Steve, I know where you are on the age thing. I was at your age when I did the eng/trans replacement. I suspected I had better do it before I got any older.

Another day to play with Barth. A demanding mistress of late indeed!

Yesterday I put these under the coach. They may look like driveshafts but they are actually surplus 30mm cannons! One forward, one pointing back... I'm sure they'll come in handy sooner or later.



It is starting to look more like an engine! Just a few more things, radiator and cooler lines to go.



One of these days I might actually DRIVE this thing!

Well Steve that has been a lot of work. It's looking good.

I'm wornout just following the thread!

The radiator shop stalled me for the weekend. I finished up all other hookups. Worked on the drive axle air bags, got them lined up straight.

Tomorrow I'll have the radiator in and we should have engine noise.

Broke down the project into three parts:

1. Had to do (for crankshaft repair)

crankshaft $255
bearing set $100
seals,gaskets $100
HV oil pump $90
cam chain/sprockets $35

total about $580

2. Might as well do now:

motor mounts $25
water pump $80
u-joints, driveshaft $120
starter solenoid $45
oil and trans cooler lines, upper rad hose $100

about $370 total

3. Sooner or later must do:

Radiator re-core $500

There was about $100 shipping involved as well. A new engine bottom and numerous upgrades for about $1600. I don't want to even think about how many hours I worked...

Altogether a tiger by the tail but I figured I might as well do as much as I can before I get too much older. Now that I've been over so many things, I have hopes of being less likely to have trouble on the road and more likely to be able to fix if I do. It has been quite an investment in the care and feeding of Barth.

I'll have final photos when the radiator is in and Barth roars again.

Looks like we'll be OK for Milford! There were some other things I wanted to get ready and I won't have as much time to touch up and spruce up the rig. At least you all know my excuse and what I've been doing instead!

And I was proud of myself for changing the engine and generator oil myself.

Nick

Well I guess I must know what I'm doing after all. Barth runs! I drove it back and forth 3 FEET!

Started right up, 80 psi oil pressure immediately. One small coolant leak (tightened the hose clamp) and one small ATF leak at trans cooler fitting, (that I will snug up when it cools down) Not too many parts left over!

I'm still getting the air out of the trans and radiator. A couple other minor items (Ty-wraps, etc) and I will road test tomorrow. Yeehaw!!!





What a relief to look back on this. I'm leaving on Friday for a week fishing in Canada. Barth is ready just in time for Milford when I return!

wow


And all upside down.....

YOU DA M A N, Steve


by the way, I tried to send you a pm about some aviation stuff

You get your PhD in Shadetree Mechanic from my school of hard lessons.

We all knew you would persevere, and you did.

If I had undertaken this project, it's just about at THIS stage that I'd discover the "extra" rod bearing
laying on the bench

Congrats!

Thanks for the support from the crowd. Lee, your Coolidge quote rings so true:

"Nothing in the world can take place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent....."

-Calvin Coolidge

This thing nearly beat me a couple times, but persistence does prevail in the end.

It was down in the 30's last night. I'll drive Barth later. Meanwhile I'm goin' fishin' in Canada! I'll try to stay away from moose and ditches. (not like "My lucky day" from last summer!)

Looking forward to meeting folks in Milford! see ya