What engine should I look for?

[Dave5Cs]

Wow you aren't starting out very well by coming on here and insulting MCI people and then asking for advice
without talking about the rust on an eagle's or the way they put engine the wrong way in a GM, Just kidding guys couldn't resist, LOL Boringgggggg We call them a delux shoebox thank you very much....
Dave5Cs

[DoubleEagle]

All he said was that MCI's are boring to look at, well, he might have a point, but they do look nicer on the inside.  There are many beautiful conversions out there, they will find one if they can afford it, and the mechanic that comes with it in the separate bedroom.   

[Detroitenginespecialist]

Chris,
Go with a series 60 since you are new to the game.  In the bigger picture, you will have less agony working with that engine that you will a 2-cycle.  There is nothing wrong with a 2-cycle, like everyone has stated above, its hard to find a Detroit shop that knows how to REALLY work on them.  Read the thread with the title "broke down in Farmington New Mexico", and you'll get a taste of the worse care scenario when it comes to a 2-cycle and a authorized Detroit Shop. 

[luvrbus]

LOL,Brian you guys weren't exactly SnowWhite in the deal either,it seem like what could go wrong did on that one

[TomC]

Many buses are already converted. You can save YEARS of work by buying an already converted bus then modify it to your liking. Buses are tough, commercial vehicles. BUT be ready for big parts and repair bills when something does break. If you don't feel you can afford the repair bills (I carry a credit card with at least $20,000 on it) then maybe a cheaper motorhome would be better. Comparing a sticks and staples motorhome to a bus just isn't far. My 40ft transit bus based bus with everything in it, tanks full, and both of us in it weighs 31,000lbs. With a 36,000lb GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) rating, my bus is still 5,000lb away from it's weight limit. You won't find a motorhome made like that.
So many questions you must have-just keep in touch here! Good Luck, TomC

[lvmci]

Just a note, you may already have considered. If the conversion is not going to be driven more frequently then once or twice a year, dont get a gasoline engine. Diesel engines and fuel tanks can sit unused much longer then gasoline engines. Rust is the non driveline mechanical problem with bus conversions. Lvmci...

[opus]

My opinion would be to get one that needs a lot of work...for cheap.  [I'd never buy anyones conversion either, but thats just me.]  Then when you get the work done, you'll know what you have and what to expect.  Other than that, its all a guessing game.

[Zephod]

My opinion would be to get one that needs a lot of work...for cheap.  [I'd never buy anyones conversion either, but thats just me.]  Then when you get the work done, you'll know what you have and what to expect.  Other than that, its all a guessing game.

I bought a converted bus and had to strip it all out because it was so poorly done.


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[Chris & Beverly]

My mistake. The MC5's are absolutely beautiful. It's those other MCIs that are boring boxes. (Feel better now Dave?)

[bigred]

Thank you all. Info on the engines seems to back up what I've been reading. I know it makes sense to pick the bus and then make sure it has a good motor. I want to do my best to avoid breaking down on the side (or middle) of the road. I know that anything can break but I would like to minimize the odds.
In terms of brands the MCI's are newer with better parts availability but they are boring to look at. The Eagles and Scenic Cruisers are beautiful but parts and wear are a bigger issue. Prevost have the reputation of being solid but they may be a little too fancy for us.
I have been notified by the Boss that I get to pick the mechanics but the rest of it is her domain and I don't get a vote.
Thanks again. I will take all the advice I can get.

A bit of advice from a person who was recently in the same boat you are in .I have been around buses off and on all  my life and have owned motor homes for the last forty years .I got the bus bug bad about two years ago and bought a beautiful Prevost conversion.I am no engine man either so let me tell you what I have found out.Mine has the 8v92tdls engine .When I took it to a local truck repair shop for an oil change they put 15/40 Rotella in it .Luckily ,I did not drive it very much before someone on here ,think it was Dave ,told me to get that stuff out of there and put 40wt in it which I did .BUT it got this thing to dribbling oil out the of the airbox drains which has to stopped since I went back to the 40wt .Haven;t took it on a long trip yet.What I would do if I were you ,I would take the advice another person already gave you .Forget the bus and find you a good high end motor home.American Coach up through 2002 were great motor homes .Find one with the Cummins 8.3 and a 6 speed Allison .I would stay away from Country Coach .A lot of people are crazy about these things but they are very prone to problems .All those high end bells and whistles start giving out .I have a 1995 American Coach (fleetwood in those days}and it has been a very dependable coach .I was going to sell it and keep the Prevost ,but I am really giving this a hard second look.I hate to let the prevo go since I have a fortune tied up in it ,but I am convinced that that would be my best option

[opus]

I guess I'll add a little more.  I am an engine/truck/bus guy.  As I said, I would never buy anyones conversion, knowing not what they did, how they did it, how it will catch fire or develop leaks, on and on.  I didnt buy a Prevost/Eagle/MCI, etc.  I ended up buying a 1995 Blue Bird school bus, ripped the seats out and went from there.  Granted, BIG difference than what most these guys are running around in, big!  On the other hand, everything in my bus is generic, parts are easy to find and repairs dont require a specialist and they mainly are inexpensive.  School buses are stout and if you find the right one, you can get a good highway runner.  I am into my bus for less than most of you are into your car.

With that  being said, there are sacrifices to be made, A/C, interior height should you need it.  With that known, you can build it exactly how you want and spend as much as you want.

Just another way to skin a cat.

[Zephod]

I guess I'll add a little more.  I am an engine/truck/bus guy.  As I said, I would never buy anyones conversion, knowing not what they did, how they did it, how it will catch fire or develop leaks, on and on.  I didnt buy a Prevost/Eagle/MCI, etc.  I ended up buying a 1995 Blue Bird school bus, ripped the seats out and went from there.  Granted, BIG difference than what most these guys are running around in, big!  On the other hand, everything in my bus is generic, parts are easy to find and repairs dont require a specialist and they mainly are inexpensive.  School buses are stout and if you find the right one, you can get a good highway runner.  I am into my bus for less than most of you are into your car.

With that  being said, there are sacrifices to be made, A/C, interior height should you need it.  With that known, you can build it exactly how you want and spend as much as you want.

Just another way to skin a cat.

All my interior is hand built woodwork. 90% of my parts come from Lowes/ace/Home Depot/Harbor Freight/Walmart.

No AC. Just don't see the point to be honest.
No house battery. Just don't see the point.
Cooking is done on a portable camp stove
Refrigeration - a large cooler powered by ice
Lighting - D cell powered led lanterns
Shower - pump powered by d cells
Water heating - on the camp stove
Waste water disposal - gravity fed into waste barrels underneath the bus
Turd disposal - a composting toilet unit I built.
Urine disposal - wide mouthed orange juice jar from Walmart.
Fresh water carried onboard in 5 gallon jerry cans.
Ventilation - solar powered.
Phone charging - power takeoff from ventilation unit.
120v AC plugin available - powers 3 sockets in the kitchen are allowing a mini fridge and two other appliances. 3 spare breakers available.


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[TomC]

Wow, Zephod! Then on the other spectrum is what I did. Rebuilt engine, transmission, everything in the engine compartment and turbocharged the engine with 130 gal fuel, added Jake Brakes. 10kw Diesel generator powering 3 roof top air conditioning (I live in California). 130gal water, 85 gal gray, 45 gal black, 2-8D deep cycle, 2-31 starting, 2500 watt inverter, washer/dryer, 9cu/ft 120v/12v refrigerator, 120v/12v 2.1cu/ft chest freezer, microwave, 3 burner propane stove, 40,000btu propane furnace, etc.
Built on a 1977 AMGeneral transit bus 10240B high floor. It has 22" under floor space.
If you want cheap-look for a Gillig Phantom 40ft x 102" high floor transit with Detroit Series 50 engine. 6'10" headroom, straight sided walls, huge windows, air ride, etc. Good Luck, TomC

[opus]

All my interior is hand built woodwork. 90% of my parts come from Lowes/ace/Home Depot/Harbor Freight/Walmart.

No AC. Just don't see the point to be honest.
No house battery. Just don't see the point.
Cooking is done on a portable camp stove
Refrigeration - a large cooler powered by ice
Lighting - D cell powered led lanterns
Shower - pump powered by d cells
Water heating - on the camp stove
Waste water disposal - gravity fed into waste barrels underneath the bus
Turd disposal - a composting toilet unit I built.
Urine disposal - wide mouthed orange juice jar from Walmart.
Fresh water carried onboard in 5 gallon jerry cans.
Ventilation - solar powered.
Phone charging - power takeoff from ventilation unit.
120v AC plugin available - powers 3 sockets in the kitchen are allowing a mini fridge and two other appliances. 3 spare breakers available.


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I kept everything 12v, lighting, heat.  I do have a power supply that changes 110v into 12v.  Also have some 110v outlets for times when we can plug in.  4k generator too, which we hardly use.

[daddysgirl]

Wow you aren't starting out very well by coming on here and insulting MCI people and then asking for advice
without talking about the rust on an eagle's or the way they put engine the wrong way in a GM, Just kidding guys couldn't resist, LOL Boringgggggg We call them a delux shoebox thank you very much....
Dave5Cs

Hey Dave...
How many MC8's that are original...no 9 caps etc... would you guess are still out there? That's the reason I will never change the front cap, it's not always "Hip to be Square" right?