Why the engine replacements?

[Dan Weaver]

Greg's post Sounds reasonable to me along with several items
mentioned by Phil:
2. Lack of use (5000 miles per year for 15-20 years). Engine gaskets
and seals blowing out.
4. Lack of proper maintenance of the lubrication and/or cooling
systems, causing premature wear or overheating.

Along with trying to limp in with a problem, when a pro trucker
might pull over and wait for a service truck.

Dan
previous 83 FC35 with the Cat 3208
now 94 BMC 37' with the Cummnins



--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gregory OConnor"
wrote:
> Phil, I just bought a 94pt40 last month and started looking two
> months prior. I too found it unusual that low mile birds had new
> engines. I have several dump trucks with over 400,000 and drive
them
> hard off road and they have the orig powerplants. The 3208 Cats
are
> not a sleve cylinder engine and an inframe is not possible but
with
> such low miles I dont think they ever get worn out. I think
> operators are over tacking the Cats or lugging them and burning
them
> up. The 4 and 5 allison gives less room for mistakes then a 10
speed
> manual shift. I have a 8v92 detroit and let me tell you that I
have
> alot to learn as I try to keep the r's up and the temp down. I
look
> at the gauges and once in a while I look at the road. It is hard
to
> climb a hill and keep the trans from down shifting to a lug with
only
> 5 speeds to use. I think the detroits were just driven wrong.
Cant
> go wrong if you get a bird from Miller coach works or Randy
Dupree,
> wish I did.
>
> Greg O'Connor
> 94pt40 CAlifornia
>
> When I drive --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Christina
> Corpus" wrote:
> > Hi all,
> >
> > This is Christina's hubby, Phil. She's shared your answers to her
> > previous posts/questions with me while I was on the road.
Everyone
> > has been very helpful. Thank you.
> >
> > In way of introduction, I am a carhauler--I drive one of those
rigs
> > you see hauling 9-10 new cars to dealerships. Prior to that I
was
> in
> > the towing/heavy equipment transport business, and prior to
that, I
> > owned an auto repair business. Can you guess what my duties
will be
> > when we find our 'bird?
> >
> > Which brings me to my question.
> >
> > While reading the Bluebird 'for sale' listings on various
websites,
> I
> > noticed a good percentage of the listings noted, "coach has
120,000
> > miles, engine has 20,000 miles" or, "low miles on 'new' motor",
> > etc.,etc. What struck me was the relatively low mileage on the
> motors
> > being replaced.
> >
> > Keep in mind I've been driving diesel rigs for several years and
> it's
> > routine to run them 500,000 miles before any major repairs, if
any,
> > are performed, and then it will probably be an in frame
overhaul.
> I've
> > also driven medium duty trucks with gas engines that ran 200-
300,000
> > miles before anything major.
> >
> > So, my question for you veteran Bluebird owners--why do I see
> comments
> > about motors being replaced in coaches that the seller is
claiming
> has
> > relatively low miles (less that 125,000)?
> >
> > I'm making some assumptions here--tell me if I'm right or wrong,
or
> > somewhere in between:
> >
> > 1. Someone got sold a bill of goods.
> >
> > 2. Lack of use (5000 miles per year for 15-20 years). Engine
> gaskets
> > and seals blowing out.
> >
> > 3. Something regarding the durability of diesel motors
primarily
> used
> > in the Bluebird.
> >
> > 4. Lack of proper maintenance of the lubrication and/or cooling
> > systems, causing premature wear or overheating.
> >
> > 5. Original motor was underpowered and the replacement was an
> upgrade
> > to more horsepower.
> >
> > There may be more assumptions to be made, but these are the
first
> > that come to mind.
> >
> > All comments are welcome.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Phil