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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: k9disc on August 04, 2017, 06:34:14 PM

Title: We're Getting a Bus!
Post by: k9disc on August 04, 2017, 06:34:14 PM
I've put a deposit down on a 1998 MC12 with a series 50.

I was outbid on this a few weeks ago. Here she is.

I'm posting a bunch of pics because I think it's kind of bad @$#:
(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fpvybe.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F08%2Fbus-front.jpeg&hash=c604f4b9c178c93a1f477d157678f8be84a8de95)
(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fpvybe.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F08%2Fbus-driving-area.jpeg&hash=e5d3b1d4b5101e1145c51a62e2a9e402c324551e)
(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fpvybe.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F08%2Fbus-interior.jpg&hash=c29ed3433ac68cf25b78e31bec495d664c7703c4)
(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fpvybe.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F08%2Fbus-int-2.jpeg&hash=54118ddc34859e75a0e45519d55d98ef6918ae7f)
(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fpvybe.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F08%2Fbus-pass-bay.jpg&hash=783ad1c68b6e57cfc1370bc706304493d849b650)
(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fpvybe.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F08%2Fbus-pass.jpeg&hash=47380ff5014b4dfd9cf95ee0fb8561bedab869d1)
(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fpvybe.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F08%2Fbus-pass-2.jpeg&hash=4e4f732e3f6af387a40a6ad977f3381d830a9988)

And there we go.
Title: Re: We're Getting a Bus!
Post by: Zephod on August 04, 2017, 07:18:45 PM
The storage is useful. I'm concerned about low ground clearance but then I drive a skoolie and a school bus.


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Title: Re: We're Getting a Bus!
Post by: windtrader on August 04, 2017, 09:12:17 PM
Get a professional bus mechanic to check it out before writing any checks. It will be the cheapest and most well spent money of your entire bus owning career.
Title: Re: We're Getting a Bus!
Post by: TomC on August 04, 2017, 11:25:37 PM
Series 50 is a great engine. Only real weakness is the twin counter rotating balancing shafts under the crank powering the oil pump. As a maintenance issue, these shafts need to be serviced every 300,000 miles. See if you can get the records on engine maintenance and determine the last time the balancing shafts were replaced. Good Luck, TomC
Title: Re: We're Getting a Bus!
Post by: jcdillin on August 05, 2017, 04:04:00 AM
Body looks good, shame they painted all the SS.

Where are you located?
Title: Re: We're Getting a Bus!
Post by: k9disc on August 05, 2017, 07:06:01 AM
Thanks fellas.

We've got a pro who will inspect and drive the bus for us.

Unfortunately, no maintenance conveyed with the bus. I do have access to the vin, though.

Is there any way to assess the balancing shafts? I take it maintenance records the only way to get that info, right?

Zephod, the clearance has always given me pause, but given the choice between clearance and storage, I gotta go with storage. We won't have room for storage inside given all the dogs we roll with.

Peace
Title: Re: We're Getting a Bus!
Post by: luvrbus on August 05, 2017, 07:14:59 AM
Quote from: jcdillin on August 05, 2017, 04:04:00 AM
Body looks good, shame they painted all the SS.

Where are you located?

Yep the paint job leaves a lot to be desired for me  ;D.
Do your shopping and you can find a fully converted bus like the one at my place a MCI 7 that was damaged by towing with a bad engine that sold for $2000.00. Has a diesel generator, nice leather furniture,aluminum wheels, heat,air tanks,pumps, water heater 2 new Fansitc Fan never wired up a lot of good stuff all in good shape probably $20,000.00 worth of parts all for 2 grand    
Title: Re: We're Getting a Bus!
Post by: Zephod on August 05, 2017, 08:17:51 AM
Quote from: luvrbus on August 05, 2017, 07:14:59 AM


Yep the paint job leaves a lot to be desired for me  ;D.
Do your shopping and you can find a fully converted bus like the one at my place a MCI 7 that was damaged by towing with a bad engine that sold for $2000.00. Has a diesel generator, nice leather furniture,aluminum wheels, heat,air tanks,pumps, water heater 2 new Fansitc Fan never wired up a lot of good stuff all in good shape probably $20,000.00 worth of parts all for 2 grand    
And there's the lesson... don't throw too much money into a conversion. For those on modest budgets or incomes, a sudden expense like needing an engine fixed or replaced is disaster.

I read a sad advert on craigslist. Somebody who'd ignored their oil gauge had blown their engine, couldn't afford a fix or replacement and was trying to find somewhere to live and trying to sell their bus too.

There's also the thing... if you sell, most people won't pay a tenth of what you e put into your bus.


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Title: Re: We're Getting a Bus!
Post by: Utahclaimjumper on August 05, 2017, 12:07:21 PM
All those chairs look like a ton of work to remove and get rid of,,,,,,,,,and thats just the start.>>>Dan
Title: Re: We're Getting a Bus!
Post by: k9disc on August 05, 2017, 12:10:58 PM
Quote from: Utahclaimjumper on August 05, 2017, 12:07:21 PM
All those chairs look like a ton of work to remove and get rid of,,,,,,,,,and thats just the start.>>>Dan

I think the seats will be pretty easy. Just a guess. We'll find out...

I am interested in keeping the chair rail though. That's doable, right?
Title: Re: We're Getting a Bus!
Post by: Zephod on August 05, 2017, 01:58:46 PM
Quote from: k9disc on August 05, 2017, 12:10:58 PM
I think the seats will be pretty easy. Just a guess. We'll find out...

I am interested in keeping the chair rail though. That's doable, right?
Absolutely. Best way of removing the seats is probably an angle grinder on the bolt heads.


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Title: Re: We're Getting a Bus!
Post by: jcdillin on August 05, 2017, 02:44:35 PM
Quote from: k9disc on August 05, 2017, 12:10:58 PM
I think the seats will be pretty easy. Just a guess. We'll find out...

I am interested in keeping the chair rail though. That's doable, right?


Seats are very easy, so is keeping the chair rail.

I kept the chair rail in the front for all my seating. Makes it easy to reconfigure if I change my mind down the road.

(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fkjo88gMh.jpg&hash=76f7134ee512dbe006d2bb58896b0e76ba96545d)

I wish my seats looked as good as those on your bus.
Title: Re: We're Getting a Bus!
Post by: k9disc on August 05, 2017, 02:52:00 PM
Quote from: jcdillin on August 05, 2017, 02:44:35 PM
...
I wish my seats looked as good as those on your bus.

Might be willing to trade some in the near future. ;-)
Title: Re: We're Getting a Bus!
Post by: buswarrior on August 05, 2017, 06:15:24 PM
I like the MC12, best of everything in the MC9, and this one has a 4 stroke engine!

Those chairs haven't been in there long, far from stock.

go see what re-fitter wants for the complete set.

There is a bonus with painted stainless... body filler and a squirt of paint forgives every sin.

Bare stainless panels are either virgin or whore, no middle ground?

The adventure really begins now!

happy coaching!
buswarrior



Title: Re: We're Getting a Bus!
Post by: TomC on August 06, 2017, 08:02:05 AM
Easy to get to the balancing shafts-just have to drop the oil pan. Then they remove all together. Problem is finding rebuilt units. Maybe Clifford or Don Fairchild may know where. Good Luck, TomC
Title: Re: We're Getting a Bus!
Post by: Road Dawg on August 06, 2017, 09:17:09 AM
You cxould name it the Stealth Coach, that paint job looks like something straight out of FEMA.
Title: Re: We're Getting a Bus!
Post by: Scott & Heather on August 06, 2017, 11:13:10 AM
You had me at 50 series. Great coach, greater motor. Enjoy the conversion.


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Title: Re: We're Getting a Bus!
Post by: luvrbus on August 06, 2017, 11:29:21 AM
What transmission is behind the Series 50 some of the 9's ABC Bus rebuilt and were titled as a  MCI 12 had a 740
Title: Re: We're Getting a Bus!
Post by: k9disc on August 06, 2017, 11:53:21 AM
Quote from: luvrbus on August 06, 2017, 11:29:21 AM
What transmission is behind the Series 50 some of the 9's ABC Bus rebuilt and were titled as a  MCI 12 had a 740

Not sure. I should have asked during my call to MCI to check on some parts and become a customer. Maybe I'll do that tomorrow. It came stock with a series 50 and big the DN50 Alternator. I talked the guys ear off a bit.:D

I thought the tranny was a B500, Allison Auto, but there have been a bunch of buses floating across my screen and this could be a 740. One of the ads is down and the old one only mentions Allison auto.

Will find out.
Title: Re: We're Getting a Bus!
Post by: k9disc on August 06, 2017, 11:56:18 AM
Quote from: Road Dawg on August 06, 2017, 09:17:09 AM
You cxould name it the Stealth Coach, that paint job looks like something straight out of FEMA.

I know, right?

Both my GF and I love the paint. If we were doing anything but a 9 or 12, I wouldn't dig it, but the 9 and the 12 really look like a greyhound.

From my perspective, this rig is really about drivetrain and general condition. 1st inspection (mechanic walk through - just visual to confirm sellers statements) came back real strong. Hope it continues.