bug out truck

[gapatriot]

So.... A few months ago I picked up a clean 96 4x4 (POS) Chevy Tahoe(I hate government motors corp). But I got a good deal and with the ol lady in a two door car it kills two birds with one stone. I was told it needed an engine when I got it so I expected the worst when I started diag. Well I put a battery in it and it ran (with a bad skip) and low coolant good sign right? Well the truck had been sitting up for at least 3 yours and needed a water pump so I put a water pump on it. Well long story short it had a cracked head and two melted pistons. But that's good news I was expecting to put in a new engine. So I'm including pictures in the post to show that while a cracked head and two melted pistons sounds bad its still cheaper than an engine. I got a head and two standard sized pistons from pull a part for $110. And spent another $150 at the parts store for the gaskets oil filter and coolant. So what is the point of this post? As preppers expect the worse hope for the best right? Well if shit is broke and you're expecting to replace it anyway tear in to it, it ain't getting broker!!! But maybe just maybe you will fix it and at the very least you learned something!!( the last picture is the crack in the head) over all I have less than $1300 in the truck.

[brat]

  gapatriot

 I wish I new more about automotive work. I need to look into some community courses this summer. I definately need the training. While I am there, maybe they can tell me what I need to do with all the parts and nuts and bolts I customarily have left over. 

[gapatriot]

I tell ya hoss I'm a ase master, and I have a special spot in my tool box for leftovers. It happens some times you have stuff left over I.e. brackets bolts etc that are only there for factory install. As far as learning I have no formal training, all hands on. Just download or buy a factory service manual for whatever you're working on and get into it. The most I have ever learned was from screwing up!! Taking classes is great for some folks but I learn more hands on. Just don't be scared to jump into it, if I were looking at taking classes a basic electrical course will take you farther than any automotive course. The mechanics of an engine transmission rearend... It's basic the how to fix comes from experience. If you ever have any questions pm me I can probably walk you thru it.

[Well-Prepared Witch]

Do you mind explaining what a "cracked head" is and why it's bad? I am pretty clueless when it comes to engines (I need to learn more, but my focus has been on other areas of prepping).

[gapatriot]

Well every one has heard "blown head gasket" well its a generic term and actually not true rarely does a head gasket take a dump. Head problems 99% of the time is caused by overheating the engine. In an overheat condition the head will either warp or crack. In either condition you lose compression get water in your oil constant over heat condition. Now a warped head can normally be fixed by pulling the head and sending it to the machine shop to be resurfaced, however a crack means buy a new head. Most people think "blown head gasket" equals new engine and that's not the case at all.

[JohnyMac]

Wellie, this might help too.

In an internal combustion engine, the cylinder head (often informally abbreviated to just head) sits above the cylinders on top of the cylinder block. It closes in the top of the cylinder, forming the combustion chamber. This joint is sealed by a head gasket. In most engines, the head also provides space for the passages that feed air and fuel to the cylinder, and that allow the exhaust to escape. The head can also be a place to mount the valves, spark plugs, and fuel injectors.

Gap, you are so right...Just do it!

I didn't know squat about engines until I got my tractor. Now it all makes sense. I didn't know how to repair my computer but since I have no money coming in I have learned to fix them.

My resource is YouTube and a owners manual.

Great story Gap!

[gapatriot]

We have all the knowledge in the world at our finger tips, but choose to use it for "social networking". I'm sorry its a pet pieve (sp).


My point is buy broken stuff on the cheap and fix it, adapt and overcome

[Gunner]

Its a whole lot cheaper than paying someone or buying new. I picked up a 75 f250 for $800 and I have been doing everything from minor motor work, wiring, welding up holes, and now I'm welding up shock mounts to install my king resi shocks. Once I'm done it will be all restored with some nice suspension, perfect for a bug out.

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

[Well-Prepared Witch]

Thanks for the explanation guys!  I really need to learn more about machines.  I've started to learn power tools (I <3 my cordless drill - so versatile) as I build chicken coop stuff and garden boxes, etc., but I don't have any experience with mechanical stuff.

[JohnyMac]

Folks, don't beat yourself up for not knowing something. Don't beat yourself up if you don't want to do something.

Assess what you are good at and want to do. Then figure out where the holes are. Maybe it's automotive. Then befriend someone in your community who has and likes that skill.

Now is a time to be:
> Honest about your skills,
> Reach out your hands to neighbors, and
> Invite people into your community on like minded folks*.

We all have the power.

* When I write "like minded folks" I do not mean liberal or conservative; Democrat or
   Republican, or religious or atheist. I mean like minded folks who understand that the country
   can not continue on the financial path we are on. A potential collapse will either lead to a war
   to help avert the collapse or the biggest depression seen in modern times. Either way "it goes"
   death will follow.

Now with that said, Have a great Monday! 

[Well-Prepared Witch]

Preach it, JM!