New bus - First Post
 

New bus - First Post

Started by Snowgod, May 15, 2009, 11:50:14 AM

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Snowgod

May 15, 2009, 11:50:14 AM
After years of lurking in bus conversion web sites, I finally have my own bus to convert. I obtained a 1985 MCI 96A3 from a church in Florida and bought it on ebay. I had Greg from Florida Church Bus help me convert the title to a Motor Home and got a temp plate. My Wife and I then went to Jacksonville to pick it up. Upon arrival we were met by the selling agent and taken to the bus. We found out that one of the selling agent people started the bus and let it idle until it ran out of fuel. The bus has a Detroit 8V71 in it and of course it now needs to be primed. Local service said they would arrive on Monday AM to repair and so we set up camp in the bus for 2 days( then 3 days). Monday arrives but the mechanic doesn't. Finally tuesday Am we have our mechanic and he unbolt the fuel pump, uses a drill (battery powered) to spin the fuel pump shaft and he primes the engine in less than 20 minutes. Bus starts right up and away we go on our trip home to NH where we are converting the bus. As we travel through northern Mass approaching the VT border, Oil pressure drops and we scramble to find a place that carries gallons of 30 or 40 weight and with just one stop we got directions to an auto parts store that specialized in trucks and volume oil purchases. Pored the oil in and away we went on the last few hours home. I was amazed at how easy it was to drive, went where I tole it to with no wandering. Brakes were awesome and prevented me from crunching the little cars trying to commit suicide by pulling in front of me in stop and go traffic. My wife has taken over as project planner after finding she loved the trip home so much. I want to thank you all for helping with so much info that made it possible. Look forward to seeing you all in a Walmart campground in the future.   8)

FloridaCliff

#1
May 15, 2009, 12:14:10 PM
Snowgod,

Welcome to the madness!

All things considerd, that was one of the better maiden voyages that I have heard over the years.

Remember to not get caught too many times sitting out in the bus going "voooooom, voooom" while sitting in the drivers seat.   

OK, sure!  You other guys didn't do that either!   ;)  :P

Cliff
1975 GMC  P8M4905A-1160    North Central Florida

"There are basically two types of people. People who accomplish things, and people who claim to have accomplished things. The first group is less crowded."
Mark Twain

poppi

#2
May 15, 2009, 12:26:07 PM

Varoooom............yep still making those sounds............My contributions to the green movement :)

  Congrats on the good trip and bus purchase.


  Skip
Snow disappeared......Now where did I put that bus?

jackhartjr

#3
May 15, 2009, 12:27:24 PM
Snogod, welcome to the madness.  I read the post thinking somewhat along the same thing FL Cliff said...my thoughts were...gee...that's all that happened! ;D
Did it use a lot of oil or what?

Cliff...when I get my engine in I will probably put on my Greyhound hat and go "voooooom, voooom" for a few days...I think I will have the right...think so? ;)
Jack
Jack Hart, CDS
1956 GMC PD-4501 #945 (The Mighty SCENICRUISER!)
8V71 Detroit
4 speed Spicer Trannsmission
Hickory, NC, (Where a call to God is a local call!)

Snowgod

#4
May 15, 2009, 12:37:03 PM
Yes it used more oil than normal as the motor had just had a rebuild with new cylinder liners. I believe that the engine will break in after a few more mile but I will keep an eye on it.

kyle4501

#5
May 15, 2009, 01:01:31 PM
Welcome to the madness & glad your first trip was successful. . . . but . . .

What a booring trip.

To spice up your next trip, try the following:

Blocking an exit on the Chesapeake bay bridge tunnel - you get to meet the nice people that keep the traffic flowing.

Blocking traffic in a very unfriendly neighborhood while you fix the reverse solenoid - you realize your neighbors aren't that bad after all.

Deal with a pit bull from afore mentioned neighborhood - you realize the merits of having a good hammer in hand.  ;)

Start worn out 8v71 first thing in the morning at 40F without aid of a block heater - you understand the real value of either.  :o

Replace your 8D's on Saturday afternoon - you really appreciate the friends you made on this board.  ;D



Jack Hart & Ash got to share in those experiences when I drove one home from Delaware. We aren't likely to forget that trip, EVER! But the fun it was!  ;D
Life is all about finding people who are your kind of crazy

Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please (Mark Twain)

Education costs money.  But then so does ignorance. (Sir Claus Moser)

Utahclaimjumper

#6
May 15, 2009, 01:19:48 PM
Snowgod, be sure and use the "correct" oil in that beast, particularly during the break-in period.>>>Dan
Utclmjmpr  (rufcmpn)
EX 4106 (presently SOB)
Cedar City, Ut.
72 VW Baja towed

John316

#7
May 15, 2009, 01:24:10 PM
Welcome aboard. I am glad to hear that you had a very uneventful trip home! I hope that your experience continues to be this smooth ;D ;D ;D.

God bless,

John
Sold - MCI 1995 DL3. DD S60 with a Allison B500.

gyrocrasher

#8
May 15, 2009, 01:33:09 PM
Quote from: Utahclaimjumper on May 15, 2009, 01:19:48 PM
Snowgod, be sure and use the "correct" oil in that beast, particularly during the break-in period.>>>Dan


You beat me to it. :) :)
Welcome , Snowgod. Mitch

Snowgod

#9
May 15, 2009, 02:05:11 PM
As for oil, I used the recommended grade in the MCI maintenance manual. Is there a different oil I should be using? Motor only has about 1500 on rebuild.

Airbag

#10
May 15, 2009, 03:25:54 PM
Welcome Snowgod
When Al Gore told me to take the bus. I said I'll take it!

I use Rotella straight 40 in my 8V-71. Whoops I should have said whatever they recommend for break in. After that I would run straight weight oil.

jackhartjr

#11
May 15, 2009, 05:57:47 PM
Snowgod, I went to O
Reilly Auto Parts and had them order the Chevron Delo 100 for us.  You buy it in cases of 6...and they have the best price I have seen.  (You have to tell the little geeks behind the counter that they indeed do have it...it is a special warehouse order.

And Kyle is right...Him Ash and me won't forget that trip...the dog scared the dog crap out of me...you should hear Kyle on the other end of the phone screaming, "It cranked...get back over here!"...Ash can drive that thing just as smooth!...Kyle can too...and ffaasstt...you know, you can get 25 MPG on a Duramax Diesel running 10 feet off the rear of a hound...and yes...the 'pee' black oil!
It was a wonderful memory.  Course getting the one in Florida had it's adventure too...
Jack
Jack Hart, CDS
1956 GMC PD-4501 #945 (The Mighty SCENICRUISER!)
8V71 Detroit
4 speed Spicer Trannsmission
Hickory, NC, (Where a call to God is a local call!)

PP

#12
May 15, 2009, 06:54:53 PM
Welcome SnoGod,
Everyone has a different story of their maiden voyage, some more exciting than others. But one thing we all have in common is the addiction to the madness ;D It sounds like your well beyond the point of return so enjoy and keep us posted. Ask lots of questions, you will find countless years of experience on this board and some of the greatest people willing to help,
Will & Wife

Jerry32

#13
May 15, 2009, 07:15:40 PM
Welcome.... and wow the first trip is exciting. Mine SC to OR so really got to know the bus. Hope you have as much fun plunking you dollars in da machine Jerry
1988 MCI 102A3 8V92TA 740

Singing Land Cruiser

#14
May 15, 2009, 09:01:54 PM
Welcome aboard. your blood will or has turned to oil and there is no cure. Christi and I have a 102a3 we are converting and blogging about: http://singinglandcruiser.blogspot.com/ . Good Luck and have fun. All the Best, M&C
Entertainers/BUSNUTS
http://singinglandcruiser.blogspot.com/
RV Park MGRS/ Sans End RV Park
Master Mason, Noble Shriner
'77 AMGeneral 10240B; 8V-71
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