Drill Report post Posted September 18, 2012 I'm new to motor homes. Haven't even bought one yet. Looking at an ad for a 1987 Empress Triple E that has a GM 6.2 diesel engine with an Allison tranny. Any one have any advice one way or the other. In advance thank you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfe10 Report post Posted September 18, 2012 Drill, Welcome to the FMCA Forum. The Chevy 6.2 and 6.5 diesel were some of the least well respected diesel on the market-- do not compare with Cummins or Caterpillar engines. And it would not have come from the factory with an Allison transmission-- it would have come with a Chevy/GM transmission. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hermanmullins Report post Posted September 18, 2012 Drill, All I can remember about the GM diesel were the problems they had when they first arrived on the market. A friend of mine was the service manager for a Oldsmobile dealer and had the engine replaced twice on his demo. I still don't have good feelings about those engines. Brett, I know that it hasn't been that far back that GM/Workhorse began to put the Allison Transmission in units. Was that about the same time they began to put them in their 3500 (1 Ton) trucks? Do you recall about what year that was? Herman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dickandlois Report post Posted September 18, 2012 Herman, My 2001- 8.1- 2500 has a GM 80 series transmission. Thinking that the Allison was added around 02/03 time period. The bottom half of the early GM Diesels did not hold up well with the increased compression needed for the engine. Think they tried to use the same block that they used for the gas units. Rich. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
desertdeals69 Report post Posted September 18, 2012 In the mid 80's they were sold in Chevy and GMC pickups and was touted as a good hauler for 5th wheels. Customers were told that since it was a diesel it could pull anything. WRONG!! We installed lots of turbos which help quite abit but there were other problems such as glow plugs that failed, fuel filter problems, etc. That engine made us a lot of money! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hermanmullins Report post Posted September 18, 2012 dd69, It could pull anything as long as it was attached to your wallet. Herman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
desertdeals69 Report post Posted September 18, 2012 you got that right! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drill Report post Posted September 19, 2012 I agree that Cat or Cummins were better engines, but there way out of my price range. What do you guys think of the GMC motorhomes with the Oldsmobile 455 front wheel drive set up? I see some 26ft advertised in my price range. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
desertdeals69 Report post Posted September 19, 2012 There are a number of 90's vintage diesel pushers in the $10k-12k price range with Cummins and Cat. Check Craigs list and RVT.com. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
desertdeals69 Report post Posted September 19, 2012 The GM front wheel drive motorhomes has some problems. The final drive ratio is high, some where around 3.50, needs to be lower such as 4.11-4.30. Ring and pinion is not possible because of physical limitations. The GMC also used a special built 6 kw Onan which had quite a few problems. We were an Onan dealer in the 80's and we serviced quite a few of them. Another problem area was the rear air bags. They would blow for no apparent reason. I was at the FMCA convention back in the 70's at Souix Falls a bag blew, after being parked for several days, breaking the fiberglass fender skirt. It is recomended to carry at least 2 spare bags at all times. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
