In Reno Nevada - and in Big Trouble. Need Help!

[JK]

Hey Andy

We're in the middle of the very same thing with our 1985PT36..
(Detroit)..It was exactly the same thing you described and it was
indeed cracked heads but before we could get it shut down-the engine
overheated so badly it cracked the block and ruined the crank. The
going rate on rebuilt engines for us has been around 20K..(this is
our second experience with one). Also since yours is a forward
control the labor might be more if you don't have a swing radiator.

We're in Milpitas-just south of San Francisco right now and the guys
here at Bay City Diesel are just finishing up the rebuild-they're
great and have really done a good job for us. We'll talk to them
tomorrow about the possibility of someone in the area you're in who
might give you a better rate. They do a lot of the rebuilds for the
shops in the area and they might know someone.

Hope we can find something out and we sure know how bad you feel-
it's been a month in a motel and has totally wrecked our finances.
However, on the practice run today that engine sure sounded
fantastic and these guys know their stuff!!

Judy K
PT36
Babe the Blue Ox

WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Andy Coleman"
wrote:
>
> I'm scared to hear that Bob.
>
> Well, I'm hoping that my problem is a bad head gasket and not a
> broken block. I'll know more tomorrow.
>
> Andy
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Bob Lawrence"
> wrote:
> >
> > Sorry to hear of your problems...sorry I can't help on a
location
> > either.
> > Just wanted to let you know, the previous owner of my bird fried
> the
> > engine.
> > He ended up paying 15 grand for the engine and 5k labor. This
was 4
> > years ago...seems the price is in the ballpark.
> > Sorry again about your problem
> > Bob Lawrence
> > 84 PT36 (with a 6v92 Detroit)
> >
> >
> > > Had it towed to Sierra Freightliner in nearby Sparks last
night.
> > They
> > > are a certified CAT facility They are currently pressure
> checking
> > the
> > > 3208 to determine if just the head gasket blew, or if my
engine
> is
> > > toast.
> > >
> > > They quoted me $8,300 labor to install a new engine.
Including
> the
> > > engine, the mechanic estimated around $20K for everything!!!
I
> > only
> > > paid $27K for the coach!
> > >
> > > Also, can anybody let me know what the average cost of a new
or
> re-
> > > built 3208 is and how many labor hours it usually takes? I
> simply
> > > can't afford 20K!
> > >
> > > Oh what a fun 48 hours I'm having!
> > >
> > > Thanks everyone - I appreciate any advice you might be able to
> > offer.
> > >
> > > Andy Coleman
> > > 83 FC-35, 250 HP 3208
> > > Spring Lake Hts., NJ
> > >
> >
>