ year old GMC is that you don't always know the
maintenance history. In that regard, a well documented history from the
owner can save you a lot of time, money and effort. If you are good with
your hands and have the time, restoring a GMC, might be the way for you to
go. Some real bargains (less than $10,000) can be found. But be prepared
to add another $5,000 to 10,000 to get it into good reliable shape. This
GMCnet can be a real help in a project like that.

We look forward to you joining the ranks GMC owners.

Scott Shean
78 Royale
Baton Rouge, LA
 
Charless,
All said is fine...But I think of My GMC as a
luxury coach. It will take some time to fix
it up...But when its done it will be worth
while...I think its time well spent! And Money!
Its the only MH around that retains its value.
It Looks COOL and is a work of art. They were
way ahead of there time in Pontiac when the
designers thought this up. I think I'll spend
about two more years rebuilding it, And I got
it for $740.00
Rob Teed ( Standing up ) 74 Painted Desert

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-gmcmotorhome
> [mailto:owner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf Of Charless
> Fowlkes
> Sent: Monday, March 29, 1999 11:06 AM
> To: gmcmotorhome
> Subject: GMC: Servant of Master?
>
>
> I have been an enthusiastic admirer of the GMC motorhome since the
> beginning. Recently I have been looking at buying a GMC coach and have
> been reading this interesting mailing list, Sandy's wonderful archives,
> etc.
>
> 1) I just returned from a 10-day trip in southern Utah in our 1979 Chevy,
> home-made camper van. It has 200K miles on the chassis and 100K on the
> engine. It has been from Canada to Mexico and it pulls my 22
> foot sailboat
> over the Continental divide to Puget Sound every summer. I put gas in it
> and go; 12,000 miles/year.
>
> 2) A neighbor with a GMC Canyonland has spent the last 6 months
> rebuilding
> his coach. He missed going to Arizona this winter. He was working on his
> GMC while I was in the "real" Canyonland.
>
> I sleep lying down and eat sitting down so the small space available in my
> Chevy van is not always noticed. It would be a luxury to stand up to pull
> on my pants.
>
> I enjoy fixing stuff and "messing about", but I also want an RV that will
> TAKE ME PLACES. I don't want to travel with a cell phone with Cinnibar
> punched into the speed dial.
>
>
> Charless Fowlkes
> Bozeman, MT
>
>
 
>
>1) I just returned from a 10-day trip in southern Utah in our 1979 Chevy,
>home-made camper van. It has 200K miles on the chassis and 100K on the
>engine. It has been from Canada to Mexico and it pulls my 22 foot sailboat
>over the Continental divide to Puget Sound every summer. I put gas in it
>and go; 12,000 miles/year.

I thought I'd jump in here to offer my 2 cents worth.

I have about 230k on my coach now and about 100 on the second engine.
A lot of my 'worlk' on the GMC is adding toys. It makes a great platform for
toys of all kinds :-)

I use the coach mostly for work at the moment, so it's important to just put
gas in and keep going.

I am currently fighting with second alternator nut coming loose on this
trip, but it may be because of a mod (toy) rather than the GMC design.

Because you might have more items in a GMC than in your current recreational
transportation you will have more maintanance but also more creature
comforts so it all depends how much value you put on such creature comforts.

I used to have a VW bus that I converted to a camper. It was great... but I
wouldn't want to back to it :-)

I've only put about 1500 miles on this trip sofar, but before the end of May
I expect to go home and back out to California and then probably accross to
Tx before getting home again. Home is in BC while I'm currently in San
Diego.

The GMC, aside from being fun and a classic, is the right size.... for me
anyways. I can go downtown in it and travel most roads and to hit the pillow
all I have to do is stop in a reasonably level place and level a few inches
here and there without fuss.

Can you tell that I like my GMC ? :-)

Perhaps it is the master... just like any other fun stuff [g]

Heinz
'76 Transmode
www.bytedesigns.com/gmc
 
>>
>> > I enjoy fixing stuff and "messing about", but I also want an RV that
>will
>> > TAKE ME PLACES. I don't want to travel with a cell phone with
Cinnibar
>> > punched into the speed dial.
>> >
>
>IF YOU CAN'T STAND THE HEAT, STAY OUT OF THE KITCHEN :>)
>
>

What heat? just the odd warm spell once in a while :-)

Heinz
 
Just so everyone knows, The quote below in not mine.
Rob Teed 74 Painted Desert

Said Qoute:
> In a message dated 3/29/99 9:27:40 PM Central Standard Time,

>
> >
> > > I enjoy fixing stuff and "messing about", but I also want an RV that
> will
> > > TAKE ME PLACES. I don't want to travel with a cell phone
> with Cinnibar
> > > punched into the speed dial.
> > >
>
>
 
Gene:

While at Myrtle Beach, there was a lot of talk about the TBI system. I
understand that a number of owners who installed the TBI having adjustment
controls inside the coach have experienced some serious engine problems (e.
g. burned pistons, etc.) due to lean mixture settings. I talked to a couple
individuals who were either in the process of or have removed the TBI they
had installed.

On the other hand, a Turbo City dealer had a later generation TBI system
there on display.

My recommendation is to thoroughly check out the system you plan to install
before installation and satisfy yourself that it is for you. Perhaps talk
to some of those who have reservations/bad experiences with TBI.

Paul Bartz

From: JDDP32B [mailto:JDDP32B]
Sent: Thursday, April 01, 1999 7:00 PM
Subject: Re: GMC: Servant of Master?

I am anxious to put on my TBI injector and upgrade the rear
 
You really like the rig!
Dick 75 PB in Atlanta

>-- [ From: chief evaluator * EMC.Ver #2.5.3 ] --
> Expanded recipient data:
> To: HLBF (Unlisted Name) \ America On-Line: (hlbf)
>
>I think there is a good point here. With a 20 + year old rig, I think
>something will go wrong all the time. I think mine is in great shape
>but i just had the master cylinder. go bad on this trip. when I looked
>at the rear brakes, I saw a wheel cylinder leaking a little which says
>time for brakes and cylinder. I this this is going on and on. I think
>there will always be something to fix or improve. This said, I am
>anxious to put on my TBI injector and upgrade the rear. I cannot
>determine if I am just dumb or I really like this rig.
>
>Gene
>-------- REPLY, Original message follows --------
>
>Date: Tuesday, 30-Mar-99 09:07 PM
>
>From: HLBF (Unlisted Name) \ America On-Line: (hlbf)
>To: gmclist \ Internet: (gmcmotorhome
>.org)
>
>Subject: Re: GMC: Servant of Master?
>
>In a message dated 3/29/99 9:27:40 PM Central Standard Time,

>
>>
>> > I enjoy fixing stuff and "messing about", but I also want an RV
>that
>will
>> > TAKE ME PLACES. I don't want to travel with a cell phone with
>Cinnibar
>> > punched into the speed dial.
>> >
>
>IF YOU CAN'T STAND THE HEAT, STAY OUT OF THE KITCHEN :>)
>
>
>-------- REPLY, End of original message --------
>
>
>
 
Feel the same. Just finished with a TBI and now installed a Jacobs
Ignition. So much to do, so little time. but what the heck, I love it.
Al

> -- [ From: chief evaluator * EMC.Ver #2.5.3 ] --
> Expanded recipient data:
> To: HLBF (Unlisted Name) \ America On-Line: (hlbf)
>
> I think there is a good point here. With a 20 + year old rig, I think
> something will go wrong all the time. I think mine is in great shape
> but i just had the master cylinder. go bad on this trip. when I looked
> at the rear brakes, I saw a wheel cylinder leaking a little which says
> time for brakes and cylinder. I this this is going on and on. I think
> there will always be something to fix or improve. This said, I am
> anxious to put on my TBI injector and upgrade the rear. I cannot
> determine if I am just dumb or I really like this rig.
>
> Gene
> -------- REPLY, Original message follows --------
>
> Date: Tuesday, 30-Mar-99 09:07 PM
>
> From: HLBF (Unlisted Name) \ America On-Line: (hlbf)
> To: gmclist \ Internet: (gmcmotorhome
> .org)
>
> Subject: Re: GMC: Servant of Master?
>
> In a message dated 3/29/99 9:27:40 PM Central Standard Time,

>
> >
> > > I enjoy fixing stuff and "messing about", but I also want an RV
> that
> will
> > > TAKE ME PLACES. I don't want to travel with a cell phone with
> Cinnibar
> > > punched into the speed dial.
> > >
>
> IF YOU CAN'T STAND THE HEAT, STAY OUT OF THE KITCHEN :>)
>
> -------- REPLY, End of original message --------
 
The TBI I installed is the Howell system. It uses a GMC computer with their
own PROM. It does not have any adjustment within the coach. Don't know if it
is the same as the one Paul is talking about. Mine runs fine and have had no
problems.
Al

> Gene:
>
> While at Myrtle Beach, there was a lot of talk about the TBI system. I
> understand that a number of owners who installed the TBI having adjustment
> controls inside the coach have experienced some serious engine problems (e.
> g. burned pistons, etc.) due to lean mixture settings. I talked to a couple
> individuals who were either in the process of or have removed the TBI they
> had installed.
>
> On the other hand, a Turbo City dealer had a later generation TBI system
> there on display.
>
> My recommendation is to thoroughly check out the system you plan to install
> before installation and satisfy yourself that it is for you. Perhaps talk
> to some of those who have reservations/bad experiences with TBI.
>
> Paul Bartz
>
> From: JDDP32B [mailto:JDDP32B]
> Sent: Thursday, April 01, 1999 7:00 PM
> Subject: Re: GMC: Servant of Master?
>
> I am anxious to put on my TBI injector and upgrade the rear
 
Manny
Glad to hear. I am leaving next week for casa de fruta and am going to check
both the howell and the jacobs ignition i just put in. Can you tell me what kind
of synthetic you put in (brand and viscosity).
Al

> their
> own PROM. It does not have any adjustment within the coach. Don't know if
> it
> is the same as the one Paul is talking about. Mine runs fine and have had no
> problems.>>
>
> Mine is the Howell system also. Had two outings so far, one to Yosemite
> National park and the other to San Felipe, Baja. Engine ran fine and had no
> problems. On the San Felipe trip, had the chance to check mileage. Drove 478
> miles with 43.2 gallons. Also on that trip, (1500 miles) engine burned a
> little over 1 quart of synthetic oil.
>
> Manny 73 Custom/ex-Glacier
 
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