I'm labeling this Chapter II because we're, thankfully, in the final phases of this saga and if the Moderators and the Members aren't sick enough of hearing about this to delete this portion there may still be some info here of value for all.
First, a standing 'O' for Niles for recommending Gene Rochester and passing his phone numbers to us. I went to Gene's shop in Walhalla, SC today and, looking back over my shoulder, would have happily walked there and back for the treatment I received and what I learned from this fine gentleman.
The long and the short of it is that the stator was dead...and in the passing it took out the regulator as well. But the reason for the failure is where the surprise was.
These large alternators, by their nature in MCI's move one helluva lot of cooling air thus are subject to picking up and sucking up all sorts of road debris. I was appalled at the amount of gravel, etc which was in the end bell of the alternator. Something in that debris apparently had enough metal in it to short across two coils of the stator...shorting it and blowing the whole thing. As when I left Gene he hadn't found "it" but, like me is curious to look farther. It also took out one set of diodes.
During the course of conversations he'd mentioned that a few months ago he'd bought a complete MC5A just for the engine a friend wanted for an Eagle. Much to my dismay the body had gone through the shredder a couple of months ago...and a new Drop Box went to the junkyard. :'(
But, sitting there in the floor was a partial alternator, sans pulley and a set of diodes, which was an exact twin to mine. He checked it out and believe it or not...we have a replacement with my old one as the donor for the missing diodes and pulley. :D
I will pick up the repaired unit on Thursday morning tested and ready to install. And here's the best news of the day...Gene estimates it will cost me about $200.00! ;D
An interesting day and the opportunity to meet one of the most colorful people I've met in quite some time. I'll be real lucky if I can sleep tonight...as if I haven't had enough good luck for one day. ;D ;D ;D ;D
NCbob
PS. I'll try to remember to take my camera on Thursday and take a couple of pictures of the neatest little Peterbilt pickup you'd ever want to see. Gene built it!
There was a MC5 that I helped Timnvt take some parts off of in seneca there. semes it still had the drop box. don't know if it is still there. last i heard he was collecting MC5's like a Kyle on Scenicruisers :D Hadn't seem him post in a while but im sure he's around and just busy.
glad to hear of your good fortune, hope it last, and i want to see the picks of the truck!
Congrats Bob, glad to hear you will be mobile again soon. Will be looking forward to the pictures also.
Frank
It is really great to run into one of "those people" in this day and age, I truly wish thre werre more.
Anyway u knead a dropbox? As of 2 years ago there were 10 1979 MCI5C's in a scrap yard near Niagara Falls NY. They are in deplorable condition, but most have the motors and drop box's in them and probobly many other good parts. If you are interested I could try to come up witha name and #.
Maybe he can come to kyle's non rally, or we may have to field trip down there.
Guys...I don't really need a drop box (praying that this one holds together) but it would be nice if I knew where one was....just in case someone else needed one....
Bob
I'm going to continue to post to this thread in the hope that it might, one day, help another MC5er with some info. For most of you who are bored to death with this thread...I can understand.
Before cramming that rascal back into the 'Black Hole of Calcutta' I thought it best to take a hard look at the belt adjusting mechanism. It is not an air cylinder like that 5B's and later but is is some sort of a cylinder. It is threaded like a turnbuckle, LH on one end and RH on the other with a lock nut...but it's hollow! Without the threaded ends in I can see right through it. It's 2" in diameter and 6.5" in length. Now it's extended to it's max stroke of 3/4". There's a fitting at one end with a plug in it..not an air hose or a zerk fitting. Methinks it might be actuated by a grease gun but won't know until I get the plug out tomorrow and attempt to compress it. I had to heat one lock nut to break it loose and it appeared to leak warm runny grease. Hmm.
I've taken pics but cannot reduce them to the required 128Kb to post. Cliff and Dallas have tried to help me with that but I guess I'm not smart enough to understand. I spoke with Both Fred Hobe and Jack Conrad about it and they haven't seen anything like this so I guess I've got a winner. ???
BTW, John, I have asked Gene if he'd like to drop in at our little hot dog roast at Table Rock next month but he's going to be busy showing his trucks in Cherokee, NC that week end. :'(
Bob is your camera digital? I mean it does not take film right? ;D Do you have a cable to hook the camera to the computer? If so try this link, if you cannot use this one I would guess you have a problem with computer or camera, its that simple.
http://www.resize2mail.com/
Thanks Jim, Cliff tried to get me there the other night and I must have typed the URL wrong. (Me?)
The link took me right there and I'll give it a try this evening.
With muchos gratias...
B ob
Bob did Gene Rochester tell U that he is a Past President of the South East Eagle Club. He hosted an Eagle rally 4 or 5 years ago there close to his home.
At that time he was the owner of "The Glass Eagle". He had removed the aluminum and replaced it with fiberglass panels.
That was my 1st Eagle rally and what a rally. There were Eagles from across the USA.
Gene did a fabulous job on that rally.
Is he in his 'off grid' home?
He is extremely knowledgable in a number of areas. IMO A man worth knowing .
Enjoying the journey in NC,
Gene
05 Eagle
Hi Gene, good to hear from you. Gene Rochester showed me some pictures of the "Glass Eagle" and it was a remarkable conversion. And you are so right. It was a pleasure to meet Gene and he is ever so bright. We could spend hours just chatting as we have so many common interests.
I'm planning on stopping by Gene's on the way back from Table Rock to let him check over my alternator installation and adjustment.
Bob
I am glad to here that Gene R is still kicking around in his shop. I spent a whole day with him several years ago while he rebuilt the circulation pumps for the bus heat in my Eagle. He is a fascinating guy to talk with and so willing to help. He was building starters for motor cycles at one time is he still doing that? I have some pictures of his truck at home and will see if I can post them tonight. He brought it by the house to show it off probably two years ago. Sorry he cannot come to the rally as he is a vast store house of knowledge for this insane hobby of ours. The rally the Gene Lewis mentioned was hosted for Eagle International at Crooked Creek campground on Lake Keowee. It was brand new at the time and a very nice facility and they were glad to have the buses. Sorry Gene Lewis can't make it either. I would love to see that Eagle.
Tom Hamrick
1984 Model 10S
Miss Lazy and I were also at that rally and had a great time. Always wanted to go back, but never got the chance to before the disaster that stopped our touring.
Richard
Jeez - I was at that rally too with Dale Cyr - Smaller World than I thought