My truck took up smoking and it killed her...

[Mark_88]

I was almost to my destination yesterday when I noticed a trail of white smoke behind me...was hoping it was just a flesh wound. I had to drive about 2 miles with that and the motor was starting to knock...the smoke was getting thicker...stalled at the only stop sign but I managed to jump it just before my forward movement stopped...and drove the rest of the way...then backed it into a place where the hearse, er, tow truck could get at the front end...

Looks like she blew a head gasket...most oil on the dipstick I've ever had...too bad it's 90% anti-freeze...

Ah, well, still runs as I was able to start it again after the tow truck deposited it in the middle of the yard where I was tearing the other one apart and drive it to a shadier place for her to rest...

Just need to do the swap now and it will be all better...but I'm already seeing this is going to require every ounce of my acquired skills to complete...and I'm going to have to document this as an actual build thread.

The 96 dash is a must do mostly due to the complexities of the wiring and my total lack of willingness to cut and spice...the old steering wheel has almost enough wires to do a direct fit that way but what I want to do is preserve the 2.0 wiring harness and rebuild the bottom end of the motor...will post pics of things when I get started...

 

[Mikel89us]

Sorry for your loss, good luck with the resurrection!!

 

[Mark_88]

Thanks~!

It was just a matter of time...pretty much a relief...thought I'd blow the engine before the head gasket went because I just replaced that about 1.5 years ago...maybe those head bolts should have been redone...

Moving forward with the build as soon as I can pull the cab off the 96.

 

[NIPs]

Something happened with my 99 a month back the bearing was so badly spun there was metAl flakes all over my dip stick unfortunately I did have the luxury of being able to rebuild mine due to money issues and space issues, but would of loved to have rebuilt it she died at 202281, I bought with 182281 and it lasted 2 years

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[NIPs]

I wish the best of luck I could post pics to so I can see ur progress

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[Mark_88]

Thanks!

I wanted to rebuild the engine but the cost of the bottom end alone was almost $2,000 and it wasn't even using the 2.5 internals.

I have a few pics of he tear-down of the 96 but nothing specific on the how-to, which I think is needed. Pulling the dash was the toughest part...until I discovered there are really only five bolts holding it in place...plus a few wire clips and things like the steering column...the steering column was only 5 bolts as the newer ones detach at the firewall to make that easier.

Still haven't removed the 96 cab due to complications in the equipment...namely, the guy's basement flooded so he had everything cleaned and it now sits in front of the lift in his garage. Then I have to actually wheel it over gravel and not looking forward to that at all.

Started tearing down the 88 body and dash...yanked the cat to try to sell it and the dang thing was gutted by the previous owner...lol. Pulled the exhaust completely off and might sell some of the engine parts...like the head, since it was recently rebuilt. And since the wrecking yards are charging 350 for 2.3 engines that will need rebuilding (yes, not running) I might just sell the whole motor as a rebuild item only.

The transmission is still working just great after 450,000 km...still shifting as smooth as ever!

I expect the hardest part will be putting the dash in the 88 since I will need to use the 96 heater box and it is not even close to the 88...well, maybe the passenger side opening is, but the opening for the inlet is much closer to the fan on the 96 and will require cutting as well as support bolts.

Won't know exactly until I pull the cab on the 88 and try to match things up...

 

[NIPs]

Cool

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[ricardo93]

Why is the bottom end gonna cost 2k?

 

[Mark_88]

Why is the bottom end gonna cost 2k?

Not sure, probably his grandson is going to college...

On another note...sometime last winter the truck started to bog really bad...like it was starving for gas or the cat was plugged...managed to drive it to where I was going and just before I got there it suddenly loosened up...like the fuel filter cleared itself or the cat had a crap...

When I pulled the OEM cat off the other day I was going to take it to the yard and sell it...they're worth $40-$60...usually...the guy had to cut the longer pipe off to have a look inside and...it was empty...not a drop of platinum or iridium (or whatever cats eat) in it's belly!

When I looked in it didn't appear as if it was plugged and suddenly popped a hole in it with the pressure...it looked like it was intentionally gutted...

No frickin' wonder I never passed an emission test...lol