Death of an Excursion
... I think my gasser 2000 Excursion may be done for, at about 115k on the odometer. Today I stopped at NAPA to check on cost and immediate availability of a new (not rebuilt) starter. For the f...
Forum Discussion
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Just to let all know that I haven't abandoned the thread or project. Life is getting in the way and I am still researching both local talent and the net for the best option.
One great link on a good price from engineguy.com, already has disconnected phones, part of the risk of online buying. Jasper, a well-established contender, comes in at about $8k including a pricy, but very reliable local installer. By pricy, I mean close to dealer cost, definately an option. This price is taken from an actual invoice of an F-350 installation done within the last six months, same complaint oil dropped to zero but also seized up at a bit over 200k miles. A gentleman from out of town, poor guy.
My favorite independent Ford shop is disgusted with a national rebuilt brand he last installed. A long block started losing water. He tore it down to discover a blown head gasket. The brand did not want to warranty it, blaming him as installer. Of course the block came with the heads on, not his fault in any way. It had apparently run ok for a while and my opinion is that there is always the possibilty that it was overheated, a consumer fault.
This exact overheating thing happened a few years ago to a buddy with a GM van (3.1L V-6). The engine was originally fairly new from a GM recall, but a leaky radiator eventually overheated it cracking the heads. I sourced a set of rebuilt heads from Checker for only $220, and they worked fine until he lost enough water and his jug ran out. Pushed his luck and drove home anyway. Ruined the heads, and by then Checker was sold to O'Riley, not even a near contender for parts and service. The van is junk and he wonders why I'm not eager to help him. Radiator, less than $200, lowballed.
Thanks to all, but a special thanks to talonhead for the tip on the sending unit. Chiltons (page 12-34, warning light sys) does indeed show a pressure switch to the guage, with a microprocessor then turning on the idiot light per lack of voltage/pressure. So much for consistant great oil pressure with a mysterious catastrophic failure. Could have been at 10#, idle, for a long time, finally dropping to under 7. However the lifters were previously quiet, indicating a probable sudden drop from some to absolute zero.
I'll have more to share later.
Thanks again,
Wes
...
Just to let all know that I haven't abandoned the thread or project. Life is getting in the way and I am still researching both local talent and the net for the best option.
One great link on a good price from engineguy.com, already has disconnected phones, part of the risk of online buying. Jasper, a well-established contender, comes in at about $8k including a pricy, but very reliable local installer. By pricy, I mean close to dealer cost, definately an option. This price is taken from an actual invoice of an F-350 installation done within the last six months, same complaint oil dropped to zero but also seized up at a bit over 200k miles. A gentleman from out of town, poor guy.
My favorite independent Ford shop is disgusted with a national rebuilt brand he last installed. A long block started losing water. He tore it down to discover a blown head gasket. The brand did not want to warranty it, blaming him as installer. Of course the block came with the heads on, not his fault in any way. It had apparently run ok for a while and my opinion is that there is always the possibilty that it was overheated, a consumer fault.
This exact overheating thing happened a few years ago to a buddy with a GM van (3.1L V-6). The engine was originally fairly new from a GM recall, but a leaky radiator eventually overheated it cracking the heads. I sourced a set of rebuilt heads from Checker for only $220, and they worked fine until he lost enough water and his jug ran out. Pushed his luck and drove home anyway. Ruined the heads, and by then Checker was sold to O'Riley, not even a near contender for parts and service. The van is junk and he wonders why I'm not eager to help him. Radiator, less than $200, lowballed.
Thanks to all, but a special thanks to talonhead for the tip on the sending unit. Chiltons (page 12-34, warning light sys) does indeed show a pressure switch to the guage, with a microprocessor then turning on the idiot light per lack of voltage/pressure. So much for consistant great oil pressure with a mysterious catastrophic failure. Could have been at 10#, idle, for a long time, finally dropping to under 7. However the lifters were previously quiet, indicating a probable sudden drop from some to absolute zero.
I'll have more to share later.
Thanks again,
Wes
...
