It looks like there'll be an opening for movie night.

[Spectre_USA]

I took the longest drive in the ol' `71 Super on Saturday.

Out to Worley, ID for some smokes, and then out to the lake for a job sponsored
cruise on the lake. Had a great time on the lake as a relief from the century mark
temps. Got back on land around 9PM, and the temps had cooled to the low 90's.

Jumped on I-90 for the drive home, and had just passed Liberty Lake when I heard
a thump from the rear. Shut off the stereo when Rose said she smelt burning rubber.

The next exit was in the boon-docks, and she was running well enough, so pressed
on for civilization. 1/2 a mile from the 1st Valley Mall exit, it started losing power,
then their was a loud thud, the engine quit, and I coasted off the highway, right into
the Residence Inn, right under a light.

Smoke was pouring out of the engine compartment. Great! Rose went and
grabbed a vase full off water, it sizzled and popped as I poured it on the lid.
After 2 more dousings, it had cooled enough to open it, and not have anything
in the engine compartment ignite.

The belt was in pieces, and the back left plug was out of the cylinder. The boot on
the back right plug was melted.

Why a generator belt has so much to do with cooling, I may never know, but I
reckon this old 1600 engine is all but cooked.

I had checked the belt 2 weeks earlier when I replaced the plugs and wires.
It had the 1/2" play, and did not look cracked at all.

Just my continued bad luck in bug-land, I suppose...

[jordank]

Sorry to hear that.... at least it didn't ignite.

I've always been VERY paranoid about cooling... I have a fire extinguisher within reach, and always make sure my alternator warning light works... if that baby lights up - you know your belt is no longer there.... (obviously, I also carry a spare belt, though now that i'm typing this - I just realised that I do NOT carry the right wrench to undo the alternator pulley!!! d-oh!)...

mental note - put wrench in vehicle TONIGHT.

btw, there was a 1600 motor on craig's list recently, might be worth checking out if it's truly toasted.

[Sprø Norsk]

[Spectre_USA]

Thanks for the ideas, but the new engine is not happening this year, for sure.

I am going to scrounge up a new belt, plugs and wires, the latter 2 I just replaced,
and say a prayer on Friday, my next day off.

If I get real lucky, blessed, or both, It may fire up and surprise me. Not likely,
but it is better to go cheap and check it out then to just write it off and wait `til
the medical bills subside next year sometime...

[Spectre_USA]

I got the basic parts, and have the day off tomorrow.

Hopefully I can toss in the belt, plugs and wires and she'll fire up.

If I get really lucky, and she ain't cooked, I will hit the meeting place with a
big ol' grin on my face...