After performing well over the past year and 27000kms my 1979 Hi Ace needs major work to bring it back to good working order. I knew that it was not the best and that is another reason why I made it back to the Gold Coast a bit faster than was expected. The mechanic's assessment of the van is that two of the cylinders lack compression so there is no use in a tune up or putting additive into the oil, there are two options to fix this problem.
The first is to have a head overhaul and this could be as much as $2000 with no guarantee that the lower part of the engine will handle the better compression supplied by the overhaul and will probably result in the need for new rings and further work.
The second option is to have a different motor fitted and the problem with that is that the different motor can't be tested before installation and may have as many problems as the old one. The cost of that exercise is $1200 with one month's warranty plus if the engine is not good they will reinstall a second one at no cost.
I have decided on the latter option and have booked the van in on Thursday and it will take up to Tuesday for the job to be done so that means no set off on Sunday the date planned for the next phase of my nomadic life. All in all not a very satisfactory arrangement regarding the van but to leave it unfixed would have me vulnerable to breakdown, the best option would be to get rid of it and get a better one but that is way beyond my financial means I can barely cover the cost of the different motor.
I am thinking of spending time at Stott's River Nature Reserve a free camp just over the NSW border and back to the River Garden's Caravan Park where I spent the year before setting off last August. Probably take a short trip around the National Parks in north NSW giving the van a work out not too far from home. So there will be some places and happenings to report on during the next month.
Good luck with all that John. I had Myrtles motor rebuilt at a cost of just under $4,000. She's going like a dream now, just hope your costs don't add up like mine did. I was quoted $2,500 but that only covered the rebuild, which was done elsewhere, not putting it back in and a few extras.
Howdyeeeeeee John, C U dropping into Stotts Reserve,, say Hi to Mario, for Me,,, bit of bad luck, about the Van,,, catch U out there in the play ground,,,stay excited John,,,........Billeeeeeeee
The Repco rebuilt motors seem to be the best as they are reconditioned to a good standard. If you buy a secondhand motor, you have to take your chances.Have a word to them- Repco seem to be in most towns, and you get a warrentee you can trust. Bill
Thanks for the suggestions, I went to the Cost Effective Maintenance site and there was no mention of petrol motors it was all about diesel.
If Repco had a reconditioned motor for a 1979 Hi Ace I would be surprised and if they did it would be out of my price range, the price I am paying is $500 plus fitting and ancilliary parts all up $1200.
When I said I made a decision the truth is that it was the only option that I could afford and I have to put up with any downside. Anyway everything always works out for me in the end, I will be out there again soon.
Good luck, John. Hope your travel stories will start again soon. I'm having some work done on my camper here in darwin but have luckily got a 6 week house sit. That'll let the coffers grow so I can continue. So I look forward to your next update. Cheers, Charlie
"Anyway everything always works out for me in the end, I will be out there again soon."
The above from my previous post!!!!!!!!!!!!!Can't beat an optimistic approach to life.
Looks like I may be off sooner, the wrecker who was supplying and fitting my different motor rang me to say that he had tested the head and it was down on compression but then he tested the lower block and found that it was in really good condition. He recommended a head overhaul because no further problems would surface with increased compression and he could get it done for $1000, which is much cheaper than the previous mechanic's quote of $1500 to $2000.
He also said that my block could be better than the different one and my head would be perfect if the overhaul was done so for a reduction in price I can be assured that all will be well and I will not need another month on the Gold Coast before setting off. I have told him to go ahead and I will get the van back sooner than expected.
