DEAD CLIPPER!!

[johno]

Help!
I purchased a 76 clipper last fall in Rhode Island.
My wife and I pick up las week and I drove home(Mpls) Wednesday.
Clipper died in Toledo.
Is it worth $6000.00 for repair to 440 engine?
She has come cometic needs from leak in bathroom ceiling.
Would anyone be interested (46,000 miles)  upholstery is in great shape.

I was VERY happy to find and totally disappointed at her death.

[Rodney]

Help!
I purchased a 76 clipper last fall in Rhode Island.
My wife and I pick up las week and I drove home(Mpls) Wednesday.
Clipper died in Toledo.
Is it worth $6000.00 for repair to 440 engine?
She has come cometic needs from leak in bathroom ceiling.
Would anyone be interested (46,000 miles)  upholstery is in great shape.

I was VERY happy to find and totally disappointed at her death.

Sounds like some bumm luck :cry:
IMHO {in my humble opnion} 6 k for the 440 engine is pretty steep. but I do all of my work myself execpt for machine work. I have built several 440's with aftermarket parts that I wouldn't put in a motorhome and the price was still less than 6 k. I would guess the quote was for everything including R&I the engine new engine ect. Pulling and engine from the chassis at first looks like a lot of work { it is don't get me wrong} but if you take it one step at a time it isn't that bad.
I had mine out in half a day.
when you say the motor died what exactly is it doing or not doing?
my first guess is the head gaskets are blown. they are originally a steel shim gasket and I would guess the engine has never been taken apart. these gaskets will rust and leak causing all kinds of problems, one of which is over heating.  The lower end of a 440 is extreamly tough and one may be able to do some repairs to get her up and running. I have taken several 440's apart with 100 k on the clock to find the crank and bearings just like new and I did reuse them.
bfnR

[Ruben]

I agree with Rodney!
I very much doubt that there is anything wrong with the bottom end of the engine. Have another mechanic look at it. Ask your local friends for a mechanic they trust..
Good luck, and give it one more try.
Ruben

[johno]

tANKS FOR THE FEEDBACK GUYS, BUT TOLEDO IS 800 MILE FROM MY HOME (mpls)
kNOW ANYONE INTERESTED, OR A CHEAP TOW?

[Andy Illes]

Rodney's right.  I've seen many a severely abused 440 marine engine with hundreds of badly neglected flat-out running hours that only needed relatively simple top-end work.  They're rugged, practically bullet-proof engines!  Also as Rodney said, if something does go wrong, it's usually a relatively cheap, easy top-end fix.  But even worst-case, replacing an entire engine should be about half what you're saying... tops.

As noted, you need to more concisely describe exactly what happened John... it makes all the difference in the world on whether you oughtta think about having it fixed in Toledo, towing it home, selling it, etc.

As to towing if it comes to that, at only 3 tons, it can be towed by even a light-duty wrecker with just a dolly.  When I bought mine, we pulled it to my place (23 miles) with just my Ram and towbar... no prob.

So let us know exactly what happened, and good luck!!!

[johno]

I purchased the Clipper because I love the design.
The engine shut down (wont turn over again) approx 800 miles from home.
The $6000.00 price tage is for $4000.00 rebuild with 3 year 75,000 mile warranty (Jasper engines).  They only charge $2800.00 if not going into motorhome.
It is quite hard to ship around, and expensive to ship this distance.
I will probably park it next to the tow company for $25.00 a month and get my best possible soulution, even if it requires leaving her behind.

I welcome your help, and thank you.

[johno]

I was driving into terrible headwind, do 60-65 MPH, when it sputtered twice, and stopped.  Blew oil cap off, and will no longer turn over.
I am trying to find a way to get her home, perhaps a return semi for a decent price.  Towing company wants $2.50 per mile.

[Rodney]

I was driving into terrible headwind, do 60-65 MPH, when it sputtered twice, and stopped.  Blew oil cap off, and will no longer turn over.
I am trying to find a way to get her home, perhaps a return semi for a decent price.  Towing company wants $2.50 per mile.

WEll that doesn't sound good at all but you never know until you take a look inside.
If you do get it to a place you can work on it I would pull the spark plugs drain the engine oil for inspection look for first the presence of lubrucatrion, coolant in the oil and chunks. check the coolant level. try and turn the engine over, it would be best with a breaker bar on the crank nut. I have gotten my 440 in a race car soo hot once that it boiled all of the coolant out and she wouldn't crank until it cooled down then I started the engine and is was ok but sure did take some of the life of the engine away.
too bad you or someone you know that has AAA I have tow insurance on all of my rigs with the auto insurance for just a few more dollars it's good to have.
good luck