'55 R-122 rehab

Over-advanced ignition timing and what looked like a lean fuel condition is what I think killed it (programmer says I'm mistaken...). The crank,cam, dist are all still "as ran". I intend on putting a degree wheel on the engine to "final word" physical timing settings. If I fix the truck I will likely buy some hardware to read and write my own chips. At least then the only person I'd have to be angry at would be myself if something goes wrong.

What you are doing and have done is beyond me. I watch and read your posts to educate myself. I hope that when you "go at it" again, that things work better.

That is some bad luck. It just does not seem fare when a person like yourself does everything right and this happens. While I am not feeling the pain of total destruction, I am a little frustrated with my Albatross.
How is it that so many do everything wrong and they and their derelict vehicle amble off into the distance.

MEANING:
An annoying burden: “That old car is an albatross around my neck.” Literally, an albatross is a large sea bird. The phrase alludes to Samuel Taylor Coleridge 's poem “ The Rime of the Ancient Mariner,” in which a sailor who shoots a friendly albatross is forced to wear its carcass around his neck as punishment.

I hope that when you "go at it" again, that things work better.

That’s the thing. I’m not sure if there will be “again”. I’m going to try to get the engine pulled tomorrow. I’ll get it to the machine shop as soon as I can. Pending their estimate I will know if I can even afford a “next time”. I may sell the IH and the Caddy to get a pedestrian modern truck. Tough to work as a cerpenter/handyman w/o a pickup.

Nikki- I hope you find the solution to your troubles soon as well.

I am not in the right frame of mind to do the next step and try to start my car. I should feel better after this crazy season is past. I have done all of the diagnostics and double checked everything, so, the next is to push the start button. If the engine finally starts, I am going to sit there in stunned silence.
I would really not want you to kick your excellent project to the curb because of this situation. I do not like Craigslist motors because they all have been "rebuilt" and the truth is difficult to know. You are not a dumb a$$ so I know you will do the right thing for the right reasons. Seasons Greetings.

Jake,
I'm sure you are deeply disappointed. It seems you were so close to a great combination- an old IHC with modern drivability. I don't have any new parts, but if any of the used ones I have will help you, they are yours for the cost of shipping.

Dean

Check with Tom Underwood in Lawrence, KS. He may have pistons, rings, wrist pin bushings. 785-749-5231

Dean

Dean,
Thank you for the offer/contact. I’m going to start pulling the drivetrain today. I’ll drag the long block to the machine shop and see what happens. Looking at trucks on CL for possible engine swaps as well.

Sorry to hear of your troubles, please share what happened if you can bare too, it will help all of us to learn. Was it an overspeed problem or a detonation failure? Most detonation problems can hole or crack pistons in short order if highly loaded (it is why Saab developed their APC system for the turbo 900) but it sounds like your failure was more severe. I for one have been reading this build, and would like to learn from experience. With the effects across almost if not all cylinders tends to rule out poor fuel mixing.

As much as th me whole thing sucks I will be happy to provide my analysis and that of the machine shop once they see it. If anyone is able to take away something useful from my incoheriant ramblings it’s a good day. As always pics will be posted as well. Thoughts and opinions are always welcome.