1978 MCI-8 Crusader - Possible First Coach!

[Branderson]

Yea i think you are not going to want to keep it in the back with what u said plus you have to get tanks and plumbing for fresh/gray anyway. Might as well knock all that stuff at once.

[chessie4905]

The holding tank is stainless steel and the mounting flange is sandwiched in floor plywood. Best to cut out tank with plasma torch. Saw blades won't touch it.Maybe a Dremel with lots of patience with a diamond blade would work. A cutting torch will only melt stainless slowly.

[PNWorBUST72]

Is there a place where I can see the whole system online or in a manual so I see the entire job?

[DoubleEagle]

I would not be afraid to offer less than $10,000 since it is basically a shell. There is a lot of work to be done to make it a usable conversion. A great plus is that it has the Allison. If the engine, trans, and body are in good running order, then I think somewhere around $5000 would be a better starting point.

[PNWorBUST72]

Here are some pics...UPDATED

[DoubleEagle]

The dropbox site wants you to sign in to see anything, but the facebook address worked alright.

[PNWorBUST72]

I will use the checkilists above and see if I can wiggle the price down.

I tried to add pics but....

[lvmci]

Hi PNW, $10K with an 8V71, non converted seems high. Check the brake drums, Van told me to reach inside the drum, of the drive wheel and see if there is a ridge, if there is pull off the wheel and look for cracking of the drum, if there is, its a $3K fix. You seem to know about rust, inspect the radiators closely, on on either side of both, salt air get sucked in there causing rust. You didn't say where the bus came from, desert Southwest is the best chance for low rust problems, lvmci...

[buswarrior]

The MC8, same as all the autos built in the 70's...

Started rusting as they left the factory, no matter where they were operated.

It is rare to find the radiator fan compartment in rust free condition, open the fan door, ladder, and check up high, all the framing holding the expansion tank, andthe floors under the rads. Get in under the driver, and check all the framing holding the throttle linkage. The engine cradle, all the little round tubes, they either were good or they rotted out years ago.

$10k is too high, unless that coach is in suspended animation... and you need some experience to know if it is...

I love the MC8, but there are issues, and as each decade goes by, they don't get better without a dedicated busnut owner...

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[gumpy]

Is there a place where I can see the whole system online or in a manual so I see the entire job?

Here's how to remove the washroom.   http://www.gumpydog.com/Bus/MC9_WIP/Structural/Washroom_Removal/washroom_removal.htm

[B_K]

Hello all!  First post!
I am looking at buying a 1978 MCI-8 Crusader with a 8V71 Detroit Diesel rear engine drive with 740 Allison automatic transmission.  I dont see any rust, the engine started in 2-3 seconds, no smoke, smooth idle, air filled  quick. airbags leveled easily.
The speedo doesnt work, fuel gage is out, passenger wiper is dead.
I'd like to know if you have any specific things I should check before I drop 10k here. 

THANKS!

YES you have a LOT to lose at $10,000! Unless you just have $10,000 laying around to throw away!
First off an 8V71 is NOT going to like the mountains in the PNW! (and you are most likely not going to like driving it there either!)
An 8V71 is a good engine and was used many many years in many vehicles. But now days it is very under powered compared to modern vehicles and after someone buys one the can't wait to re-power with a better engine or hot rod the 8V71 with a turbo or propane injection.
Both those will boost the power of an 8V71 but will cost $$$$$ to do right or will cost you $$$$$ to fix it after you blow it up doing it the cheap way.

And an a plain jane MC8 unfinished with an 8V71 now days is worth more like $2,000-$5000 unless it has a documented and warrantied rebuilt engine that the warranty can be transferred to the new owner and can be verified before purchase that IT CAN BE TRANSFERRED AND EXACTLY WHAT IS COVERED!

Shoot I got a 1995 Setra S215 40' coach with a 60 Series engine and an Allison B500 that I'd take less than $10,000 for or a 1993 Neoplan Metroliner 45' coach with 60 Series and Allison 740 and two doors (one front, one middle of coach in front of drive axle) and the restroom is downstairs just inside the rear door (middle of coach) that I would take $10,000 FIRM for!

The Neoplan is one I traded for to build out my personal coach on because of the "midship" door and restroom. But if it sold for the $10,000 it is worth I'd build the Setra. I love driving both buses and I have more experience working on the Setras.
(also I have lots of Setra spare parts that I would throw in with it if it sells as it is my last Setra and I don't need spare parts for a bus I don't own any more!)
  BK 

OH Yeah btw way someone else asked where you are located and you didn't answer them. It helps to let other busnuts know where you are located as there might just be one close by you that is willing to share info and help work on yours.
Most of us modify our profile where it shows where we are and what we own at the bottom of our signature line.

[PNWorBUST72]

Well, it looks solid to me with the eye, although now I have ALOT of additional things to check.

Turns out the new tires are Chinese so there is that concern but for now, at least they are new I guess.  A/C might not work, I didnt check it last time I was out.  Mechanically it appears sound.

I live in Jacksonville Florida but the bus is 2hrs away so I can't just run out and look at it, I was planning on spending a few hours out there this weekend.

http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/kalos1972/media/1978MCI8-1_zpsdzxozsxc.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0
http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/kalos1972/media/1978MCI8-3_zps3kqsa5pq.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1
http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/kalos1972/media/1978MCI8-4_zpsmhlu3igi.jpg.html?sort=3&o=5
http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/kalos1972/media/1978MCI8-2_zpsgjtko7o8.jpg.html?sort=3&o=8
http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/kalos1972/media/1978MCI8-5_zpspi3pxpkl.jpg.html?sort=3&o=10

[DoubleEagle]

Unless this coach has the original A/C (that works), it has no A/C other than one or more slider windows. It will not be comfortable going down the road, and it will be miserable trying to sleep in at night. The conversion (so far) is very minimal, but check it out in person, the more buses you see, the more you will learn. Don't be in a rush to dump your money just yet, leave that to the rest of us that really know how to burn money very quickly.

[gumpy]

After looking at the photos you posted, I'm inclined to think this bus is worth about $3500. No more. And only if the suspension is not rusted through and the enigne and transmission are top notch.

I think you should spend some time on the Facebook Bus Conversions For Sale site and look at what else if available, particularly already converted buses. You can do much better than this for the money.

[eagle19952]

ooops