Made the run out to Diesel Specialists yesterday for the first look at my FleaBay engine assembled and running. It was the old "We got good news...& we got bad news" story.
Bad news first.
The turbo is toast. Ain't no "cheap fix". Then there is the exhaust manifold...rusted away to junk and has to go (not much of a surprise since it looked that way) . Next...the idler pulley needs replacing, then there is the fuel pump solenoid that still needs testing and a few other items to go on the shopping list.
So, the good news?
The basic engine (the really expensive stuff) appears very tight and solid. Zero blow-by, no smoke and tight compression. All in all, not too bad a day.
I want to get the engine & tranny as bullet proof as possible before the install. Example: New main seals are a piece of cake (and cheap) sitting on a work stand...but a real PITA (and $$$) after it's in. I'm in no rush to get it rolling as I have the entire bus to rebuild before launching anyway.
