Builds Call me Deacon Blues

[Cornhusker]

Mom's not going to be happy about all the oil on the drive way

Most of that doesn’t show when it dries up luckily. I think when it moves that she will be so happy she won’t even care. Haha. My deadline was like four months ago for this to run.

 

[Cornhusker]

I’ve been chipping away when I have time and am almost to the finish line. New motor is in and it should be running this weekend. Nothing like having the ONSC 2021 Relic Run Solo Stove to keep me warm while wrenching today.

 

[Cornhusker]

Finally got everything buttoned up about 9:30 tonight besides the grille. Go to start and realized I had not hooked up the return fuel line after it shot fuel out. Go to start again and I get a crank no start. I don’t believe it is getting spark and I definitely need an ignition switch I believe as I have to give it a few goes turning the key before it does anything at all. I was hoping to have it running tonight, I will get back at it and start troubleshooting when I have time. So close.

 

[Cornhusker]

Pulling the throttle body and valve cover so I can check the cam marks and noticed this plug under the upper intake. I have the EGR deleted, but don’t know if it goes to that or something else. Can someone chime in? Maybe this is a part of my problem, it I’m not seeing anything to plug into it.

 

[logicbyondreaso]

This may help:

 

[Cornhusker]

This may help:
View attachment 3815564

Thank you. I found a picture last night, but yours is better. It confirms that mine takes a trip to nowhere and just hangs there since that portion was deleted with the EGR.

 

[Cornhusker]

Pulled my valve cover off to find a broken timing chain. Can’t reach the builder.

 

[06reg4x4]

How?!

 

[Cornhusker]

How?!

I am asking the same thing.

 

[06reg4x4]

Such a weird failure.

 

[Cornhusker]

I agree. That explains the crank no start issue. What sucks even more is the fella I bought it from just replied with a “I wonder how that happened”. $3250 lesson, plus other parts and now more parts and time. I’m trying to figure out what I want to do, but I know when it’s time to move on. It’s a bummer.

 

[White Sheep]

I’m over it. Anyone want to buy the rig as a whole before I part it out?

Don't sell it. I see it's become a money pit, but your so close. Take a break from it for a min. Let the weather get a little better, then knock out this little bit.

 

[Cornhusker]

Don't sell it. I see it's become a money pit, but your so close. Take a break from it for a min. Let the weather get a little better, then knock out this little bit.

That’s what I would love to do, but I don’t have that luxury right now unfortunately. I am past some deadlines promised to have it done and coming into other commitments for my time.

 

[logicbyondreaso]

This is sad news. I was excited to hear it fired right up.
Who is the engine builder? No warranty or any sort of support? Seems strange. I have always stood behind my own work in times of trouble.
What was involved in the engine work?

 

[Cornhusker]

You and me both. I bought it from a guy here in Georgia that had an 80 for sale and then this motor and a supercharger. He and his uncle (whom is supposedly an engine builder for decades) built the motor about three years ago. Full rebuild to put the SC on. I think something was in the timing chain housing and bound it up or it was off a chain or so. I sent him a message and he basically said that he hates to see that and no clue why that would happen and to let him know what I find out as well as he would talk to his uncle. This dude is in his 40's like myself. He didn't imply anything to help make it right. That's on me. I didn't buy it with a warranty from a shop (would have been much much more). I tend to be pretty trusting until I don't need to be. This time it cost me a few grand.

Having already pulled a motor from this truck, I could probably do it fairly quickly and I would 100% just pull the harness with the motor this time. I feel this 80 is telling me at every turn to move on, so I'm reluctant. Some of me is saying pull it, do the timing chain and hope I can get away without pulling the head. My main concern is if there are any other issues in this build if I had this one.

 

[logicbyondreaso]

Since you just did all that work and have every bolt figured out - pull it, replace the chain, and verify the timing is all correct. So close! I trust you could do that in 2 days.

 

[Cornhusker]

Since you just did all that work and have every bolt figured out - pull it, replace the chain, and verify the timing is all correct. So close! I trust you could do that in 2 days.

That's kind of where I'm leaning knowing the work involved in every other option. Just dreading pulling the head off again too as I had done with the other motor. Wish I had just kept the other and repaired it too.

 

[Cornhusker]

After a couple of days of anger and disappointment, it has been decided that I am going to pull and repair this motor and double check torques on the build. I am praying I can do this timing chain without pulling the head as has been done by others in the past. I will be doing it out of the vehicle though. If anyone has a parent or grandparent that is wanting to sell that car sitting in their garage, I am looking to buy one so I have a vehicle again. Hopefully this thing is running soon.

 

[Cornhusker]

I know it's a long shot without it running, but if anyone has any interest in this 80 before I pull the motor again, I would sell it for $14,500. Looking at pulling it this week or next to get going on the timing chain otherwise. I think there was a foreign debree in there or the chain was off a tooth or tow and bound up. Either way, parts are worth more than the number mentioned above. I'm just running out of steam. If I sell it, I'm cool with that at this point and if I fix it, I'm cool with that too. Very indifferent. Over 100 vehicles owned in my 44 years and this is the only one that has ever hurt my feelings. Haha.

 

[Cornhusker]

Well, parts are ordered and a friend has made some space for me to pull the 80 into his shop so that I can knock this project out in the next two weeks despite whatever weather may come. I have a camping trip that I would love to take in on in three weeks, so the goal is to have it done with some time to shake it down. Motor will be out this week and hopefully in next. I’m going to try and do this with the head on. I know it’s been done by numerous people and hoping to have equal success. I’m pulling the motor and not leaving it in though. Eventually this 80 and I will love each other.

I have hopes to take it to the Carolina Relic Run, GSMTR, Logan’s Run and hopefully Colorado or the Rubicon this year, so crossing my fingers.