We are near McAllen for 6 weeks so I poked around craigslist for fun. Found a double roof Saudi bus and it really would make the perfect conversion for someone. 35' single rear axle, double roof and factory mid entry door. Also, what exactly is the "extra cooling"? Here's the ad:
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That's a super find Scott, the door in the mid ship is cool. Member Dave5c has one like that, he explained an extra cover is made over the top and is vented somehow.
Nice find for a busnut build
Floyd
Is is probably a 8V71 with a 4 speed manual, or a 6V71 with an Allison automatic. There is not enough room in a 5C for an 8V71 and auto. Or it could be a 6V92 with Allison, as a swap by a later owner.
JC
Looking at the pictures again, I see the Allison shift knob beside the driver's seat, and no clutch pedal. So I think it has the 6V71. It will get you down the road, but not very fast.
JC
Stock fitment on the Saudi buses was a 6V-71N with Allison 740. You can put an 8V-71 and 640 combo in there and in busnut use has proven to be very reliable. The roof is a second skin fastened about an inch off the standard roof with an air gap, supposed to be quite effective. I may be biased but I think this would be a great conversion starting point. I really favor the side door, the roof, the compact size makes it quite easy to park. The 6V92TA swap is easy since you can use the same engine mounts as on the 6V-71 (you just need to remove the water pump to get the subframe on, and to swap out the front gear cover to the MCI one that has the engine mount boss). I don't know about the extra engine cooling but it may have it, they were customized for the extremely hot Saudi weather. Might have MC-9 radiators, they were built at the same time as these buses.
Nice find!
Brian
The Kickapoos had 2 of those running junkets for their Lucky Eagle Casino at Eagle Pass Tx,they sold them off 1 was down just for parts to keep the other 1 running. Now they are using private carriers for their junkets fwiw they were 6v71's
Thanks I appreciate all who have picked my coach apart. Lol
Now JC we were doing 72mph through Az this week. Not so bad for a 6v 71. Brian standard issue is Allison 643 or 644 with the 6V 71.
There is no extra cooling that I have found and it does have the double roof which does help with the heat. The mid d9or was for the women to enter the bus because over there they were not allowed in the front. Not a bad little coach but be prepared for interesting fixes. No lifts on rear door where the mid door was and matching the siding is expensive unless you can find that door. I haven't.
Dave
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I was in Garner Montana last week and saw there lineup of MCI 5s for Yellowstone. Must be at least 4 maybe more. At some point I would think these would hit the market. Did they make a 5B or are these 5Cs? Tom
Daisies were 5c and MCI 9 but weren't t many of those.
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That was suppose to say; Saudi's were 5C's and there were a few MC 9's also with the double roofs.
Dave
So Dave, apostrophe issue I totally understand. Myself could not seem to get the comma in correct spot other day. bummer with no edit sometimes
have a good day there and fwiw, I flew right over it initially and now just a dig because your a good guy : )
Floyd
Being an ex-Greyhound, this one looks like it's been ridden hard and put away wet.
The "extra-cooling" usually means the double "Saudi" roof and an additional A/C evaporator unit in the rear of the coach.
Most likely the same powertrain as Dave and I have: 6V71/MT-644. I don't call my 5C "Tortoise" for nothing when it comes to performance!
Still, a good project bus for somebody who's looking for a 5C.
FWIW & HTH. . .
;)