LUVTruck.com

Cool. Let's just keep all future deposits going to Taz as well so it doesn't get confusing (and I can't get blamed for embezzlement ).

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'75 body with '82 diesel running gear
My build thread.

I sent a small amount for Taz for his trouble and will send a few bucks more later tomorrow for John.

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Certified pilots, looking down on people since 1903.

Well I've been called quite a few things in my life...but never a "little angel"...lol

But there really isn't any need to send me any $$ unless it's going to John...he needs to get his truck running real bad...and I sure now how it feels to be on foot with a family to look after.

I'm just glad to be able to offer any help I can....like others have done for me and my family before.

Getting that truck running and knowing John's family is happy and doing alright is all the thanks I will ever need.

So you all just keep sending those acts of kindness John's way.

I made it down to meet Taz and he was a great person. His shop is real nice, and lots to see. He also has a nice LUV. He had the engine and I brought it home, also with all the gaskets and a new oil filter. I had a little trouble getting it in my little shop, but Larry and I got it in and I tried to get it on the engine stand but I didn't make it. I picked it up and put it on a chair later after Larry left, and then tried to go to the engine stand, but it didn't work. I couldn't get the bolts through enough and the bolts broke off the back of the block. The engine went down and good thing was we had the wood that Taz had given us to support the engine on the trip underneath. I don't think it hurt anything seriously and I decided to quit until later when I get a cherry picker. So here I am still trying and will try some more. I'm kinda worn out and ready to retire for the evening, so I'll just leave you with a photo of Taz's LUV.

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'78 1.8L 4-speed Fleetside

The only thing more beautiful than a sunset is a sunrise.

Glad to hear you have received your engine... and didn't kill yourself in the process. Hopefully it didn't hurt anything and it all works out well for you in the end. Since I still have your address be looking out for something in the mail.

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Geez John...do I have to come over there and take you out to the woodshed....lol

It would be a lot easier just to set both of the engines on wooden blocks to swap all of the parts (except for the oil pan) instead of using an engine stand.

I never have been too crazy about using one unless it's for a rebuild....because they are just too darn easy to tip over...and IMHO they are usually more trouble than they are worth.

That's why I have my little four wheeled engine cart I made...it's a lot easier to use.

Once you use a hoist to pull your old engine and get it out sitting next to the one you got from me...it'll all go pretty fast.

Just take your time and be carefull...and if you get stuck just ask one of us...but never guess if you don't know for sure.

Good luck!

I gave Larry $10 for gas, and spent $11 on bolts, so that's the expense account so far. I told Taz that if the donations exceed the amount I actually use to get this LUV running, I will have the funds sent to Ben to help defray the cost of t-shirts. So everybody will be happy. I will continue to include the costs in my posts.

It's almost 5 AM and I am up and at 'em. I got some cleaning to do on the engine and Taz said to use paint thinner, so I'm going to try that. I also have a can of brake cleaner. Here's a photo of the engine still in Taz's shop.

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'78 1.8L 4-speed Fleetside

The only thing more beautiful than a sunset is a sunrise.

I just checked my paypal account for tumwatertaz@gmail.com and all it shows that I have recieved is Dottie's donation.

Luvrv8...where and when did you send it?

Hmmm...maybe it's just taking a while to process or something.

Freakin' paypal...

I examined the engine today that I got from Tazman, and I found the crankshaft and bearings to be in pretty good condition. However the block showed some rust signs, and upon closer inspection, i.e. a wire brush and a Dremel® tool, I found the block has a crack. I can't use it. The block in mine will have to have a lot of work on it to be usable, so it looks like it's bleak right now. I spent more money on the LUV than the donations covered, and my wife and son want me to get our minivan going. I wanted to get the LUV going, but it has turned into a bottomless money pit. I can't keep going and that's just the way it is. I appreciate all the hoopla raised on this issue, but unless I get another engine in good running condition without a cracked block, I can't afford to do all the work and put this together only to have it fail again. My present block is not cracked, but the machine shop wants about $1300 to do the block work and pistons, then reassemble the engine. They were trying to advise me of my dangers, but I thought I could do it on my own, so I tried. I can't use this second block, and I can't use my block unless I get a lot more help, and I also don't expect so much help, so I'm out of options here. I tried to get Tazman today, but he must be out in the woodshed getting his just due, so I'm letting everybody know here, and that's all.

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'78 1.8L 4-speed Fleetside

The only thing more beautiful than a sunset is a sunrise.

Are you sure that is not a casting mark.


TAZ, PM sent

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Certified pilots, looking down on people since 1903.

Looks like a crack here - you can see that he ground into the the crack with the dremel tool to verify. It looks pretty deep.

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1978 shortbed fleetside, th350, Fireball 231 Even Fire V6, Edelbrock 500CFM Performer with Edelbrock intake. Workin' Truck.

That's what I hoped it was, and that's why the grinding with the Dremel®. If you click on the photo you can see clearly there is a crack. Maybe there's another trip in the works. Also the gasket set is wrong. The yellow one, I mean.

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'78 1.8L 4-speed Fleetside

The only thing more beautiful than a sunset is a sunrise.

Hummm...

Admittedly I'm not an engine expert but is that a structrually significant crack? Does it leak oil? If not, does it matter? It was running when Taz removed it from the previous truck so unless that crack materialized during the move I would suggest living with it.

What would be the cost involved with just swapping parts from John's engine to Taz's engine? Just labor, right? Maybe some incidentals?

I sure wouldn't pay to have a rebuild done on a cracked block (although I have in the past... ), but I sure wouldn't be above swapping engine peripherals to this engine. Heck, I wouldn't have even taken the bearings loose so long as it turned over.

In summary, my opinion is to put it together and drop it in? Am I all wet?

Eric Q.

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'75 body with '82 diesel running gear
My build thread.

if need be i have a machined or cleaned block not sure what they call it but no way to get it there in fact i have 2 if some wants to give one of them a ride up north

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My old but now gone Luv...

That sucks John.... The crack may be due to the cold weather as well...

Ctman says he has a block if you can have it either picked up or shipped you could then use all the internals out of the cracked block to have a safe runing engine.

Don't give up hope yet I am sure we can solve this one way or another.

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Ctmandu, I would love to have that cleaned block shipped up if it's ready to go so I don't have to have more expense put on it. I just talked with DBest, who's going to check on the amount it will cost to have it shipped, and we'll talk tomorrow. When it's done and running then I'll come down to personally thank you. Maybe I'll head over to meet Dan too.

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'78 1.8L 4-speed Fleetside

The only thing more beautiful than a sunset is a sunrise.

That would be great John, would luv to meet a new friend. Should have some information for you tomorrow.

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1980 Chevy Luv 4x4 Mikado
the "Ole Man from Spokane"

Are the bores compatable on the Tumwater motor and the Catmandu block? I'll chip in on the shipping to Fullaluv, but we need to make sure. I wouldn't use the internals from the old engine that died, that leaves the cracked blocks rotating assembly. I hope they are the same bore, so new pistons aren't needed.

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If you think no one cares, try missing a couple of payments...



FIAA!

SFPP!

OK. John, What does the mini van need to run?
Maybe this is a sign that you should get it going and maybe in time the LUV parts will come together. I think we are starting to try and use too much crazy glue and duct tape here. Another recipe for another disaster.
Who knows, maybe a really good used eng. will come along in a couple months or so and then both your vehicles will run. But I think if we get too rushed here with swapping used parts from one block to another , it will just end up with a short lived eng. that isn't going to run very well.
Sorry to be a buzz kill here, but that's my $.02.

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OK, I'm over it. Where's the beer?

FedEx, 4 day delivery from Oregon to John Fullaluv, Washington
$126.32

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1980 Chevy Luv 4x4 Mikado
the "Ole Man from Spokane"