Help, Stranded in Vegas. Alternator pully no longer connected to motor

viento1 · December 20, 2011, 04:26:38 PM

Hey guys and gals,

Me, 4 kids and my wife are on our way to Universal Studios and we are now stranded at the Gold Strike Hotel about 20minutes from Vegas.

My "not gen" light came on. On further investigatin I noticed the pullly to the 8V71 has stripped off (keeping with the vegas theme). I am not sure how it was attached but key way on the shaft is still recognizable, the bolt? on the end, if it is a bolt is now rounded off.

The keyway on the pully is barely visable and severly damaged.

I am going to purchase a US phone in the next half hour to help facilitate my getting back on the road. I will also check this thread in an hour or so.

Thank you in advance for any and all suggestions.

I do have a genset and can charge the coach battery while driving. I can make it to LA. I have no OTR heat so I need to repair before going back to Canada.

Busted Knuckle · December 20, 2011, 04:45:02 PM

I'm pretty sure you'll be able to find help between Vegas and LA.

I'm sure Don Fairchild in Bakersfield could help. (detour would add 107 miles. Gold Strike to Universal is 248 and a side trip to Bakersfield would make it 355)

Clifford is on the AZ-CA border near Bullhead City, but I don't think he's home right now. (gone for the holidays if I am correct)

And I know TomC is in LA and there are some others near too!

Van is near you now in Vegas.

And there is B & B Coach in Vegas too.

Plus I'm sure there are others I'm not aware of.

BK

Ed Hackenbruch · December 20, 2011, 04:50:02 PM

Randy, which pulley are you talking about? the one on the alternator or the one on the engine?

viento1 · December 20, 2011, 05:21:12 PM

Hi Ed, It is the pully on the Engine - can I have yours

I called some of the locals and I would probably have some luck here in Vegas (2 stroke Pete??) but I have a bus full of kids ready to take on LA. I will limp to LA in hopes that someone can help us on the coast.

The Detroit guys wanted to know the serial number off the Engine but was unsure of where it is stamped on the block.... anyone know?

Van · December 20, 2011, 05:56:35 PM

I just spoke to Randy ( saddle up gave me a call about the break down) He said the pulley (engine) was toast and the bolt head was rounded off. He needs a pulley so I put him in touch with the Yoda' as he might have the one needed.

Busted Knuckle · December 20, 2011, 06:21:24 PM

Quote from: van on December 20, 2011, 05:56:35 PM
I just spoke to Randy ( saddle up gave me a call about the break down) He said the pulley (engine) was toast and the bolt head was rounded off. He needs a pulley so I put him in touch with the Yoda' as he might have the one needed.

Good deal Van.
I saw where Yoda had posted he was in Scotsdale so I figured he might be gone for the holidays.

Glad your on top of it!

BTW please PM me your # either here or on FB so I'll have access to call you when I have a Lost Wages question or concern.
(not sure if you know it or not but I get calls from all over asking "hey I got this going on, what do I do, or who do I call in BFE.....)

It's always nice to have a data base to confer with when I'm at a loss as to who, where & what in a certain area.

BK

buswarrior · December 20, 2011, 06:48:56 PM

How about run the generator for your DC and bypass the no gen relay so the heat will work, and carry on?

Enjoy the rest of the trip and fix it at your leisure when you get home?

There are a number of simple ways to bypass the relay, it all depends which bit of changed procedure you want to follow.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

Van · December 20, 2011, 07:18:22 PM

BW Capital Idea, that can get them to where the replacement pulley can be obtained reasonably instead of the hyway robbery price

Bk will do, been so dang busy today, usually my spidey senses start tingling when a bus breaks down in the area LOL!

Randy give me a ring if I can be of further assist.

azdieselman · December 20, 2011, 07:39:14 PM

If you can make it to Phoenix, I can fix you up.

luvrbus · December 21, 2011, 04:33:23 AM

I spoke with Randy he needs the lower drive assembly on the back of a 8v71 like a the MCI used up till and used on some MCI 8 with a 6 or 7 inch pulley the whole assembly would be a easier fix for him.

I have several of the top mount both front and rear but not the lower,he has Don's cell number like Allstate he is in good hands now lol

good luck

bevans6 · December 21, 2011, 04:50:16 AM

Good news is that assembly bolts on to the right hand cam drive position so the back of the engine doesn't have to be disassembled. It uses the exact same drive plate and splined adaptor as the compressor drive does. The pulley is a four belt, and is held on to the shaft with a taper collar that engages the key on the shaft and is clamped tight by the nut. I lost the pulley on the alternator side on my last long trip and we ran close to a thousand miles on the batteries, we just stopped and charged them at night once. If you think about it, after the engine is running you don't need electricity except for lights and fans, so if you don't need to run those you can run about forever with no alternator.

Good luck!

viento1 · December 21, 2011, 05:46:49 PM

Thank you for all of your replies. I looked thru the schematic and I think I figured out how to bypass the relay.
Kids had a great time I in universal studios. Heading to San Diego. Can someone please pm me dons phone number and address. The one I have Is not working.

Thanks again everyone

luvrbus · December 21, 2011, 05:54:22 PM

This is the one I use Randy 1-661-391-4520

good luck

luvrbus · December 21, 2011, 06:03:07 PM

Randy you can get the drive from (Pedco) Iornman in Santa Fe Springs about 100 miles from you 1-562-944-3199 if you don't reach Don he should be around the shop he was working on TomC's bus last week

good luck

viento1 · December 21, 2011, 10:16:36 PM

Hi again,

I just pulled in to Santa Fe and will be at the shop in the morning to talk with Pedco to pick up some parts. Maybe I will just weld the old pully onto the shaft for now...