Hello to all. I'm new to the bus world. Bought my MCI 8 conversion about a year ago. Still getting all the quirks out of it. I'm getting the impression these things are a lot like owning a boat----A 40 foot hole you throw money into. I'm living a love hate relationship with it. Some days I can't wait to get it on the road, other days it scares the daylights out of me. I'm studying this forum and getting tons of good information. Thanks to all who post and contribute. Ive leaned a lot already and need still to learn even more.
Good lookin bus , where you live?
Thanks. I'm in Angels Camp, California. About 120 miles east of San Francisco in the foothills.
Hello PC, Christi & I know just how you feel. When the hate got to be to much, we fired her up and went for a short drive Honking the horn at the passers bye, stopped at the store for a coffee and even went to Walmart. After that we felt alot better about the bus and we were back at the Dreaming of the Open Road again.
Hang in there and welcome to the board. Post more pics of your projects, not for you but for us. We will live your dream with you.
All the Best, M&C ;D
Welcome to the madness ;)
Nice looking 8, too!
"Still getting all the quirks out of it."
You don't really get rid of all the quirks. You end up modifying some and learning to live with others.
Kinda like being married. ;)
True about the quirks. Some are just way easier to just live with. This week was a "Not Gen" light that was on. Took the mechanic about 10 hrs just to trace down and replace the voltage regulator, which they finally found behind the generator. No idea how they got in that tight space. Had them lengthen the wires and relocate the new one in a more accessible space. Now, they're on to trying to figure out why my inverter doesn't work? Hopefully, its an easy one and they can get it all ironed out by middle of the March. We're headed out on our first "real" trip in the bus---Headed to the desert. Ive only driven it about 50 miles home and to the shop once! So far its runs really well and appears to be mechanically sound. I had a diesel mechanic go over the mechanical systems, before I purchased it, they changed the fluids, etc. Its been in storage (inside) for quite a long time so it's gonna take some TLC to bring her back to life.
Hi seen this bus for sale over on the BNO site for $20,000.
http://www.busnut.com/classifieds/index.php?a=2&b=1298 (http://www.busnut.com/classifieds/index.php?a=2&b=1298)
Danr
Yep that's mine. I tell you its a true love/hate relationship!
Who changes the fluids for you. Just wondering was it in frog jump country or down in Placer county area? ;D
Welcome aboard. Went though and still finding/repairing.replacing/updating things on our 1991 Prevost that sit in barn for 7 or 8 years without seeing the sun. I thought with no use and low miles and hours would be like new. Found out things turn south when you don't use frequently. Bought it 3 years ago and It's been a wallet tugging experience. Good luck on your endeavors.
Nice looking 8. I see that you don't have a manual because it took you 8 hours to find the voltage regulator. Look for one on ebay. Or someone here will point to one hopefully. That is the MCI manual. You should also get a Detroit Diesel V71 series service manual. You can't maintain a bus without them.
Good luck.
JC
I had my my initial service done at the interstate truck center in Turlock. Not sure I would go that route again? But that's who did the inspection and service for me. Right now it's at Sierra heavy duty RV in Sonora correcting an inverter issue. I invested in a set of manuals but they didn't arrive until after I out put the bus in the shop. I attempted to run down the "not gen" light myself and actually found a site on the web that said the voltage regulator should be in that bay, but when I opened the door all I saw was generator and I never imagined that the voltage regulator would be back there behind the generator. But I guess when the put the voltage regulator in there the generator wasn't there:) So now I have a set of manuals. I bought the disk and printed off all 1231 pages of it:) The only down side is that the manual is for the bus configured as a passenger bus. I'd like the find out where I could get a manual for the conversion---if there is such a thing? I imagine though that each conversion is slightly different from the next dependent upon layout, amenities, etc. sort of like houses.
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It takes a while to learn all the systems in a new to you bus. Some I don't learn until something needs fixing and have to start digging into it.
Good luck.
JC
That is a really nice looking 8, the fun is just starting and keep her between the lines! ;D
if for some reason you get ( not gen) lite again turn your headlights on mine will come on because the batteries are fully charged and yes plan on doing something to bus all the time it just happens even with new ones.
although I will keep my 1965 if I park next to a new bus people will come check mine out first nostalgia and it runs down the road just fine
so hang in there its all good
Holy cow! I hope that's the problem with my "not gen" light. The shop has had mine 3 weeks and over $2000 in labor trying to find out why everything works but the not gen light stays on. They told me they were going to have to call MCI to help them figure it out. I'm going down there tomorrow and hopefully it's as simple as turning on the headlights (which I have never done as I've only driven it two or three times during the day.) You just made my week! Thank you!!!! I bet it's gonna be that simple!!
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You know I think that light came on the first time I started the bus right after I changed all four batteries. MAN, I'm excited! I can't wait to find out it's a silly thing like that. I'll let you guys know what I find out tomorrow.
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Oh well, the bubble burst as quickly as it inflated. Went out today and started the bus, let the air pressure build up to operating pressure, turned on the headlights and the light stays lit. The mechanic says I definitely have a burnt relay that needs to be replaced. Finding them is the issue now. Anyone know where I might start looking for MCI part # 7D-5-1 or 7B-13-85. The mechanic says he has two different part numbers for the same relay. I'm going to call MCI today. Any other ideas?
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Call Luke at us coach in vineland nj 888-262-2434
Thanks. I'll give them a try.
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Hi All, had a sound coming from front and back wheels, took it to a bus shop, the old mechanic wasnt there anymore, young kid, enthusiastic and a hard worker, spent days and $900, inspected all kind of things, some of it good, couldnt find the issue, turns out it was the hubcaps (simulators on a bus) flexing and clicking, lvmci...