Update On My Status In Reno....

[Jack & Donna Smith]

I am not sure this is relivent out in this jungle filled with CATS.
I had to replace a cracked cylinder head on the Ford 391 when our 73
Bird quit in Grants Pass, OR.
We found a heavy duty shop that said they could do the job. In
addition to pulling the cracked head, I had them pull & Check the
other head, just in case.. All work was done through the open
doghouse. Engine stayed put.. We left in the Toad during the day, but
slept in the Bird each night at the shop, with a 20A hookup.
All work was done nicely, and no lasting damage, except for a near
$2,000 ding to the trusty Visa Card..
Jack & Donna Smith
1973FC31 (for sale)
SoCal


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Howard O. Truitt"
wrote:
>
> Andy,
> I have been bitten before. I took my coach to a shop in Albany Ga.
for a repair I did not want to do. I expected a 200.00 to 250.00
dollar bill. I got socked with a 950.00 dollar bill. They showed
parts of 650.00 and labor of 300.00.
> After the fact I checked the cost of the parts 145.00 dollars and if
I had really tried I couild have handled the replacement. Needless to
say I have never darkened there door again.
> I wish the best of luck to you.
> Howard Truitt, Camilla, Ga., 86 PT40
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Andy Coleman
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2007 12:43 PM
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Update On My Status In Reno....
>
>
> Hello Howard,
>
> Thank you for the e-mail.
>
> There are 3 certified cat shops in Reno and surrounding Sparks. I
> contacted all 3. One refused to work on a bus as old as mine. One
> was not familiar with buses, but would give it a try... The third one
> worked on RVs and Bluebird School Buses all the time. I went with the
> third.
>
> I hope they did not pull the motor from my FC to pad my bill. I don't
> think they have much experience with Wanderlodges, of course. The
> mechanic also explained that he was having trouble removing rusted
> exhaust bolts to get to the head. Another reason - says he - to
> remove the engine.
>
> They seem reputable. I hope I don't wind up in the aligators a _ _!
>
> Andy
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Howard O. Truitt"
> wrote:
> >
> > The best reason I can think of for pulling the engine is to build
> labor charges.
> > I know hind sight is 20/20 but pulling engines and guarantees are
> questions that should be asked up front. Making sure that the shop is
> Cat or Detroit certified is another question I would have. Making
> quick decisions can cost. I would have the coach pulled to a safe
> storage area and take time to make calls, consult the forum, check for
> certified shops, negoiate labor rates. In most cases you will be down
> several days a couple more days down could save a lot of headaches and
> money. I am reminded of the old saying " when you are in the swamp and
> up to your a** in alligators it is hard to remember the reason you are
> there is to drain the swamp."
> > JMHO.
> > Howard T., Sowega, 86 PT40
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Scott Forman
> > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> > Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2007 2:01 PM
> > Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Update On My Status In Reno....
> >
> >
> > I dropped a valve in my 82 FC a couple years back, the head was
> > removed, the engine wasn't.
> >
> > Scott Forman
> > 86 PT38
> > Memphis
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "davidkerryedwards"
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > Andy:
> > > That news is better than a problem with a block. Others have
given
> > good advice. I'm just
> > > curious as to why the engine had to be removed. I was under the
> > impression that with the
> > > doghouse removed, the heads could have been pulled with the
engine
> > in place. Anyone
> > > have experience with this that can elaborate on why the engine
> > needs to come out for
> > > head gasket replacement?
> > >
> > > Kerry
> > > 82 Fc 35
> > > Denver
> > >
> > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Andy Coleman"
> > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Hello Fellow Wanderlodgers:
> > > >
> > > > Luckily for me, I brought along a free round trip plane ticket
> > when I
> > > > departed for my first cross country road trip in my 83' FC-35.
> > > >
> > > > I flew home to NJ a few days ago.
> > > >
> > > > My Wanderlodge is still in the Sierra Freightliner (certified by
> > > > Caterpillar) shop in Reno, Nevada. I just heard from the
> > mechanic who
> > > > told me, to my relief, that my 3208 engine failure was due to a
> > blown
> > > > head gasket. Unfortunately, they had to pull the engine
> > completely
> > > > out of the bus to remove the heads and determine the problem.
> > > >
> > > > The labor has already cost me over $3,000.
> > > >
> > > > They are going to call me back tomorrow with estimates on how
> > much a
> > > > new head gasket will cost. The mechanic recommended that I
> > consider
> > > > replacing the gasket on the other side of the engine as
well, now
> > that
> > > > the entire motor is sitting on a stand.
> > > >
> > > > Do you folks recommend I replace the other gasket? Are there any
> > > > other jobs I should have them do while the engine is out?
> > > >
> > > > Special thanks to everyone who responded to my panic e-mails
a few
> > > > weeks ago when the bus first broke down. I do appreciate all the
> > > > advice and well wishes you sent me.
> > > >
> > > > I'll be flying back to Reno once the bus is fixed to resume the
> > long
> > > > ride home to NJ.
> > > >
> > > > Thanks again! I'll keep you all updated.
> > > >
> > > > Andy Coleman
> > > > 83' FC-35
> > > > Spring Lake Hts., NJ
> > > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
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> >
> >
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> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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