Need some help --- wait - who doesn't??

[gypsychris]

Hi guys, well -- so long Alaska and welcome to Palm Desert! Hehe -- sunshine all day etc... Anyhow, I have a blown head gasket or perhaps an exhaust gasket on one of the cylinders - I have a 454 Chevy gas engine and I find it quite hard to find anyone to work on it or help.

Do you guys know anyone in the Palm Desert/Springs area that could help me out?? am even thinking of perhaps swapping my whole engine and/or fuel inject the thing while I am it.

Thanks for any help/suggestions.

Chris.

Also, I am looking to get back in touch with Artstream, Betty and Chris (they have a TT airstream pulled by a black Hummer) -- if anyone has their contact info...would be great. Thxs.

[ASwifey]

Chris, I would suggest calling the local Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR). They should have a list of reputable garages in that area.

Good luck.

[gypsychris]

Originally Posted by ASwifey

Chris, I would suggest calling the local Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR). They should have a list of reputable garages in that area.

Good luck.

Will do -- just hoping someone has experience with some people down here...

THANKS

[captdaddy]

You might try Bob Miller RV in the Banning area....very knowledgeable and reasonable....used them on my way from LA to Texas....may not do the work there but they'll know a good place to send you

Don

[ScrapIrony-2]

Hey Chris&Liz,
Been awhile...
You might try Good Sam...they have towed us and steered us to good mechanics.
Do you have water in the oil? We just replaced our R exhaust manifold and gasket...the weight of the exhaust system will pull on the manifold, and over the miles, will loosen the u-bolt(s) holding the pipes in place.
Could you PM me...? I can't access our blog(been over a year)...mike&tracy

[crazeevw]

Chris,
Do you have the cast-iron exhaust manifolds or headers? Cast Iron headers on the 454 are known for blowing gaskets. Something to check on.
Any luck on a good mechanic yet?
Good Luck, Derek

[ScrapIrony-2]

T thought our exhaust manifold was cast iron, but it was stainless...
Artstream emailed me from the west around mid-October...sounds like he's doing better...
The SS Ex Man was cracked/broken, and a fellow in Tucson welded it back together, welded a patch over the weid, and it was about $150 cheaper than the replacement would have cost...it must have been cracked when we bought it, as I had to keep checking the tach to make sure the motor was running...VERY quiet...he recommended having flow inhibitors installed in the exhaust ports to help it run cooler.

[Keyair]

Hi Chris,
Any sign of overheating or blowing coolant out?

Sent you a PM... if I can help!

[gypsychris]

AM in coachella now.... still looking and I have to be on the road tomorrow... what a headache!

[gypsychris]

Thanks to Keyair, we replaced manifold and other stuff.. seems to be running pretty well -- I am at a loss cos my ignition wires (spark-plug wires) keep baking on me -- yes they keep frying right where they meet the plugs -- any ideas??

[crazeevw]

Chris, fried spark plug boots are common with cast-iron exhaust manifold. Recommend investing in tubular headers
Good luck, Derek

[streamquest]

Originally Posted by gypsychris

Thanks to Keyair, we replaced manifold and other stuff.. seems to be running pretty well -- I am at a loss cos my ignition wires (spark-plug wires) keep baking on me -- yes they keep frying right where they meet the plugs -- any ideas??

There are lots of ultra high temperature insulating products available to deal with similar problems. Most of them have to do with car and motorcycle racing applications. Google "ceramic exhaust insulation" and you will come across a bunch of them. I know that there are tube shaped "sleeve" materials available that are designed specifically to protect wires. If you had tubular headers, I would suggest wrapping them individually before installation, but I'm not so sure that would work with stock exhaust manifolds.

Charly

[ScrapIrony-2]

Asbestos matting(I know, I know) would work well...

[crazeevw]

Chris, try the high temp wraps that Charly is recommending before investing in tubular headers. A much more inexpensive 'fix'.
Good Luck, Derek