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Isuzusweet · 05-13-2018, 08:58 AM

Okay, still catching my breath.........

Yesterday I was scoping through Kijiji (Canadian Craigslist) and came across an ad for a 94 Dodge 2500 12 Valve Cummins 2wd automatic; 438,000 kms (273,000 miles); body shot, frame shot but running well for $1,500.00, that was a couple of hours old. I had left my phone in Gabby's Pilot so I had to wait for her to come home to contact him. Gabby came home at 6:15, but I was still running my Unified tow brake wiring inside the Airstream, so I didn't get a hold of the guy until 6:30. Turns out he had a guy coming the next morning to see it, so I asked if I could see it that night; sure he texted back.

So, a two hour drive across the top of Lake Ontario later I arrive at 8:30pm; light getting dim but the truck fired right up and ran just fine, new alternator, oil changes every 10,000 kms, transmission was tight. Since I had no warning and the banks were closed it took a bit of wrangling to get the money together (I didn't even try to talk him down as he told me the texts and phone calls were coming in fast and furious).

In order to ascertain what kind of condition the powertrain was in, I asked the son who was selling the truck for his step Dad if he would drive two hours to my house with the truck; his only concern was that I wouldn't drive him back, to which I assured him I would; so, two hours later the truck is home; turn around, drive him two hours back to Port Hope, and then two hours home. I arrived home at quarter to three in the morning.

On the return trip back to Port Hope, the son checked his e-mails; he was up to sixteen already, on top of the four, including me that had contacted him earlier, to which four of them told him straight out that they would buy the truck, sight unseen.

The truck was originally purchased new by his Grandfather and used gently, occasionally towing a car trailer to fairs loaded with vintage lawnmowers that he restored. The son/step Dad bought the truck from his Dad and just used it as a daily driver to commute by two lane back roads to his work in Bowmanville from Port Hope.

Another piece of the puzzle is coming together.

Cheers
Sidekick Tony

PS Lots of good parts to part out if somebody needs anything off a 94-98 Dodge truck.

bkahler · 05-13-2018, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Isuzusweet

..... I had left my phone in Gabby's Pilot so I had to wait for her to come home to contact him.

Tony, I don't know what it is with you and that phone but I'm wondering just how many phones you've lost over the years!

I think you need to keep it in your pocket like I do.

I'd say you did the right thing by not waiting or as they say taking the bull by the horns and getting the job done

Congrats on the Cummins

Isuzusweet · 05-13-2018, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkahler

Tony, I don't know what it is with you and that phone but I'm wondering just how many phones you've lost over the years!

Not one; yet. This is actually the very first cell phone I have ever owned, and I inherited from my daughter who decided not to complete her side of the bargain.

Give me time though.......

The two Cummins guys up here (John and Richard) both think I got a great deal on a sweet motor.

Cheers
Sidekick Tony

bkahler · 05-13-2018, 04:39 PM

Are you planning on using the motor "as is" or are you going to tear into it and do a rebuild?

Isuzusweet · 05-13-2018, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkahler

Are you planning on using the motor "as is" or are you going to tear into it and do a rebuild?

Here's the thing about the 6BT install; the head will have to taken off to have the neccessary clearance to remove from donor truck, (unless you take off the cab), and install into the Argosy will be easier without the head on; so it will give us a chance to inspect the cylinders, remove oil pan for cleaning and epoxy coating, (as they tend to rust out), replace head bolts with ARP studs. How far we go will depend on oil analysis, the initial test drive with the motor in the truck and what we find in the cylinder walls.

I was planning on replacing or rebuilding a number of critical components that could be difficult, if not impossible to replace later; like water pump, fuel lift pump, P-pump, alternator, injectors and such. I don't want to throw a ton of money at this motor because I think she's good to go, BUT, I would hate to have to remove the motor later to replace something that could have taken an extra five minutes and $50 when the motor was out.

Cheers
Sidekick Tony

bkahler · 05-16-2018, 12:22 PM

Any news from the shop in Wooster?

martin300662 · 05-22-2018, 06:43 PM

There has to be some news by now?????

Isuzusweet · 05-22-2018, 07:52 PM

I ascribe to the age old axiom, "no news, is good news".

I have been very busy as of late and don't wish to seem all that eager to receive the $3,000+ bill, all to soon.

I'll phone them tomorrow........promise.

Cheers
Sidekick Tony

Isuzusweet · 05-23-2018, 04:35 PM

The latest news from the garage is.........

Radiator due back in late next week; brake parts arriving today and tomorrow; gas tank will be cleaned but doesn't have anyone to epoxy seal it. Other than that, it's all good; everything taken apart and just waiting for parts.

They appreciated the fact that I wasn't hounding them.

Good things come to those with patience.

Cheers
Sidekick Tony

Isuzusweet · 06-18-2018, 07:26 PM

So the repairs are completed on the Argosy, however the garage can't road test her until she is plated, so I will drive down on Jun 28th after work, get up early to go to an Ohio BMV office to get a temporary export permit tag; get up to the garage and road test her with a mechanic in tow.

The office lady told me it's going to take her a few days to get the bill together.

Oh well, I had no other choice.

Now I just have to circumnavigate the border bureaucracy.

Cheers
Sidekick Tony

bkahler · 06-19-2018, 04:25 AM

Overall I'd have to say that's good news. I'm sure you're looking forward to finding out what the final bill is going to look like

Have you planned your route home yet?

mikeajana · 06-19-2018, 07:13 AM

Anxiously awaiting news. This is exactly what I want to do with my 24, and I'm trying hard not to put money into my 454.

Isuzusweet · 07-01-2018, 07:44 AM

It doesn't matter how much preparation you do;

Mood lighting (check alternator, new batteries, new negative and positive cables and connectors).

The right wine; ( new fuel lines, fuel pump, rebuilt carburetor);

New shoes, (tires, brake hoses, new callipers and rotors)

The perfect temperature; (re-corded radiator, new water pump, new heater hoses, rad hoses, clamps)

Lots of lubrication (oil and filter change)

Even though I did all I could to make that moment, the perfect moment, I was under no delusion that waking up a 43 year old woman who had been in a coma for 15 years and hoping to go "all the way" was........possible......but highly improbable; especially pulling Zippy in 87- 92 degree heat.

I got to 100 mile service center on the Ohio turnpike when vapour lock finally did us in; coupled with an exhaust leak that blowtorched my starter; frying it completely.

The chase continues!

Isuzusweet · 07-01-2018, 07:49 AM

Temps look to be lower next weekend and I found out that the Detroit border is open 24 hours/ 7 days a week to vehicle exports, instead of 8-4pm, which is what it stated on the CBP website; so we will try again next weekend. Gabby will drive the Altima down so Gale won't have to pull Zippy as well.

Cheers
Sidekick Tony

martin300662 · 07-01-2018, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Isuzusweet

Temps look to be lower next weekend and I found out that the Detroit border is open 24 hours/ 7 days a week to vehicle exports, instead of 8-4pm, which is what it stated on the CBP website; so we will try again next weekend. Gabby will drive the Altima down so Gale won't have to pull Zippy as well.

Cheers

Sidekick Tony

At least she is moving in the right direction Tony!

Smartstream · 07-01-2018, 11:48 AM

Tony some of these experienced ladies need a little sweet talking too.

Isuzusweet · 07-01-2018, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smartstream

Tony some of these experienced ladies need a little sweet talking too.

Yeah, I may have whammed bammed it a bit too much.

Cheers
Sidekick Tony

Smartstream · 07-01-2018, 12:01 PM

Only if she is one of those Nasty Ladies.

now Tony is editing while I'm posting.

Isuzusweet · 07-01-2018, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smartstream

Only if she is one of those Nasty Ladies.

now Tony is editing while I'm posting.

Sorry......funny thing is, I didn't curse at all, not once. It wasn't her fault she broke down, and it wasn't mine or the garage that worked on her; it was the weather and a bit of bad luck. It was what it was, and I can't change it.

The upside is it happened where it did, right close to a well equipped, well kempt garage with an old school mechanic; versus in the Detroit US customs area in the center of Detroit, as my starter was pooched probably long before I stopped.

The weather is suppose to significantly cool for next Friday......new garage will install high torque starter which gets the solonoid further away from the exhaust and I've told them to wrap the exhaust or put a piece of sheet metal between the starter and the exhaust.

Cheers
Sidekick Tony

Smartstream · 07-01-2018, 01:04 PM

It's interesting Tony, I remember back as a kid my dad had a 49 Ford with the old flat head V8. While on vacation camping in the mountains it would vaper lock on hot days. We had the canvas water bag hanging in front of the grill. Dad would wet some rags and wrap the fuel line trying to cool the fuel enough to get it running. Here it is nearly 70 years later and engines and heat have the same problem.