Cummins Canoe (A Stepvan Story)

[Scotty D]

I pride myself on being a lifelong skeptic
For years I even had a subscription to Skeptic Magazine.
But if that were my van I would contact the Catholic Church and tell them of your unholy situation.
That van does not need a mechanic , it needs an exorcist.

 

[PlethoraOfGuns]

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?

 

[AbleGuy]

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?

Might try contacting this guy in California (annual event on Bodega Bay, mid coast) ….he does fishing boats blessings, so maybe land based vehicles too?

 

[Pntyrmvr]

Needs a 5 gallon can blessing.

I feel really for you brother. Your upbeat reports and attitude are legendary.

Go get your head around something else for a few days.

 

[thezentree]

Needs a 5 gallon can blessing.

I feel really for you brother. Your upbeat reports and attitude are legendary.

Go get your head around something else for a few days.

For real. I lose sleep over what are minor annoyances compared to stuff like this.

Hope your luck with this thing changes soon!

 

[PlethoraOfGuns]

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 it could always be worse.

 

[Bikersmurf]

Things were going well, full of challenges and tribunals. And then it all went horribly wrong again...

View attachment 747174
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.

View attachment 747175
More tragedy stuck. Moving things around, dropped the turbocharger on the ground right before I installed it. the leverage from the oil pipe return seemed to trash center bearing housing. That was an expensive hit. It was pretty much a new unit, not sure what to do about that. Rigged up an old turbocharger I had laying around instead and got it running! Started right up once fuel lines were bled. Drove it around, everything seemed well. Then boom! Smoke was everywhere and the dipstick shot out of the engine. It's been a terrible last few weeks. I have no idea what to do with this piece of junk. I guess I need to try engine #5? Still living in the van, but it's still stranded.

Any idea what happened? Used turbo go? Something more sinister?

 

[PlethoraOfGuns]

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

 

[PlethoraOfGuns]

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 couch/bed to store these new leveling boards.


Painted them a nice yellow so I'll be able to dig them out of the mud after I've driven off of them. With these under the tires, I can also cook on the counter without stuff rolling off like I'm on a boat at sea!

 

[iggi]

Bummer man, I was hoping all was well in the land of the cursed cummins. Maybe Santa will bring you a new motor for Christmas?

 

[PlethoraOfGuns]

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.

 

[thezentree]

There are a lot of us hoping you can get this thing back on the road and reliable soon. Good luck.

 

[AbleGuy]

It’s been a minute since we heard from you. Glad to see your sense or perseverance is still running strong, even if your rig isn’t.

 

[PlethoraOfGuns]

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 holes for the screws.


Like a factory fit!


My girlfriend got me this PowerProbe a while back. You can apply 12v power while also testing other things. It was perfect for finding out what wires did what down under. Super easy to to wire in an trailer electrical harness. Did I tell you she's awesome?


All done with that side quest! Now if only we had an engine that actually stayed working...

 

[ITTOG]

Wow, it has been so long it took me to post number 1. Glad you are keeping the faith in the truck!