Help - Engine dead, 1974 LD February 18, 2013, 11:55:48 am Yahoo Message Number: 136887Very sad.. just purchased a 1974 LD from an auto auction to learn that the engine is dead (I think my mechanic said a Rod went through block?) Otherwise the unit looks clean, but can't drive it without an engine etc.Paid $1000 for it. As-Is. This was going to be a gift for one of my homeless clients to live in. I was planning on putting mabey another $1000 into it, but mechanic says the used part alone is probably $1000 and putting it in is mabey another $1500.Does anyone have any recommendations? I feel sick to my stomach.Vehicle is in SoCal.-Andrew
Re: Help - Engine dead, 1974 LD Reply #1 – February 18, 2013, 01:49:58 pm Yahoo Message Number: 136891"Does anyone have any recommendations? I feel sick to my stomach."AndrewChanging the engine is going to cost much more than $1000. Cut your losses and sell it or donate it to charirty, who know what else is wrong with it. We always recommend a full inspection before buying any used RV Buying unseen, especially such an old vehicle, is a huge gamble. You paid your money, took a chance and lost, luckily its not a whole lot of cash. Consider it an educational cost. BTW, the auction report did not indicate a blown engine or was it your responsibillity to check it out first?Larry
Re: Help - Engine dead, 1974 LD Reply #2 – February 18, 2013, 02:24:06 pm Yahoo Message Number: 136895"flynn_92701" wrote:As-Is. --- Unless the auction company's terms of sale included a specific guarantee that the vehicle was in running order, you bought it. I'd be surprised if you have any recourse to recover your money. You might want to follow Larry's suggestions and try to sell it or donate it; quite a few organizations advertise that they will accept any vehicle, "running or not".Joan
Re: Help - Engine dead, 1974 LD Reply #3 – February 18, 2013, 03:39:24 pm Yahoo Message Number: 136907Bummer that the engine was bad. Thinking about your objective - a home for a homeless person - perhaps you can have it towed to a spot where you can park it, with water, electric and a sewer dump, then just leave it there? If that is an option, you can still give it to your homeless client. They just won't be able to drive it anywhere... Expanding your options, most homes have outside hose bibs. Adding an external electrical service is not terribly expensive. All that you then need is a place to dump. Most homes have an outside sewer "clean-out". You could get a macerator pump and a length of 3/4" hose to reach the clean-out. Then, as needed, hook up the pump and hose and pump out the tanks.Ken F in NM
Re: Help - Engine dead, 1974 LD Reply #4 – February 18, 2013, 06:14:13 pm Yahoo Message Number: 136915Hi Ken, I considered towing it to a mobile home park, but even $200-$300 (or likely more) is out of his price-range and not something I am prepared to pay for him. Plus, he doesn't get along well with people and might have problems at a mobile-home park. The mechanic I spoke to said he found an engine for $600 (used, with 90 day warranty), and is willing to put it in for $700 as long as there is no hurry (he will do it on his down-time.) I'm going to do that and take another gamble, hopefully not throwing good money after bad. The mechanic is a friend, and I trust he will do good work -- but who knows what else is wrong. I'm hoping since the engine seized/no oil, that the rest of the vehicle was drivable/driving until the last owner failed to put oil in. The homeless client doesn't plan to drive it much; it just needs to be able to move a couple miles in San Diego every few days to avoid a ticket. Before the mechanic called me back, I was looking for a junkyard/scrapyard, and couldn't even find one willing to take it -- so I think I am better off gambling this $1300. Shrug, cheap investment for the good karma it may bring with it.-Andrew[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Help - Engine dead, 1974 LD Reply #5 – February 18, 2013, 06:57:11 pm Yahoo Message Number: 136918"I'm going to do that and take another gamble'Andrew You seem to be a very good person but realize you are most likely looking at an very immense money pit. You have spent nothing in comparison to what you may need to spend to make a 40 year old RV usable. Your charitable giving may be better aimed. Before you spend another cent, make sure the basic structure and RV systems are intact and work. How are you going to feel it the $1200 refrigerator doesn't work or the roof is rotted and ready to cave in. How are the tires? - another $1500, need batteries? Sure the transmission is OK? These are just a few of the hundreds of possibilities. It is endless with ancient RVs. Uncared for, older LDs turn themselves into junk in just few year's time. The roofs begin to leak and the rot spreads through the frame. End of story. Most local public TV or radio stations will haul it away and give you a tax write-off. Take them up on it.Good luckLarry
Re: Help - Engine dead, 1974 LD Reply #6 – February 18, 2013, 08:21:49 pm Yahoo Message Number: 136921Listen to Larry, Andrew. You'd be of better service by giving your "sponsored friend" the money directly unless you check everything else out first. Plus, unless he has experience as an RV owner, he won't have the know how of how to care for it and manage its systems. Donate it!
Re: Help - Engine dead, 1974 LD Reply #7 – February 18, 2013, 09:41:22 pm Yahoo Message Number: 136924Larry & Jake, I totally hear where you are coming from and definitely this could be a money pit. Since he's not going to be driving it much, I don't worry much about the tires -- can get used ones if necessary (the current ones are fair.)The transmission is a worry - I have no idea of it's condition. The refrigerator/accessories are not an issue - a few years ago he had an 86 tioga and never used the refrigerator. (Though, I found a receipt from 2003 showing they spent $1000 to replace the fridge, so I am hopeful it might work.)The roof doesn't show water damage, though it could be hidden. I don't mean to be stubborn.. When I called him to tell him the engine was bad he started crying (and had previously been so happy.) I can't do that to him, even if it costs me a couple grand.-Andrew[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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