Need Help With MCI 9

[waynemcd]

Looking to buy my first bus- an MCI 9 with 3 speed auto- don't know what kind and the owner doesn't either.  He also doesn't know which DD he has and I can't tell.  He's asking $5,000 for a 1980 that looks pretty good- not much rust that I can see but one major concern I have is the back bulkhead in the rear luggage compartment.  Lots of rust in this one place.  Also running along the top of the luggage compartment is a box steel beam that is compress where it meets the back bulkhead.  Read something some where that this is somewhat typical on an MCI.  How serious is this problem?  I do not have a shop and I am not a welder but I know a few.  Glass is good, tires are good (don't know the age) and the over all appearance is above average.  Serial # is 3307 and unit # is t6/6 2450.  From the markey it spent time in Maryland, Michigan, Minn, Louis. The bus is here in Wasilla, Alaska and it is hard to find shells to convert here.  Have a line on a 81 MCI 9 in Fairbanks (320 miles away) for $7,500 but don't know the particulars on that one.  Should I consider the one here for $5,000 or keep looking?  Thanks for your help.

[robertglines1]

BK  Busted Knuckle on the board is a expert on that rust problem..he had one(engine) almost fall out.PM him or he may get on later..Bob

[Busted Knuckle]

OK along with what I told you in the PM.
Open the little door over the engine compartment where the radiators and blowers are and look up! There will be two bars that run from the back to the front of this compartment that are what the radiator surge tank mounts on. If theses are rusted into pieces or missing keep looking.

Also open the electric panel outside the drivers window and also the compartment below it and see what things look like in here.
If the wiring all cut up or the compartment below it is rusted out it may not be in the best shape elsewhere either! These are the key places that will give you an indication of what you'll find elsewhere.
  BK 

[gumpy]

Sent you an email.

Post photos of the damage in the bay.

The bulkhead rust is typical, but signals there is more that you have not found. The wall framing will probably be severely rusted, as will the blower compartment and most likely, the air beams will be rusted to the point that you may have to repair or plate the air bags.

[bevans6]

The back bulkhead of the  rear luggage bay is the front bulkhead of the rear axle bay.  It's going to be critical to strength in the suspension area, where the air springs transfer load from the bus via the air beams.

I personally wouldn't start with a bus that needed any structural or critical rust repair.  I've done too much rust repair on cars and things - once you start, it's hard to stop!  You keep cutting back to good material and all of a sudden you are fabricating a whole new bus!  But that's just me - your plan for this may include a five year restoration and roof raise and rebuild and all of that, and my plan didn't!

Brian

[Hobe]

Just a quick note. The 80 MCI will have the old type of power steering. If you can find a 83 or newer it will steer much better. The cost to change it out is about 3K There lots of coaches in the lower 48 that won't cost you any more or less that are newer for that kind of money. You could have some one on the board , That is a good judge of coaches to check it out. Fly down and drive it back. Fred North Florida Bus Conversion

[waynemcd]

Thanks for all the help and suggestions.  Wasn't aware of the power steering issue and the whole idea of buying a coach in the lower 48 and driving it back would be a blast.  Driven the Alcan highway 4 times beginning in 1967 with my folks and enjoyed it every time.  Will keep looking.