1977 Prevost,

[GiddyInn]

I have a chance to acquire a !977 Prevost conversion. At first glance doesn't look to terrible, couple of leaks. Main problem is no title, it has been sitting on someone else's property for many many years, and they just want it gone, but don't want to junk it themselves, they just want it to disappear.
My main question is is there any special things to do to start it, or do you just turn the key? I have only looked at it once briefly, and was more curious at the time as to what it may have that I can use on my MCI conversion like the 2 roof airs, holding tanks, spare rims, 3cyl Kubota genny, fuse box and other miscellaneous parts. It does have a DD 8v71 non turbo and a manual trans.
If I can get out of work early I will put batteries in it and see if it will turn over and fire up, if that works, it is only a fifteen mile trip home on the back roads if it moves and holds air, otherwise it will be a 30 mile tow to work and having to release the brakes and remove driveshaft.

[lostagain]

You should make sure the injectors and injector racks aren't stuck before you try to start it. The engine could run away with one or more stuck injectors. It would be a shame to destroy a good engine, just in case it is a good engine. A
77 Prevost wasn't a very good bus to start with (just my opinion), so it might only be good for some parts, like you mentioned.

JC

[PP]

Hey GiddyInn, ignore JC, he's just jealous. I personally would consider what parts are on an MCI that could be used on your soon-to-be new to you Prevost. A finer ship was never built, except maybe newer Prevost's. Just my opinion, of course. Keep us posted on what happens. I think Lin is still recuperating and in need of more reading material 
Will

[lostagain]

We drove MCIs in the '70s. But other companies had Prevost buses. The bodies weren't very solid: they rattled and leaked in the rain a lot. The XL series in the '80s was a better bus. Also when I drove for our Junior Hockey team, we had a '79  Prevost for a while. It was really a piece of sh.t. Rattle and leak and lots of rust. Not all MCIs were good either: the MC1s and 2s were pretty flimsy. MCI didn't build a good bus until the MC5.

JC

[GiddyInn]

Just trying not to do anything stupid like last time when we tried to bring GiddyInn home. didn't realize where the parking brake knob was. It was not the knob on the dash that said parking brake, that was the baggage door lock. we already found the brake release, so we are good there. I remember 25 years ago trying to start a car at the shop to find out to engage the starter you had to push gas pedal to the floor. Some companies  do things a little different, trying to eliminate some surprises. Thanks

[GiddyInn]

Had a chance to look at it yesterday. Installed batteries in engine compartment, realized there had to be something somewhere else, wiring didn't look right. Found another battery box on drivers side that needs 2 batteries to power everything else and activate soleniod for starter etc. Jumped starter and the engine did turn over, that is a good thing. Will have to go back with 2 more batteries and try again.a couple of pics and the potential prize, a genny and 2 roof airs, if they work.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[buswarrior]

Is that a rogue K&N filter adaptation to an oil bath unit?

At best, a little small for the big diesel to breath through...

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[jcdillin]

That little genny is alone is worth the price of admission. Nice unit.

[luvrbus]

Generator should not be a problem looks to be a Wrico from Eugene OR simple in design not much in the electronic BS like other brands 

[Geoff]

I spent some time looking at the generator compartment.  Exhaust looks like it discharges into the bay, the air intake looks like it is next to the injector pump, there is a radiator somewhere going into the next forward bay, and nothing looks right, unless you have to keep the generator bay open while you are driving.  I hope the rest of the bus is  better.

--Geoff

[GiddyInn]

luvrbus, it is a Wrico, not sure what size yet.
Geoff, that bay door is ventilated, exhaust sticks out past side a couple of inches, there is a fan mounted on the door for air movement, and the cooling lines appear to be tapped into the main cooling lines for the heater.
went out last night, everything appears to work as far as the electrical switches etc. Both engines turn over. Not sure about the fuel situation, added about 10 gallons of fresh fuel. Didn't think about checking the batteries before hand as they worked just fine in my other buses. Ran out of battery power quick, I think one of the 8d's may be weak, afterwards it was reading in the 11 volt range while the other was still over 12 volt. Put all four on chargers last night and may try again today or tomorrow. everything still looks promising, hopefully it will fire up next time and we can check the air system to see if it can make it home.

[daddysgirl]

You correctly stated, "the main problem is no title".
IDK about the law where you are, but personal property sitting on someone else's land with no title? Was the bus conveyed with the title to the land it sits on when the current landowner bought it? If so, the current landowner should be able to get you a clean title. If the land deed has language for "property thereon" when sold, it belongs to whoever owns the land.

But if you take it home, fix it and are happily driving down the road a year from now and get pulled over, you could have a problem.
What about your ability to get valid tags for the license plates? Do you have a state DMV? They can tell you as well.

You could call the local government treasurer and ask about unpaid personal property taxes. That might tell you who it belongs to.

But these thoughts while applicable in VA, might be different where you are?

[J_E]

Look into getting a bonded title, most states have an allowance for them.  It can be pricey and can also be a bit of a headache, but if the vehicle is worth it, then the effort can be justified.

[GiddyInn]

Finally got it home, drove decent, shifting is weird, strange pattern. Went to 50mph without a problem, didn't want to push it without having everything inspected. Now we have time to inspect and decide what to do with it. The genny and the roof airs do work.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[GiddyInn]

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk