As seen below, here is my new toy, a 1978 MCI MC-5C, Angola Coach conversion from a brand new shell. This photo was taken in Knoxville, TN about 6:45 in the morning as I was doing my pre-trip inspection, after it had rained the night before. (Click on the image for a larger view.)
When this MCI became available, I called the fellow I've been talking to since 1999 about buying his really, really nice 4106, but he's still not ready to sell, so I decided to "go over to the dark side," as Ed teased a few weeks ago. It seats six, feeds four and sleeps two, semi-side aisle layout, all-electric w/ an 8kw PowerTech diesel genset. 6V71/MT-644 powertrain, so am seriously thinking about naming it "Aesop's Tortoise!"
Am currently working on the saga of bringing it to CA, will post that in a couple days, so stay tuned for that. In addition, will be uploading a bunch of photos to one of the photo sharing sites, will post that info as soon as that task is completed, too. . .
Congratulations! Great bus, great interior, great shape, happy trails to you, tom...
Good looking bus!!
Quote from: RJ on December 10, 2014, 07:50:12 PM
As seen below, here is my new toy, ...
OK, you're out of the closet, then? Good, the weight of secrecy was hanging heavy on my shoulders.
RJ,
Bout time you came out of the closet....
-Sean
Wandering the country in a 1984 Eagle 10S.
www.herdofturtles.org (http://www.herdofturtles.org)
Great looking bus. I love my MCI. Hope you enjoy it as much as my family has enjoyed ours.
James
Quote from: lvmci on December 10, 2014, 07:55:00 PM
Congratulations! Great bus, great interior, great shape, happy trails to you, tom...
Thanks, Tom. Oh, and thank you for buying dinner the other night in Vegas, too!
Quote from: Oonrahnjay on December 10, 2014, 08:04:16 PM
OK, you're out of the closet, then?
Quote from: Seangie on December 10, 2014, 08:06:12 PM
Bout time you came out of the closet...
Closet??
What closet??
I don't want to be confused with any of those San Francisco folk, 'cause I sure ain't!!
;D
Hi, RJ,
That really is a good-looking bus. I hope you enjoy in thoroughly.
Ros
Quote from: RJ on December 10, 2014, 07:50:12 PM
As seen below, here is my new toy, a 1978 MCI MC-5C, Angola Coach conversion from a brand new shell. This photo was taken in Knoxville, TN about 6:45 in the morning as I was doing my pre-trip inspection, after it had rained the night before. (Click on the image for a larger view.)
When this MCI became available, I called the fellow I've been talking to since 1999 about buying his really, really nice 4106, but he's still not ready to sell, so I decided to "go over to the dark side," as Ed teased a few weeks ago. It seats six, feeds four and sleeps two, semi-side aisle layout, all-electric w/ an 8kw PowerTech diesel genset. 6V71/MT-644 powertrain, so am seriously thinking about naming it "Aesop's Tortoise!"
Am currently working on the saga of bringing it to CA, will post that in a couple days, so stay tuned for that. In addition, will be uploading a bunch of photos to one of the photo sharing sites, will post that info as soon as that task is completed, too. . .
Great looking bus RJ, even if it, was the cause of Gm's bus empire to die >:( ;D If you come through St. Louis on your way back to the fruitland, please give me a call and I will buy you a cup of coffee.
Scott 314-755-080 eight
Hey you got a good bus! An MCI! A 5C no less! I like that it is stock looking. Looking forward to seeing the interior.
JC
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Nice little car, RJ. Now about that 6V92 conversion..................lol.
Can't wait to see her. One of my favorites.
RJ I think a 50series would look good in the back of your 5. That is my dream for the back of HUGGY.
uncle ned
What is happening in this world a GM guy buying a MCI and a Eagle owner with a MCI lol I was smart enough to get a MCI with a little rust so I don't have Eagle withdraw pains
I have no idea how RJ is going to turn the engine sideways tilt it on it's side, easy to make it run backwards though nice coach RJ
RJ-good going! Now just have to figure out whether to turbo that 6V-71 (will give it 300hp and 900lb/ft torque with 80 injectors [50% more torque!]). Or just exchange an 6V-92TA with HT740 for it. I imagine the 6V-71 would be painfully slow.
Otherwise, good choice-looks good! Good Luck, TomC
It is painfully slow with the 6V71. I have driven them. The 6 V92 is a good engine in a 5. I wonder if they are other options for a 5C? There isn't a lot of space.
JC
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Happy for you, Sir. I am — or at least was — an MCI fan at heart. I fell in love with the 5C when a friend bought one in 2000. He built a nice conversion. My only complaint was ceiling height. I hit my head every time I was on that bus. Didn't bother him. I believe he was descended from leprechauns on his mother's side.
Last time we were looking for a shell, we thought at first that we should get a 35 footer. That made some iteration of a "5" our prime option. I learned from experience that I'm not a V-drive man. No way I could have made it work without a roof raise. We ended up with something completely different.
Looks like you got a nice one. Do we have some law of physics that requires the stuff we're interested in to be located most of the way across the country?
All the best with your "new" bus.
Jim
Gary Ledbetter has a 2004 Cummins 6.7 in his 5 nice engine makes good hp but weak on torque 800# @ 1700 it flies being a 2800 rpm engine on flat ground
He wishes he would have went with the L10 like Tom Y except the L10E with a Eagle differential and housing the MCI 5 differential is almost max out for torque rating with 6v92 fwiw
What the difference between the HT 740 Like I have and the MT 644 like RJ?
My 5C has the 6V-71 also but all the Saudi Coaches do. I have seen most 5C coaches have 644 and an 8V-71.
Dave5Cs
The 740 are better transmissions and lock up in every gear except 1st the 600 series don't lock up in 1st or 2nd. The MCI 5 with the 600 series are owner installed MCI never offered a Allison behind a 8v71 only the 6v71 they never offered a 6V92 either your 740 will handle a 350 hp 6v92 easy the 644 won't
As Clifford says the only automatic offered on the MC-5C was the 644 behind (in front of?) the 6V-71. For a million miles, that combo works where a 644 behind an 8V-71 wouldn't, but I know people with 644's behind 350 hp turbocharged 8V-71's who so far haven't deposited the contents of the Allison on the driveway... The other thing about the MC-5C is the engine cradle is at an angle. That means that swapping engines is a bit more complicated. With a 6V-71 engine cradle the 6V-92 swap is, by certain standards, easy - while for me to put a 6V-92 in my bus would mean inventing an engine cradle or finding one. By far the most common engine was the 8V-71 with the Spicer, only a few got automatics. I actually suspect that only the special order RV units and the Saudi units got automatics.
Brian
Quote from: bevans6 on December 11, 2014, 04:15:17 PM
I actually suspect that only the special order RV units and the Saudi units got automatics.
I got 1/2 a banker's box full of receipts and owner's manuals for all kinds of things in/on my coach, both chassis and house systems. In addition, I also got an original Operator's Handbook, a Shop Manual and a Parts Book. I haven't had time to start sorting thru everything, it's going to take awhile!
However, right inside the front cover of the Parts Book is a copy of the Final Vehicle Record for my coach, showing all kinds of neat stuff - like the serial number of the engine and transmission, for example. In plain old black & white it says 6V71 and MT-644.
Oh, and for Clifford's inquisitive mind, it also says N-60 injectors for the engine, as well as a factory-installed Jake Brake.
So, if anyone's actually been paying attention, now you know why I'm thinking about naming the coach "Aesop's Tortoise!"
FWIW & HTH. . .
;)
RJ it never even crossed my mind does have spacers under the valve covers or the cast covers ?
hi All, my 5A had an 8V71 237hp I think, with a MT643, when Clifford fixed the fuel flow problem, I was able to pass trucks going up a hill, couldn't believe it, lvmci...
Has the spacer Cliff ;)
I thought that year model would I him have a set of cast for him if he wants them for a house warming gift or a Christmas gift ;D
RJ, so glad you put all the rumors to bed. It is a nice looking bus!! Hope we can meet again and see it in person! Best of luck to you!!!
RJ are you bringing it to the Quartzsite rally so we can all see it?????
Quote from: Ed Hackenbruch on December 12, 2014, 05:16:29 AM
RJ are you bringing it to the Quartzsite rally so we can all see it?
Yes, Ed. I'm planning on being there this year. Hopefully some fellow busnuts will also assist me in sorting out a few of the house systems that have me scratching my head a little, too.
Quote from: luvrbus on December 12, 2014, 04:59:09 AM
I thought that year model would. I have a set of cast for him if he wants them for a house warming gift or a Christmas gift ;D
Thank you, Clifford. I graciously will accept your offer! Since I'll be in Quartzsite, will delivery then be ok?
RJ
I will deliver RJ and you are welcome heck I am even going to throw in a set of $$ gaskets
Clifford -
Thanks! Will see you in January @ Q then.
;)
Nice bus RJ, many happy miles, good luck. Nel
Nice looking coach RJ!
Looking forward to photos. and seeing it in person soon.
Joe & Frankie
RJ,Your going to miss that Cheetah of the highway. Nothing runs like a 4106, so I have been told as mine is in dry dock getting a make over. But still remember that bus cruising 70 down I-90 heading to Sturgis. Ran great! It will again.Happy trails.
RJ,
I am familiar with your bus, (out of the northeast)good luck with it.
you can put a 692t in yours as that is what mine has.
mated to the 644mt, it appears the only modification a raised blower deck.
Let me know and I can send some pics.
Also, I was told only 9 5c's were bought new for conversions. Yours, mine, one in rhode island and I don't know where the rest are.
Chris
When I drove for Brewster's, we had new 5Cs. They all came with the 6V71 and Allison. Underpowered for sure, compared to the 5Bs and As with 8V71 and 4 speed manual. One was ordered as an empty shell and taken to a converter (I forget who), to make a luxury limo type coach. Had big first class leather seats with lots of leg room, and a galley at the back. When it went out, it usually had an attendant to pamper the passengers, and the driver... I liked driving it... Another one got converted as a photographer's studio/motorhome for a friend of Brewster,s president. He and his wife drove it around the continent that winter, then sold it because it was too slow. Can't remember what he bought next. Those 5Cs were a great refinement over the As and Bs. A really well built, tight coach. The demand for 40 footers with 47 seats ( MC7 and 8) resulted in the end of the 5s.
JC
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You don't need to raise the blower deck on a 5 when I did the 6v92 and 740 in mine I side mounted the turbo
I am wondering now if I do not have the HT 740 and the MT 644 instead. I will have to see if I can get my camera in there to see if i can photo the plate. Or maybe see it through the driver side rear door. Everything else is the same to include N60's in my 6V-71. I did have a hole for the old spicer shifter or at least the hole was there when I rebuilt the floor at the driver. maybe it never had a shifter on the floor and always had the Allison.
Dave5Cs