Fishbowl Pics

[buddydawg]

Here is the new sled.  Now the fun begins...

I need to finish the stripdown of the interior.  I am trying to sucker a few friends as I type...

[TomC]

Are you going to lower the floor back down? It's nice to have the 82" of headroom.  What engine/trans does it have? I have an AMGeneral transit with a 8V-71 that I turboed and intercooled with a V730.  Good Luck, TomC

[buddydawg]

I am going to lower the floor which leaves me the wheel wells to work around but I can manage that.  The extra headroom will be nice.  It has a 6V71 and a VS-2 engine/tranny set up. 

[wvanative]

Looks nice Buddy, and now the fun begins. It looks pretty straight on the outside. Can't wait to see it as you progress through the construction.

WVaNative 

[tekebird]

looks to be New York Bus Service?

want a model of it?

[buddydawg]

WV, The body is pretty straight just a few small places on the lower passengerside from making right hand turns.  It does have some rust here and there but it does not seem to be too bad.  I inspected the backside where I could and it was in good condition.  I will have plenty of pics as I go, I know that is what most folks like to see.

tekebird,
It was a NYBS transit.  I have seen some of the models and thought about getting one to show what I started with, but I want 1313 on mine.

[TomC]

When I did my transit, I weighed it first empty like what yours is now (28,000lbs) and when it was done (31,000lbs).  Added right at 3,000lb, but that's including a 10kw Powertech gen mounted next to the drivers seat like a front engine and 3 roof top airs (there's 1000lbs right there).
Along those lines, I think you're going to find the 6V-71N and VS2 to be a bit on the lithargic side with not enough top end.  My bus had a 8V-71N at 300hp and 800lb/ft torque with the V730 that didn't do it for me (I live in Calif).  Now the engine puts out 375hp and 1125lb/ft torque.  Compared to your 210hp and 560lb/ft of torque-maybe you see what I'm talking about.  My suggestion is to keep the engine/trans you have now for the time being while you are converting the bus.  Then keep your eyes open for another fishbowl that either is crashed, or less than $5000 with a 6V-92TA and V730.  Then just completely change out the cradle assembly in the rear (that would take about 8 hours for two workers).  Might have to change the rear end-you probably have a 5.57 rear.  I have the 4.625 and with 11R-24.5, I have a comfortable cruise at 65mph @ 2100rpm, top out at 73mph.  The biggest gears you can get are 4.11.  I didn't go with them since the AMGeneral is much heavier than the GMC's, and am a bit afraid of loosing too much startability with the 4.11's.  Just suggestions-keep us up on your progress.  Good Luck, TomC

[Green-Hornet]

Nice classic line to that one for sure. I like the whole slanted look windows and all that. Keep those pics coming!

[Charles Seaton]

They do look different without the seats.  Would love to see the progress on yours.  Doing something similar with mine, but keeping the raised platforms.  Actually with an SDM, I don't think there's a choice.  I believe the platforms are part of the structure.  Just saw another NYBS bowl on e-bay.  There are still some of them for sale around here in NY.  The last 20.

[Slow Rider]

Is this the 72 that was on ebay with the crunched air conditioner?  It is a nice looking bus, hope you enjoy it and soon.  Please take pictures as you go just in case I wind up with a fish. 

Frank

[buddydawg]

It is the one that was on ebay.   I am trying to come up with a plan to fit all of the systems on the bus.  Which of course is the biggest challenge with a Fish due to the limited space underneath.  Most of the issues I can work out.  The genset may be the most challenging as far as fit and access for maintenance.

As far as the floorplan goes I want to make it simple.  I do know for a fact that I do not want any carpet.  This leaves it down to wood, tile or a combo of both.

[buswarrior]

Hello.

Does that hand brake still do the job?

You maybe want to put an upgraded parking brake system onto the list, if that hasn't been done yet.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[buddydawg]

There is an air switch on the floor beside the drivers seat that deactivates the parking brakes.

[TomC]

Just to give you an idea what is in my AMGeneral (such a close cousin to your bus its almost identical)- I removed the large under floor heater/air conditioner, but kept the large heat exchanger for the heater.  I mounted that lengthwise on the floor under the closet/washer/dryer in the hallway with 2-14" radiator fans to push the air out 4 vents that just go into the hallway.  It works so well that when it comes on, you can count to 10 and feel the heat in the drivers seat!  Have my fresh water system under the queen size island bed in the rear.  The bed is elevated so when you step up to the flooring over the wheel well, the bed is the right height to the raised floor for leg dangle.  Under the bed I have 2-10gal elec water heaters straight from Home Depot with one feeding into the next and the final one wired through the inverter for hot water going down the road.  Also under the bed is 2 water pumps, hot and cold ball valve manifolds with a separate ball valve for each water outlet (then don't loose the whole system if one outlet leaks), 130 gal water tank and the valve to fill the water tank from city hook up.
Underneath the floor, I have about 22 inches to play with (yours should be real close to that also).  With the under heater/air conditioner removed, I had room to install 2-8D deep cycles; 85gal gray & 45gal black sewer tanks; 20gal propane tank chassis mounted with electric solenoid to be able to turn it off from inside the coach; then right behind the front axle made a 99" wide x 22" high x 66" long storage compartment that holds an unbelieveable amount of stuff; found an additional 12" x 18"h x 24" deep compartment that had been skinned over at the factory since this is where the A/C equipment was supposed to be but wasn't installed since this was a Portland, Or bus.  Then next to the drivers seat like a front engine is the 10kw Powertech Diesel genset.  Inside I have three roof top A/C's, 2 Fantastic roof fans; 6.3 Norcold ac/dc compressor type 2 door reefer and a Norcold 100# chest freezer under the dinette that is raised to accomodate the freezer; microwave, toaster oven, 3 burner stove with oven, 2500 watt inverter/charger.  Beds are 80" x 60" queen in the back; 78" x 42" dinette that converts to bed; and sofa I made that pulls out to a 80" x 60" queen bed in front.  Have a 3 way manual air bag leveling system in addition to the standard automatic leveling system-takes about a minute to level at camp; also recently added King Cruise control. 13"TV with VCR and automotive stereo in front, with home style stereo playing through a huge 9" TV in back with built in speakers on either side of the bed.  So you see, you can have everything you might need or want in the transit.  E mail me if you'd like.  Good Luck, TomC

[buddydawg]

Thanks for the input Tom.  I am at a crossroads about what to do with the coach air.  It would be real nice to keep but I have no idea of the cost to get it in working condition.  If it was gone there would be allot extra room available for tanks, etc..  If it was in working order it would be nice not to have to run the generator to cool the bus while in motion.  As it stands now none of the coach systems have been modified which is nice.  It is hard enough to trace all of the systems out much less if they have been hacked.