Re: Anyone have or have experience with 73-78 GMC motorhomes?
[Re: A12]
#3233130
05/16/24 10:53 AM
05/16/24 10:53 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,540 N.E. OHIO, USA
A12
OP
Too Many Posts
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OP
Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,540
N.E. OHIO, USA
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Re: Anyone have or have experience with 73-78 GMC motorhomes?
[Re: A12]
#3233148
05/16/24 12:07 PM
05/16/24 12:07 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,907 S.E. Michigan
ZIPPY
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,907
S.E. Michigan
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Yep. Dad had one, I wrenched on it a little bit.
My buddy Ken rebuilt the Quadrajet for us, I bolted on some Doug Thorley headers purchased for a great price from DirectSubjection right here on Moparts, a million years ago.
I mean, driveline wise, it's just a big '70s GM product.....it has all the goodness and the issues a 455 powered Olds Toronado has.
The intake manifold has the carburetor lower than the intake runners, which isn't the best for cold drivability but it works in spite of itself. The HEI is bulletproof within the parameters of a stock 455. Most of the motorhome specific stuff, I never got involved with. the vintage Onan generator, the propane fridge and so on were out of my wheelhouse.
They have air suspension....I think Dad's had oddball 16.5" wheels that he didn't like finding tires for.
Exhaust manifolds love to crack, just like Dodge 440 and GM 454 motorhomes, and for some of the same reasons (3 hours hard use with heavy throttle and too quick of a shutdown, thermal shock, do it enough times and they crack). Always idle for a few minutes after a hard run to let the manifolds cool off a little.
One inherent problem is, since the body can't rust, alot of folks assume the whole thing can't rust, and as a result they're driving around with a rusted frame. In the 1990s when Dad had his, you could purchase a brand new frame! What a project to replace that, but lots of folks bought them. I don't believe GM was the source.
They have a cult following, boards like Moparts, and Dad belonged to several email lists back in the day. Made a few friends from them, travelling out of state as well.
Dad loved it for quite a few years but when Mom grew tired of travelling in it, it sat, and they got rid of it.
Been cleaning out the estate, and I came across an extra exhaust manifold for it recently which I'd donate to a good cause.
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Re: Anyone have or have experience with 73-78 GMC motorhomes?
[Re: A12]
#3233314
05/17/24 11:43 AM
05/17/24 11:43 AM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,591 north of coder
moparx
"Butt Crack Bob"
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"Butt Crack Bob"
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,591
north of coder
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if it's a good deal, maybe buy it, try it, then maybe flip it ? how about a traveco 32 footer ? just talked to a buddy about this, and that's what he said might be a good idea. i don't know beans about these things. just tossing something out there to ponder.
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Re: Anyone have or have experience with 73-78 GMC motorhomes?
[Re: 340Cuda]
#3233373
05/17/24 04:03 PM
05/17/24 04:03 PM
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Joined: May 2019
Posts: 6,318 nowhere
Sniper
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master
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Posts: 6,318
nowhere
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Wow, did he have any special techniques?
Yeah, don't drive where you'll get stuck.
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Re: Anyone have or have experience with 73-78 GMC motorhomes?
[Re: Sniper]
#3233423
05/17/24 08:33 PM
05/17/24 08:33 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,540 N.E. OHIO, USA
A12
OP
Too Many Posts
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OP
Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,540
N.E. OHIO, USA
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Wow, did he have any special techniques?
Yeah, don't drive where you'll get stuck. In a way that's part of it but also not parking in a spot where you will get stuck if it rains before you go to leave. Sometimes people would ask where he parked and it would be sometimes a good distance away motorhomes, trucks, or what seemed to be the most convenient to the event start and activity area. And then as noted knowing the best way out to not get stuck, even if you need to move it to a safe area and come back to finish up or wait for results. Like parking at the Nat's or Carlisle when there's a chance of rain sometime later so you find a place you have a better chance of NOT getting stuck.
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Re: Anyone have or have experience with 73-78 GMC motorhomes?
[Re: Cab_Burge]
#3233479
05/18/24 08:17 AM
05/18/24 08:17 AM
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,788 Holland MI Ottawa
2boltmain
master
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master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,788
Holland MI Ottawa
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I watched a video years ago on the uniqueness of the GMC motorhome. It was advantageous that it was front wheel drive with that Toronado drivetrain. The FWD configuration made it so there was a better layout with more space in the living area. Not having to accommodate a transmission- driveshaft/driveshafts and a rear end made the interior more spacious and practical.
Keep old mopars alive.
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Re: Anyone have or have experience with 73-78 GMC motorhomes?
[Re: 2boltmain]
#3233482
05/18/24 08:53 AM
05/18/24 08:53 AM
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Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 1,242 Nor here, Nor there
Dart 500
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 1,242
Nor here, Nor there
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I watched a video years ago on the uniqueness of the GMC motorhome. It was advantageous that it was front wheel drive with that Toronado drivetrain. The FWD configuration made it so there was a better layout with more space in the living area. Not having to accommodate a transmission- driveshaft/driveshafts and a rear end made the interior more spacious and practical. Just make sure you can still get any unique parts. Was just reading about the "Coachmen Clarion" which was also a FWD contraption which used Ford 4X4 stuff of the era and a VERY unique CV axle arrangement that is no longer made and thousands to have custom made. Even the front axle is weird, dana 50 with 44 guts or some nonsense.
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