THX!! for the responses. I did NOT change the cam bearings. Can't say
how many miles at the overhaul. The engine was used when I installed
it. There are apx 260,000 miles total on the vehicle. I did not plasti-
gauge the crank. The crank kit had a set of 30 over bearings with it.
The problem at the time was excessive smoke. The overhaul cured it. I
realize now I did a half-assed rebuild.
The truck was stolen and lost for a few years. The Mexican thief was
using to run across the border. During the time he had it, he took
good care of it. When I got it back after sitting in a Border Patrol
storage lot it had an overheating problem. I don't know if the over
heating problem was going on when it was running across the border.
The radiator's interior was bone dry and rusted. The only thing in the
cooling system that survived was the heater core. New radiator, hoses,
water pump, thermostat and all known and visible freeze plugs.
The truck had a different transmission and transfer case and a near
new drive shaft. I was also gifted with a nice paint job, set of
Michelin tires, Edlebrock intake, Q-jet 4brl, new seat covers and
carpeting. The brakes were also done but whomever did it must have
been on drugs. Mis-matched wheel cylinders, primary shoes on one side,
secondaries on the other. Oh yeah, also found three full cans of R-12
behind the seat!!
Exactly how many miles the thief used it, how long it was actually
used and how long it sat in Border Patrol's custody is a mystery.
Arizona Dept of Public Safety in a routine check before releasing the
vehicle for salvage discovered the original serial number had been
altered. With a hidden serial number that I still haven't been able to
locate, they were able to track it back to me. I had already given
away the salvage rights to my insurance but was able to buy it back.
After a long line of red tape and a few afternoons off I was allowed
to have it towed home to Phoenix.
There is a very strong possibility of mis-matched engine parts. If the
same person that did the brakes was inside the engine, it is likely a
crap shoot wondering what might have been done. When I tore the engine
down there was NOT an oil pressure or vibration problem. The engine
problems started after I overhauled it.
I'm tempted to shoot some dice and try my luck with a store-bought
long block. Any suggestions on a source, especially in Arizona are
welcome. I just don't want to deal with anybody wanting the core first
and risking having this nightmare of an engine come back to me.
THX!! again to any of you returning to this thread.
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