I want to share a break-down story

[Scott Forman]

The smoke didn't start until after the sounds began. I am no
mechanic, but the guys who put it all back together said a broken
valve was sort of a freak thing, something that just happens
occassionally.


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Bob Lawrence"
wrote:
>
> Sorry to hear of your problem...question..by the time it started to
> smoke was it to late? Or if you had pulled off and had it towed,
> would the damage have been so extensive?..again sorry for the
problem.
> Bob Lawrence
> 84 PT36 (Whirlybird)
> Tacoma, Wa.
>
> 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
> >
>