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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: Ncbob on May 08, 2010, 11:12:35 AM

Title: Almost made it home to NC
Post by: Ncbob on May 08, 2010, 11:12:35 AM
I've been absent from this Board for a few months for lack of an ISP but we're back home now, we made it but the bus didn't, and hoping to get settled in soon.

Just south Clayton, Ga I found that I only had 3rd & 4th gear and one helluva vibration in the drive line. We made it into Clayton and pulled over. It wasn't long before we attracted the attention of one of Claytons' finest and he was kind enough to radio for a heavy wrecker. Presently the bus is at CWC truck repair so we hope Monday they'll be able to do some checking and find out what the problem is.  U joint replacement shouldn't be a problem and perhaps the tranny is stuck in two gears at a time. Be the Bus God's willing we won't have to search for 4 speed Spicer parts or a replacement transmission... but since Murphy resides in our bus as a regular passenger I'm not taking bets.

In that event I'll ask Florida Cliff to put out the word for what we might need.

Best to all...from NCbob & Jackie
Title: Re: Almost made it home to NC
Post by: Ace on May 08, 2010, 11:22:31 AM
Bob what is it exactly you think you might need? I can check down at the shop for you!

Ace
Title: Re: Almost made it home to NC
Post by: Ncbob on May 08, 2010, 01:06:38 PM
Ace, m'friend, I probably won't know until Monday or Tuesday. But rest assured I will give a holler when I know.

NCbob



















Title: Re: Almost made it home to NC
Post by: Van on May 08, 2010, 01:24:48 PM
Bob tough break with the bus, hope ya'll get it sorted out in short order, good luck. Hopefully it don't take a small fortune :)
Title: Re: Almost made it home to NC
Post by: Eagle on May 08, 2010, 01:30:55 PM
Bob glad to see you back on the board.  Was wondering what had happened to you.


JCB
Title: Re: Almost made it home to NC
Post by: JackConrad on May 08, 2010, 01:43:16 PM
Bob,
   Sorry to hear of your troubles, hopefully it will be something minor.  Jack
PS: Give Miss Jackie a big hug from Paula & I
Title: Re: Almost made it home to NC
Post by: Len Silva on May 08, 2010, 02:34:43 PM
I had a very similar experience shortly after we bought the 4104 (and of course, I knew nothing about buses then).  Turned out that ALL the bolts holding the transmission to the bell housing had loosened up and it was separated by almost 3/4 of an inch.  Tightening up fixed everything.  It's a whole lot easier on a 4104 than a T_Drive.

Hope yours is that simple.
Title: Re: Almost made it home to NC
Post by: bevans6 on May 08, 2010, 02:48:37 PM
I have a complete MCI MC-5 Spicer sitting on the floor of my shop if you get really stuck.  Shipping would cost as much as my first house...
Brian
Title: Re: Almost made it home to NC
Post by: Ncbob on May 08, 2010, 03:37:04 PM
Just got a call from the repair shop..there's no 4th gear. He's got it over the pit and will take the inspection plate off on Monday.

Why am I afraid that I need another gear box? Murphy rules!  Anyone with an  MC5 Spicer gear box please line up for furthur contact but trust in the fact that I'm going to Church tomorrow and plan on asking for a miracle. A friend recently gave me a St. Jude medallion, he, St Jude being the patron Saint of lost causes. Let's see......

And thank all of you for your responses.

NCbob
Title: Re: Almost made it home to NC
Post by: Len Silva on May 08, 2010, 03:54:01 PM
Oh Lord, won't you buy me, a Spicer five speed.....
Title: Re: Almost made it home to NC
Post by: Chopper Scott on May 08, 2010, 04:54:59 PM
I guess you can chalk it up to Mother's Day! Sounds like she's been a real mother for you. Hope it doesn't turn out to bad.
Title: Re: Almost made it home to NC
Post by: oldmansax on May 08, 2010, 05:20:36 PM
Hey Bob,

I am really sorry to hear about your misfortune.

We may both regret me telling you about this but...... would you want an automatic?

My fire company has a '76 Dodge with a 903 Cummins & an Allison auto in it. It was one of those guvmint airport fuel trucks. We used it for a tanker. It has about 26,000 miles on it I think. I used to drive it & it shifts fine. With 5500 gallons of water it only took me an hour and 35 minutes to get to 57 MPH.   ;D

I was thinking about putting it in my bus but it's too much work.

I can probably get the truck for $1000. We would have to remove the tranny. I don't have a plan for that but we can figure out something. As soon as the muskeeters arrive, we can probably harness a couple & snatch it right out!  ;D

Let me know if you are interested.

four-four-tree five-two-won seven-seven-six-ate

TOM
Title: Re: Almost made it home to NC
Post by: NewbeeMC9 on May 09, 2010, 05:11:45 AM

Welcome back Bob & Jackie,

I hope it not too painful ;)



At least you'll have an excuse to eat at the Dillard house :)
Title: Re: Almost made it home to NC
Post by: cody on May 09, 2010, 05:45:23 AM
Bob, it's good to hear from you, bad about the tranny but we've been thinking about you and your future ex-wife and hadn't heard anything in such a long time that we were worried that maybe you had been hired as an advisor to obama and just didn't have time for us common people anymore, but we're glad to hear from you at any time, with the number of our elder friends dropping off up here we can't afford to loose anymore to the ravages of time.
Title: Re: Almost made it home to NC
Post by: Ncbob on May 09, 2010, 08:19:51 AM
As Betty White said, (on Saturday Night Live) "If I want to talk with my friends I'd have to get a Ouija Board"!

The worst parts about this whole affair, Cody, is the waiting. Certainly we can't do anyting about the week end but the shop where the bus is caters to Commercial trucks first. As it should..they're his bread and butter. And we know that now we also have a left radiator problem because after the towing company lifted the front end and moved it..the left radiator started leaking. I suspected a slow leak in the cooling system for some time and this just worsened an existing problem.

What I do expect though, as the monkey said as he peed in the cash register, "This's running into money"!

NCbob
Title: Re: Almost made it home to NC
Post by: redbus on May 09, 2010, 08:39:18 AM
Good luck Bob
I hope you are overreacting
Title: Re: Almost made it home to NC
Post by: Ncbob on May 10, 2010, 12:08:10 PM
Hi Terry! I'm afraid that I'm way too old to over anything. And the state of my memory doesn't allow me to remember what overreacting is.

Best to you and your bride from Jackie & me.

NCbob