My Truck's engine blew on the way to MCACN...

[Salvatore]

Good job! Put the old girl on Craigslist and buy a new one with a warranty. They are much better. easier on the wallet for repairs too.

[Material_Boy]

Hey Steve,

Glad the direction of this ordeal finally went to your favor, and I am sure you are too. Now drive that sucker for another 15 years, but don't paint it or touch it in any way other than normal maintenance. How many people do you know that tow their original unrestored survivor Firebird with their original unrestored survivor Suburban? LOL. Glad it worked out for ya.

Dave

[luzl78]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: njsteve</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The passenger side head was removed and head gasket was OK. The diesel tech said that the coolant was only coming out of the driver's side rear cylinder. So they are replacing both head gaskets, head bolts sets, water pump, (since it's the original one), etc., and reassembling everything. Might be back on the road next week. (Fingers crossed) </div></div>you're not redoing the heads or at least truing them up?

[njsteve]

The shop is actually an authorized GM medium duty repair center and they have been working on 6.5s for several decades so I have been following their advice. They verified that the heads were flat and good to go. They were rather amazed at the condition of the heads and the inside of the engine in general. Their advice was essentially: yeah, you could spend several thousand on new heads but you won't see much of an improvement in performance or reliability so why spend the extra money. Especially since the engine wasn't run and overheated from the blown head gasket, it was shut down immediately.

In addition to the new head gaskets and new head bolts, we are putting on a new water pump, vacuum pump, 2-1/2&quot; crossover exhaust manifold pipe, and one new valve cover. The valve covers have no gaskets and use only silicone sealer - if the flange is bent from prying it off, replace it, especially if it is on the turbo side because it is no fun to chase oil leaks under all that turbo hardware. All the parts being replaced are the original 1995 components so after 18 years they deserve a break.

[njsteve]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: [email protected]</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Good job! Put the old girl on Craigslist and buy a new one with a warranty. They are much better. easier on the wallet for repairs too. </div></div>

I am happy to accept donations for a new $60K diesel truck in case you're offering. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img]

Since &quot;Babe, the Big Blue Ox&quot; is a member of the family we will keep her another 18 years or so.

[njsteve]

She lives! I stopped by the diesel place this afternoon and they had already got her back together and they were test driving, and checking for any initial leaks, etc. Another day or two to verify everything is up to spec and then I get her back!
(after I pay the bill of course... [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif[/img] )

[Salvatore]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: njsteve</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: [email protected]</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Good job! Put the old girl on Craigslist and buy a new one with a warranty. They are much better. easier on the wallet for repairs too. </div></div>

I am happy to accept donations for a new $60K diesel truck in case you're offering. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img]

Since &quot;Babe, the Big Blue Ox&quot; is a member of the family we will keep her another 18 years or so.</div></div>
OK Steve. Good luck with the old girl. Hopefully no rust will creep up.

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

Back in action.

Good stuff.

Ryan

[67 442]

Sounds like luck is with you Steve.

[njsteve]

The jury is still out on that one until after I see the actual repair bill!