I immediately notified the shipping company. There was a delivery error at the warehouse in Germany. They'll pick up the pallet and deliver my UPP in the wooden box to me by the middle/end of next week. A bit of a shock, but I'm relieved now.
Hello from Austria!
- Thread starter The Revconeer
- Start date
Update: My repair shop in Germany was able to buy 4 fitting spring bushings for my RV-84 Hendrickson Tandem and they got the job done.
The repair team in Babenhausen has sent me a message: "Attached is a photo of the relocated spare wheel. (Before it was on the roof.) Springs are installed. Brakes are adjusted. Starter is currently being installed. The transmission is leaking too much; a new seal is needed." At least not the engine, because this is very difficult to repair.
It seems that the team there is now pushing the pedal to the metal...The oil leaking problem is the last issue which has to be solved, because then my Revcon would finally get a valid safety inspection sticker (TÜV). After 2.5 years.
Das wäre toll. Ich drücke die DaumenView attachment 18058
The repair team in Babenhausen has sent me a message: "Attached is a photo of the relocated spare wheel. (Before it was on the roof.) Springs are installed. Brakes are adjusted. Starter is currently being installed. The transmission is leaking too much; a new seal is needed." At least not the engine, because this is very difficult to repair.
(Google Translate) = That would be great. I'm keeping my fingers crossedDas wäre toll. Ich drücke die Daumen
More good news: My Revcon UPP from Crystal River/FL arrived in Saxony/Germany today. 
Very bad news, my recently arrived UPP drivetrain needs to be transported to Babenhausen because I received a call from them today:
There are plastic fragments in the automatic transmission and the transmission fluid smells terrible.
It will probably come down to a transmission replacement. I wanted to pick up the Revcon on the first of April.
Worst case, worst nightmare.
The 425 still works, but the question is for how much longer?
They repair crew in Babenhausen want to inspect the transmission from Florida and see if it's technically sound. A partner company could then repair the transmission if needed, either the one that's already installed in my Revcon or the one from Florida. However, there are already two transmissions there waiting to be repaired, so this would take its time.
I never thought I'd need the UPP replacement so soon. Good lord.
Hopefully the 425 from Florida is OK, then it would just be a matter of exchanging it. I was told that the UPP ran perfectly before being removed. I really really hope so.
My Revcon' s odometer reads 94.000 miles. I had 2 cars, a 1980 Chevrolet Cutlass Supreme Brougham and 1979 Ford LTD2, both transmissions gave up at 100.000 miles. I have always feared this certain milage, when thinking about the Revcon.
My P71Ford Crown Vic transmission was gone at 130.000 miles.
Honestly, I'm not feeling so well, I need to process this first.
There are plastic fragments in the automatic transmission and the transmission fluid smells terrible.
It will probably come down to a transmission replacement. I wanted to pick up the Revcon on the first of April.
Worst case, worst nightmare.
The 425 still works, but the question is for how much longer? They repair crew in Babenhausen want to inspect the transmission from Florida and see if it's technically sound. A partner company could then repair the transmission if needed, either the one that's already installed in my Revcon or the one from Florida. However, there are already two transmissions there waiting to be repaired, so this would take its time.
I never thought I'd need the UPP replacement so soon. Good lord.
Hopefully the 425 from Florida is OK, then it would just be a matter of exchanging it. I was told that the UPP ran perfectly before being removed. I really really hope so.
My Revcon' s odometer reads 94.000 miles. I had 2 cars, a 1980 Chevrolet Cutlass Supreme Brougham and 1979 Ford LTD2, both transmissions gave up at 100.000 miles. I have always feared this certain milage, when thinking about the Revcon.
My P71Ford Crown Vic transmission was gone at 130.000 miles.
Honestly, I'm not feeling so well, I need to process this first.
Keeping these old beasts roadworthy is an ongoing full time job. It costs money, blood, sweat and tears, and for me at least a healthy (unhealthy?) amount of cursing. But I love them so it's worth it for me.Very bad news, my recently arrived UPP drivetrain needs to be transported to Babenhausen because I received a call from them today:
There are plastic fragments in the automatic transmission and the transmission fluid smells terrible.
It will probably come down to a transmission replacement. I wanted to pick up the Revcon on the first of April.
Worst case, worst nightmare.
They repair crew in Babenhausen want to inspect the transmission from Florida and see if it's technically sound. A partner company could then repair the transmission if needed, either the one that's already installed in my Revcon or the one from Florida. However, there are already two transmissions there waiting to be repaired, so this would take its time.
I never thought I'd need the UPP replacement so soon. Good lord.
Hopefully the 425 from Florida is OK, then it would just be a matter of exchanging it. I was told that the UPP ran perfectly before being removed. I really really hope so.
My Revcon' s odometer reads 94.000 miles. I had 2 cars, a 1980 Chevrolet Cutlass Supreme Brougham and 1979 Ford LTD2, both transmissions gave up at 100.000 miles. I have always feared this certain milage, when thinking about the Revcon.
My P71Ford Crown Vic transmission was gone at 130.000 miles.
Honestly, I'm not feeling so well, I need to process this first.
So, the 425 transmission is falling apart. Four plastic parts and foul-smelling transmission fluid, which was last changed two years ago along with the filter and gasket.
The automatic transmission is still shifting, but for how much longer is the question...
This ring has probably crumbled.
On reinforced, overhauled 425 transmissions, this part is made of metal.
As we all know, the UPP is designed so that the TH-425 automatic transmission isn't located directly behind the engine, but rather under the left cylinder bank. Power is transferred from the engine to the transmission via a heavy-duty "Hy-Vo" chain (silent chain) – see photos.
I think a Revcon guardian angel must have tapped me on the shoulder when I bought the drivetrain "as a spare" in Florida in December. It's going to Babenhausen soon, where they'll inspect it to see if it's usable or not.
I don't want to think about the official removal costs (yet), but the team has a transmission repair company they know that could not only repair the 425 but also reinforce it. As luck would have it, I discussed this very topic with them over coffee during my last personal visit.
However, these transmission specialists aren't cheap, and they currently have two transmissions in progress, so a longer waiting time is to be expected.
My Ford/GMC specialist in Austria could service the transmission within two weeks, but unfortunately, he doesn't have a test bench for it, so he'd have to build one specifically for that.
My friend Dan from Sweden is more of a "down-to-earth" kind of guy. He said, "Check the transmission fluid from the spare UPP. If it looks okay, just bolt it on!"
And what if that doesn't work? Would it be better to have it checked/overhauled by the partner company and use the processing time to save up for the repair costs?
The whole thing has to be tackled by jacking up the body and pulling the entire drivetrain out from the front. According to U.S. specialist Cyrax, this can be done with four jack stands in three to four hours.
When doing so, the main engine gaskets could also be replaced.
Example image: 1985 Revcon Duke 29 Whale 7.4 Chevrolet engine
The internet says:
Front-End Removal: The standard procedure often involves removing the front nose piece, radiator support, radiator, and condenser.
Subframe Drop: The engine, transmission, and front suspension are frequently removed together by supporting them on a dolly or with a forklift and unbolting them from the body.
Alternative Removal Points: Some specialized techniques involve extracting the engine and transmission from the side door using a custom engine hoist.
The cost estimate and exact procedure are still pending. However, I think that these – whatever form they take – will exceed my already extremely strained budget for this season.
The automatic transmission is still shifting, but for how much longer is the question...
This ring has probably crumbled.
On reinforced, overhauled 425 transmissions, this part is made of metal.
As we all know, the UPP is designed so that the TH-425 automatic transmission isn't located directly behind the engine, but rather under the left cylinder bank. Power is transferred from the engine to the transmission via a heavy-duty "Hy-Vo" chain (silent chain) – see photos.
I think a Revcon guardian angel must have tapped me on the shoulder when I bought the drivetrain "as a spare" in Florida in December. It's going to Babenhausen soon, where they'll inspect it to see if it's usable or not.
I don't want to think about the official removal costs (yet), but the team has a transmission repair company they know that could not only repair the 425 but also reinforce it. As luck would have it, I discussed this very topic with them over coffee during my last personal visit.
However, these transmission specialists aren't cheap, and they currently have two transmissions in progress, so a longer waiting time is to be expected.
My Ford/GMC specialist in Austria could service the transmission within two weeks, but unfortunately, he doesn't have a test bench for it, so he'd have to build one specifically for that.
My friend Dan from Sweden is more of a "down-to-earth" kind of guy. He said, "Check the transmission fluid from the spare UPP. If it looks okay, just bolt it on!"
And what if that doesn't work? Would it be better to have it checked/overhauled by the partner company and use the processing time to save up for the repair costs?
The whole thing has to be tackled by jacking up the body and pulling the entire drivetrain out from the front. According to U.S. specialist Cyrax, this can be done with four jack stands in three to four hours.
When doing so, the main engine gaskets could also be replaced.
Example image: 1985 Revcon Duke 29 Whale 7.4 Chevrolet engine
The internet says:
Front-End Removal: The standard procedure often involves removing the front nose piece, radiator support, radiator, and condenser.
Subframe Drop: The engine, transmission, and front suspension are frequently removed together by supporting them on a dolly or with a forklift and unbolting them from the body.
Alternative Removal Points: Some specialized techniques involve extracting the engine and transmission from the side door using a custom engine hoist.
The cost estimate and exact procedure are still pending. However, I think that these – whatever form they take – will exceed my already extremely strained budget for this season.
I'll put the Revcon thing on hold for a while, as I unfortunately have to undergo surgery this month myself.
Luckily, my two trusty companions haven't let me down; the waking up after "winterizing" of the GMC and the Ford went smoothly. No major problems for years; these good old American cars really do always run and are incredibly reliable.
Sure, the 1997 GMC Safari rattles, clatters, and squeaks, but the usual 621 miles over Easter – just one day (!) after being parked for three months – fully loaded with gifts from the Easter Bunny and the whole family, were, as always, easily manageable. And with the Ford, it's been "get in and drive" for almost two decades now, and that means immediately hitting 120 mph on the German Autobahn.
Dusty Crown Vic
Personally, I can't imagine better vehicles for us as a family.
I'm sure that this level of reliability will one day be achieved with the Revcon as well. The "dry spell" due to its advanced age simply needs to be overcome...
Luckily, my two trusty companions haven't let me down; the waking up after "winterizing" of the GMC and the Ford went smoothly. No major problems for years; these good old American cars really do always run and are incredibly reliable.
Sure, the 1997 GMC Safari rattles, clatters, and squeaks, but the usual 621 miles over Easter – just one day (!) after being parked for three months – fully loaded with gifts from the Easter Bunny and the whole family, were, as always, easily manageable. And with the Ford, it's been "get in and drive" for almost two decades now, and that means immediately hitting 120 mph on the German Autobahn.
Dusty Crown Vic
Personally, I can't imagine better vehicles for us as a family.
I'm sure that this level of reliability will one day be achieved with the Revcon as well. The "dry spell" due to its advanced age simply needs to be overcome...
