Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) It's a sad day

[DJWyckoff]

yesterday it was decided that the dodge will not leave MS under its own power. Im calling in my favor and there is a duramax and fithwheel on its way to get me back to WV. Ill try and keep it short. 1st head gasket coolant in oil changed with out resurfacing the head. did not fix problem. used stopleak to get to and from work and build funds. coolant level got low and over heated I corrected coolant level and tryed to get back to work (avoid the tow bill) wrong wrong wrong within a half mile it developed a nock and when I let off the fuel it stopped. a buddy towed me back to work. I pulled the head inspected the gasket not sealing rings were blown. got the head machined 3 angle valve job new seals. new gaskets installed head adjusted valves started and the nock is still there. had the injectors pop tested they are all fine. (maby one was dumping fuel causing the nock but not the case) my work space is not avalable anymore and I don't want to tackle an engine rebuild under a pavillion any way. the shop space is not avalable any ware.

last summer my brother in law borrowed my truck to go moose hunting in canada and put 1700 miles on it one way. this trip will be 1300 miles the only condition is I pay the fuel. its not easy to call the other brand for help but Im in a bind and at my limit. I have been looking at the distruction of huicane katrina for allmost 6 months, need to finalize my divorce and need to get me and my truck back to the local shop where I can fix it cheeper (shop rates are triple here)



replaced parts in the last year mostly in MS due to falure;

lift pump, starter, fuel tank shuttle, torq/flexplate, vacume pump, head resurfaced/valve job, 300s turbo and more oil than I could say

stuff I got to be good to my truck;

autometer gages from geno's, delivery valves, bhafand more lights.

I have to keep it to get my money out of it unless anyone wants to buy a 96 auto with 332k and a nock?

any options or opinions are welcome

it needs a short block (worst case) and a transmission rebuild.

 

[bmoeller]

I'd check the engine oil cooler. Could be the cause of the leak.



If your lucky, the knock could be a spun rod or main bearing. Not bad to change out, as long as the crank is OK.

 

[REFLOYD]

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[Vaughn MacKenzie]

DJ that sure bites :{ I thought I had enough misery with my high-mile '96, which has been acting up some more lately. I wouldn't trade my situation for yours though (I guess that doesn't sound very comforting, sorry). I don't know what could be causing your knock. Sounds like with everything else you told me in PMs recently it might be time to take your losses and look for another truck (if you can afford it). Maybe find a low mile reg. cab 4x4 or something since they're less $$ than a Club Cab.



Keep us posted on what's happening. I'm crossing my fingers and wishing the best for ya.

 

[DJWyckoff]

I was told buy the loacal shop back home that if you get it hot really hot it will score the piston/s and they stick when at the bottem of the stroke witch makes sence because the bores do develop a taper. anyway what ever it is they have a low milage short block for a grand (worst case). thanks for the support I would have liked to seen the longevety of this engine and seen how good it would have run, and still may, we shall see. 500hp and 500,000 miles would have been cool. theres also a running 12-valve 95' up in WV for $4000 but I don't have the $ now with the divorce and all. the off shore thing is looking better and better money wise.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

At 386k I there wasn't much measurable taper on my cylinder walls.

 

[DJWyckoff]

im gonna finish out this week and should be north bound buy the weekend. it should rain in WV tonight and that will free up my rescuer he don't skidd trees when its wet it makes a big mess. and rain is in the 5 day fordcast so I will be back soon for a short stay and then on to NY (upstate) where I will try and start over/continue a carrier. bottem line is I will write when i can but daily access to the net will be unlikely untill NY that could be a month thanks for every thing I will update if/when possible. Don