Post by centralvalleygter on Nov 12, 2010 21:13:22 GMT -5
Some of you have been following my bus restoration. As stated I had not done anything with the engine except a little clean up and painting.
Our high school has an annual retreat to some camp each year. This year we were going to one about 3.5 hours away. I've been itching to take the van on a trip, so I volunteered to haul the sound equipment in the van (I was staying to act as a counselor anyway).
The bus had been doing great for about 3 hours, cruzin' at about 65, temperature staying below 200 degrees. Unfortunately, about that time there was a twenty or so mile stretch uphill with no shoulder. It wasn't real steep, speed limit still about 55mph, but definitely a climb. I could see the temperature rising steadily, but there was no place to pull over. It got over 300 degrees and I could tell I was loosing power. Finally turned onto a road with a shoulder, but it was downhill for a while so I thought I'd keep it in forth and let it cool, since it wouldn't be working hard. It was starting to cool down when the "generator" light came on. If you know anything about ACVW's, you know that when that light comes on you got more than a 50% chance that you threw a belt (& thus no cooling). I pulled over quickly, ran to the back and checked sure enough- belt off, ran back to the front & shut it off.
I had my tools and a spare belt, so I replaced it hoping it would start again. Unfortunately, NO JOY, just turned over like no compression. Had quite an adventure getting it towed, and then home after the retreat, but that would make the story even longer.
Did the autopsy. Turns out that the head bolts had loosened, allowing the cylinders to move & beat the heads (both sides) to the point that the air could go over the top of the cylinders. Also there was scaring due to excessive heat on the pistons & cylinders. Minimum rebuild cost of about $850 (in parts & machining only).
Rather than rebuild, my brother is offering me a 2200+cc motor 2for a great price. Originally set up to be a 300+HP fuel injected turbo motor. I'm going to put the stock carb and dual-port manifold on it (for now) with obviously bigger jets. With the limiting carb I will likely only get about 100hp (but gobs of torque). However, with a bottom end designed for 300+HP, it should be as dependable as all get out.
Gotta admit, it is tempting to buy appropriate carbs and put the big motor in the Bradley & put my 1641 in the bus. Maybe some day, but not today.
Unfortunately, it means refurbishing the outside of the bus will have to be put off even more. C'est la vie!
Warmest Regards,
Our high school has an annual retreat to some camp each year. This year we were going to one about 3.5 hours away. I've been itching to take the van on a trip, so I volunteered to haul the sound equipment in the van (I was staying to act as a counselor anyway).
The bus had been doing great for about 3 hours, cruzin' at about 65, temperature staying below 200 degrees. Unfortunately, about that time there was a twenty or so mile stretch uphill with no shoulder. It wasn't real steep, speed limit still about 55mph, but definitely a climb. I could see the temperature rising steadily, but there was no place to pull over. It got over 300 degrees and I could tell I was loosing power. Finally turned onto a road with a shoulder, but it was downhill for a while so I thought I'd keep it in forth and let it cool, since it wouldn't be working hard. It was starting to cool down when the "generator" light came on. If you know anything about ACVW's, you know that when that light comes on you got more than a 50% chance that you threw a belt (& thus no cooling). I pulled over quickly, ran to the back and checked sure enough- belt off, ran back to the front & shut it off.
I had my tools and a spare belt, so I replaced it hoping it would start again. Unfortunately, NO JOY, just turned over like no compression. Had quite an adventure getting it towed, and then home after the retreat, but that would make the story even longer.
Did the autopsy. Turns out that the head bolts had loosened, allowing the cylinders to move & beat the heads (both sides) to the point that the air could go over the top of the cylinders. Also there was scaring due to excessive heat on the pistons & cylinders. Minimum rebuild cost of about $850 (in parts & machining only).
Rather than rebuild, my brother is offering me a 2200+cc motor 2for a great price. Originally set up to be a 300+HP fuel injected turbo motor. I'm going to put the stock carb and dual-port manifold on it (for now) with obviously bigger jets. With the limiting carb I will likely only get about 100hp (but gobs of torque). However, with a bottom end designed for 300+HP, it should be as dependable as all get out.
Gotta admit, it is tempting to buy appropriate carbs and put the big motor in the Bradley & put my 1641 in the bus. Maybe some day, but not today.
Unfortunately, it means refurbishing the outside of the bus will have to be put off even more. C'est la vie!
Warmest Regards,
