Working on my bus

[harleyman_1000]

 As some of you know I bought a bus that was originally converted back in the 80's, and has seen many owners and many changes to all the systems. The last owner that I bought it from, barely told me anything, and some of which he said wasn't true     I have been so overwhelmed by all the things that need to be done, that I wasn't even attempting to do anything.
  I am now starting to work on the bus, and running into many things that I don't understand, and was wondering if I could ask some ongoing questions, as I trudge the road to happy destiny

[Dave5Cs]

Scott, that is what the boards are all about dude. I take away as much as I can and try to give back when I know something or think I do and then Clifford, RJ, Ed, Uncle Ned, Don, BK, etc. will tell me to learn some more because I am not there yet. I hang my head and go out and look at what they were telling me and sure enough I was wrong or looking in the wrong place.
For instance did you know that if you just tap into a 24 volt system with a 12 volt system and no Vanner ( isolator etc.) and charge at both end of the bank you will lose 2 batteries in a year or less. I do now( don't ask me how I know).
Sometimes it helps to just go out and sit and have coffee in it or go for a ride!...

It can get pretty costly at times but if you ask a lot of questions, it gives the older guys something to do too besides trying to jack their buses up high enough to get their walkers under them, it's a good day.

Dave

[Lostranger]

Ask a lot of questions, it gives the older guys something to do besides trying to jack their buses up high enough to get their walkers under them....

That's not true, Dave. My walker will fold!

Scott, what are you into? I'm sure that someone here can help. We've all been overwhelmed at times.

Jim in NC

[luvrbus]

I try and help Scott the lad has a long learning curve with that bus a mixture of about everything Mike K had laying around 4104,4106 , MCI parts and no telling what else, one has to see that bus to help Scott but he will get it done with little help from all here

good luck

[B_K]

I try and help Scott the lad has a long learning curve with that bus a mixture of about everything Mike K had laying around 4104,4106 , MCI parts and no telling what else, one has to see that bus to help Scott but he will get it done with little help from all here

good luck

Hmmm, see I just learned something new about Scott's bus I didn't already know!
I knew it had been converted to a T-drive from a V-drive but not much else. 
"that bus a mixture of about everything Mike K had laying around 4104,4106 , MCI parts and no telling what else"

Says a LOT about it! It tells me "all bets are off!"

But like Clifford said with time, patience, more time, help from someone w/patience, & $ it will work out!
  BK 

[harleyman_1000]

Hmmm what am I working on...... EVERYTHNG    LOL Everything I look at makes me scratch my head. For example I have 2 separate battery banks that are not connected together one was for a 24 volt inverter, but had a 24 amp 12 volt solar controller/charger to charge it,and the other battery bank was for the 12 volt stuff in the bus, and has no way of charging it. The generator is a brand new generator that starts and runs off the start batteries, and has to have the ignition switch on in the engine compartment or it will die . The generator also does not charge the start batteries, and will run them dead if left running without the bus running. This is my next project, which I will be starting as soon as I finishing fixing the copper pipes which froze and broke over the winter, guess I didn't  get all the water out of them  

[John316]

Scott.

You have a Mike K bus? Whee. I feel for you, buddy. You just have to keep on pushing and trying. You will get it someday.

[harleyman_1000]

I try and help Scott the lad has a long learning curve with that bus a mixture of about everything Mike K had laying around 4104,4106 , MCI parts and no telling what else, one has to see that bus to help Scott but he will get it done with little help from all here

good luck

I spoke with Mike, and he said he bought the bus already converted from a movie producer in north Hollywood? I also have some of the original paperwork on the bus, and it says the bus was converted June 14, 1984, by a company called Motor Coach Enterprises, out of Oregon. The paperwork also say it had a brand new motor and transmission (644 tranny ) and that it has a Freight line rear end in it.

[B_K]

"I spoke with Mike, and he said" he bought the bus already converted from a movie producer in north Hollywood? I also have some of the original paperwork on the bus, and it says the bus was converted June 14, 1984, by a company called Motor Coach Enterprises, out of Oregon. The paperwork also say it had a brand new motor and transmission (644 tranny ) and that it has a Freight line rear end in it.

All bets are off! (but we still love ya and will help ya anyway we can!)
  BK 

[luvrbus]

The T drive is the least of your worries I saw that bus all the time in Mikes shop I think he installed the steering or was working on it, you will get it done just have patience. There is another 4106 or 4104  floating around that has a T drive with a Cummins or series 50 I saw it last year at Quartzsite they guy had just bought it

[harleyman_1000]

 Ok I feel a little better I got something accomplished. I ran some new plumbing to the extra pump motor that was for the misters and tapped into the water line coming out of the fresh water tank. But when doing so I noticed the grey and black(I have one tank for both) tank is rusted out all the way through it where the toilet dumps into it, and rusting through about halfway up the side 
  Can anyone give me the names and numbers of the rv surplus places in Indiana or a place where I can get one made?

[lvmci]

All TV people know, never trust a producer!...

[Van]

All TV people know, never trust a producer!...

Ain't that the truth! Scott to bad you did not come thru Vegas on your way back east, we could have probably helped you sort this stuff out.

[robertglines1]

measurements of your tank?  Have a local guy but he only makes about 4 sizes that will fit in our buses.

[harleyman_1000]

Maybe a trip to Vegas is in order