Good RV engine mechanic in State College, PA

[jksoft]

So I have been following the posts here for a while and have learned a lot, but this is my first post. I am trying to locate a reliable mechanic in the State College, PA area willing to work on my Class A '92 Monterey by Cobra motorhome with a 454 engine. This past weekend we were in town for the PSU/OSU football game and it overheated while heading out of town and is currently at the shop it was towed to. The shop says the engine sounds rough and has a ping and they are concerned there was internal engine damage, but it's not something they will work on. I am hoping to find someplace nearby (State College) that is willing to at least give me a little better idea of what is going on and what kind of cost I am looking at. It would be hard to stomach plunking anywhere from $5k-$10k to have a new engine put in a motorhome of this age when we were already looking to buy a new one next year, but it will be tough to sell or trade one that isn't even running and it stuck 3 hrs away from home.

Any and all suggestions are welcome...

J

[turbojimmy]

Small world - a family friend owns Mueller's Auto Recycling in Altoona. He didn't have any vintage 454s for my rig, though. He only has newer stuff.

Anyway, the way the engines are installed in motorhomes does not allow for great air circulation, but by '92 Chevy had all but solved the overheating issues that seemed to plague them in the 80s. If yours overheated in what must have been 50-60 degree weather it wouldn't have much to do with air circulation. Something went wrong.

Do you have a driver's side door? If so, engine R&R isn't too bad. If not that makes things exponentially more difficult. It does not appear as if you can get the engine out the front of that thing. Maybe he bottom, but more likely down the hall and out the door. Not a pleasant proposition.

[jksoft]

Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions. I am still trying to get a little more information on the extent of the engine so I can make an educated decision. I have talked to the place where Center RV sends their engine work and they are willing to at least do some further engine diagnosis but they are not equipped to do any serious engine work as they don't have the equipment to get an engine out of a class A. I will keep Reliable Auto in mind but I am not sure I want to incur the towing expense to Altoona until I get a better idea of what's going on. If it really does need major engine work, you will probably see a classified posting soon for a "project" as it just isn't worth putting that kind of money into it.

What is interesting to me is that the engine is the last thing I expected to go on this thing. We've had issues with and replaced lots of other things but I always felt the engine was strong and I have taken good care of it. The engine mechanic I talked to did say that the way they are installed in most motorhomes tends to retain the heat a lot more than it would on a box truck or van.

[winpa4k]

I take mine to Reliable Auto and towing in Altoona PA.

Because the bill is for engine work and not RV Service, If you know what I mean. They are reasonable with price.

They fixed my over heating problem 4 years ago. And they are my go to shop every mechanic knows how to work on a 454 but do they know there are at least 18 sub categories of 454.

Our 454 is different and takes different parts than and auto 454.
These guys new the difference. Every thing is heavy duty on my 454 because that is the engine type.

Ask for Alan or Jim and see what they can do for you. Tell them Bob sent you.

I will be at the Game this weekend.

Bob

[wolfe10]

On a 1992 gas coach, you would be much better selling it AS IS to someone who wanted a project VS paying retail for a mechanic to fix it and then selling it.

[ALBQ]

You could look here. http://www.rvservicereviews.com.

.

[JamesBr]

A quick google search pops up Centre RV which looks like a local small business and Lerch RV, but they specialize in towable.

Might want to call the State Collge KOA and see if they have any recommendations?

[jksoft]

Thanks for the suggestion. Alas, that is actually where the RV is sitting right now. I give them a +1 for good service on the tow, but they are not interested in doing any engine work. I may have found a place to take it...I will update this post once I have more info.

J

[darsben]

On RVSERVICEREVIEWS.COM there is a review of Valley Truck & Trailer Sales & Service, Inc. that you may want to read.
Sorry this had to be your first post.