Newbie 1986 345

[willydee76]

Hello all,
I've been navigating the forum as best I can,getting some good info. My beast has been in the woods for quite a while and needs a complete overhaul. I've been preparing for a trip from Boston to South Caroline this Sunday morning.She's running good,temps been about 215 which concerns me so I may be flushing and changing the thermostat. I'll be looking for guidance on my refurb in the future and look forward to engaging in the comradery I see in the forums.

Bill

[bkahler]

Bill, welcome to Airforums!

215 is running on the high side, at least from my point of view. Considering the age don't be surprised if the radiator is in need of flushing and/or re-coring. Before doing anything verify the temperatures using an infrared heat gun. The dash gauges have been known to be highly inaccurate at best.

Check the temperature at the inlet to the radiator and discharge of the radiator.

Good luck with your trip.

Brad

[dadstoy]

The single most important thing you can do for engine temp is to have the radiator recored.

[willydee76]

Thanks for your input!! The infra red said 202 so I went with it,over heating along the way. A couple of pin holes in the core slowed us down,loosened the cap filled her up and went on. The fuel system had been changed,front to back,110 gph electric f/p, tank flushed and coated,carb and just before the trip a mechanical pump,and new filters but had to change a fuel filter on the road. I had the 860 a/c going,(filthy at the end of the trip) Picked-up a few more rattles along the way but made it in two days. She's got 23000 miles on her now,been in the woods for quite a while. Plenty of rust underneath,Sure hope I haven't bitten off more than I can chew. I won't tackle this immediately but would love to hear recs on steps to take do's and don'ts Not sure how to get pictures up but will work on it.

[bkahler]

Congrats on making it home in one piece!

I may be wrong but 202 degrees on a 345 probably isn't to far off the mark. Dean's advice on re-coring the radiator is solid advice and probably the best single thing you can do for your engine.

As far as rust goes, the truck chassis is pretty stout so I wouldn't expect anything to serious but a thorough check of the entire underside is still a good idea.

Brad

[Waipio Rim]

Good job getting home!
Member WayneG passed away recently, but his website is still up. The page on his cooling system overhaul will my guide when my coaches start overheating, here is a link: http://theouterlimits.ws/projects/ai...e_cooling.html

[streamquest]

Hey Bill,

Just curious. Did you buy the 345 that was sold at the bankruptcy auction up here in Massachusetts? If it's the one I looked at, you deserve a medal just for getting it to run!

Charly

[cwf]

It is not real unless it is in a picture...

[willydee76]

I'm having problems posting pictures,technologically challenged. I'll work on it!!