Help! Serious Driveablity Problems!!!

From : lotus800

Q: jim hall wrote hi folks i have a 94 fwd cummins turbo diesel with a little over 280000 miles. it started out as my personal vehicle then became a company truck for a business that i own and it has come back to me in its old age. it runs pretty well but it occasionally blows oil - apparently out of a breather in the engine compartment which - among other things - makes a mess under the hood. i took it to the dealer a little over a year ago. whoever they had look at it didnt even roll it into the shop. he opened the hood looked at the engine looked at the mileage and proclaimed the engine toast. they would be happy to sell me a replacement engine for 12 grand or so. since the vehicle books out at maybe half of that i declined. since then ive used it around town and to haul water and do odd chores. because i like the dammed thing i would like to fix it up it needs a fair amount of cosmetic work - and the paint is history but the condition of the engine is a problem. how long should these engines be expected to last given fairly regular oil changes and maintenance it runs ok but seems to be pumping out oil. somehow i expected the diesel to last longer but i may have been expecting too much. are there other things besides rings or whatever that could be pressurizing the crankcase a heavy equipment mechanic i know suggested that the catalytic converter might be clogged. suggestions observations are appreciated. thanks a lot jim hall 520 exc 950 lc8 adventure turning money into noise... put one of these on it and drive it till it quits http//tinyurl.com/ym4ldn -- ken .