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I anticipation of this rig getting back on the road again, I decided to get her ready to tow stuff, like mostly legally. If I do all this work and expect her to run, she'll just run right? Got the old hydraulic punch and made a big hole above the rear bumper. Drilled and tapped some smaller...

Haha, oh it's on the list! But I am working on it. I have lots of different engines now so I can pick and choose my parts! Have some stuff sitting at the machine shop as we speak.

Ok, it's terrible that the engine is still broken. I got tired of sleeping with the van not being level. So at least this little side project will help me sleep better through the holidays. Cut these old scrap boards up and used the router on all the edges. Found some unused space under the...

Can't confirm, but my guess is that we lost a piston ring.

Haha, I need a running engine to get to Bodega Bay to get the blessings! Oh well. I always look at the positives. Like maybe if it was running, it would have gotten in an accident and got wrecked, so I guess this is much better? I mean, I did spend two nights this weekend using the hot tub, so...

I don't want to do this journey anymore! Haha. But wait, an exorcism? Hmmm, that might be exactly what this rig needs! Anyone know any vehicular priests?

Things were going well, full of challenges and tribunals. And then it all went horribly wrong again... Took a bunch of hands to get the hydraulic pump pack on as we never disconnect the lines, but instead remove the pump while it's in the vehicle. More tragedy stuck. Moving things around...

Well, that was fun. We ended up changing everything but the piston rings and bearings, haha. I know, we should have just done the whole thing, that's what is gonna happen to the old broken engine! Ready to throw this thing back in. Finally got some help to pull this engine out. Worst part...

I don't want to fix everything leak. If nothing leaked oil, how will the chassis get lubed? That feature comes stock out of the GM factory!

That sucks. I know all about breakdowns and missing things! But you must persevere and push forth!

Might as well throw new bearings in it as well. I don't know. This was supposed to be an easy swap, but I keep finding things as I dig deeper. Good thing changing the head gasket later once it's in the van is an afternoon job. But then again, the last head gasket I installed blew up just a few...

We got some updates for ya'll! Finally secured time to get this engine in the garage to be prepped for the swap. Been getting around in an old manual Honda Fit while the van has been down. Boy, those are great little cars! Really nice getting 42mpg. Maybe we can flat tow it behind the van...

The gods have spoken! This sweet deal popped up and I couldn't let it slide. Cummins 4bt out of a Ford step van. A little cleaning, flip the oil pan around, new seals, fluids, and we're going to drop her in! That other engine we have is a lemon, I've come to terms with it. I'm giving up on it...

It's all good. The MT45 is a bigger chassis. Can easily fit a 6bt in that rig. Lucky you! But yes, same engine, just with 2 less cylinders.

These pistons are who knows how old. But that piston analysis is very interesting. Looks like maybe I have an injector or timing issue? But again, I'm not an expert engine builder. Either I need to do lots of reading, or find an expert to do this over right. Maybe I should just start with a...

The skills to break stuff? Oh yea, I surely have those!

Well, life moves on. Unfortunate that we are stationary, but will make the best of it. Good time to fix other things while we decide what to do about engine. Even though we can't drive anywhere, the solar panels are still working and we're still cooking! Had to replace the big water pump...

Yes, I can install new bolts. But that doesn't fix the rest of the engine. I need a machine shop/Cummins builder.

Yes yes, was originally going to pull the head and check the deck, but now we have cracked pistons?!? The bolts on these Cummins are reusable, as long they aren't stretched and still in spec. But at this point, I wouldn't mind new everything. I want reliability. I can't trust anything anymore...

Need a few more packages of JB Weld for this one! The head gasket is what it is. Not sure why it blew, but it definitely leaked coolant outside of the engine. Won't know why until I get cylinder head to a shop. But upon further inspection... C'mon, like what is that?!? Why? Pistons aren't...