I want to share a break-down story

[Scott Forman]

I have been meaning to share this story since it happened, guess I am
finally just taking the time to put it down. I feel it is a solid
testament to the bullet-proof nature of these 'Birds and, even though,
this odyssey ended up costing me thousands of $$$, it did NOT strand me.

Last fall, I was coming home from a trip, coming up I-55 through
Mississippi to the homestead in Memphis. I was about 80 miles from
home, cruising comfortably at about 65, engine humming like a sewing
machine, guests in the back having fun. Then....

HORRIBLE METALLIC GRINDING NOISE BESIDE MY RIGHT KNEE

Looked in the mirror, blowing black smoke like I have never seen. Lots
of horrible noises from the engine, but no idiot lights, all gauges
reading normal, still cruising down the road at about 50mph at this
point.

Pulled over to shoulder, engine still running, noises have stopped.
Obvious miss, but running. Decide to limp to next exit. Lots of black
smoke, but power to accelerate up to 55. Once safely at a gas station,
called friend who owns diesel shop, he said if it was running, the
gauges read OK, and I could not smell diesel in the oil (which I
didn't), limp it home below 2000 rpm, probably just blew a tip off an
injector, not a big deal. 2000 rpm is about 55 mph. I make it home.

Take to friend's shop next week. Check injector...not the problem.
They have to go in. The final prognosis: broken valve.

A valve broke and went in to the cylinder, carving up the piston face
pretty good. When it had been pulverized enough, it finally went out
the exhaust port, carving up the head along the way. Then, of course,
the remaining parts went in to the turbo, gutting it. So all that was
replaced. Not cheap.

But to me, this story isn't about the fact that I needed an expensive
repair. It's about the fact that my 'Bird, seriously wounded, running
on 7 cylinders with no turbo, got me where I needed to go. I say
that's a true testament to how strong these coaches and their parts
are. I was never more sold on having a 'Bird than I was the day they
ran down the list of everything that had happened in that engine.

So that's my story. Just thought I'd share, especially for any of you
that are debating whether or not a 'Bird is for you.

Scott Forman
82 FC35RB
Memphis