Bus owner: How can I check my heat exchangers to see if they're still good or should be replaced? I have the engine out for the winter waiting on a transmission rebuild. Trying to determine if I should replace the exhaust system, and if so, do the heat exchangers as well, leave them as is, or use JTubes. Bus is '74 with single progressive webber. Based on rust, the exhaust looks original origional.
Intelligent Tinkering: A visual examination. Look for loose connectors, gaps, rusty tin, flap valves not working, seized cables. Take the concertina tubes off and check for air with the engine running. Look for evidence of oil leaks from the rocker covers. If you change the heat exchangers, you will need to fix the leaks too or your expensive new heat exchangers will get fouled up toot sweet. Check all the other pipes too, all the way to the front. A mouse nest anywhere in the line can easily stop the whole shebang up. If you don't change them you should also fix any leaks while the motor is out. It's not hard to switch out the valve cover gaskets. Depending on the mileage since the last one, I'd be at least thinking hard about taking the opportunity to do a top end rebuild. And don't get your hopes up about heat, especially if you live in a cold state. These things were never that effective even when the bus was new. I gave up, disconnected mine and got a diesel cab heater that cost less than one replacement heat exchanger.
No comments:
Post a Comment