This week it’s been “fixit and hurry” and until we get a second in/out crew it meant we’ve had to feather back on some of the restoration projects. Haven’t stopped but the labor has to come from somewhere but with the 2 coaches that has been our focus, next week should be back to work.
………. it was the carburetor!!! 
Yep, kinda surprised me, follow as I gave you the diagnostics finding this:
The coach came in after a white knuckle ride from Michigan to Disney. After the holiday, now we need to get home so coming over to the shop we found it seemed to be vapor locking badly. It had gotten worse and the temps came up on the trip down. Fuel hoses and fuel delivery rebuild was @ 2 years old. Motor is an original 403, has run like a top for 38 years. Hmmmmmm……..
Steo 1 was to inspect the fuel delivery system… tanks, hoses, A/B solenoid… all looked tight and blowing through we could tell the vents were working. We replaced the fuel solenoid and added an aux. electric fuel pump on the front tank as countermeasures if it happened again. A test drive WITH the electric pump on …. it still vapor locked!!! Rats….
Now, lets “divide and conquer”, a hooked up a 6 gallon boat fuel tank to the mechanical fuel pump…… Still vapor lock so the plot thickens…. a different fuel delivery system and still the problem means it’s in the motor! Oh crap, this could be another intake manifold crack…. worst case scenario but wait….. the sky is not falling yet.
Lets install a known good carberator…. if the issue still persistes it will be under the knife to pull the intake. Pulling the original carb…. original carb gaskets are unique,,,, yes, the intake does have the crack like this one
I unstalled a fresh remanufactured carb and sent the coach out for another test drive……… JACKPOT
No bad acting, ran like a top so taking back my boat tank this work was done 
Usually a carb will work…. become finicky or just puke all together. This carb rested the coach giving a friendlt warning… I would call that a part that gave it’s all. Hope to hear from them this morning that all is working.
Pat’s old stretched timing chain is out and replaced with a new double roller, true roller steel gear and roller chain set 
Oulleys and belts are back on with the radiator going in this morning 
we’re closing in on the full page punch list, only a few more issues left this puppy has to go home today! Gaskets curing over night it’s ready this morning for fluids…. stay tuned for the drama.
The b rakes finally bleed out and Rick is picking up his bundle of joy today too 
The 2 year old combination valve was allowing air in during the flush/bleed process. In a phrase …. “If it won’t flow using gravity it will not work”. Our 3 way bleed process starts with a full 6 wheel gravity bleed… if all 6 wheels will not flow freely on a gravity bleed there is something wrong…. back up.
In other news, the limousines are taking over 
Of the 42 vehicles we have on the property, 6 are limos. These things are BIG… I thought 26′ motorhomes take up space…. how about a 40′ Hum V? As they said on Jaws… “We’re gonna need a bigger boat”!
That good looking Explorer II GMC is now sporting a 6.5 GM turbo diesel motor. We’re finishing up the fuel system and waiting for the marine style custom built 2 cyl. Kubota motor water cooled diesel generator. Remember the sound as Forest Gunp cruised past the dock where Capt. Dan was. Thump..thump…thump…thump…thump…
We used the same units on the 2 Duramax diesel GMC restorations done in the past. Stay tuned, it goes out in 2 weeks….
So yeah, it’s fun around here and this is REAL drama! Life is drama if you’re in it… so get used to it. The best you can ever hope for is someone willing to put you in their hurry.
It’s Friday with a big weekend planned. Stay tuned and have a great weekend yourself… .
