--- In toyota-campers@y..., W0AH@A... wrote:
After buying the 1976 Toyota Chinook that lay abandoned in a
neighbors field
for over 4 1/2 years (reported here a couple of weeks ago), I
finally got it
ready for it's first trip this past weekend to Panarama Point, the
highest
point in Nebraska, where I operated a ham radio contest. I had this
unreasonable, compulsive desire to drive her to Nebraska for the
contest
since I bought her July 3. The round trip distance was almost 500
miles from
here near Pikes Peak. In the past two weeks I spent over 20 hours
cleaning
the cabin and cab, rewiring the tail lights, replacing the horn,
adding a new
12 volt battery, making sure the electrical converter was wired and
working
properly before using it, replacing some of the water tubing to/from
the
sink, and replacing many of the rusting nuts, bolts, and screws. I
also
bought a porta potty at Walmart. I also bought the Chilton Toyota
pickup
repair manual and intended to try to to some of the maintenance, but
ran out
of time- and had the wheel bearings repacked and the right front
caliper and
front rotars and break pads replaced at a local repair shop where
they also
took the good 16-ply tires off the dualies and put them on the four
wheels
with balancing. They also replaced the transmission oil and the
belts.
Cost was $300. At another repair shop, I had the spark plugs,
points, and
condenser replaced and the timing adjusted and a compression test.
Cost was
$200. I asked both dealers to eyeball the Chinook for any problems.
I got
fairly clean bill of health, but was told by repair shop #2 that i
better
take my credit cards with me for the trip! I added the Chinook to
my AAA
coverage for $25, but was told it didn't take effect for 5 days, so
I was
prepared, if necessary, to spent 5 days with the broken down Chinook
:-)
Luckily, that wasn't necessary, and I didn't need my credit cards
either. I
drove 200+ miles to the Panarama Point in Nebraska, Saturday
morning, and
returned, via Cheyenne WY, on Sunday afternoon and evening. No
problems,
except I needed to add a quart of oil every 150 miles, more often
than I had
to stop for gas! The almost clean bill of health included a
compression
test which was cylinder #1- 85 psi, #2- 105 psi, #3- 100 psi, #4- 95
psi.
Guess my engine needs new piston rings and probably a lot more. The
engine
starts easily and sounds fine. I can go over 65 MPH on the level at
5000'
ASL, much less going up hills especially near home at 9000' ASL.
I paid $500 for the Chinook and have put about $700 in to it since.
Auto
repairman #2 said just drive and enjoy her, but have your credit
cards
handy...it's not worth putting a lot more money into her. Yep, I
knew a $500
motorhome would have a lot of problems and also be a good gunea pig
for
learning a little auto mechanics, maintenance and repair of body
rust,
fiberglass damage, and motorhome appliances. So far it's been a lot
of work
and a lot of fun. Unless the stock market and my stocks (my
retirement
funding) do a quick reversal, I'll have my gunea pig for a while! I
may
drive her down to Mexico in September where I can have the engine
overhauled
at a shop rate of $10 or $15 an hour, compared to $60 an hour up
here, or
maybe I'll just drive her as is.
The cabin has actually cleaned up quite nicely and is attractive.
I'm
repairing some of the Toyota body rust and plan to repair a few
places where
the fiberglass is scraped or cracked. Plan to repaint the cab. She
will
look presentable after all that. It may be too late for this old
dog to
learn enough auto mechanics to do anything serious, but I can do all
the
maintenance from now on and minor repairs. Do the affianados here
think I
should -
1) have the engine overhauled here for mucho $$$$
2) Buy a replacement engine
3) Put the Chinook camper on a different Toyota chasis with a good
engine
4) drive to Mexico- I plan to go there in any case- and have the
engine
overhauled there for $$ pesos
3) drive her and enjoy her as is
4) put her back out to pasture where she was resting peacefully
until July 3rd
Doug in Woodland Park CO
Doug.
The compressions are low but fairly even. The rings may re-seat
after some more gentle driving. However if the problem is valves
they will get worse. I would have the valves checked/adjusted
soon.
This is where that differential compression test is best.
It will tell you what is leaking. (See previous post in
Archives). I recommend you have one run before you put
any bucks in that engine.
It's too early to write off your engine yet, but take a look
at DOA Racing. com . They sell a 22re especially built up for
Toyota RV use. If you restore the rest of the rig and since
you are in at such a low cost, the price of that extra power
engine may be worth it.
Jack A2
