Fun Spring Break, Long Thanksgiving
Well it was finally time to take Goatfolks on its first long distance road test.�� My friend and fellow van�co-owner Jeff and I had the same week off for spring break so we decided to take Goatfolks down to Myrtle Beach, Soth Carolina.�� Goatfolks started every time, ran great and had tons of power....but we soon found out one small little problem: it ate oil at the rate of a quart every 100 miles!�� The picture to the left became the norm, pulled over, hood up, oil can sticking out.�� To the left and below is the famous South of the Border, a huge tourist trap in North Carolina.�� I'm pretty sure that while on a road trip, if you drive past here, you are required by law to stop:)�� It just sucks you in.
Aside from its incredible oil consumption. Goatfolks ran great down and back, not skipping a beat.� We slept well in the van, but we did grab a hotel when we got down there for showering purposes.�� All in all we went through 2 CASES of oil!�� Once home we decided that we were in need of a new engine.�� So our search began.�� We found a 318 engine and transmission out of a 78 Dodge truck for $150.� The engine only had 78,000 original miles, so we�jumped on it.�� We decided that we would install it over our Thanksgiving break.
NEW ENGINE TIME:
Well, so much for a relaxing Thanksgiving break.�� The rush was on to get Goatfolks motor out and the new one in.�� Getting the engine out of an American van basically sucks!�� We had to have the front of the van raised a couple feet in the air, the headlights were about even with our shoulders.�� After a couple nights work, the engine and transmission came out.�� The engine was actually a 1968 318, which was why it was so peppy, it had more horsepower than the 70's 318's.�� We then had to transfer the new timing chain, water pump, and fuel pump over to the new engine and we also cleaned up the heads on the new engine, installing new valve seals and new head gaskets.
Here is a shot of Goatfolks once we got the engine out and right before attempting to put the new one in.�� What a hassle.�� Oh, and where's Scott you might ask, I beleive he was on vacation in Mexico with his family while Jeff and I busted our butts getting this ready, lucky bastard!��
This is just a shot of us looking out through Goatfolks empty engine compartment.�� we actually look to be enjoying ourselves, but in reality it was a hell of a job.�� I think the reason were smiling is because Jeff's brother couldn't figure out how to use my camera and tried to take this picture about 6 times before he was succesful.
Finally the engine is in and we put everything back together.�� She fired up and ran like a champ.�� We took a few other succesful trips with no problems, so it was time for the big trip.�� Now we needed to raise a little money and head out.��
