Right bank issue

luvrbus · October 04, 2016, 01:06:19 PM

Yep I would have never installed propane on a 37 year engine that has given you no problems over the years,so far you replaced the head, blower and now a possible major overhaul since the propane install but it is your call. Fwiw you can turbo that engine for under a 1000 bucks depends on the rods and have power 24/7

dtcerrato · October 04, 2016, 08:08:01 PM

Its actually a 47 year engine (2016-1969=47) And it has had it's repairs over the years but none major. The head replacement was unrelated to propane and acting up for a long time before impeding the thought of an Alaska round trip. During the head replacement it was well evident and established that it was a tired engine even with the head replacement. Yes it was our call and we did propane. A few grades we encountered took goosing with the toad to the top, in first gear. An adventure in itself and extremely exciting. Weather it was propane, nitro, gasoline, or what ever it was our call. And in the end, success is all we felt with a renewed spirit, less money and happier than we've been in decades - and we still savor that renewed spirit and success of completing the bucket list item of a lifetime, at least for us, and will do it again. The engine was going to get attention one way or the other. So you see propane is irrelevant in our minds. We probably wouldn't have pulled the 7000# toad or even attempted the 12,000 mile journey with out our call. Sure hate to upset you with your fix on propane. It was our call and we did it and would do it all over again. Because the satisfaction of success and completion with the gain of spirit outweighs the tired old engine in the machine that brought us home. We're in different leagues - propane pleased us, it seems to not please you. I guess that's why they call us nuts, right? Bus nuts, you know!

luvrbus · October 04, 2016, 08:40:20 PM

LOL it doesn't upset me I get paid to fix one,I don't care what you do, but with your system you flying by the seat of your pants. With Scott's system there is no measurement just flip a switch not knowing how much just pressure regulation.
The way I see it you are filling a 2 gal bucket (the air box) no intake valves just ports.I have a friend with a 8v92 with propane a old green 8v92 engine when I did work on it 10 years ago I disabled his system and he still tells people how great propane is and the thing doesn't even work that all folks

dtcerrato · October 04, 2016, 09:08:38 PM

As long as your friend feels good, that's what counts. If he is your friend and you honestly thought you were helping him that is good. I hope he never experiences humiliation...

luvrbus · October 05, 2016, 04:25:03 AM

Quote from: dtcerrato on October 04, 2016, 09:08:38 PM
As long as your friend feels good, that's what counts. If he is your friend and you honestly thought you were helping him that is good. I hope he never experiences humiliation...

That one didn't come out the way I intended he knew I disabled his system but he still praises propane,I threw away his K&N filter too and he still likes those also but he is happy now spending no money on his engine,it was part of the deal I wasn't going to warranty the engine with propane and the K&N filter

Scott & Heather · October 05, 2016, 06:37:56 PM

Dan I can say after spending time on the phone with Cliff and following his ever helpful posts for years on here and having he and many others on here help me through two coach builds, he means well. He's a nice guy just trying to share his wealth of knowledge. Forums don't always convey feelings very well lol.

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dtcerrato · October 06, 2016, 06:27:21 AM

Hi Scott

Not really sure who you are referring to as Cliff but have an idea. It's all good! I look forward to the diverse opinions. When you say "wealth of Knowledge" that usually comes with age. I think some of us refer to it as wisdom. We've always respected our elders and have lost most of ours, but that's common for being a youngster @ 65. It's all good, no worry and look forward to future conversation. While we're on the subject of wisdom &/or wealth of knowledge - what's your excuse you young buck you! We know you're younger than most and even so we respect the likeness of you. As we mentioned on another forum, you are ahead of the game and we admire that - you already have a wealth of knowledge. Thanks for the kind words. Cool you, good stuff...

dtcerrato · October 14, 2016, 08:22:42 PM

Following up on the right bank issue. Checked & recorded valve lash, no tight valves, they all had clearance but the clearances were all over the place from 18 thousandths to 32 thousandths. Also did an infrared video (couldn't attach - too large) of the dual exhaust manifolds. Only three cylinders fired upon cranking, then the other two fired when it caught after second cranking. The fourth cylinder from the left isn't firing at all. Keep in mind that this engine is a 1969 block rebuilt. That's 47 years of service without any major work. The new cylinder head went on in the 47th year. Since the cylinder head replacement the engine sucked hard on an exploded blower - so anything is possible. There is a distinct sound of valve blow-by from the right bank tail pipe.

luvrbus · October 15, 2016, 07:09:27 AM

2 or 4 valve head ? those adjustment are all over map you may have lost a cam roller ,or on the 4 valve head you missed the adjustment on the bridges it is head pulling time regardless

dtcerrato · October 15, 2016, 06:25:30 PM

4 valve head

luvrbus · October 16, 2016, 05:40:16 AM

I would rule out the blower sucking parts in from the blown governor that won't happen

dtcerrato · October 16, 2016, 06:44:27 AM

You mentioned blown governor. The blower lobes were seized and broke up enough for us to fish out a fair amount of shrapnel in the air boxes. I appreciate your comments & observation.

luvrbus · October 16, 2016, 07:09:35 AM

You will never know till you pull the head ,when a blower seizes you are dead instantly and you will always find shrapnel,you need to figure why you adjustments are all over the chart

dtcerrato · October 16, 2016, 09:28:40 AM

10-4, understood... The blower failure was far from leaving us dead instantly, as we were in a down hill coast in gear intermittently braking to control speed. Unfortunately we didn't realize we were without power probably minutes after initial failure (heard an unusual noise minutes before smoke) when thick smoke filled the rear of the coach. It was the last really traumatic engine occurrence thus I dwell on it a bit but am the type that needs to digest these kinds of events. When we found that it was the blower it was sort of a relief because we'd figured a blown engine as we are in that circle somewhat now. The erroneous clearances do puzzle me. Will do a compression check for general info prior to pulling the head Thanks for your input.

chessie4905 · October 16, 2016, 06:12:16 PM

I wouldn't waste time doing a compression check. Just pull the head and view damage. Any debris from a damaged blower is going to get into the cylinders, especially directly across from it.Just like a turbo coming apart....the engine eats it. I believe that I heard that blower clearances close up as they wear.