Update on My Reno Status - My 3 Choices....
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09-14-2007, 06:56
Post: #1
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Update on My Reno Status - My 3 Choices....
Fellow Wanderlodgers:
Just got off the phone with my mechanic in Reno today. As he had promised me, he removed the heads on both sides of my 3208 motor and inspected the top end. Being on a stand, it is now much easier to do. On the side of the engine that blew the head gasket, he said there was anti-freeze staining on the inside of all four cylinders. He said he could probably removed the staining with a very fine emory cloth. He inspected the head gasket, and noted that it had probably been going bad for some time. It didn't just blow from my trip. The head was etched from antifreeze going places it should not have. He recommended that I have the head rebuilt. He said it was also possible that I had some antifreeze leakage without knowing it. I changed the oil before leaving for my trip - and noticed nothing unusual. The head on the other side appeared fine, so did the cylinders and gasket. He recommended that since I have the engine out, I might want to go ahead and rebuild that head too, and of course replace the gasket on that side. He also told me to consider installing a new re-man 3208. With the engine already out and all the parts and labor required to re-build my old one, he said it was something to consider. When I told him that I plan to keep my FC for another 10+ years, he seemed to recommend this option more. The service supervisor ran some numbers and boiled it down to three options for me. Brace yourself! 1. Install 2 new head gaskets & put the engine back together - total cost $8,100.00. 2. Install 2 reman heads and gaskets. Put the engine back together. Total cost $9,700.00. 3. Install a cat re-man (and warrented) engine and put everything back together. Total cost $20,400. The engine itself - $11,750.00. I did some engine research weeks ago when I first had my problem. I found that the Rhino engines http://www.rhinoengines.com/caterpillar3208engines.htm re-mans a 3208 for under $7,000.00. 24-month unlimited nationwide warrentee. The service guy told me they had two bad experiences with Rhino engines in the past, and would not install them. They have a manufacturer in California called Ariva (Sp?) that they buy re-man engines from. It would cost me around $9,700.00, but not have the full nationwide warrentee a Cat re-man does. They don't purchase engines from any other re-man firms. I asked the service guy if he could send my existing heads to a machine shop to be re-built, over buying two new re-man ones. He said they could, but of course had no idea what that would cost. Well, there you have it... The decision that I must make in the next few days... I am leaning towards #2, and sending my two heads off to be re-built at a machine shop. If they are not in too bad shape, it might cost me less than buying two re-man ones. I'm also basing my decision on the performance of the engine so far - it did not even burn a quart of oil on the first 5,000 miles of my trip! It ran smooth, sounded really good, had plenty of power (for a 250 HP turbo 3208), and did not smoke. I'm sharing all the ugly details of my experience with all of you in the hopes it might benefit somebody in the future. I also would like to hear if you guys agree with my choice of #2. And of course, I'm bracing myself to hear "you are being ripped off" responses. Thank you all for the many offers of advice and sympathy. If I didn't have this list to consult and vent, I don't know what I would do! Andy Coleman 83' FC-35 250 HP Turbo 3208 Spring Lake, NJ |
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09-14-2007, 08:00
Post: #2
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Update on My Reno Status - My 3 Choices....
Standby Andy you'll get some good advice I'm sure. There are people out
there in the forums who have actually rebuilt these engines and I would trust their advice. Mike H comes to mind. On 14/09/2007, Andy Coleman > > Fellow Wanderlodgers: > > Just got off the phone with my mechanic in Reno today. As he had > promised me, he removed the heads on both sides of my 3208 motor and > inspected the top end. Being on a stand, it is now much easier to do. > > On the side of the engine that blew the head gasket, he said there was > anti-freeze staining on the inside of all four cylinders. He said he > could probably removed the staining with a very fine emory cloth. He > inspected the head gasket, and noted that it had probably been going > bad for some time. It didn't just blow from my trip. The head was > etched from antifreeze going places it should not have. He > recommended that I have the head rebuilt. He said it was also > possible that I had some antifreeze leakage without knowing it. I > changed the oil before leaving for my trip - and noticed nothing unusual. > > The head on the other side appeared fine, so did the cylinders and > gasket. He recommended that since I have the engine out, I might want > to go ahead and rebuild that head too, and of course replace the > gasket on that side. > > He also told me to consider installing a new re-man 3208. With the > engine already out and all the parts and labor required to re-build my > old one, he said it was something to consider. When I told him that I > plan to keep my FC for another 10+ years, he seemed to recommend this > option more. > > The service supervisor ran some numbers and boiled it down to three > options for me. Brace yourself! > > 1. Install 2 new head gaskets & put the engine back together - total > cost $8,100.00. > > 2. Install 2 reman heads and gaskets. Put the engine back together. > Total cost $9,700.00. > > 3. Install a cat re-man (and warrented) engine and put everything > back together. Total cost $20,400. The engine itself - $11,750.00. > > I did some engine research weeks ago when I first had my problem. I > found that the Rhino engines > http://www.rhinoengines.com/caterpillar3208engines.htm re-mans a 3208 > for under $7,000.00. 24-month unlimited nationwide warrentee. The > service guy told me they had two bad experiences with Rhino engines in > the past, and would not install them. They have a manufacturer in > California called Ariva (Sp?) that they buy re-man engines from. It > would cost me around $9,700.00, but not have the full nationwide > warrentee a Cat re-man does. They don't purchase engines from any > other re-man firms. > > I asked the service guy if he could send my existing heads to a > machine shop to be re-built, over buying two new re-man ones. He said > they could, but of course had no idea what that would cost. > > Well, there you have it... The decision that I must make in the next > few days... I am leaning towards #2, and sending my two heads off to > be re-built at a machine shop. If they are not in too bad shape, it > might cost me less than buying two re-man ones. > > I'm also basing my decision on the performance of the engine so far - > it did not even burn a quart of oil on the first 5,000 miles of my > trip! It ran smooth, sounded really good, had plenty of power (for a > 250 HP turbo 3208), and did not smoke. > > I'm sharing all the ugly details of my experience with all of you in > the hopes it might benefit somebody in the future. I also would like > to hear if you guys agree with my choice of #2. And of course, I'm > bracing myself to hear "you are being ripped off" responses. > > Thank you all for the many offers of advice and sympathy. If I didn't > have this list to consult and vent, I don't know what I would do! > > Andy Coleman > 83' FC-35 250 HP Turbo 3208 > Spring Lake, NJ > > > -- Rob, Sue & Merlin Robinson 94 WLWB [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] |
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09-14-2007, 08:16
Post: #3
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Update on My Reno Status - My 3 Choices....
Andy,
I know you are in a tough situation no matter what you do. Unless someone with a lot more knowledge than I says differently I would put the second head with a new gasket back on since they did not find a problem. Buy one reman head to replace the blown side, let him clean up the staining and close it up, change the oil and filter and head home. I love to play poker so I would gamble on it being ok. I also consider what the average independent trucker would do. I would also consider RE's advise, If the engine has over 100,000 miles you may want to roll in rod and main bearing. re in georgia" [The Putney Flash] Tom Warner in Vernon Center, New York told me he had a shop that did work for him around $60.00 a hour. My local shop $70.00 hr. But what ever you decide I feel sure it will be the right decision. Andy we are a family of BB'ers we may fuss amoung ourselves but we are still family and we do feel your pain. Every time I leave out in the coach I can't help but wonder if I might have a problem or if I failed to do some little thing that may cause a big problem. Howard Truitt, Camilla, Ga., 86 PT40 ----- Original Message ----- From: Andy Coleman To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, September 14, 2007 2:56 PM Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Update on My Reno Status - My 3 Choices.... Fellow Wanderlodgers: Just got off the phone with my mechanic in Reno today. As he had promised me, he removed the heads on both sides of my 3208 motor and inspected the top end. Being on a stand, it is now much easier to do. On the side of the engine that blew the head gasket, he said there was anti-freeze staining on the inside of all four cylinders. He said he could probably removed the staining with a very fine emory cloth. He inspected the head gasket, and noted that it had probably been going bad for some time. It didn't just blow from my trip. The head was etched from antifreeze going places it should not have. He recommended that I have the head rebuilt. He said it was also possible that I had some antifreeze leakage without knowing it. I changed the oil before leaving for my trip - and noticed nothing unusual. The head on the other side appeared fine, so did the cylinders and gasket. He recommended that since I have the engine out, I might want to go ahead and rebuild that head too, and of course replace the gasket on that side. He also told me to consider installing a new re-man 3208. With the engine already out and all the parts and labor required to re-build my old one, he said it was something to consider. When I told him that I plan to keep my FC for another 10+ years, he seemed to recommend this option more. The service supervisor ran some numbers and boiled it down to three options for me. Brace yourself! 1. Install 2 new head gaskets & put the engine back together - total cost $8,100.00. 2. Install 2 reman heads and gaskets. Put the engine back together. Total cost $9,700.00. 3. Install a cat re-man (and warrented) engine and put everything back together. Total cost $20,400. The engine itself - $11,750.00. I did some engine research weeks ago when I first had my problem. I found that the Rhino engines http://www.rhinoengines.com/caterpillar3208engines.htm re-mans a 3208 for under $7,000.00. 24-month unlimited nationwide warrentee. The service guy told me they had two bad experiences with Rhino engines in the past, and would not install them. They have a manufacturer in California called Ariva (Sp?) that they buy re-man engines from. It would cost me around $9,700.00, but not have the full nationwide warrentee a Cat re-man does. They don't purchase engines from any other re-man firms. I asked the service guy if he could send my existing heads to a machine shop to be re-built, over buying two new re-man ones. He said they could, but of course had no idea what that would cost. Well, there you have it... The decision that I must make in the next few days... I am leaning towards #2, and sending my two heads off to be re-built at a machine shop. If they are not in too bad shape, it might cost me less than buying two re-man ones. I'm also basing my decision on the performance of the engine so far - it did not even burn a quart of oil on the first 5,000 miles of my trip! It ran smooth, sounded really good, had plenty of power (for a 250 HP turbo 3208), and did not smoke. I'm sharing all the ugly details of my experience with all of you in the hopes it might benefit somebody in the future. I also would like to hear if you guys agree with my choice of #2. And of course, I'm bracing myself to hear "you are being ripped off" responses. Thank you all for the many offers of advice and sympathy. If I didn't have this list to consult and vent, I don't know what I would do! Andy Coleman 83' FC-35 250 HP Turbo 3208 Spring Lake, NJ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.485 / Virus Database: 269.13.10/995 - Release Date: 9/8/2007 1:24 PM [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] |
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09-14-2007, 08:35
Post: #4
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Update on My Reno Status - My 3 Choices....
Andy, a third choice would be sell the coach to someone who wants to repair it
and buy another wanderlodge. Dan 88WB38 Jackson, MS ----- Original Message ----- From: Andy Coleman To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, September 14, 2007 1:56 PM Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Update on My Reno Status - My 3 Choices.... Fellow Wanderlodgers: Just got off the phone with my mechanic in Reno today. As he had promised me, he removed the heads on both sides of my 3208 motor and inspected the top end. Being on a stand, it is now much easier to do. On the side of the engine that blew the head gasket, he said there was anti-freeze staining on the inside of all four cylinders. He said he could probably removed the staining with a very fine emory cloth. He inspected the head gasket, and noted that it had probably been going bad for some time. It didn't just blow from my trip. The head was etched from antifreeze going places it should not have. He recommended that I have the head rebuilt. He said it was also possible that I had some antifreeze leakage without knowing it. I changed the oil before leaving for my trip - and noticed nothing unusual. The head on the other side appeared fine, so did the cylinders and gasket. He recommended that since I have the engine out, I might want to go ahead and rebuild that head too, and of course replace the gasket on that side. He also told me to consider installing a new re-man 3208. With the engine already out and all the parts and labor required to re-build my old one, he said it was something to consider. When I told him that I plan to keep my FC for another 10+ years, he seemed to recommend this option more. The service supervisor ran some numbers and boiled it down to three options for me. Brace yourself! 1. Install 2 new head gaskets & put the engine back together - total cost $8,100.00. 2. Install 2 reman heads and gaskets. Put the engine back together. Total cost $9,700.00. 3. Install a cat re-man (and warrented) engine and put everything back together. Total cost $20,400. The engine itself - $11,750.00. I did some engine research weeks ago when I first had my problem. I found that the Rhino engines http://www.rhinoengines.com/caterpillar3208engines.htm re-mans a 3208 for under $7,000.00. 24-month unlimited nationwide warrentee. The service guy told me they had two bad experiences with Rhino engines in the past, and would not install them. They have a manufacturer in California called Ariva (Sp?) that they buy re-man engines from. It would cost me around $9,700.00, but not have the full nationwide warrentee a Cat re-man does. They don't purchase engines from any other re-man firms. I asked the service guy if he could send my existing heads to a machine shop to be re-built, over buying two new re-man ones. He said they could, but of course had no idea what that would cost. Well, there you have it... The decision that I must make in the next few days... I am leaning towards #2, and sending my two heads off to be re-built at a machine shop. If they are not in too bad shape, it might cost me less than buying two re-man ones. I'm also basing my decision on the performance of the engine so far - it did not even burn a quart of oil on the first 5,000 miles of my trip! It ran smooth, sounded really good, had plenty of power (for a 250 HP turbo 3208), and did not smoke. I'm sharing all the ugly details of my experience with all of you in the hopes it might benefit somebody in the future. I also would like to hear if you guys agree with my choice of #2. And of course, I'm bracing myself to hear "you are being ripped off" responses. Thank you all for the many offers of advice and sympathy. If I didn't have this list to consult and vent, I don't know what I would do! Andy Coleman 83' FC-35 250 HP Turbo 3208 Spring Lake, NJ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.487 / Virus Database: 269.13.19/1008 - Release Date: 9/14/2007 8:59 AM [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] |
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09-14-2007, 11:27
Post: #5
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Update on My Reno Status - My 3 Choices....
Ditto.
Kerry 82 Fc 35 Denver --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Howard O. Truitt" > > Andy, > I know you are in a tough situation no matter what you do. > Unless someone with a lot more knowledge than I says differently I would put the second head with a new gasket back on since they did not find a problem. > Buy one reman head to replace the blown side, let him clean up the staining and close it up, change the oil and filter and head home. I love to play poker so I would gamble on it being ok. I also consider what the average independent trucker would do. > I would also consider RE's advise, > If the engine has over 100,000 miles you may want to roll in rod and main bearing. re in georgia" [The Putney Flash] > Tom Warner in Vernon Center, New York told me he had a shop that did work for him around $60.00 a hour. My local shop $70.00 hr. But what ever you decide I feel sure it will be the right decision. > Andy we are a family of BB'ers we may fuss amoung ourselves but we are still family and we do feel your pain. Every time I leave out in the coach I can't help but wonder if I might have a problem or if I failed to do some little thing that may cause a big problem. > Howard Truitt, Camilla, Ga., 86 PT40 |
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09-15-2007, 02:14
Post: #6
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Update on My Reno Status - My 3 Choices....
Andy:
I did a little checking on Rhino's Warranty and determined that they specifically exclude Class A, B and C motor homes from their coverage (see the PDF section of their website). In addition, I have not had good experience with replacement engines from these mass production engine overhaul shops. It took me three tries to get a good engine in my Ford Bronco a few years ago and they never ended up giving me one $ for the labor to replace the engine twice (it was not Rhino, it was Recon). Now the what to do'sâ¦. Dan's suggestion is a good one if you can leave it where it is long enough (it will take a while to find the right buyer), I know of several gents who have bought BB's with dead engines and are running them today, or if you really would like a different style/year coach. You will take a hit on price for a dead bird vs a live one. Also, I'm sure you have run up some significant labor/towing costs at the current shop that would most likely be lost by a sale to another. With the price difference between option 1 and 2, option 2 wins hands down and as a minimum extra (also recommended by Howard), install new main and rod bearings, oil pump, maybe some injector/pump work if needed and replace the rear main seal. This should put you in the 11-13K range (I'm guessing, get a quote!) and provide you with a decent shot of some long term running and enjoyment of the machine. However, this is not a sure bet that your engine problems are behind you, especially if the engine was seriously overheated and will not significantly increase the sale ability or value of your coach â it's an expensive albeit "thorough" repair job. In MY opinion, the best option for the coach long term is to have a CAT re-manufactured engine installed for the you â It will increase the coaches reâsell ability, reliability (of the engine that is ), and a true nationwide warranty that will truly work if/when you need it. Now comes the economics â big difference between $11-13K and $20.4K, since you're not going to be selling in the next 10 years or so, it's really about what you can afford to do and still put diesel in the beast vs your piece of mind â the repair approach is not bad, should be much better and more reliable that when you bought the coach (unless there is hidden damage). If you were to sell within the next year or so, a CAT remanufactured engine still under warranty is a big plus. Is it a $7-9K plus? Only time would tell but I would pay the extra. Good Luck â let us know how you make out! Harry Saddock 83FC35 South Windsor, CT --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Dan" > > Andy, a third choice would be sell the coach to someone who wants to repair it and buy another wanderlodge. > Dan > 88WB38 > Jackson, MS > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Andy Coleman > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com > Sent: Friday, September 14, 2007 1:56 PM > Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Update on My Reno Status - My 3 Choices.... > > > Fellow Wanderlodgers: > > Just got off the phone with my mechanic in Reno today. As he had > promised me, he removed the heads on both sides of my 3208 motor and > inspected the top end. Being on a stand, it is now much easier to do. > > On the side of the engine that blew the head gasket, he said there was > anti-freeze staining on the inside of all four cylinders. He said he > could probably removed the staining with a very fine emory cloth. He > inspected the head gasket, and noted that it had probably been going > bad for some time. It didn't just blow from my trip. The head was > etched from antifreeze going places it should not have. He > recommended that I have the head rebuilt. He said it was also > possible that I had some antifreeze leakage without knowing it. I > changed the oil before leaving for my trip - and noticed nothing unusual. > > The head on the other side appeared fine, so did the cylinders and > gasket. He recommended that since I have the engine out, I might want > to go ahead and rebuild that head too, and of course replace the > gasket on that side. > > He also told me to consider installing a new re-man 3208. With the > engine already out and all the parts and labor required to re- build my > old one, he said it was something to consider. When I told him that I > plan to keep my FC for another 10+ years, he seemed to recommend this > option more. > > The service supervisor ran some numbers and boiled it down to three > options for me. Brace yourself! > > 1. Install 2 new head gaskets & put the engine back together - total > cost $8,100.00. > > 2. Install 2 reman heads and gaskets. Put the engine back together. > Total cost $9,700.00. > > 3. Install a cat re-man (and warrented) engine and put everything > back together. Total cost $20,400. The engine itself - $11,750.00. > > I did some engine research weeks ago when I first had my problem. I > found that the Rhino engines > http://www.rhinoengines.com/caterpillar3208engines.htm re-mans a 3208 > for under $7,000.00. 24-month unlimited nationwide warrentee. The > service guy told me they had two bad experiences with Rhino engines in > the past, and would not install them. They have a manufacturer in > California called Ariva (Sp?) that they buy re-man engines from. It > would cost me around $9,700.00, but not have the full nationwide > warrentee a Cat re-man does. They don't purchase engines from any > other re-man firms. > > I asked the service guy if he could send my existing heads to a > machine shop to be re-built, over buying two new re-man ones. He said > they could, but of course had no idea what that would cost. > > Well, there you have it... The decision that I must make in the next > few days... I am leaning towards #2, and sending my two heads off to > be re-built at a machine shop. If they are not in too bad shape, it > might cost me less than buying two re-man ones. > > I'm also basing my decision on the performance of the engine so far - > it did not even burn a quart of oil on the first 5,000 miles of my > trip! It ran smooth, sounded really good, had plenty of power (for a > 250 HP turbo 3208), and did not smoke. > > I'm sharing all the ugly details of my experience with all of you in > the hopes it might benefit somebody in the future. I also would like > to hear if you guys agree with my choice of #2. And of course, I'm > bracing myself to hear "you are being ripped off" responses. > > Thank you all for the many offers of advice and sympathy. If I didn't > have this list to consult and vent, I don't know what I would do! > > Andy Coleman > 83' FC-35 250 HP Turbo 3208 > Spring Lake, NJ > > > > > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.487 / Virus Database: 269.13.19/1008 - Release Date: 9/14/2007 8:59 AM > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > |
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09-15-2007, 02:55
Post: #7
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Update on My Reno Status - My 3 Choices....
another option would be:
Put it on a flatbed semi and get it home with the engine still out. Rebuild the engine yourself and reinstall. Getting it home would be expensive but rebuilding the engine yourself would be worth it IMHO. Engine rebuilding is not rocket science and quite an enjoyable process. You might save some money but more importantly there would be no question that it was done right. Just imagine that everytime you started that bird you would have the satisfaction of knowing that engine is yours. I've pulled a 3208 out of an FC before and rebuilt other diesels, yes it is work but the reward is great. Anyways, this is what I would do. Well, not quite.... actually I wouldn't rebuild the 3208. I would install a cummins 5.9L and trans out of a Bird school bus. but that is just my bias for Cummins. Thomas Eastham Houston, TX 83' FC35 CAT 3208T 84' FC33 no engine 90 CASE 888 Cummins 6BT 85 CASE 580E Cummins 4B 87 P&H 14T Cummins 4BT 05 Dodge Cummins 5.9L Thomas Eastham Anitel Investments, LLC 2305 Lyons Ave. Houston, TX 77020 email: thomase@... web: http://www.houstonheavy.com cell: 713-851-9693 fax: 713-228-3019 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] |
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09-15-2007, 03:10
Post: #8
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Update on My Reno Status - My 3 Choices....
A Cummins repower, now you're talking. Bet you
could do that for 20K. David Brady '02 LXi, NC M Thomas Eastham wrote: > > another option would be: > > Put it on a flatbed semi and get it home with the engine still out. > Rebuild the engine yourself and reinstall. Getting it home would > be expensive but rebuilding the engine yourself would be worth it > IMHO. Engine rebuilding is not rocket science and quite an > enjoyable process. You might save some money but more importantly > there would be no question that it was done right. > > Just imagine that everytime you started that bird you would have the > satisfaction of knowing that engine is yours. > > I've pulled a 3208 out of an FC before and rebuilt other diesels, yes > it is work but the reward is great. > > Anyways, this is what I would do. Well, not quite.... actually I > wouldn't rebuild the 3208. I would install a cummins 5.9L and trans > out of a Bird school bus. but that is just my bias for Cummins. > > Thomas Eastham > Houston, TX > > 83' FC35 CAT 3208T > 84' FC33 no engine > > 90 CASE 888 Cummins 6BT > 85 CASE 580E Cummins 4B > 87 P&H 14T Cummins 4BT > 05 Dodge Cummins 5.9L > > Thomas Eastham > > Anitel Investments, LLC > 2305 Lyons Ave. > Houston, TX 77020 > > email: thomase@... > web: http://www.houstonheavy.com > cell: 713-851-9693 > fax: 713-228-3019 > > [ > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] |
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09-15-2007, 05:09
Post: #9
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Update on My Reno Status - My 3 Choices....
Thomas,
That's very interesting, a cummins 5.9L and trans > > out of a Bird school bus. Have you done this in the past? Please tell us more. Harold Prescott '85 FC35 Northern California --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, David Brady > > A Cummins repower, now you're talking. Bet you > could do that for 20K. > > David Brady > '02 LXi, NC > > M Thomas Eastham wrote: > > > > another option would be: > > > > Put it on a flatbed semi and get it home with the engine still out. > > Rebuild the engine yourself and reinstall. Getting it home would > > be expensive but rebuilding the engine yourself would be worth it > > IMHO. Engine rebuilding is not rocket science and quite an > > enjoyable process. You might save some money but more importantly > > there would be no question that it was done right. > > > > Just imagine that everytime you started that bird you would have the > > satisfaction of knowing that engine is yours. > > > > I've pulled a 3208 out of an FC before and rebuilt other diesels, yes > > it is work but the reward is great. > > > > Anyways, this is what I would do. Well, not quite.... actually I > > wouldn't rebuild the 3208. I would install a cummins 5.9L and trans > > out of a Bird school bus. but that is just my bias for Cummins. > > > > Thomas Eastham > > Houston, TX > > > > 83' FC35 CAT 3208T > > 84' FC33 no engine > > > > 90 CASE 888 Cummins 6BT > > 85 CASE 580E Cummins 4B > > 87 P&H 14T Cummins 4BT > > 05 Dodge Cummins 5.9L > > > > Thomas Eastham > > > > Anitel Investments, LLC > > 2305 Lyons Ave. > > Houston, TX 77020 > > > > email: thomase@... > > web: http://www.houstonheavy.com > > cell: 713-851-9693 > > fax: 713-228-3019 > > > > [ > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > |
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09-15-2007, 06:07
Post: #10
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Update on My Reno Status - My 3 Choices....
Hello All -
Thanks for all the excellent replies. Every one has given me much to think about. One certainty is - I'm not selling the coach. Spent $27K for it, and have already put about that much into it over the past year - not including what is still to come. To Thomas - I did think about repowering my coach one day with a cummins. If it had died here in NJ, I would be considering that, actually. Bluebird did build FE All Americans and TC-2000s with an optional 8.3L 250 HP Cummins Turbo Diesel. I would go with the 8.3 over the 5.9 just given the weight of the vehicle. Unfortunately, my coach is over 3,000 miles away. And I would never pay somebody $95 per hour to convert engines! That would cost a fortune! I have to stick with the 3208. I'm hoping to make a decision by the end of the weekend. Lots to consider - and lots of good ideas from all of you. Thanks again! Andy Coleman 83' FC-35 Spring Lake Hts., NJ --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, M Thomas Eastham > > another option would be: > > Put it on a flatbed semi and get it home with the engine still out. > Rebuild the engine yourself and reinstall. Getting it home would > be expensive but rebuilding the engine yourself would be worth it > IMHO. Engine rebuilding is not rocket science and quite an > enjoyable process. You might save some money but more importantly > there would be no question that it was done right. > > Just imagine that everytime you started that bird you would have the > satisfaction of knowing that engine is yours. > > I've pulled a 3208 out of an FC before and rebuilt other diesels, yes > it is work but the reward is great. > > Anyways, this is what I would do. Well, not quite.... actually I > wouldn't rebuild the 3208. I would install a cummins 5.9L and trans > out of a Bird school bus. but that is just my bias for Cummins. > > Thomas Eastham > Houston, TX > > 83' FC35 CAT 3208T > 84' FC33 no engine > > 90 CASE 888 Cummins 6BT > 85 CASE 580E Cummins 4B > 87 P&H 14T Cummins 4BT > 05 Dodge Cummins 5.9L > > > > > Thomas Eastham > > Anitel Investments, LLC > 2305 Lyons Ave. > Houston, TX 77020 > > email: thomase@... > web: http://www.houstonheavy.com > cell: 713-851-9693 > fax: 713-228-3019 > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > |
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