New to the boards. Bought a scenicruiser.

Installglass · July 17, 2015, 04:20:17 PM

Hello all,

For many years I've wanted a scenicruiser. Searched and thought about it. Never found one that would be in my price range. Not one that runs anyway. I stumbled across PD4501-686 in my hometown. It's been parked for many years and as far as I can tell is unknown to the scenicruiser community. The previous owner bought it when greyhound sold them. He spent many years and dollars converting it to a private coach. He did a great conversion which is now very, very dated. I've waited a few years now for the estate to get figured out and was offered the bus as is for a very fair price. It has not been on the road for 15 years except to move between a couple of barns. I put a couple of batteries in it. Fired it up without even the slightest hesitation. I drove it to my place under its own power. We are going through it. It has air leaks, a bad alternator, and who knows what else? But, it runs and drives. Our intention is to get it road worthy this year and put a few miles on it. Do some shakedown and make sure we have everything in order. Unfortunately, finances will require that the interior while dated, if functional will take a few years. I promised the wife a new kitchen before a bus remodel. A good cleaning, maybe furniture reupholstering, a new mattress, and fresh carpet should tide us over for a couple of years. This bus was sold to me at the price that it was because the owner would like to see it stay around here and be brought back to its former glory. It was his fathers pride and joy. We hope one datyit will be ours too. We are excited even as is but know the potential it has.

Specs for those interested.
8v71 (re manufactured engine installed with 10k on it. Last owner blew the original 8v in the Smokies and replaced it with a reman rather than rebuild)

original 4spd

5kw Onan gasoline generator. (Haven't tried. Worked when parked but fuel smells bad 366hrs on readout). Stainless steel gasoline tank. Custom made for location
The house electrical is all untested. Haven't tried the generator or inverter. After bus is is road ready we will tackle getting things going.

Water tanks unknown size. Custom made stainless steel to fit the locations he wanted them in.

1 rooftop air and 1 window shaker mounted under bed exhausting into engine bay.

1 cracked vista window (Very sad, but hopefully fixable. I own an auto glass shop. Connections may be helpful in this dept)

Front and rear bumpers have sadly been replaced. As well as all the side windows. They are now rectangular units.

Custom awnings for all windows and a large awning for camping.

I'm sure I'm missing some things.

As stated above. We will not try to tackle house power until the bus can safely and comfortably be driven. We were told by the owner (owners son). That it was all operational when parked. His father spared no expense on it when building it and maintaining it. However he died in 1999 and the family has been fighting over the sizable estate since then. It was started and driven roughly 40 miles 2-3 years ago and has again sat. Fingers crossed all the 110v power and accessories are still good. If not we will certainly bring this bus back to as much of its former glory as our finances will allow!

Thanks for reading and I look forward to sharing and hearing your thoughts and suggestions.

Sean Tien
Kalamazoo, MI

OneLapper · July 17, 2015, 04:45:13 PM

Huge Congrats and welcome!

Installglass · July 17, 2015, 04:56:44 PM

Thank 1-L. I've been lurking here for years and signed up a couple of weeks ago. I just my confirmation today and I'm excited to learn and share.

OneLapper · July 17, 2015, 05:01:07 PM

I've always dreamed about owning a Scenicruiser. Post some pictures if you can! And keep us posted!

kyle4501 · July 17, 2015, 05:52:04 PM

Congrats!
Did you get any manuals or build documentation with it?
Pictures will be much appreciated!

As for the dated interior, live with it for a bit, you might be surprised at how it grows on you. Often, while it ain't what you would pick today, at the end of the day, it is more than fine.

Enjoy your new ride

scott332 · July 17, 2015, 06:21:14 PM

Congratulations on your scenic. I recently bought one also, but I'm still working on getting it home. I'd love to take a look at yours sometime. I live in northern Indiana maybe I'll see you around sometime at a bus rally in the area.

RJ · July 18, 2015, 02:49:41 AM

Sean -

Welcome aboard! Busnutitus is not curable, but it can be controlled.

FYI, PD4501-686 spent most of it's life assigned to Southeastern Greyhound Lines, before being reassigned to Central Greyhound Lines.

A couple of photos would be nice, when you can.

Tom McNally is the go-to Scenic guru, a wealth of Scenic knowledge. pd4501-771 is his handle on this forum, IIRC.

FWIW & HTH. . .

Installglass · July 18, 2015, 04:33:35 AM

Trying from my phone and failing.

Installglass · July 18, 2015, 04:34:22 AM

Again?

Installglass · July 18, 2015, 04:38:00 AM

Getting somewhere.

muldoonman · July 18, 2015, 05:00:50 AM

Good looking Bus you've got there. Know you folks will enjoy it. Show us some of the inside when you get her up and ready. It's amazing how some of the systems will fire back up and run with a little TLC. Mine had been sitting about 7 or 8 years when I jumped into it. Good luck.

LuckyChow · July 18, 2015, 08:02:20 AM

This is a beautiful cruiser. I can't wait to see more!!

Installglass · July 18, 2015, 11:40:30 AM

We did receive some of the original GM manuals. A very thick book.

We are very hopeful for the systems to come back to life. The old Detroit certainly wants to be worked. I've never seen a diesel motor fire so quickly. It honestly didn't even roll over. Just the moment I turned the key, it came to life. It felt very promising. Although I need to be cautious and not overly optimistic. 15 years is a lot of dust to sort through.

PRZNBUS · July 18, 2015, 01:20:56 PM

Quote from: Installglass on July 18, 2015, 11:40:30 AM
I've never seen a diesel motor fire so quickly. It honestly didn't even roll over. Just the moment I turned the key, it came to life.

That's an awesome feeling! My 8V92 is the same way, as the key makes the circuit, it's running.

Bruce

kyle4501 · July 18, 2015, 02:10:43 PM

You have a fine looking coach - even tho I prefer the original look over the current restyling of the windows & front bumper

Your coach does make a nice statement just as it sits. If the former owner did all the work himself, it looks like he did nice work.

As for all the systems, the best plan would be to ease them back into service when possible - IE: start with water pressure very low & watch for leaks as you slowly increase the pressure.
For electrical - locate as many junctions/ connections as you can (in the shore cord to breaker panel etc) & check the temp as you increase the electrical loading.

If you "sneak up" on each system a little at a time, it won't be as intimidating.

Good luck & have fun with it!