'91 3F-E Engine Failure (stranded in Bozeman area) (2 Viewers)

[RedBean]

Dear Forum,
My Cruiser is at a crossroads. I was on a trip from ND to MT after doing a lot of maintenance over the last couple months when she started running rough and eventually losing power at open throttle, which turned in a lot of vibration and clunky noises. I limped into Livingston and had her towed to Overland Cruisers in Bozeman. Not how I had hoped the trip would go. The verdict is that there is no oil to the top end despite good oil pressure (blocked oil passage), several rocker arm bearings are bone dry, valve clearances are waaaay too large (millimeters), metal particles all over the top end. Cam shaft is probably toast along with the push rods. I knew the valves were loose and adjusted them best I could a few weeks ago, not realizing that there was a bigger problem. Shop says there is nothing they can do to get me back on the road and I believe them. Maybe y'all could give me some opinions about what to do. I need to figure this out this week - Friday I fly back to ND. Sad day. I don't have the resources to fully deal with this now. My options seem to be:
- Shop does full engine rebuild. They said it may not be possible to source all part and restore her. Completely out of my budget.
- Shop sources a used engine and swaps. Still out of my budget.
- Sell for parts, either to the shop if they want her, or find someone in the Bozeman area on short notice. Anyone interested?
- Have her trailered back home to ND and find a place to store her until I have the time, money, space, and skills to rebuild that engine. It's far above my pay grade skill wise.
What would you do in my position?

To make things worse, I just finished a pretty sweet camping buildout that I probably won't be able to get back to ND. Is there anyone in the Bozeman area interested in it? Pics below.

I feel like this might be the end of the Bean. I only had her for a year and I love that truck, we had fun times, but I don't know how to keep her right now. Pic for attention.

 

[samh]

I'm so sad to hear this.

 

[pigmony]

I'd suggest renting a Uhaul van and trailer to get her home. I think that's probably your most economical path for bringing her home. Then you have some time to figure out what to do with a bit less stress. Does your insurance happen to cover long distance towing? I'd call them and explain the situation to a human. They might be able to help you. Can't hurt to call and ask.

 

[CCRider]

I'd suggest renting a Uhaul van and trailer to get her home. I think that's probably your most economical path for bringing her home.

Agree with @pigmony
This is what I had to do when my J&$p grenaded itself in Moab. Deduct the price of airfare. Wish you nothing but good luck!!

 

[Marco Lau]

Tow it home and get a used block and get her back on the road asap.
I blew a tranny up in Sequoia National Park a while back, blow the org. radiator on top of Zion many years ago, blew a Ron Davis Radiator at the Rubicon coming down Cadillac Hills and got stranded for 2 days, and many many times calling a tow truck thinking something catastrophic happened, but just something simple instead, you live and learn and you will be up and running in no time.

 

[bicycleagent003]

It looks like you're 800 miles from home. That's a very tough situation, I'm really sorry to hear that. If possible, I would do what the other posters suggest above - tow it home. Failing that, I guess you'd have to see what the shop will offer you for the truck. But, they may not be interested in taking that on. Sorry, and good luck.

 

[Marco Lau]

Out of curiosity, you have mentioned tons of maintenance a couple months prior to your trip including adjusting the valves, etc. I am curious perhaps you did something while you were adjusting valves or causing the oil pump to malfunction? The oil pump isn't a known issue for these rigs. Curious of how this could have happened....

 

[90WT]

@RedBean I'm in the market for an 80 series if you really want to get rid of it.

But like @pigmony suggested, I'd recommend towing it home somehow to give yourself time to run all the options. Most of us with old rigs have learned to wrench when our junk breaks, and it never breaks at a good time.

 

[RedBean]

Out of curiosity, you have mentioned tons of maintenance a couple months prior to your trip including adjusting the valves, etc. I am curious perhaps you did something while you were adjusting valves or causing the oil pump to malfunction? The oil pump isn't a known issue for these rigs. Curious of how this could have happened....

The shop checked oil pressure and it was fine (60ish PSI I think). When I did the valve adjustment, things were very loose, but it had been running ok and had not had a lot of maintenance for a while when I got it. One valve was very far off, and I couldn't get it close enough with the screw all the way in. It was not too far off though after adjustment (0.5mm I think). I should obviously have investigated if it's a worn push rod or if the cams were in bad shape. Hindsight is 20/20. So there were signs but I wasn't knowledgeable enough to see them. 453k miles without a rebuild was pushing it. I was hoping to make it another 2-3 years and then rebuild the engine myself. A 10-hour day of hammering 75 on the interstate definitely did a number to the valve train.

Thank you all for the encouragement. You're right about wrenching on our s*** when it breaks. At this point I'm just debating if I'll pay to ship it, or U-Haul it. My in-laws have property where I could probably keep it until I have time to deal with it.

Does anyone have insight on shipping vehicles?

 

[pigmony]

Last time I looked into shipping a vehicle it made more sense (financially) for me to do it myself, but definitely call your insurance company. Do whatever you have to do to talk to an actual human, tell them the situation, ask them to help pay for shipping or for a uhaul.

 

[Landcruisers ru]

Last time I looked into shipping a vehicle it made more sense (financially) for me to do it myself, but definitely call your insurance company. Do whatever you have to do to talk to an actual human, tell them the situation, ask them to help pay for shipping or for a uhaul.

The shop checked oil pressure and it was fine (60ish PSI I think). When I did the valve adjustment, things were very loose, but it had been running ok and had not had a lot of maintenance for a while when I got it. One valve was very far off, and I couldn't get it close enough with the screw all the way in. It was not too far off though after adjustment (0.5mm I think). I should obviously have investigated if it's a worn push rod or if the cams were in bad shape. Hindsight is 20/20. So there were signs but I wasn't knowledgeable enough to see them. 453k miles without a rebuild was pushing it. I was hoping to make it another 2-3 years and then rebuild the engine myself. A 10-hour day of hammering 75 on the interstate definitely did a number to the valve train.

Thank you all for the encouragement. You're right about wrenching on our s*** when it breaks. At this point I'm just debating if I'll pay to ship it, or U-Haul it. My in-laws have property where I could probably keep it until I have time to deal with it.

Does anyone have insight on shipping vehicles?

Dang friend, sorry to hear this but try to stay posotive, I know its hard. I suggest ship it home and start parts horading, a lttle at a time. Rebuild your 3FE. Once you do it will be good for another . 25 years and 400K.
So sorry ro hear I am in California, sorry I cant be of help other than mental support.
Stay positive friend.