WARNING about changing anything that is involved with the transmission shift linkage. Or just age.

[Deb]

Thanks for the details, Bob. Just came back from WA and a Manny tranny installation. Drove for 2 days afterwards with lots of stops and starts (and
parking). Ran great till about an hour & half from home yesterday (hot day, mountains, lots of manual upshift and down shifting). Stopped for a
bathroom break, and just as I got into the bathroom I felt the coach moving. Ran to the front, VERY quickly scootched the dog off the seat and
slammed the brakes on. I had lost 'Park'. All other gears worked fine. As I ran through the shifter, I noticed that the indicator stopped a bit
farther to the left with each gear change - S was right on, L pretty close, D 1/3rd between D & N, N 1/2 way to R, R very close to P and P never
seemed to 'stick it'.

Called Manny, told him what happened, what i saw with the shift indicator on the column and he said that the linkage likely just needs to be adjusted.
Found the section in the maintenance manual regarding adjusting the linkage. Just seemed a bit brief. Thought I would check in here to see if there
was a bit more beef to the procedure. Seems not!
The shop never gave me any indication that there was a problem with the shift cable or any other components so I am hoping that it just needs
adjusting and not replacing. New tranny so I can't see it being anything internal. Fortunately I do have a working parking brake (though it doesn't
hold great - need to look at adjusting that too I guess).

Manny gave me go ahead to drive the rest of the way (everything but Park works great) and with the exception of rolling backwards, toward the highway
(a nice safe ditch would have stopped us first) it was a very nice trip overall. Met up with another GMCer in Bellingham (Hey Jeff), toured around the
Skagit region for a few days, (Sedro-Woolley has a decent little RV park), bought goat cheese in Bow and met the goats (I'm a vet tech and miss my
goats). Huge difference between the new transmission and the old. Old one worked fine - never any shifting, slippage issues (except when the fluid
was low - seal leaks were the reason for the new tranny while one was available), but the new one is smooth and just 'feels tighter' if that means
anything.

Now we are home, and the tranny has cooled down and I have had a good night's sleep, we will head out and crawl underneath and see what's what. She's
already chocked so I should be good to go.

Scary seeing your coach moving and you are NOT behind the wheel!! At least I was inside and could quickly run to the brakes. So that is my 'golden
lining' on this episode.
--
Deb McWade
Logan Lake, BC, CAN
"Li'l Sister"
'77 Kingsley, 403, EBL EFI;
TZE167V101404
It's Bigger on the Inside!

 

[jerry burt]

Deb, you can do that adjustment from above easier and safer than laying on your back.
--
Patti & Jerry Burt Fresno, CA.
73 Gmc 26' Canyon Lands
77 Palm Beach - Parts Coach
Members: FMCA - GMCMI - GMCWS
A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

 

[Deb]

I like the sounds of that Jerry! Thanks. I'll head in there tomorrow morning before the sun turns her into a sweat box! Or maybe crank the
generator on and run the ac if I need it.
--
Deb McWade
Logan Lake, BC, CAN
"Li'l Sister"
'77 Kingsley, 403, EBL EFI;
TZE167V101404
It's Bigger on the Inside!

 

[Matt Colie]

Maybe this is why I couldn't get it into park after the engine went forward about an inch.....

Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit

 

[Ken H.]

"forward about an inch..." -- was that a result of your front end
"incident"? How's the repair coming? Including the engine position.

Ken H.

On Wed, Aug 7, 2019 at 8:03 PM Matt Colie via Gmclist <

> Maybe this is why I couldn't get it into park after the engine went
> forward about an inch.....
>
> Matt
> --
> Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
> Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
> OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
> SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

 

[Matt Colie]

> "forward about an inch..." -- was that a result of your front end "incident"? How's the repair coming? Including the engine position.
>
> Ken H.

Ken,

Yes, it was. It is coming along. Good chance I will back on six tires at the end of the month.

I plan to write this up as a complete report when I come up for air.

My phone recorded a hit of something over 2G and it was almost all on was the front end of the left frame rail.
The trouble replacing the A-arm was just a symptom. While trying to torque the drive axle fasteners, I noticed that Mary could not get the
transmission into park. As good and helpful as Duane Webber was, I was eager to get home. So, when I found that Drive was now where Reverse should
be, we left.

Side note: Duane is the middle of Dixielander's territory, I got he and his an invitation to a rally (owned the coach a few years and never been).
If you meet him, thank him again for me. He is on the Black list, and if you are going that way, think about stopping.

The frame damage seems to be constrained to the front frame section. (Whooo!) I have this good friend that had a nice frame from a California coach
and he offered to bring that to me from West Virginia. So, after wasting a lot of time trying to find a frame shop that I trust (Harold's in Novi is
out.) I tracked off this way.

As to the frame damage, the two cross members that support the engine are bent as is that back pan that holds the transmission and maybe the front
engine mount. The left rail is shorted than the right by something less than an inch and the frame diagonals disagree by almost two inches. All
three engine mounts seem to have survived.

As said, more on this when I have more time.

Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit

 

[Deb]

Well doesn't appear to be the linkage. Talked to Manny again, after all of the adjustment exercises failed and disconnected the relay rod completely,
manually put the transmission lever in park, knocked out the chock, took my foot off the brake and back she rolled. Manny says sounds like either a
bracket or the pawl broke. Whatever it is, it's inside (naturally). So off to a local guy with a pit so we can drop the pan and see what's wrong.
Hopefully something I can fix relatively easily. New tranny. I am sad
--
Deb McWade
Logan Lake, BC, CAN
"Li'l Sister"
'77 Kingsley, 403, EBL EFI;
TZE167V101404
It's Bigger on the Inside!

 

[Rob]

That sucks! Hopefully you find the issue quickly...

I've got a bit of a leak in my Manny tranny we installed last fall - it might be the dipstick tube, I haven't had time to check...

Rob
Victoria, BC
76 Royale - Rear Twins/Dry Bath

>
> Well doesn't appear to be the linkage. Talked to Manny again, after all of the adjustment exercises failed and disconnected the relay rod completely,
> manually put the transmission lever in park, knocked out the chock, took my foot off the brake and back she rolled. Manny says sounds like either a
> bracket or the pawl broke. Whatever it is, it's inside (naturally). So off to a local guy with a pit so we can drop the pan and see what's wrong.
> Hopefully something I can fix relatively easily. New tranny. I am sad
> --
> Deb McWade
> Logan Lake, BC, CAN
> "Li'l Sister"
> '77 Kingsley, 403, EBL EFI;
> TZE167V101404
> It's Bigger on the Inside!

 

[Deb]

Yeah, well, crap happens. And a lot of it can't be anticipated. I don't think it's anything that isn't relatively straight forward. Would be easier
if I had somewhere I could get her up off the ground and check it out myself. I'm relegated to someone else's shop time.
We'll get it sorted. Just disappointing that I didn't even get a week in

Did discover one of the leaks I had in my original was at the temperature sensor. A PO (don't know which one) had installed one in the pan but
instead of just tapping a hole in the pan and using a threaded plug with thread-lock and washers/gaskets & nuts, he/she welded/braised it in. It
started leaking around the weld and couldn't be fixed. Discovered that at the installation of this one. So I have temporarily lost my tranny temp.
Ordered a new kit that matches the old and will probably get that done at the same time I have the pan dropped (kill 2 birds so to speak).
--
Deb McWade
Logan Lake, BC, CAN
"Li'l Sister"
'77 Kingsley, 403, EBL EFI;
TZE167V101404
It's Bigger on the Inside!

 

[Deb]

> Deb, you can do that adjustment from above easier and safer than laying on your back.

And unfortunately Jerry, my arms weren't quite long enough to get at it from the top. I could just touch the clamp screw, but that was about it.
So after lifting and blocking it up a bit, it was all from underneath with one hand.

Too bad. My PO had built up some steps to the cockpit to make it a bit easier to climb up there, and put access panels in the tops for storage. And
made those panels an exact fit for across the hatch opening. I had carpeted supports to lie on. If only.....
--
Deb McWade
Logan Lake, BC, CAN
"Li'l Sister"
'77 Kingsley, 403, EBL EFI;
TZE167V101404
It's Bigger on the Inside!

 

[jerry burt]

> > Deb, you can do that adjustment from above easier and safer than laying on your back.
>
> And unfortunately Jerry, my arms weren't quite long enough to get at it from the top. I could just touch the clamp screw, but that was about
> it. So after lifting and blocking it up a bit, it was all from underneath with one hand.
>
> Too bad. My PO had built up some steps to the cockpit to make it a bit easier to climb up there, and put access panels in the tops for storage.
> And made those panels an exact fit for across the hatch opening. I had carpeted supports to lie on. If only.....

Oh, well. (sigh) I tried. One of these days I might be able to actually have some info someone can use.

--
Patti & Jerry Burt Fresno, CA.
73 Gmc 26' Canyon Lands
77 Palm Beach - Parts Coach
Members: FMCA - GMCMI - GMCWS
A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

 

[Deb]

It was a wonderful plan, Jerry. I was just too short to put it into action. :x Another couple of inches in the arms and it would have been great!
--
Deb McWade
Logan Lake, BC, CAN
"Li'l Sister"
'77 Kingsley, 403, EBL EFI;
TZE167V101404
It's Bigger on the Inside!

 

[Jim Hupy]

Deb, not much of a job to take out the inner fenders. Then, you can sit on
a brake seat, reach in, and work right in front of you.
Jim Hupy

On Fri, Aug 9, 2019, 3:43 PM Jerry Burt via Gmclist
wrote:

> > > Deb, you can do that adjustment from above easier and safer than
> laying on your back.
> >
> > And unfortunately Jerry, my arms weren't quite long enough to get at it
> from the top. I could just touch the clamp screw, but that was about
> > it. So after lifting and blocking it up a bit, it was all from
> underneath with one hand.
> >
> > Too bad. My PO had built up some steps to the cockpit to make it a bit
> easier to climb up there, and put access panels in the tops for storage.
> > And made those panels an exact fit for across the hatch opening. I had
> carpeted supports to lie on. If only.....
>
> Oh, well. (sigh) I tried. One of these days I might be able to actually
> have some info someone can use.
>
> --
> Patti & Jerry Burt Fresno, CA.
> 73 Gmc 26' Canyon Lands
> 77 Palm Beach - Parts Coach
> Members: FMCA - GMCMI - GMCWS
> A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

 

[fipp]

yah, same problem(s) with my manny tranny too. slippage, rolling leaking etc. Haven't had time to get it looked at. Frustrating
--
Scott D. Fippinger
Aledo, Illinois
1976 Royale

 

[Deb]

Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to 'dis' Manny's tranny. Sometimes there is hidden fatigue in a metal component that you can't detect. I appear
to have had one. The tranny runs tight as a drum, smooth shifting, lovely to drive. There was a hidden weakness somewhere in the parking linkage
that happened to make it's way into mine. Fortunately, that parking linkage is right there looking at you when you drop the pan (according to the
maintenance manual). Don't have to remove the tranny itself. Should be pretty straight-forward to repair once I get it to a shop where we can either
put her up on a hoist or over a pit.

Got my parking brake adjusted and it's holding fine now, so I'm not overly concerned. We'll get it sorted shortly. Overall, still quite happy I
swapped out my old one for the Manny transmission. In the long run, I think I will be far better off than trying to keep up with the leaks in the old
one. And based on what I found driving, my old one was starting to get kind of tired.
--
Deb McWade
Logan Lake, BC, CAN
"Li'l Sister"
'77 Kingsley, 403, EBL EFI;
TZE167V101404
It's Bigger on the Inside!

 

[Deb]

> Deb, not much of a job to take out the inner fenders. Then, you can sit on
> a brake seat, reach in, and work right in front of you.
> Jim Hupy

Thanks Jim. I will keep that in mind next time I have to get in there. I keep forgetting about those inner fenders. I think that's a good way of
accessing the starter too? (on the other side?) I think I remember reading that somewhere around here.
--
Deb McWade
Logan Lake, BC, CAN
"Li'l Sister"
'77 Kingsley, 403, EBL EFI;
TZE167V101404
It's Bigger on the Inside!