Broken Down in South Arkansas

[Devin & Amy]

Tuesday night just South of Pine Bluff on HWY 65, and the blower gear box froze.

Waiting for tempurature to climb back down before trying to make a few more miles and get off the highway.

Anyone know of suppliers for gear box blowers and advice on changing?

Thanks;

Devin

[luvrbus]

Deivn,Sam Caylor is going to be your best bet for parts and he is in Kansas 785-878-3405   

good luck

[fraser8]

I'm to far away to help, but hang tight I'm sure someone will jump on board. All the best and don't let it get you down....

[Sojourner]

Sorry about your gearbox problem.

Have you call for nearest charter bus company? They can lead you to a phone number that can help you getting a used good unit. I believe MCI-8 is same as 9.

In the mean time, I am going to attach a photo of the gear box parts list & illustration. It be in my next post soon.

Sojourn for Christ, Gerald

[Dallas]

Devin,
I'm about 300 miles from you. If worst comes to worst, you can pull it and haul it up here and I can rebuild it for you, just let me know ahead of time and I can order the parts.

Dallas

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi Devin,

Sorry to hear of your trouble.

I know that Nick at Nimco Bus has at least a dozen MC9 blower assy's  sitting on his shelf if you can't find any. 1-800-526-8055

Clifford is correct, Sam is closest to you.

Good Luck
Nick-

[Sammy]

Devin, Did you try to call BK??
That unit is VERY heavy. I take 'em out with a forklift or an engine crane.
Here's 2 places you can try:
Arrow Coach Lines
Little Rock,AR
501-663-6002
501-663-2279

Cogswell Motors
Russelville,Ar
479-968-2665

I am not affiliated with nor have any interest in either one, just got info from my Bus Garage Index.
Hope it might help.

[roadrunnertex]

Call Arrow Coaches In Little Rock,AR
501-663-6002
Ask for Jim Leinhart
He had if I recall correct a complete O/H 8V71 for sale.

[Sojourner]

Here are one of 3 attachments of the MCI-9 parts manual.

The blower housing/fan come out of bus with gear box. The end shafts are tapered/with key way. The blower's fan doesn't remove from taper shaft that easy. Parts re-placer usually available as complete assembly.

Nimco Bus (left click)
They claim to be the largest bus dismantler in the country and is the nation's leading supplier of Used, Serviceable and Rebuildable Bus Parts. I have been there with a tour in early of 2000.
Part #606299 COOLING UPPER REAR GEAR DRIVE & SQUIRREL CAGE

I will be praying to get it going again.

Keep us posted for progress reports.

Take care, Gerald

[Sojourner]

#2

[Sojourner]

#3

[Devin & Amy]

Thanks Gerald for the graphics.

Thanks everyone for the contacts/ got in to Pine Bluff and found a friendly parking lot, so good for tonight. We'll see how the morning goes.

It will be an eventful Thanksgiving at any rate. I was looking for a reason out of going to the inlaws, and I guess I found it. Always a bright side.

Devin.

[NewbeeMC9]

Sorry too hear about your troubles,  Hope you get it worked out.(for your benefit )

Anyway, would opening the rear doors help keep it cool while your limping down the highway?

Possibly propping open the top door(and stabilizing) would get some airflow through the rads while your moving? 

at least your short trips may be not quite as short.

[gumpy]

Devin,

It's a pain in the arse getting those fans and gearbox out of the compartment. You have to turn the housings just so-so. It's a heavy thing and when the housings are disconnected, it's like trying to shove two pigs into a gunny sack getting it all back in the hole. Best if you have help.

Getting the fans off the shaft can be fun, too. You may need a hot wrench and large persuader.

There's some photos of the removal and build on my website.

Caylor is probably your best bet for used parts. If it isn't fried, haul it up to Dallas and rebuild it.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving. I know you guys will make the best of it regardless.

craig

[John Z]

Hi Devin and Amy, i am sorry to hear your brokedown. Sounds like you have got some good help though. Thanksgiving will be different than planned, but i know you guys will do fine. Good luck.  John

ps - i think i saw you guys parked in Cloquet about 10/13. I was coming through town from working the beet harvest,,, just too damn tired to stop. How long did you stay there?