Alright so if we rewind a bit, the last time we posted an update we had left the Ford dealer and were headed to Kentucky to get the van checked out. We ran basically stripped out and sleeping on an air mattress in the back of the van. It was pretty sweet...we racked out at a truckstop on the way out and then crashed in a walmart parking lot with a presidential candidate on the way back. It was super awesome to have the van for privacy, warmth and shelter from the torrential rain storms, and we learned a lot about how we will use the van and what changes we should make.
Shortly after we got back, we got a phone call about a job and ended up moving to New England. The van came with us but, aside from basic maintenance, we really didn't have the time over the summer to get anything majorly done on the van. Things are starting to slow down and, while we're still sorting out our living situation, we have started back again in preparation for a trip south for the holidays. The plan is to knock out the exhaust and the floor once we are south, and then long term the body will get plucked next winter so we can coat the frame and go through the drivetrain as well as start looking at the swap.
We started with the deadening as noted, and that is progressing well. The Kolossus is done in the cab area. I'm still waiting on the hoodmat/closed cell foam to arrive. I'm also trying to find a good source for MLV locally, as it is expensive to ship. Unfortunately, when we pulled the doghouse off to do the deadening, we noticed a trail of fuel down the back of the engine. Phone call to dieselsite and got another set of sleeves on the way. While we were waiting, I figured we'd correct the PCV issue and ditch the silencer, both of which I had wanted to do but was avoiding working up under the cowl again. We were deep enough in it now....it was only 2 more bolts and 2 more hose clamps to check the turbo, so we went for it. Good news...minimal shaft play. Bad news....chewed fins. :-/ Luckily I had a spare wheel in the van, so swapped/cleaned and put it all back together. One more bolt from the hardware store tomorrow and she'll be back on the road again. Pics below!
This was what I saw with the phone after popping the tube off:
Once we popped the housing off, I got a better look at it:
Old and new, side by side:
As to the missing bits and pieces...I'm hoping they're long gone as we can't crack into the top of the engine at the moment to track them down. It was driving/running fine before, so I'm hopeful any way. Curious to see if some of the lag is corrected and efficiency approves. Can't remember if I mentioned it or not but we also swapped in the International recommended 203F thermostat as well as new hoses top and bottom and delo ELC.
Hope everyone is doing well.