76 Edgemonte Build

We overheated sitting in traffic in SC, fan clutch was shot. It was a wet overheat though, just blew steam and coolant on ground. Waited for it to cool down, traffic to clear, topped off radiator with water from the kitchen sink and continued on to our destination. Changed fan clutch when we arrived.

No damage to engine that I can tell. Hopefully yours is the same.
Let’s hope. I’m going to ask the shop to change the oil and check for coolant in the oil. From there probably a compression test.
 
Well, an update on the machine. Engine was running well and then I started climbing the grade to come out of Seattle heading back towards Utah when the engine overheated and shut down. I had it towed to a local diesel and RV shop in North Bend Washington I am hoping that I didn’t seize the engine or spin bearings. I will check in with the RV place on Monday to see if they have experience with these engines and to see if they can do a basic diagnosis for me. I am flying back out to Utah first thing tomorrow morning. So disappointed. I should have been paying attention to the gauges and pulled over and let it cool off.
Many have suffered the same fate. It is no fun being on the side of an interstate with a blown engine. Just embrace the disappointment and channel your inner insanity. You'll be ok - give or take 2 or 3 years. Just don't give up. Open your wallet and your imagination in the same proportions.
 
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Jason,
If there is no movement in the head bolt re-pull, you can save the oil test for the next change. Doing one now is never a stupid thing, buy if the cylinder head gasket has breached, it won't show up in the lube oil right away.
Matt_C
 
Let’s hope. I’m going to ask the shop to change the oil and check for coolant in the oil. From there probably a compression tes

When it died while overheating, was it locked up? Does it crank over now that it's cooled off?

If you got it hot to the point that it locked up it's probably pooched. Engine cooling also keeps the tranny from overheating, so you may have cooked that fluid as well.

If it turns over now that it's cool, personally, I would check the fluid levels and run it home. It's like a free motor at this point. At home I'd change all the fluids and filters, especially the tranny, and retorque the heads as Matt described. Maybe you'll get lucky.
 
When it died while overheating, was it locked up? Does it crank over now that it's cooled off?

If you got it hot to the point that it locked up it's probably pooched. Engine cooling also keeps the tranny from overheating, so you may have cooked that fluid as well.

If it turns over now that it's cool, personally, I would check the fluid levels and run it home. It's like a free motor at this point. At home I'd change all the fluids and filters, especially the tranny, and retorque the heads as Matt described. Maybe you'll get lucky.
The shop in WA said the motor wouldn't turn over with a wrench. It was turning slowly after it died but it is possible that it seized after it cooled completely.
 
Agreed. I'm resigned to the probable fact that a new/rebuilt engine is needed. Going to put it in storage in WA until the new engine arrives.

Where is the new engine coming from? S&J?

The tranny should be considered suspect as well. It gets its cooling from the engine, if you overheated the engine you also cooked the tranny. Applied has rebuilds for not a ton of money.
 
Where is the new engine coming from? S&J?

The tranny should be considered suspect as well. It gets its cooling from the engine, if you overheated the engine you also cooked the tranny. Applied has rebuilds for not a ton of money.
S&J is the closest to my rig. I've heard some issues with their build quality recently. I will probably ship the Tranny to Manny for inspection and repair. I appreciate all the help on this.
 
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S&J is the closest to my rig. I've heard some issues with their build quality recently. I will probably ship the Tranny to Manny for inspection and repair. I appreciate all the help on this.

Good news at least is that you should have a good engine and tranny coming out of this.
 
Found a transporter for the right price from a suggestion from the Facebook “classic GMC Motorhome” group. Going to have it all down here and work on it myself.
I'm glad you have a path forward at least. I can't believe all the red tape involved in simply storing the thing in WA. Hopefully it's a relief to put all that behind you.
 
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Well I got the beast home. I used coastal Bend Express transport. Craig and Brenda are wonderful. Pulled the spark plugs last night and did a compression test. All of the cylinders are 120 to 130+ except for number two at 118. I think that fits in with the plus or -10% of each other, put the spark plugs back in after gapping them to .044. She fired right up but I’m getting a intermittent squeak which I think is probably failing water pump. I’ll have to get my stethoscope and find the actual cause. With that being said, I am probably going to pull the radiator and send it to the local radiator shop for cleaning inspection and repair as necessary. I’m half tempted to do the S 10 serpentine belt conversion from Pacific G body. Has anybody used that kit successfully?
 
Well I got the beast home. I used coastal Bend Express transport. Craig and Brenda are wonderful. Pulled the spark plugs last night and did a compression test. All of the cylinders are 120 to 130+ except for number two at 118. I think that fits in with the plus or -10% of each other, put the spark plugs back in after gapping them to .044. She fired right up but I’m getting a intermittent squeak which I think is probably failing water pump. I’ll have to get my stethoscope and find the actual cause. With that being said, I am probably going to pull the radiator and send it to the local radiator shop for cleaning inspection and repair as necessary. I’m half tempted to do the S 10 serpentine belt conversion from Pacific G body. Has anybody used that kit successfully?
I'm glad you got it home! I just pulled the water pump off of mine, and was pleased to find out I didn't have to remove the alternator or air conditioning compressor. I was even able to take the timing cover off while leaving those accessories in place. I'm not sure if the serpentine set up disallows that or not, but I found that ease of use noteworthy.
 
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So it's not locked up????? Good news!

Well I got the beast home. I used coastal Bend Express transport. Craig and Brenda are wonderful. Pulled the spark plugs last night and did a compression test. All of the cylinders are 120 to 130+ except for number two at 118. I think that fits in with the plus or -10% of each other, put the spark plugs back in after gapping them to .044. She fired right up but I’m getting a intermittent squeak which I think is probably failing water pump. I’ll have to get my stethoscope and find the actual cause. With that being said, I am probably going to pull the radiator and send it to the local radiator shop for cleaning inspection and repair as necessary. I’m half tempted to do the S 10 serpentine belt conversion from Pacific G body. Has anybody used that kit successfully?
 
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