two stroke parts, tools, bus, and more

skihor · March 25, 2011, 11:35:11 AM

Willies Diesel in Nunn, Colorado is having a liquidation auction April 2, and 3. Willie passed this past Jan. and his 30 year + collection of parts, tools, equipment, etc... will be up for the highest bidder. He also had a '68 Mci conversion in the auction. It seems to me it has a 8V92. Trans is unknown to me, as is the rest of the bus. Knowing Willie it will be a hot rod. Go to: www.beanandbean.net for more info.

Don & Sheila

luvrbus · March 25, 2011, 11:46:42 AM

That is sad news I knew Willie was shutting down but never ask him why I just thought it was because of the city thanks for the info I liked Willie and he will be missed

good luck

rv_safetyman · March 25, 2011, 12:17:45 PM

Don, you and I have talked about Willies many times. The last we talked it did not sound good for Willie. Sorry to hear of his passing.

For those of you not aware, Willies was quite a place. It was located, as Don noted, in Nunn, CO which a tiny town in northern Colorado. It was a normal process for entertainers who stopped in Denver to send their buses up to Nunn to be serviced. He was very well known for his two stroke knowledge/skills.

I stopped at his shop in the summer of '09 when I was having engine problems (he was also a good four stroke mechanic). His shop was not exactly what you call "textbook". It appeared to be very disorganized and not all that clean. For me that was not a huge turnoff, since that describes my shop

. However, folks knew of his quality of work and understood that that was how Willie operated his shop. I would guess he made a pretty decent living.

One of the fun stories about Willie, in recent years the town began to get a small influx of folks who wanted to "clean up Nunn". They told Willie that he had to paint the outside of the shop. He called his painting contractor friend and told him to bring all his leftover paint. I will leave it to your imagination to picture what it looked like

. I wish I had taken a picture or two!!

One other quick story, my mom was from Cheyenne and we would take the train from Denver to Cheyenne every so often. I can recall the water tower in Nunn painted with the words "Watch Nunn Grow". That was in the late 40s and early 50s and the town is still about the same size. The water tower still had the same logo on it when we were there in 2009.

Funny, as I was typing this, Don called and we had a nice talk.

I might try to go to the auction - mostly because it should be an interesting event.

Jim

JohnEd · March 25, 2011, 12:52:14 PM

Well, maybe you think his shop was cluttered and such but I'll have you know that I would hire that neat freak to organize my shop and do it on a regular basis.

It is always sad when the "plank owners" depart. I have been often left with just wondering at all the info and good deeds they quietly took with them. I have met a lot of men that have forgotten more than I could have ever hoped to ever learn and I am part elephant. My good luck.

I never met Willie and only heard of him in this thread but I miss him right along with you guys that were more fortunate than I. Thank you for sharing your memories and sentiments.

John

luvrbus · March 25, 2011, 01:55:24 PM

Willie had a deal with a Vo Tech school in the area where he would employ the collage kids and teach them to work on 2 strokes did you guys know about that.
Funny story I was on his case about a engine a friend of mine bought from him a 8v92 good sounding engine it later had a problem with smoke big time we pulled the injectors and it had 3 different ones in it when I was talking to him I ask how could that happen he said cheap labor I guess but one thing I do know I didn't charge him any extra for that setup last time I spoke with him we both laughed he will be missed

good luck

Bill in KS · March 25, 2011, 01:59:34 PM

Is anyone going to the sale ?? I'd like to have someone on the floor to nose around for anything that would fit my '04.

I would like to know if that black diff sitting on the bucket is for a 04 or 06 GM bus? Also be interested in the " rebuilt " 671 w/ trans with the coffee can covering the intake.

Thanks
Bill in KS

rip · March 25, 2011, 06:33:24 PM

I met Willie last summer when I had my oil cooler replaced.He was a good guy to talk to with all his funny stories.He had a few rebuilt motors sitting around along with several jakee brakes and other parts.He was a real character and will be missed.He was really involved with his church along with his wife.I really feel fortunate that I met him even if was only for two days that I was at his shop.
Don

white-eagle · March 25, 2011, 07:35:18 PM

I didn't know Willie, but i'm sad to lose a potential 2 stroke mechanic when i'll be in CO this summer, and with the engine pull, i'm sorry to hear of a parts house going away. We had a bit of a hassle getting gaskets, flywheel bolts, etc. seems there were only 12 in all WW Williams inventory!

Anyone know if the auction will be online, or at least a list of parts?

skihor · March 25, 2011, 08:05:48 PM

As John noted Willie was one of those who forgot more than most of us will ever know. I only knew him because he replaced the heads on our 6V92. He let me stay in the bus with our dog for the 4 days it took to get the parts and have his help put them in. He kept a close eye on the work and did the final tweaking which included several rides to make sure it was to my liking. He was someone who left a profound impression. It warms my heart to see the sentiments left in this thread ya'll are good people for that, and make proud to be a part of this bus nut thing. I will be sure pass this along to his wife.
Bill, I'm going to go to the auction, so, I could be on the lookout for stuff. It will not be online, and I don't know how it would work out but I would do my best.
White-Eagle I'm not aware of any "parts list" but if there is anything in particular you need I'll keep an eye open for you.

Don & Sheila