Cummins Canoe (A Stepvan Story)
- Thread starter PlethoraOfGuns
- Start date
PlethoraOfGuns
Adventurer
It is a very handy tool. Always wanted one, but golly they are pricey. The girlfriend that gave me it was the one with the Phd. 
PlethoraOfGuns
Adventurer
Life is okay. Everything is broken but small battles are won everyday.
Can't drive the van anywhere, but friends can drive to the van! Also, the hot tub is still running great. The scenery is getting old though.
Speaking of hot tubs, the framework for the hot tub walls are getting really annoying living on the floor all the time. Time to find permanent storage for those.
Thought long time on this. Came up with mounting them all to the ceiling. The pipes snap up into these plastic holders. They are spaced down from the ceiling so now we can use them as a clothes drying rack! Only problem now is that I can't open this cabinet door. Ugh, that's where we keep the snacks!
Can't drive the van anywhere, but friends can drive to the van! Also, the hot tub is still running great. The scenery is getting old though.
Speaking of hot tubs, the framework for the hot tub walls are getting really annoying living on the floor all the time. Time to find permanent storage for those.
Thought long time on this. Came up with mounting them all to the ceiling. The pipes snap up into these plastic holders. They are spaced down from the ceiling so now we can use them as a clothes drying rack! Only problem now is that I can't open this cabinet door. Ugh, that's where we keep the snacks!
PlethoraOfGuns
Adventurer
Been working nonstop. Got lots of stuff done lately. This rig will be back on the road soon...
This year has been the year of head gaskets. Took the Cummins cylinder head from the van, both cylinder heads from the old GM military truck, and both exhaust manifolds for the van to the machine shop. Apparently, the Cummins cylinder head was not machined properly from the factory. I'm not a machinist, so I'm taking the word from the guy who did them. This was a new cylinder head so not sure what was that. Of course the warranty had already expired on that, so I had to eat that.
And in case you are wondering, the old GM military truck started right up and is back to work hauling tools and material here and there. Sometimes I do things right!
Took engine parts from multiple different Cummins engines. Yes, we have acquired more than one. ?♂️ Not sure what was what or where things were coming from anymore, nor did I trust anything. Did a bunch of math with piston protrusion and all that jazz and made sure we got the proper cylinder head gasket.
Doubled and triple checked every nut and bolt for proper factory torque. It's bad that I'm starting to memorize the bolt torques I've collected on my little torque sheet I've made. Locktite and antisieze on all the right hardware. Did valve lash adjustment like four times just to be super sure.
Engine version #5 here we go! Wish us luck, send all the prayers this way because we need em!
This year has been the year of head gaskets. Took the Cummins cylinder head from the van, both cylinder heads from the old GM military truck, and both exhaust manifolds for the van to the machine shop. Apparently, the Cummins cylinder head was not machined properly from the factory. I'm not a machinist, so I'm taking the word from the guy who did them. This was a new cylinder head so not sure what was that. Of course the warranty had already expired on that, so I had to eat that.
And in case you are wondering, the old GM military truck started right up and is back to work hauling tools and material here and there. Sometimes I do things right!
Took engine parts from multiple different Cummins engines. Yes, we have acquired more than one. ?♂️ Not sure what was what or where things were coming from anymore, nor did I trust anything. Did a bunch of math with piston protrusion and all that jazz and made sure we got the proper cylinder head gasket.
Doubled and triple checked every nut and bolt for proper factory torque. It's bad that I'm starting to memorize the bolt torques I've collected on my little torque sheet I've made. Locktite and antisieze on all the right hardware. Did valve lash adjustment like four times just to be super sure.
Engine version #5 here we go! Wish us luck, send all the prayers this way because we need em!
PlethoraOfGuns
Adventurer
We got really good at engine swaps! Can get the engine from the floor in the garage and bolted onto the engine mounts in about 20 minutes!
But there are always things to slow you down! Snapped a bolt in the cylinder head and had to remove a bunch of stuff, heat it up with the torch after soaking overnight with Aerokroil, drill out bolt, and extract. And of course it came out in three pieces.
Also had to tackle this mess with the turbocharger. New ones are like $1000, and this is basically a new unit, so we're going to roll the dice.
Brazed this thing back together. We'll see how it goes! It's just a non pressurized oil drain, so it should be ok?
Took extra precaution and got the turbocharger balanced and all that jazz! Not many shops around anywhere that do this type of stuff, but found this old timey guy from Jamaica that was able to do it!
Rewelded the turbocharger oil drain tube to face the oil pan more directly.
This allowed me to clock the turbocharger so the oil feed is on top right at twelve o'clock.
Also replaced the old worn out transmission mount. The new mount caused the transmission to sit a tad higher and the body crossmember and floor needed modification. Boy, it just doesn't stop!
But there are always things to slow you down! Snapped a bolt in the cylinder head and had to remove a bunch of stuff, heat it up with the torch after soaking overnight with Aerokroil, drill out bolt, and extract. And of course it came out in three pieces.
Also had to tackle this mess with the turbocharger. New ones are like $1000, and this is basically a new unit, so we're going to roll the dice.
Brazed this thing back together. We'll see how it goes! It's just a non pressurized oil drain, so it should be ok?
Took extra precaution and got the turbocharger balanced and all that jazz! Not many shops around anywhere that do this type of stuff, but found this old timey guy from Jamaica that was able to do it!
Rewelded the turbocharger oil drain tube to face the oil pan more directly.
This allowed me to clock the turbocharger so the oil feed is on top right at twelve o'clock.
Also replaced the old worn out transmission mount. The new mount caused the transmission to sit a tad higher and the body crossmember and floor needed modification. Boy, it just doesn't stop!
PlethoraOfGuns
Adventurer
Great news! Got everything back together, filled all the fluids up, and what do you know? She started right up! Only had one leak. Me being a dumby put the coolant thermostat seal in backwards. Easy fix, just had to remove a bunch of stuff and flip the seal around. But boy was I ever nervous when I saw coolant dripping from the head gasket area!
Look, proof! First time she moved in 6 months! Where did she drive to first?
To church of course for some well needed blessings! Or maybe an exorcism. Time will tell which is the appropriate solution.
Look, proof! First time she moved in 6 months! Where did she drive to first?
To church of course for some well needed blessings! Or maybe an exorcism. Time will tell which is the appropriate solution.
PlethoraOfGuns
Adventurer
Oh boy. It's been a depressing time lately. It appears the van does need an exorcism. Was driving through the mountains of West Virginia with my copilot lady when all of a sudden the van shot all its oil out the exhaust and lost power. Pulled over, assessed, filled back with oil, limped off the highway. Smoke was everywhere, but that's fine, only a few miles to get to a friends house. Then the transmission wouldn't shift out of first gear. Ok fine, we'll limp along the shoulder with the hazards on. But of course, the hazards broke. We then gave up and pulled into a Hardee's parking lot. My copilot went in store for some food. She came out and handed me some ice cream to soothe my distress. I go to use the spoon, and of course, the spoon breaks. I give up, what does one do?
The van as it sat in the parking lot. Another blown engine, possible blown transmission, broken hazards most likely a flasher relay, and a broken spoon in which to attempt to eat ice cream with. Called a tow truck for this one. Parked it in yard at friends house, borrowed a car, came back to the van two weeks later. That's where things get worse, way worse...
The van as it sat in the parking lot. Another blown engine, possible blown transmission, broken hazards most likely a flasher relay, and a broken spoon in which to attempt to eat ice cream with. Called a tow truck for this one. Parked it in yard at friends house, borrowed a car, came back to the van two weeks later. That's where things get worse, way worse...
JayOtheMountains
Active member
... go on
NevadaLover
Forking Icehole
Oh boy. It's been a depressing time lately. It appears the van does need an exorcism. Was driving through the mountains of West Virginia with my copilot lady when all of a sudden the van shot all its oil out the exhaust and lost power. Pulled over, assessed, filled back with oil, limped off the highway. Smoke was everywhere, but that's fine, only a few miles to get to a friends house. Then the transmission wouldn't shift out of first gear. Ok fine, we'll limp along the shoulder with the hazards on. But of course, the hazards broke. We then gave up and pulled into a Hardee's parking lot. My copilot went in store for some food. She came out and handed me some ice cream to soothe my distress. I go to use the spoon, and of course, the spoon breaks. I give up, what does one do?
View attachment 793380
The van as it sat in the parking lot. Another blown engine, possible blown transmission, broken hazards most likely a flasher relay, and a broken spoon in which to attempt to eat ice cream with. Called a tow truck for this one. Parked it in yard at friends house, borrowed a car, came back to the van two weeks later. That's where things get worse, way worse...
This stinks to read, why does this crap constantly happen to decent users like you, is there anything we here at the portal can do to help you and your crew??
