My wife found a gutted mci 102el3 for sale.
Its very tempting especially since as we speak i am driving my mc7 from GA to AZ pulling a trailer and barely making 150 miles a day due to it running hot.
Any specific concerns on a 102el3? Current owner says it runs great 1,100,000 miles, was a florida coach, someone in NC picked it up and gutted the seats and lavatory.
I am heading to fresno to check it out next week.
Only problem the EL3 had was the multi plex wiring Hanah has it listed at a good price it won't last long with a strong series 60 and the B500 Allison at that price
Rust issues in FLORIDA? lvmci...
The first thing that comes to mind is someone w/ a diet problem asking another person w/ the same diet issue to talk them out of eating a nice, delicious, tasty 7 layer
CAKE!!!
;D
We love buses!
But seriously, w/regard to this particular bus, yes, potentially rust. And I'm wondering how well it had been maintained. Any records? Were you able to have someone check it out mechanically? I see you're heading out next week. How long did it sit w/o running after seats were gutted?
I do know that w/regard to heat, we just had our MC9 radiators swapped out w/some recored radiators and it is running much cooler. Maybe there is something similar available you could do w/ your 7? Our radiators were in pretty bad shape. Tho', I'm sure our buses won't run as cool as the series 60 in the bus you're considering. :)
What year is the bus? Maybe it's older and prior to the complex wiring? Nice engine tranny combination for sure.
Kind Regards, Phil
MCI 7 radiators are to small for anything over 8v71. I know I have fought it for 16 years. See the acritical in BCM mag for JUly.
Just a hunch. but buying a bus so you can get rid of one with an overheating problem seems a fairly expensive way to solve a problem.
MCI EL3 has a steering tag axle.
Lovely to dance in parking lots, there was no where I was afraid to go with one, if granny went in a Cadillac, I would follow with an EL3.
However, not so lovely if all that suspension geometry back there is worn, mal-adjusted and eating tires. And you need to train yourself on tail-swing, an afternoon messing in an empty parking lot with some props can do that.
New radiators for the MC7 are likely cheaper...?
If SHE found it, and wants to start a new one, listen closely?
happy coaching!
buswarrior
HI;
I have one suggestion; You might consider driving at night and avoid
the heat of the day. You could maybe get in about 12hrs on the road.
For me, I don't drive my MC-7 during the summer because of the heat.
Let us know how it goes.
Good luck, Merle.