Update on the Update on 78 w/ bad 3208

[Mr. Wolf]

Possibly a good name considering that it might be the third engine in
there!

Alright, the engine is in. To me it seems to run out fine, but the
mechanic seems to think it still has some noises, possibly a stuck
injector. Sounds like every other diesel I've heard, but I'm not the
professional. Have to run some cleaner through it and bleed the lines
again.

If I didn't mention it earlier, they switched mechanics on me for the
install. The first one pulled it out, then they brought on a different
guy just to put it in. While I had a bit of trepidation at first, he
turned out to be a damned fine mechanic. In installing, they had to
remove the valve cover because the crankcase breather wouldn't fit. He
noted that it hardly appeared used. the oil also was new. There wasn't
any dirt or grime on the engine either, and on top of that there were
paper stickers from the reman. that couldn't have stayed where they
were if this engine had ever been put in a vehicle. Is it possible I
snagged up a fresh reman? I can dream can't I?

So the seems engine runs fine, although I haven't ran it much. I need
to pick up a few things before I'll run it for a long time. The
original mechanic was put back on it after it was installed, although
there wasn't much left to do other then pump up the fuel, bleed the
air, and fire it up. It needs radiator fluid, exhaust gaskets (the
donut ones between the header and the rest of the exhaust which are
special order), power steering fluid, and that's about it. I might
change out some of the fuel line as they seemed to be a little worse
for wear, but I'm pretty happy thus far.

As for the place of business that installed it, it was more the owner
jerking my chain then the mechanics, although I was caught up in an
ongoing struggle that seems to be part of the relationship they have.
The place is Mission Trails in San Antonio. Don, the owner, put my bus
on the back burner until I put the squeeze on him. I'd suggest if
anyone goes to this place for work, unless you have a LOT of time to
wait, make sure you tell them it needs to be done ASAP. The price
remains the same, but you'll be done in a timely manner. I made the
mistake of saying no big hurry, and I guess he thought that meant that
everyone that came in could go ahead of me. They get a lot of work
here, partly because the price is very good ($65 bucks an hour), and
partly because of the mechanic that just makes things happen.

Carl, the first and permanent mechanic does a decent job if being a
little rough around the edges. He's a great guy, will do whatever is
required to get your job done, and will talk your ear off if you let
him. I spent a lot of time around the shop helping him from time to
time. (I was unemployed while the bus was being fixed, I had nothing
else to do!) I watched him go beyond what needed to be done, to the
point of manufacturing replacement parts he needed. He's an
interesting character indeed!

So, while I can't say my experience was great, it was satisfactory.
Carl has even gone so far as to offer his help on the side to finish
putting in the odds and ends that need to be finished...although I can
get most of that myself I think. Draining the temporary water out of
the radiator and putting in exhaust donuts is easy. Honestly, had I
known how simple it was to get the engine out and in I may have done
it myself. It took around 25 hours total. To those who have said it
was a bear of a job, and that was pretty much everyone I talked to, I
don't believe any of them had actually done it. More on all that later!


Joshua Long
78FC32
San Antonio, TX


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gardner Yeaw"
wrote:
>
> Joshua,
> I think you should name it 'EngineEater'
>
> Gardner
> 78FC33 (150k on original engine)