Quick OA-331 praises. 30+ years ago a logger stopped by our place of business and offerred us a Gas 2 1/2 ton Reo truck and told us where it was and to go get it. It had been the target of High powered rifle practice in a logging woods. The engine name plate still has a bullet hole in it. The truck's doors had been totally shot up. I can't remember where other bullet holes were. He said he'd return to get some compensation for the truck, but never did. I salvaged the engine (doing nothing to it nor its air compressor) way back then and it survives to this day (in condition as obtained) in my deuce boom truck that was built about 25 years ago. That boom truck has sat the past 7 years in a swampy area. At the time I had no where else to keep it. The truck has become covered with vines so numerous that you could not see through them. There was a small tree growing between two wheel sets. This past Saturday, I cleaned the carb (which was mostly to clear the dirt wasp nests out) and cleaned the points, provided fresh fuel in a plastic can, and she runs again. The truck has the original ignition and wiring including the lever ignition switch and all original gauges except the temp, which came to a stop on 180 degrees. NO top on the cab for many many years either. The gauges still work. I am salvaging a Gas Reo which was completely submerged for several days in Hurricane Floyd's aftermath 8 years ago and it sat undisturbed in a salvage yard where it was flooded. Recently too, I removed its valve cover. All of its rocker arms, pushrods, springs are not rusted. I believe except for stuck pistons, that engine is ok. Still another OA-331 in my original boom truck cab which has been the victim of me, and two angry large fork truck drivers, one of which rammed the block, broke both the fuel pump and distributor off, and busted the block's oil pan flange, may live on too. The cab and front chassis and engine has been upside down with a board over its exhaust manifold opening for a dozen years. Again recently, I removed four of its plugs and am pretty sure it isn't stuck. Everything looks great under its valve cover. I am saving what is left to live another day. We will fix the busted out cast iron piece which is still attached to the oil pan. I doubt I will have to do anything further to that block and head but attach fresh periperals, and fire it up. (The small head freeze plugs may need replacement) These engines are meeting their end in srapping in Military truck yards. It is all dollars and cents except for those who know what a wonder this engine is. Carlton Carver
