What is this that is on the rear top near the end of the coach

norstar9454 · October 12, 2019, 06:23:21 AM

New to site sorry for my lack of knowledge.What is this that is on the rear top near the end of the coach, that looks like a spoiler. Air intake or A/C Condenser?
Thanks
Nevin in NC

buswarrior · October 12, 2019, 06:29:29 AM

An unorthodox add on by someone perhaps a little too focused on micro issues?

Waiting to be ripped off in a low clearance situation...

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

lostagain · October 12, 2019, 06:40:27 AM

Looks like it could be a ram air intake.

I built one similar to this on my Courier 96. It starts working noticeably at 20 miles an hour. It eliminated the exhaust smoke, except of course on start up. I subsequently put a turbo on the engine (4-71).

JC

DoubleEagle · October 12, 2019, 08:13:59 AM

Obviously, a rear spoiler and air intake for Bonneville speed runs for title of fastest MCI.

norstar9454 · October 12, 2019, 08:32:39 AM

I am looking at this coach on line and just wanted to know if its a required part or can be removed and patched.
Thanks
Nevin

DoubleEagle · October 12, 2019, 08:38:40 AM

It could be the only one in existence, definitely not required. You had best inspect this bus before considering buying, the owner may have done other unusual modifications.

buswarrior · October 12, 2019, 08:49:24 AM

Huge problem, if that is a ram air...

What did they do with the radiator fan cavity?

Buyer beware...

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

richard5933 · October 12, 2019, 08:57:11 AM

Couple of thoughts...

On the up side, this bus looks to be a Custom Coach conversion, although I don't see the proper badges on the front & rear. The interior looks pretty much intact from the photos, but you can't tell for sure until you get inside and check for water damage.

That thing on the roof was probably added to help cool the engine, which leads to the obvious question of why it was needed. Did the engine already suffer damage from over heating? What was done to things to require the extra cooling, and was it done in a way which didn't cause other problems. And, once all the engine-related questions are answered, you've got to determine if all that extra hardware on the roof caused water leaks, rust, and interior damage?

This bus has been listed for sale for at least the three years since I began looking at buses. Not sure if it's sold during that time, but the listing photos don't seem to have changed since I saw them three years ago. It's probably been sitting for a while now, I'd guess for at least a few years longer than it's been on the market. This may or may not be a problem, but sitting still never helps a bus stay in good condition. A full inspection by a mechanic familiar with MCI buses and their potential problems is 100% in order before moving on this.

The listing I see is by Pop RV, which to me is a negative. I've looked at a bus they had listed once, and it was really weird to work with their setup. All arrangements are made through them, not the bus's owner directly. All financial dealings are also through Pop RV, and they have to run things back and forth between buyer and seller. Hopefully the listing with Pop RV has expired so the owner is free to negotiate with you directly. With the length of time that this bus has been listed, you should be able to get the price down considerably if you work directly with the owner.

All that said, it does look to be an interesting bus and if I were in the market I'd at least go take a good look at it.

Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM · October 12, 2019, 11:00:04 AM

That is where the jet engine used to be.

norstar9454 · October 12, 2019, 11:37:35 AM

Its in Tampa Fla maybe thats why the extra cooling ram air.

Geoff · October 12, 2019, 03:44:53 PM

After looking at the blurry picture, my guess is that it is a roof A/C in a custom enclosure to help cool the engine.

Jim Blackwood · October 12, 2019, 05:37:55 PM

That'd be for the APU, right?

chessie4905 · October 12, 2019, 06:26:50 PM

Probably on the building or whatever behind the coach.

DoubleEagle · October 12, 2019, 06:44:34 PM

If it is a PopRV listing, I would look elsewhere. They have had a -1 feedback rating on eBay for a couple years that I am aware of. I've never seen a -1 feedback rating before, they must be a real gem of an outfit. Most of their listings fail to mention mechanical details. There are plenty of buses for sale elsewhere, keep looking.

buswarrior · October 12, 2019, 08:20:44 PM

Run away from pop rv.

At best, riding on coat tails

At worst, thieves.

Owner may not even know that pop rv is advertising it.

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior