When I changed to aluminum intake, the salesman said not to use the
valley cover that the old cast-iron intake sits on. Well, I did what
he said but wonder if I made the right move. Same salesman talked me
out of blocking the exhaust crossover ports because I would not need
them for the TBI setup.
Any comments on this are appreciated
Hermann
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 27 Jun 1998 10:15:47 -0500
From: "Russ Bethel"
Subject: Re: new guy's questions
My opinion on your questions.
1. I think Mobil 1 is the oil I would use if my engine was not an oil
user. I have not determined yet if mine is or not. I have not changed to
Mobil 1 yet. I have only made 1 trip (over 500 miles) and it used an
average of 1 quart per fill up. That concerns me some but it seemed to get
better towards the end of the trip and I was running 70 mph and pulling a
4000 lb. trailer. I will wait to see what happens on a longer trip coming
up this month without the trailer. As far as changing the transmission
fluid I have been told to drain the pan, change the filter, put in 6 to 8
quarts of new fluid, open the line coming from the cooler, have a helper
start the engine and pump out 2 quarts of fluid and stop the engine. add 2
quarts of new fluid and repeat the process until you get clean new fluid out
of the line. Then you service the fluid level to the proper amount by
either removing the excess or adding to bring the level up to the full mark
(temperature compensation should be considered). I have not gone the
synthetic route in the transmission as the cost is very high. I think a
good cooler and increasing the cooler line size will take care of my
problems. A friend of mine who owns a transmission shop recommends a shift
kit and an additive to the fluid. I have bought both but I am not sure if I
will put in the shift kit yet. I do plan to use the additive as the seals
probably could use all the help they can get.
2. I have not.
3. I have not changed my lug studs. My lug nuts (Alcoa nuts) engage all
but the last 1/2 thread on the studs. I don't feel that it is necessary to
get the other 1/2 thread as it is tapered for starting the nut. I don't
know what Alcoa says about it but I feel that they would have had a warning
on the box If the studs needed to be changed.
4. I have the Doug Thorley headers and free flowing mufflers. They are
not Flow Masters and are quiet. (not like stock but well within acceptable
limits). I can't remember the brand name but the fellow that sold them to
me does a lot to GMC motorhome work. He is located in Castell, Texas. His
name is Dale and his phone number is 915 247-3616.
5. I moved from Kansas City area to San Antonio area to get away from
cold weather. I don't know the answer to the question on holding tank
protection in the winter.
6. Dale in Castell, Texas is very good but that is not within the 3 hour
limit. Be VERY CAREFUL in picking someone to work on the front wheel
bearings. They are very critical and must measure up to some very strict
specifications if you don't want to have problems later.
7. I haven't been in Branson for a number of years (15 years I think) and
have been thinking of visiting next summer. Thank you for the offer of the
GMC discount. I will be sure to remember it.
I hope you enjoy your GMC as much as I am enjoying mine. There is a lot of
help out here on questions like these and there are a lot of people
supporting the GMC with parts and service.
Russ Bethel
rbethel
1976 Glenbrook
valley cover that the old cast-iron intake sits on. Well, I did what
he said but wonder if I made the right move. Same salesman talked me
out of blocking the exhaust crossover ports because I would not need
them for the TBI setup.
Any comments on this are appreciated
Hermann
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 27 Jun 1998 10:15:47 -0500
From: "Russ Bethel"
Subject: Re: new guy's questions
My opinion on your questions.
1. I think Mobil 1 is the oil I would use if my engine was not an oil
user. I have not determined yet if mine is or not. I have not changed to
Mobil 1 yet. I have only made 1 trip (over 500 miles) and it used an
average of 1 quart per fill up. That concerns me some but it seemed to get
better towards the end of the trip and I was running 70 mph and pulling a
4000 lb. trailer. I will wait to see what happens on a longer trip coming
up this month without the trailer. As far as changing the transmission
fluid I have been told to drain the pan, change the filter, put in 6 to 8
quarts of new fluid, open the line coming from the cooler, have a helper
start the engine and pump out 2 quarts of fluid and stop the engine. add 2
quarts of new fluid and repeat the process until you get clean new fluid out
of the line. Then you service the fluid level to the proper amount by
either removing the excess or adding to bring the level up to the full mark
(temperature compensation should be considered). I have not gone the
synthetic route in the transmission as the cost is very high. I think a
good cooler and increasing the cooler line size will take care of my
problems. A friend of mine who owns a transmission shop recommends a shift
kit and an additive to the fluid. I have bought both but I am not sure if I
will put in the shift kit yet. I do plan to use the additive as the seals
probably could use all the help they can get.
2. I have not.
3. I have not changed my lug studs. My lug nuts (Alcoa nuts) engage all
but the last 1/2 thread on the studs. I don't feel that it is necessary to
get the other 1/2 thread as it is tapered for starting the nut. I don't
know what Alcoa says about it but I feel that they would have had a warning
on the box If the studs needed to be changed.
4. I have the Doug Thorley headers and free flowing mufflers. They are
not Flow Masters and are quiet. (not like stock but well within acceptable
limits). I can't remember the brand name but the fellow that sold them to
me does a lot to GMC motorhome work. He is located in Castell, Texas. His
name is Dale and his phone number is 915 247-3616.
5. I moved from Kansas City area to San Antonio area to get away from
cold weather. I don't know the answer to the question on holding tank
protection in the winter.
6. Dale in Castell, Texas is very good but that is not within the 3 hour
limit. Be VERY CAREFUL in picking someone to work on the front wheel
bearings. They are very critical and must measure up to some very strict
specifications if you don't want to have problems later.
7. I haven't been in Branson for a number of years (15 years I think) and
have been thinking of visiting next summer. Thank you for the offer of the
GMC discount. I will be sure to remember it.
I hope you enjoy your GMC as much as I am enjoying mine. There is a lot of
help out here on questions like these and there are a lot of people
supporting the GMC with parts and service.
Russ Bethel
rbethel
1976 Glenbrook
