does anybody know what years and models will interchage for a engine cradle,?
question still stands, what happend to the engine cradle?
I think you have us confused on this. Therefor the lack of ansewers. Like Tbird says, what happened to the original cradel? The cradel or rails are part of the frame on the bus and not removed, they are welded in. I looked here at 4 buses and cannot get a clear picture to show you. If they are missing, you are looking at some major fabrication to replace them This is not a bolt in item.
Other than collision damage I can see no reason to remove them!!
the guy said it is with the engine , and he didnt get it , there is no collision damage or rust in the engine compartment, he keeps saying that the engine and trans go on this cradle, i looked on nimco bus parts and they list a cradle for a mci, so im very confused?,
The engine and trans. are mounted on a craddle that slides on the rails that are part of the frame. When a bus needed a new/rebuilt engine, the old one was slid out and the new one slid in, all in one mechanics shift, if everything went well. So yes, I think your craddle could be missing.
JC
trying to add the pic of the engine bay, but the file is to large, but i see were the frame rails are and were something bolts in, why are the other members saying thers no cradle?
I don't have a picture of the MC5 Engine Cradle, but here is one of the 8-9-96-102 cradle
Mccarlk, The MCI 5 cradle is the only one that will fit or maybe a 96A2. The 5 has a drop box so the motor is not straight. There are some people thay may have one. Tom Y
thanks for all the input, now does anybody know anyone that has one?
What part of the country are you in? Tom Y
Sorry for the confusion, I read your post and thnking the rails are missing. When you read posts, you kinda gotta sort throught them.
Jim
Try Sam Caylor, Caylor's Used Bus Parts 785-878-3405. ;D BK ;D
im in ontario canada, thanks will try the shop listed , ken
I have a # or think I do for a parts place in Can. Peir I think, have you tried him? Tom Y
The old Curmudgeon is getting testy as he shuts his business down, but I think if you talk to HighTechRedneck he might be able to find you a cradle.
no have not tried anyone yet still negotiating the deal on the bus, do you know were in canada this pier place is also whio is the high tech red neck?,thanks again you guys are great!!!!!!!!
considering your distance from the coach and it's current imobile state.......I still say pass...or get your self a 10% of asking price deal.
Certainly don;t pay a cent until you go look at it.
Pictures lie......even well intentioned ones specifically shot to show flaws can lie.
On the other side, I have goten pics of coaches which looked OK, but when seing the coach in person the pics did not do it justice.
Hello mccarlk
Try Can-Ar / SN Diesel in Vaughan.
Lots of busnuts here in Ontario.
Do you have anyone to go with you to look at this coach?
happy coaching!
buswarrior
im planning on hiring an independent aprraiser to look at it, also the most i was goin to offer was going to be 7000.00, the seller has sent me 30 pics they show the good and bad, the only thing that keeps me intrested is that the interior is done, has all the wiring ,plumbing, heaters, ac , alcoas, sat dish, and so on, i cant buy the interior for that price, im terrible with wood,and alsoself employed so time is a very big issue( two boys under 10 also) mechanical no problem , i can get a engine and have it running no problem, thanks again
send me pics and I';ll give you some feedback on the interior.
with no engine it is not worth 7k either, he will never sell it like that for that kind of money.
A done interior can still be a nightmare.
I would think to get it running you will have 20k+ in it......and there are alot nicer out there for 20-25k that are near you
also keep in mine your independant appraiser/inspector can';t tell much about a non running bus other than corrosion issues and quality of converson, mold mildew etc.
has he had it on the classifieds for a while,? i will try to send you te pics now, ken
the guy keeps insisting that it had the 871 with the 740 , is there anyway that could be true, in the pics there is a shifter, just the gas and brake pedal, and it comes wit the suppose to be the 740 that came out of it?
the 5 A only came with a manual.
now it could have been converted to auto, but a 740 and a 8-71 won;lt fit.
whats the story on it, Mechanics Lein and they want it off the land or did the REALLY own it
said he bought it from a auction, thats why the cradle is gone, conversion is suppose to be around 7 yrs old, the guy is a truck dealer,willi be able to fit a 692 withe the auto, is the 8 to long?
didn't come through ken.
might try to save the photos to your computer and sent to me as an attachment
8-71 is too long with a 740, there are a couple lighter duty autos that will fit with the 8...Allegedly
So, it's bus a guy bought at auction so he knows nothing about it.....it was likely at auction because it was someones headache, then he bought it...his headache, now it is going to be your headache.
Mccarlk,Sorry it took me a while to find. Pier 888-707-2772. Not sure of the name or where its at. Pier was the name of the man who spoke english. I don't think he will have what you need but may point you in a good direction. Tom Y
I have a 1967 MCI 5a with the 8V71 and an auto transmission and the cradle. It runs great. Took it across the entire country with no mechanical problems. But it gets poor mileage, around 6.5mpg. Thus, I strongly urge you not to buy that bus. Get an RTS with a 4 cylinder Series 50 that will get 10+ mpg. Perhaps you could also buy the MCI for $2,000 or less and pull the interior parts and move them over, or pay someone to move them over. Use the big money you are planning to pay for the engine, transmission etc... to get an RTS into nice shape inside. It's just such a much better bus, from the 1990s, and everyone will be able to work on it since it's a clean 4 stroke. You can buy nice California RTSs with Series 50 engines with a retarder for about $7,000 on EBay periodically. Don't forget the cost of the Jakes for the MCI. You don't need a Jake brake on the RTS since it has a very effective retarder built in.
You're in love with this 40 year old bus for some reason. I suggest snapping out of it. You'll love the RTS. It will go 50 miles an hour up hills the MCI will go 25 miles an hour over.
Kevin
Whooooaaa
I Disagree with the RTS.
Although I have seen some fine conversion of RTS's they have some inherent conversion issues.
namely having to fabricate one piece doors, baggage doors and baggage compartments.
Secondly a RTS probably has seen the most severe service any Bus can expect to see. Constant stop and go on rough city streets.
Third, you can't realistically take an MC-5 interior and put it in an RTS, you may as well start from scratch.
Fourth, I am suspect of the 50 getting 10mpg....perhaps depending on the Curb weight when done.
MCI 96A3's which were converted to the 50 with 5 speed manuals transmissions were lucky to get 8 on a good day with tailwinds both ways. and these buses were already geared for highway use.
But I do agree, this MC-5A is not the one to buy
thanks for all your input, but after checking with local companys that do the woodworking inside , tha cost of wheels, appliaces, and the nickle and dime stuff, and the deal i can get from the guy who owns it , i feel with already having a drive train to put in , the lack of interior abilites that i have(time and money) so it doesnt look like a patch up job, im going to have the bus shipped back to the great white north. i like the look of the older coaches, nothing against the newer ones, i owned a 84xl prevost(rust bucket), but i think with some hard work(mechanicly) i can have a great looking coach, about the milage, if that was a huge concern i would not be even considering a bus or a class a , thanks again