What to do next replaced bulb and tv works fine for a few hours then starts to flicker colors over picture and starts to smell HOT also pulled video engine cleaned all fans checked all connections.

normally no bulb will bust ever unless you have oil on the lamp. sooo , it got too hot then. even if the fans turning its not putting out.
check the exhaust it should blow a lot of air past the lamp.

the problem you are having is the colour wheel. it spins to correct the colour on the screen when it fails you get wrong colours and flicker... the motor on it fails after time. and will need replacing.

You haven't specified here about have did a lamp time reset after lamp replacement. It should be done. If you wish to know more about how to reset lamp time, http://electronicshelponline.blogspot.com/ check this link. Pull up older posts there. You can get details. Do this, and check it again. If you want any more assistance, be free by commends.

Bulbs are going bad

The main power supply regulator section circuit fault. Either it will be a separate board, or the part of main board. Check and replace damaged component/s at its main power regulator [SMPS] section circuit. Contact any service technician. If you wish to get some details; check the site linked here. Pull up older posts.
http://electronicshelponline.blogspot.com/

I had a TV do that about a year ago, the repair man said it was the color wheel inside the tv. I changed the bulb to see if he was BS'ng me and eventually got the manufacturer to send a color wheel and I change it myself, was very easy...TV works fine ever since. Hope this helps

IF YOU HAVE A RA 6 CHASSI THE TUBES RUN HOT ANOID CATHOD SHORT IF YOU TAP ON THE NECK OF THE TUBES AND GOES TO SOLID COLOR THEN SHUTS OFF YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THAT TUBE ALL 3 TUBES WILL HAVE THIS PROBLEM

Hello Dsidneysis,
It appears that this failure could be in the power supply due to swelling/ bulging capacitors in the power supply.
Check the link below to find parts to fix your TV.

Color Wheel, Go website Encmpass Parts Distr Look up the part # if they do not have it in stock then go to E-Bay look under Electronic 1-800-638-3328

it could be the bulb on the way out, they don't like to turn on if the inverter does not get a voltage use from the bulb, while trying to turn on the tv look at the vents for the bulb if you see it flicker on and of while trying to turn on the tv when it would be the bulb. when the tv is on and work hold a peace of paper over the vent not to cover it but to look at the bulb light if you see a flicker or bright and dim and repeats doing this then the bulb is warn out. if you hear clicking or scratching sounds this could be the inverter board on it way out.