New owner of an old bus!

[RJ]

Bruce -

Some more trivia for you:

50 Scenicruisers gave their soles to become MC-7 Combo cars.  Blitz Body in Chicago did the surgery.

Some folk think that wasn't a very good trade. . . 

[wg4t50]

Having had the MC7 and a buddy had the scenicruser, there were things about each I liked and some that I did not on each.  Another guy had the Combo setup, did not see anything wrong about it, maybe if I had gotten into the Combo, would have found some negitave things, don't know.
I do know the MC7 was a great experience and I loved it, best toy I ever had.
Dave M

[Mike in GA]

A hearty welcome!
     As for nearby Nuts, if you join FMCA you will have access to several Bus Nut Chapters across the country. For your purposes I would recommend New England's Bussin' Buddies Chapter.
     This spring when you venture out, if you'd like to come south, the Southeast Bus Nuts will have their spring rally at Stone Mountain Park, east of Atlanta. The dates are May 16-19.
     Best of luck in this new phase of your lives. It's a great hobby.
Mike in GA

[Emcemv]

I am so glad to hear there are several of us nuts in CT!  Good info about the Combo trivia, I learn more each day thanks to you guys!

I remember someone said you guys like a gazillion pictures so I took more today and put them on Google, here is the link:

https://picasaweb.google.com/115236002201280195895/Bus2012Dec?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJ7bqrOa0-7RrwE&feat=directlink

[wg4t50]

Love the pix posted above, always loved the MC7 and with combo drive setup including radiator, so much the better. 
From my experience the only negative with the 7 is the lack of enough cooling, that is where the combo solved that issue. And a good radiator can handle alot of HP, 600+ HP running the east, unknown as how in the west.
Dave M

[RJ]

Bruce -

This is really an interesting coach.  Besides the Scenic undercarriage, here are some other things I've noticed from your pics:

~~  MC-9 roof cap on front.  Most caps for 7's are incredibly ugly.

~~  Looks like MC-9 windshields.  They're taller than a stock 7.  (Since you're contemplating new windshield rubber, measure the glass L x W, then give Luke a call 1-888-262-2434.

~~  Instrument cluster is MC-8/9 style, not like that of the 5s & 7s.

Here's a couple of pics of a Combo car in Canadian revenue service.  Note air filter on roof!

http://thegreyhoundgroup.blogspot.com/2012/10/greyhound-canada-mci-7-freighter.html


Isn't this fun??

[Boomer]

Magic Carpet was the predecessor to what is now Marathon Coach in Coburg, OR.

[Emcemv]

RJ

Thanks so much for the history! I am going to have to keep track of all I'm learning from you guys!!  We have to get the CT bus owners together.  I put the bus to bed for the winter today, got a waterproof tarp covering where the skylines and vents are and they covered the whole roof with a 20x40 silver tarp. Wife says no blue tarps here!! I've got the tires covered as well. PO had a garage so this winter is going to be a shock for her.! One question I wanted to raise was what causes air brakes to fail, loss of air makes them apply so a stuck valve could make them "fail" to apply right? I see in the news trucks that lose their brakes and want to be sure I do everything to prevent this.  Any thoughts or experiences with this?

[sdc53]

I like the pics. What a rare bus.  Like the side radiator. 


Scott
'69 4107
Gladstone, OR

[Dave5Cs]

RJ, the instrument panel is just like mine, other than the wood. So must be 5C just like the 8 because of the 8 front end?

Dave

[RJ]

RJ, the instrument panel is just like mine, other than the wood. So must be 5C just like the 8 because of the 8 front end?

Yup.

[plyonsMC9]

Well I'm coming late to this party - but welcome again to the group and I give a hearty thumbs up to dumping the original equipment over the road air conditioning unit unless it is operating properly.  I dumped thousands into mine with 3 different shops.  Still doesn't work.  I'm going to get rid of it & use it for storage, a webasto setup, or something other than the air conditioning unit.  We have 3 roof airs which have served us very well.

Kind Regards, Phil

[Emcemv]

Phil

Thanks to all for the input, my conclusion after all the replies is to ditch the old AC system. We have 3 built in AC units and I think I can run one off the inverter while driving. I will also install a small mini-split in the compartment vacated by the old AC and locate the inside unit up in the front of the bus. 

[RJ]

Bruce -

IIRC, you should have a switch on the LH side for "driver's air" (if you still have the stock switch panel.)

My suggestion would be to get rid of the big OEM HVAC unit, but leave in all the plumbing and the dash unit.

Hang a small automotive compressor on some new brackets where the big compressor used to sit, driven off the same pulley.  Use that and the OEM plumbing to keep your OEM driver's air while you're on the road.  (You'll need a small condenser mounted somewhere, too.)  Welch Industries down in GA are really good at this type of thing, btw.

No roof air unit can compete with the factory dash air while westbound in the afternoon sun.

FWIW & HTH. . .

[Sipapu]

I recently bought a new 'old bus', too and am about as excited as I was to get my first car. I don't pick it up until next month, so I'm doing a little pre- learning.