Posted by PeterW on August 29, 04 at 20:14:14:
Hey guys,
Two weeks and 1750 miles and I'm home. Vacation was awesome. Truck (91 R2500 7.4L) and Trailer (1989,23'Jayco @ 4800 lbs) behaved well. Towing was a pleasure.
Learned that my Fan clutch operates as designed. Always have heard it at cold startup but haven't heard while running hot. That is, until pulling through NY State and Ct. on I-84. Long uphill pulls with ambient temps in high 80's. Tranny in "D" (not OD)with tranny temps. up to 210* (pre-coolers). Engine temps. climbing past 210*. Hear this ROAR, loss in horsepower and dramatic drop in engine temps. Tranny cools to 175-180*. Glad to know that the fan clutch works!
Lost the alternator and had to replace. Had been noticing gauge showing drop with each electrical item that was turned on. Finally, it went kapoots. $100.00 for a 105 amp NAPA and 20 minutes time and all is well.
Fuel mileage was as expected...9-10 MPG towing. Prices for fuel were all over the place. CT. was the worst- $2.19 for 87 octane, VA. the best with $1.75 for 87 octane. Stayed with Mobil for the entire trip. Funny thing...twice noticed rotten egg smell on deceleration. Each time was with fuel purchased in NY and CT. Noticed the CT. pump was labeled with "Fuel contains Methanol" (didn't notice label in NY or anywhere else for that matter) but, the smell was only evident with this fuel. Wonder why? Originally thought, hot engine, long uphills and fan clutch engagement, coupled with long downhills, rapid cooling etc.etc. was throwing off fuel/air mix from rich to lean. Then got to thinking about the Methanol additive. Don't really know what caused what, but it sure stunk!
Dave02LT was correct about the JB Weld and the exhaust gasket leak...didn't last long....BUT, did find another product called Fireseal 2000 made by the same company, and it worked and is still working. Albeit, not whisper quiet, but certainly not as loud as it was.
Will fix properly once the cash reserves are rejunvenated.
As fun as it was, it's always good to get back home!
PeterW