Cracked liners due to operator abuse - now in Camp Luke

[Dreamscape]

I'm with ya on this one Cody!

If that happened to me I would first sit down and cry, the next thing I would do is find a new home for the bus and live in it forever!

I'm glad Bob will be on his way soon, with a much lighter wallet though.

We're pulling for ya man!

Paul

[bobofthenorth]

On the other hand, if a guy has extra bucks for a $1000 tow, then he would get the $12,000 inframe. Business is business.

Any suggestion that these guys are taking advantage of the situation because of the way I arrived is just plain offensive and betrays a complete lack of understanding of how they do business.  If I had insisted on a patch job I have no doubt that they would have been capable of doing one.  However, once the engine is open that far only a complete fool wouldn't do the inframe.  I may be a fool but I'm not a complete fool.  The incremental cost of the additional parts is insignificant compared to the labour to open and close the engine. 

IMHO.

[John316]

Agreed Bob...

Merry Christmas, hope you are out soon.

God bless,

John

[Stormcloud]

Agreed, Bob.

You're on the right track. Do it once, do it right.

Those guys, from all I've heard, are some of the best.

Best regards.

Mark

[WEC4104]

Bob, lot's of folks have mentioned general comments endorsing the fine work done at U.S. Coach. But let me get real specific....

I take my 2 stroke to Camp Luke on a regular basis

I have personally had Camp Luke perform an in-frame on my engine

They replaced the pistons, liners, water pump, and head (upgraded to a 4 valve). All essentially the type of work you are facing.

I have seen them stand behind their work until I was completely satisfied.

... and I have written the big check.


So speaking completely from a been-there-done-that point of view,  I can tell you that you are in great hands, and Luke's shop will treat you right. 

I also endorse the belief in doing it once and doing it right. Yes, it comes with a significant price tag, and I don't want to minimize that.  I can only tell you that I took that step, and I do not regret doing so. The confidence of running down the road knowing that your DD in the back is solid and reliable, is as they say, priceless.

Wayne

[cody]

One problem that I have only seen briefly touched on this thread that should carry more weight than it is currently doing is the longevity of your engine now that luke has touched it.  Have you suddenly become immortal bob?  Do you realize? have you got any idea how long you'll have to live before you wear out that engine now?  I imagine that you think you can just pay the bill and drive away without a care in the world, well, you can, and is that fair to those of us that have engines that can still fail at any time, probably in the dark of the night, on a cold, rainy night far, far, far away from the last vestiges of civilation, did I mention cold and rainy?  OH, to be the golden boy that you are, to own the engine that was rebuilt by the team of masters, it's like finding the holy grail and it's all yours, all yours. We'll all be sitting on the park benches, talking about the buses that we once owned and loved, the rallys that we had attended and friendships we had found oh so many years ago when we were young and still able to control our bladders, we'll watch as you drive by still running effortlessly, could we at least have a ride for old times sake?  Just to relive for a moment those distant memories that grow dimmer as the years go by?  Oops, my meds are here now, be back later.

[skipn]

If that was my water pump, I would replace it based on the picture because it looks like it is leaking at the seals and with a 2 stroke pump the next thing that happens is the impeller falls off and the engine spits all the water out.

  NJT 5573,
   Please enlighten I can't see on the pictures where the water pump is leaking at the seals...Thanks

  Bob
     In for a penny in for a pound just the way it is I have never had the luck of tearing an engine apart and not needing to change out
     more than expected. Even back when I was doing one a week there was always something more that should be changed. The
     idea was once done one could rest assured that with a good operator you wouldn't see that engine again for 500k miles. Maybe over
     optimistic but a good goal.
 
Take care.......and smile it's only money macaroni and cheese for a few years ain't all that bad

  Skip

[Paso One]

When I restore vehicles I always catch the well know ailment called whileimatitittis   at the time it is painful but in the long run it is well worth it.

The feeling of security driving down the future roads is as stated priceless

[bobofthenorth]

When I restore vehicles I always catch the well know ailment called whileimatitittis   at the time it is painful but in the long run it is well worth it.

Me too.  There's a saying something to the effect of "the bitter taste of low quality lingers long after the euphoria of low price has passed".  My personal preference is "there's no substitute for doing it right the first time."  Sometimes I can't really afford to do it right but do so anyway - this would be one of those times.

Update: Left side (relative to the bus) head is back on; new head is on the floor getting jakes mounted; all liners & pistons are in. 

[John316]

Bob,

I am glad that you are doing things right, and not pinching. That bill will hurt a little though .

Merry Christmas,

God bless,

John

[busshawg]

You nearing the end of this journey and it's almost time to saddle up and carry on.  I find one has to look at the positive in all situations. Although I have to be reminded of this from time to time. Anyway there are plenty of positives here. Have a great trip and Merry Christmas from up here in winter wonder land.

[Busted Knuckle]

Bob great to here all is going well! You made the right choices! It may have been a bigger Christmas present than you had intended to give yourself or the bus, but in the long run it will be enjoyed many times over!

Don't forget to ask Luke for a bow for the front of the bus to show off that new present now!
  BK 

[Sojourner]

And have Luke and his crew with your family in front of bus for a photo shot if you will.

Thank you for sharing the progress reports.

Sojourn for Christ, Gerald

Bob great to here all is going well! You made the right choices! It may have been a bigger Christmas present than you had intended to give yourself or the bus, but in the long run it will be enjoyed many times over!

Don't forget to ask Luke for a bow for the front of the bus to show off that new present now!
  BK 

[Kwajdiver]

Bob,

What's the latest,,,, when will you be on the road.   Sorry to hear about your problems.     I'm in the same boat as Cody.  If the same happen to me, I believe I would just lay down and cry.    Wonder what my bus is worth, without an engine?  Not much I'm guessing.


Florida is still waiting for ya, it was 82degrees here today.  Hope your on the road soon. 

Be safe,

Bill

[bobofthenorth]

The guys just turned the lights off - its 8:00++ local time.  They made incredible progress today - its starting to look like they can actually get us out of here tomorrow.  I think we're starting to smell bad so they don't want to come back to us on Monday.   

The heads are on and torqued, the bottom end is torqued but still open and the blower is back on.  They want the bottom open so that they can fill it with water and check for leaks.  That will be the project for first thing in the morning.