Engine compartment extending when repowering

[Kenny]

Got an MCI 9 with 6V92. If I were to re-power with a Cat, Cummins or maybe DD, how much would one have to extend the engine compartment to fit the longest engine?
Kenny

[Busted Knuckle]

shoot just buy this one http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1989-2008-MCI-45-12SLIDEOUT-DETROIT-8V92-DIESEL-NICE-/300455961161?pt=RVs_Campers#ht_28881wt_1008
it's already been stretched!
Or you could stretch it just a couple feet. But I know several people have done conversions with out stretching them too!
  BK 

[kyle4501]

I'd look into using a drop box rear axle before extending one. (Like an Eagle uses)

[rv_safetyman]

Kenny, you do not need to extend the rear if you use something like a Cummis M11/ISM.  This engine has plenty of power and will fit.  As a reference go the Brian Diehl's project and see what he did:  http://home.earthlink.net/~diehls0792_1/BusSection10.html . 

The bigger engines are not only longer, but much taller.  Not sure about your MCI, but on an Eagle, you need to raise the bed.

Since you are thinking about an engine swap to a four-stroke, you need to consider the gearing.  The want to run 30% slower than your two-stroke. 

I would suggest you review the three part series article I wrote on the subject in the BCM magazine.  It details a lot of the things you need to think about.  I also have some information about my engine swap on the project pages listed in my signature.

Jim

[c-coop]

Kenny I extended mine 18 inches to install a 60 series with a 740 trans. Latter I installed a B500 which is shorter. could have gotten by with 10-12 inches

[Kenny]

Would I be safe to say an extension of 18" would fit most any engine I could reposed with?
Kenny

[buswarrior]

Holy Tail Swing, Batman!

That linked 89 MCI will be a real handful to keep from whacking stuff on the off side when cornering.

That thing will clip a car in the next lane when you turn, never mind planter boxes, poles, mailboxes, cyclists and whatnot.

With any extension to the rear, the clearance under the rear bumper, driveway approach and exit, is a calamity looking for a place to happen too.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[David Anderson]

I agree with Buswarrior. 

I dinged my trailer hitch on my Eagle pulling out of a fuel stop.  It bent the thing where my engine door wouldn't open.  I had to remove it, heat it and beat it back straight.  Not fun.  I'm usually very, very, careful when I see high pitched approaches on driveways especially if I see any scuffs carved out of the pavement adjacent to the approach.  That is sure sign of trouble to drive somewhere else.

David

[TomC]

If you used a Detroit Series 50 4 cylinder-no extension would be required.  And then you'd have an over 10mpg bus.  Yes they vibrate a bit at idle (not so much if you have the correct engine mounts), but are excellent engines non the less. Good Luck, TomC

[blue_goose]

The Series 50 will work with a 740 or world transmission.

Where do you get the idea that a series 50 viberates?   None of the three that I have installed have any problem with viberation.
one: in a Eagle 05 had to raise the bed.
two: MCI 102A3  easy install
Three:  MCI 7 had to put in large radiator, because you only need one.

One friend has one in a MC8 with 9 speed.
One friend has one in a MC9 with world 3060 trans.

None of these has viberation.
Jack

[TomC]

Well good that they don't vibrate-all the better!  After 200,000 miles on the engine, you should have the twin balance shafts in the crankcase rebuilt.  Their gears are a bit on the shy side and when they strip out, you get severe vibration.  Good Luck, TomC

[belfert]

My bus has a very short wheelbase (Shorter than an MCI 40 footer and my bus is 43 feet).  No issues with the rear end swinging too wide although my rear end isn't as long as than MCI on Ebay.  I don't have problems with grounding the rear end either, but that is mainly because the bus rides a good 6 inches higher than most other buses I have seen.

Now, I'm not sure I would extend the rear end of a bus not factory engineered that way.  An MCI rides a lot lower than my Dina so grounding is a concern as others have stated.

[luvrbus]

I don't know much about 50 series but I do have one here with a B400 behind it very low miles that was removed from a Eagle for no power and vibration the guy hated the engine it was installed by the guys in Oregon for 45 grand nice setup.
He now has a new C-13 Cat and a B500 and loves that setup LOL he said no more bicycles pass him going up hill and the fuel mileage is about the same around 7+ or -

good luck

[kyle4501]

An in-line 4 cylinder is an inherently unbalanced engine & will vibrate - the larger the displacement, the larger the vibration. Over 1.4 liter displacement requires balance shafts. The problem with balance shafts is they dampen the vibration at very specific rpm & power levels - So, if the balance shafts most be set up for the application if there is any hope of reducing the vibration.

I have seen several series 50 installs & the 'lack of vibration' is a relative term. 
With the proper setup & use the right motor mounts, the vibration will be masked so that you don't feel it in the coach. 

So, it'd be interesting to know why the one Clifford has is bad? Could be almost anything from defective parts to incorrect assembly. . . .

BTW, a straight 6 is inherently a better balanced engine - that is why the power is so smooth. 

[luvrbus]

Kyle, the engine is not bad he removed it because of 2 things he did not like 1 he lives out west now and the 330 hp series 50 did not have a enough power 2nd and probably should not say this but his words and not mine "it will shake the sheets off the bed " he bought the engine brand new it was not a rebuilt it is a very low mileage engine.


good luck