Hi everybody: This is my first post and I have a few questions. I just bought a 1983 MCI MC9. The bus was fully seated when I bought it and I am in the process of striping it all down to start an rv conversion. At this point I have all the seats, the luggage racks and the bathroom partitions removed.
This picture shows the original black water holding tank
(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi51.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ff360%2Fbubbasplithispants%2Fmci019.jpg&hash=7b2b61f0138debb11ead4a1600c7515cd036ffa1)
I am not sure how to remove it. It looks to big to come out from under the bus and I think it will have to come up into the coach and out a window. Anyone have any suggestions for the best way to remove it?
The bus will need new radiators soon, and I think it needs a new alternator. We had to drive the bus about 200 miles to get her home and the next day she would not start. Checked the batteries and they were dead. I tried charging them and one would not take a charge, the other was coming back, but I decided to just change the pair. The bus starts real good with new batteries, but I am only getting 24.7 volts out of the regulator. I tried adjusting the regulator, but turning the screw makes no difference in the voltage reading. I am excited about this project, our last rv was a travel trailer and it has rotted out, I just couldn't see putting any more time and effort into it and decided to work with something built to last.
Welcome Mike!
I tried to fix your PhotoBucket code but I seem to have a problem getting the correct code. When you want to post a picutre from PB here try this. Hover your mouse over the photo, a small box will appear below with four different types of code. Copy the last one where is says IMG, then paste that code here in your post. That's it.
I can't help you with the MCI stuff, I'm sure one will come along shortly.
Paul
Hi Paul: Thanks, yea I was playing around with the code also, for some reason photo bucket would not show the code under the picture as normal, but I think I got it worked out.
I don't know how to get it out but, Don't bite your fingernails from now on worrying about it. Welcome it is fun here.
Try this http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=3866.0 (http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=3866.0)
The only way I know of is through the right side engine door. There should be a fiberglass cover that first has to be removed, then 2 stainless steel straps hold the tank to the bottom of the engine step up area. Removing the tank was one of the worst parts of stripping the bus IMO (and I removed mine in the winter so it didn't smell as bad). I first removed the collar that is sticking through the step up. That involved a crow bar & BFH if I remember correctly.
Wow thanks guys. I tried using the search option, but couldn't find anything, thanks for the link. I guess my plans for next weekend will be getting that thing out of there. I am lucky that the po cleaned it well and it does not stink. All the brown gooey stuff dripping off in the picture is not, well you know. I am not sure what it is, but at least it does not stink.
I stole this from Craig but when I did mine this site helped me a lot.
http://www.gumpydog.com/Bus/MC9_WIP/Structural/Washroom_Removal/washroom_removal.htm (http://www.gumpydog.com/Bus/MC9_WIP/Structural/Washroom_Removal/washroom_removal.htm)
That involved a crow bar & BFH if I remember correctly. This is a very true statement.
John
as posted above, it comes out through the engine door. i agree it was probably the worst part of the stripping job. mine was dry and didn't smell, but it didn't come without a fight. for the floor pan, the easiest i think is to cut the floor about 1 1/2" outside the pan all the way around it, then a big crow bar and pry it up.
do you need it out? fill full of spray foam...I did one mci 8 :'(
Quotedo you need it out? fill full of spray foam...I did one mci 8
My son has been saying this the whole time I have been considering removing it. I guess if it ever got in the way for whatever reason it could be removed latter. I like the idea of filling it with expanding foam, should seal it up so it does not act like a big drum, or start to smell when the temps rise. How did it work out for you? Did it ever get in the way, or start to smell? The only benefit I see from removing it is to save a little weight, and make more room in the engine compartment. Of course there is the physiological aspect of having an old black water tank in your master bedroom.
I have found that the extra room in the engine compartment is very handy. I'm not sure of your situation but filling that thing might cost some money. I would think twice about buying a bus that someone did this too. I took my bus to the frame rails to get it clean before starting my rebuild. I would rather buy a bus with the tank intact and cleaned out and sanitized as good as one can.
My Opinion
John
QuoteI would think twice about buying a bus that someone did this too. I took my bus to the frame rails to get it clean before starting my rebuild. I would rather buy a bus with the tank intact and cleaned out and sanitized as good as one can.
I see your point John, I had not thought about the day I may sell this thing. I may know it was cleaned, but there is not way for a prospective buyer to know. Guess I will just have to bite the bullet this coming weekend and get that thing out of there.
It does take some time but not too bad. Gumpy's site is a good reference. I cut mine with a cut off blade like he advised and it went well but took some time.
I think getting it out of there is a good choice
John
Hello; In the motor compartment from the side door: 4 bolts on the upper part of the tank linking it to the top and rear sidewall (rear of the motor compartment). You need to poke around in the insulation from underneath and remove the 4 bolts. REmove the clamp from the top and the whole thing will fall down. It is a good idea to prop it up so that it does not fall on you when the last bolt is removed. THe space is real handy..
The harder part is the stainless piece on the floor. THat has to be cut with a plasma cutter or a grinder before it will come out.
Regards and happy bussin mike
I fought with mone until I found the clamp in the center that makes it two partsd and then it dropped right out . as was stated the floor pan is the worst part. Nice to hava that room in the engin room. if the you get rid of some of that insulation then you will see the bolts but still hard to get to. Jerry
Quote from: Jerry32 on August 20, 2010, 11:24:05 AM
I fought with mone until I found the clamp in the center that makes it two partsd and then it dropped right out . as was stated the floor pan is the worst part. Nice to hava that room in the engin room. if the you get rid of some of that insulation then you will see the bolts but still hard to get to. Jerry
I think I didn't find all the bolts and that is when the BF crow bar came into play.
John
Thanks to everyone's help my son and I were able to get the tank out, it took most of a Saturday morning, but it sure felt good to get the job done, and yea the bf crow bar came in handy as well LOL. We cut the bathroom floor out using a grinder with a cut off wheel and the bf crow bar came in handy here also ;D
Once that was done I started stripping out the base board heating ducts and the carpeted wall panels. I am now down to the final sheeting on the inside wall. Should I remove this as well? I have read stories where people remove the sheeting and replace the insulation with pink, or blue board. Will I gain any additional insulation R value by doing this? Also if I do remove the final wall sheeting and reinsulate should I reinstall the original panels, or just cover with whatever I use for wall sheeting? When I was removing the heating duct work and diffusers, there were two ducts, each over the front wheel that vented through the outside bus sheeting, where these cold air returns? I removed them, will that be ok, or is there something I should do if I leave them off?
Thanks
Mike.
Quote from: mike802 on August 23, 2010, 01:39:49 PM
Once that was done I started stripping out the base board heating ducts and the carpeted wall panels. I am now down to the final sheeting on the inside wall. Should I remove this as well? I have read stories where people remove the sheeting and replace the insulation with pink, or blue board. Will I gain any additional insulation R value by doing this? Also if I do remove the final wall sheeting and reinsulate should I reinstall the original panels, or just cover with whatever I use for wall sheeting? When I was removing the heating duct work and diffusers, there were two ducts, each over the front wheel that vented through the outside bus sheeting, where these cold air returns? I removed them, will that be ok, or is there something I should do if I leave them off?
This like asking about oil and antifreeze. When you remove these panels you will have to replace them with structural rivits or leave them off and add bracing to make up for the loss in support. I would use closed cell foam insulation if I were doing this you can buy kits to do it yourself. look in the archives this has been discussed a lot.
I choose to add bracing.
John