Need some info and parts for my '76 MCI 8

[frejak62]

Hey everyone!  New to this board and love what I see!

Ive got a 76 MCI 8 conversion which was converted many years ago, I purchased it 3 years ago, gutted it and started over on the whole monster, about 80% done with only another 50 years or so work left. The previous owner had Fred Hobe put in the freightliner steering column and some other upgrades. It has a newly rebuilt Detroit 8v71 with allison automatic transmission. It has no cruise control though...any suggestions on where to start with that?

she's in a local shop now getting a new rear airbag, and tracking down the rest of the air leaks which have been an ongoing problem since I got her...it had a partial conversion from the original system to an individual air system for each wheel, except the back wheels are on the same valve and the front wheels are separate...so leveling is not easy.


couple of parts I'm looking for is a hinge for the front bumper/spare tire door....I smacked a hidden concrete/metal pole at about 5 miles an hour while turning around in a parking lot...it destroyed my front bumper and bent up the hinge beyond repair. I found a replacement bumper, but no luck on the hinge.   Next, a new problem as of this year, my drivers side window has now got condensation inside, I'm assuming its a double pane that has lost its seal, any leads on a fix or where to get a replacement?

lastly...there used to be a website that had every exterior panel and part available for the MCI's, I remember it had a detailed B/W diagram of a bus with little numbers pointing to each exterior part and a listing of each one below...anyone know the website or company I'm looking for?

trying to get the ole girl ready for a trip to Gulport-New Orleans-Galveston and back to Peoria, IL around April 12th-19th...give me a shout out for the "can't miss out on" stops for this trip!  and thanks in advance for any info on the above items.

F. Jackson
Peoria, IL

[rdbishop]

F. Jackson,

I have a friend with a 76 MC-8 that took his drivers window out and replaced it with a Peninsula glass slider. I'll check with him tomorrow and see if he still has it and what he'd let it go for. RTS/Dayton here on this board sells cruise controls. Might email him. There's going to be a rally at Breaks Bridge in Louisana May 1-3. You could come and meet some nuts.

Richard

[Airbag]

I think the people with the parts you are referring to is International Bus Parts IBP. Their web site is hard to find but their phone # 1800 468 5287.

[RJ]

Mr Jackson -

Welcome to the madness, and to this bulletin board.  There's a wealth of information here, once you figure out how the search function works!

Anyway, to answer some of your questions:

~~ The folk who make replacement panels, and that drawing you're thinking about with all the panels labeled, is:

International Bus & Parts Inc.
2055 Sprint Boulevard
Apopka, FL 32703-7712
Toll-free: 800-468-5287
Phone: 407-880-9700
Fax: 407-880-2026


~~ Are you SURE that there are two leveling valves on the front and only one on the drive axle???  If so, it's completely backward from the way the coach came from the factory. . .

~~ Cruise controls are available from Pete RTS/Daytona, who's a regular contributor to this bbs.  Search the Members button at the top for his profile and contact info.

~~ Peninsula Glass (www.motionwindows.com) can fix you up with a new driver's side window - and a matching one for the door, too!

~~ Caylor Supply in Rantoul, KS, is a major MCI recycler.  The front bumper hinge should be the same for the MC-7, 8 & 9, so Sam will probably have one.  Suggest you get both sides, chances are the other side's tweaked, too.  785-878-3405 is the phone number, remember that's in the Central time zone.  Might also ask Sam about the driver's glass, too. . .

~~ Do you have the parts book and maintenance manuals for your coach?   If not, you should.  www.coachinfo.com should have CD copies for you.

~~ An excellent investment in your coach, especially before you head out on a trip, is a copy of the "Bus Garage Index", published by Bus Ride magazine, one of the industry trade journals.  Probably the best $45 or so you'll ever spend, as it lists EVERY bus garage in the US & Canada, including contact info.  Remember, buses are NOT trucks - take it to folk who specialize in these things!  The Index is available at www.busride.com, follow the LH link off the main page.

~~ Speaking of industry magazines, you're not to far away from the home of another journal - National Bus Trader.  Their main office is located in Polo, IL, approximately two hours north of you.  www.busmag.com


FWIW & HTH. . .

[buswarrior]

MCI may still have the stock window available.

I saw one purchased about 4 years ago now...comes in a box completely engulfed in spray foam.

Unless you are a purist on these things, I'd be more inclined to save up my sheckles and get the matching pair for driver and door, sliders and screens.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[frejak62]

Thanks to everyone who has replied!  More than I could ever ask for! and I ordered the guide to repair shops already.

I do have all the original Manuals for this Model...the original owner was meticulous about these.

I have been RVing and busing for the past 8 years and have been one of the fortunate ones, never had a breakdown on the road so far and have been coast to coast several times. Have put on 50,000 miles in the past 2 years.  I used to be up on all the tips, tricks and vendors for everything, but when you go this long without problems, you seem to lose track of things. I think I'm due this year though, lots of little minor things coming up during spring thaw-out.  The great thing though, is she fired up on the first turn of the key this year...she's real cold blooded under 50 degree's and I have been hoping the new rebuild would soon start tightening up and increasing the compression. Every trip since I've had her the mileage keeps creeping up. started at about 4.7 and last trip to Florida she was averaging 6.2 which I was thrilled about.

On the comment about my separate airbag system:  it has four gages, one for each wheel, but for some reason the back 2 operate at the same time...original owner didn't explain why he had it done that way, but it is a common system that can have the computer leveling added to it, but was never followed through with. I only park at stops with level pads and it hasn't been a problem to date.

[frejak62]

F. Jackson,   let me know if he wants to part with it, for sure!

I have a friend with a 76 MC-8 that took his drivers window out and replaced it with a Peninsula glass slider. I'll check with him tomorrow and see if he still has it and what he'd let it go for. RTS/Dayton here on this board sells cruise controls. Might email him. There's going to be a rally at Breaks Bridge in Louisana May 1-3. You could come and meet some nuts.

Richard

[frejak62]

I think the people with the parts you are referring to is International Bus Parts IBP. Their web site is hard to find but their phone # 1800 468 5287.

yep, that's who I was looking for ...thanks!

[rdbishop]

F.Jackson,

Checked my friend today and he had already given the window away. Sorry but you could still stop by the LA rally and meet some nuts.

Richard

[LUKE at US COACH]

Hi Fred & Folks:

With regard to your foggy driver's sash, unless you must have the double thermal, I have a quick fix.

The 2 pieces of glass can be seperated and we can supply you with a new rubber channel that will accomdate the single pane of glass.

If you think that will work for you, you can reach us toll free at:  1-888-262-2434.

I hope this HELPS!!!!

Happy & SAFE!!! Bussin' to All.

LUKE at US COACH

[John316]

Luke has a good idea, if you are going to keep that current window.

Some of our best spent money was upgrading that drivers window to the Peninsula window. No longer do we talk through the little porthole, of an opening, to pay the toll. Half of the window slides open, and we can carry on a normal conversation through it.

God bless,

John