1978 Eagle

[waynemcd]

New to the bus forum.  My wife and I will be retiring in 4-5 years and looking to buy a bus to convert.  Been all over the internet and found a bus here in our home town.  It is a 1978 eagle with 8v71 and 4 speed Allison automatic.  The roof was raised 7" with fiberglass caps on front and back.  All seats and windows have been removed and steel has replaced the glass.  Front windshied is new on both sides.  Has 8 new tires and there are no dents or dings to speak off.  He is asking $7,500.00 but is willing to come down on the price.  I know that eagles can have rust issues but looking in the engine compartment, I saw nothing of note.  Heard it run and it sounds strong.  He was not sure of the milage but said it was owned by a church in Seattle.  I did not measure the bus but he told me it was a 102 wide body.  Did eagle make a wide body in 78?  Is this a bus worth looking into?  What would be a fair price?  I have a diesel mechanic who can go over the engine but what else should I serious look at?  Any help you can give would be deeply appreciated.  Thanks.

[desi arnaz]

no side or rear windows?

[Songman]

No, no 102" Eagles in 78.

Look inside the wheel wells for rust. Look down the side for waves in the siding. Look in the bays real good for signs of rust. The vertical pieces between the bays are a good indicator.  Look under the steps for signs of rust. Churches are not normally known for the best maintenance. Go start the bus when it is cold and see how long it takes for the smoke to go away. Park the bus on flat ground and measure how high it sits off the ground. The very biggest thing, in my opinion, that you want to look for in an Eagle is to make sure the Torsialastic suspension is good and still has plenty of adjustment. Check out the posts by Smoothjazz in the tech section at eaglesinternational.net. He did several good threads on Torsialastics. We hope to be able to welcome you to the Eagle family.

[waynemcd]

I read on the internet that there was a 102 in 1970 but not 78.  Thanks for the confirmation.  Where would I find the plate that would state the date of construction?  And no there are no windows other the two front windshields, just to the left of the driver and two small windows in the upper part of the door.

[Songman]

Since the bus has been raised and has new caps, the VIN plate by the driver is probably gone. You should be able to find the VIN number in the engine compartment. Look on the frame rail on the right side of the engine. If it is a 1978, the serial number should be between 19803 and 19999.

[waynemcd]

Thanks.  I wiil check for the VIN and do some crawling around in the baggage bays.

[SmoothJazz]

If it is a 1978, it will have a five digit serial no. located in the engine compartment. Open the engine door and the serial no. should be located to the lower right frame post just above the center bumper.

Damn Dale, you are much quicker than me tonight!

[Songman]

Hey, we gotta be ready! Gotta get some new Eagle owners into the fold!

[SmoothJazz]

I hear ya! Anything to help.

[JackConrad]

Waynemcd,
    If you post the area you live in, there may be a busnut nearby that wouls be glad to help you inspect this Eagle.  Jack

[Dreamscape]

I would also get a sample of fluids and have them tested, engine, dropbox and rearend. That could tell you something.

Go "Down Under" and look at all drums and inside of wheels to see if there are any wet spots. Look at the underside of the frame in the front, spare tire area, to see the integrity of the tubing.

Have fun!

Paul

[johns4104s]

If there is no apparent rust and the shape it sounds like its in is it not worth every bit of $7500 OBO?

John

[luvrbus]

Wayne, I think I know the Eagle you are talking about if it has power steering it is from the GSA used at the Hanford Nuclear those are good Eagles for the age with low mileage.
Very best place to check for rust is under the drivers window in the electrial panel. (takes a 3/8 Allen wrench to open)
Look for loose and a lot of missing rivets if they are in tack it will be a solid bus also check the adjustment threads on the suspension 2 or 3 inches showing it will last you a very long time.  
You can not pay much attention to the waving in the sides.
I have seen new model 15 waving like old glory from the factory, rivets are the key to rust problems on Eagles keep in mind your looking at a 30 year old bus not a late model.  
Fwiw you can not install power steering and a auto transmission in a Eagle for less than 5 grand.



good luck

[Ed Hackenbruch]

If it is from Hanford check it at night to see if it glows!

[luvrbus]

Ed, that stuff must protect Eagles never saw one with rust from there lol 
Also the baggage compartments were never used on those buses they were welded shut till they were sold off by GSA 

good luck