icemonkey

Ok First I would like to thank everyone who has helped me as a newbie. It has been a very steep learning curve. As a very quick update Ive just killed my engine 20 mins ago, it seems I cannot be trusted to change a timing belt. My question is what engine options/fuel options can I go for? Ive been running a VG30E. I would love to go either 4 cylinder so I can get to the bloody sparkplugs, Diesel so I can run BioDiesel (I live above a restrurant) or better still I like the idea of running Propane/Dual Fuel so a carb engine would be excellent. Essentially Im thinking of making a Green, Mean, OffRoad Machine. Having lived in Europe for a while Propane/Dualfuel seems the first step, but I would like to avoid a rail/direct injection pain and go for carbs (cheeper). 4 cylinder seems an option (as its the only engine for 50 miles available) but what else is there available? What Ideas do you have? As I have a free source of fuel (grease from downstairs) diesel is a very good idea. So as a breakdown... Moving from a VG30E 5 speed manual is the bolt pattern for all VG30 the same so I can get a carb version? Can I use the 4 cylinder available engine from a junked D21? Or how about a Diesel? Basically its a bolt pattern issue. I guess its obvious I am hanging on a thread here and trying to keep positive. I love the truck and may have to lose her to a junk yard... Off to drink LOTS of beer. as an aside, I live in colorado in the mountains and have a very limited set of skills, time and recently money. I guess thats the way of the world these days.

Just a quick update... engine just died. What I thought was a sticky valve was not. I think.

SUCCESS! all back together and sounding good!!! Thanks

Terrific! Thank you all. Luckily my belt is marked and Ive checked it. I think I just panicked when everything was out of wack. The more I think about it the more suprized I am that the ambient temperature fluctuating can move an engine. Thanks for all the help.

Thanks beastpath. I hope the sun stays out...

Hmmmm. Many thanks for looking at this one here. No longer have a garage to work out of so now Im stuck working in fair weather on the street. A few weeks ago I was finishing up and putting on a new timing belt... and it started to rain. So cover everything up and wait for the rain to stop. 2 1/2 weeks later I get my chance and disaster, the cam sprockets are out of alignment. Worse still the crankshaft timing dot looks to off. Could the heating and cooling of the strange weather weve been having turn the engine over? Worse still the engine shroud has no alignment marks (I stupidly used post it note clippings that fell off) can I use diagrams from the various How To's to find alignment? Any help would be great...

My wife has named her snowflake... Now the name has stuck.

I can only agree, having changed out everything I can find to Poly - Excellent.

Excellent! Precise1, Im in Eagle Colorado, how is the engine?

Sorry for disappearing, had to go out for 5 mins and ended up going to the local pub... 3 hours later. Yep think I may just rebuild. It will be a good challenge. Could be Dutch Courage talking, though. Thanks all Yep spun a bearing on the front of the engine- or so I thought, replaced everything I could but to no-avail still sounds awful, grinding, loose and noisy.

Thanks, thats what Ive been thinking of doing. Im just paranoid over getting another trashed engine. Many thanks.

Hi all. Been having a great time working out of "snowflake" (my wife named her) my new 180,000 mi 91 XE and getting into all sorts of fun trouble. So in three months I put just about 8000 miles of colorado mountain driving on her... Now her engine has spun a bearing. I replaced the water pump and everything your supposed to when you do the timing belt, but she is still making the worst noise - it sounds to me like imminent disaster. So here is the question - replace engine or rebuild? Ive not rebuilt an engine before, but have done everything else on cars. Or should I just give drop a newish engine in? Any advice for kits or where to find replacement engines? Budget is a real consideration as Ive only just moved across the country after moving back to this country so money is tight.

Ok is there someone that I should go to? I will check out RockAuto, but if there is someone out there who would have another option? Does the site have any sponsors? or is there someone here who works for a great parts company? Thanks again

Hmmmm...

Thanks, I might just risk it... Cheers