First post/looking at a MCI 8

[coyote]

OK, my extensive research keeps leading me back here with many unanswered qeustions.  So, here goes my first post and hopefully I can offer something in return someday.

I have located a (what was decribed as) a 1978 MCI.  I'm assuming it is a MCI 8.  Detroit V8 (8V92?) and an Allison automatic.  She was a tour bus for many years but has been parked in a field for the last four or five.  It is equipted with everything I need for my planned conversion, ACs, genset... so I am considering purchasing it with hopes it can be a runner.  Else, it will make a good parts bus/storage I'll keep at the ranch. 
My concerns are possible damage to wiring, hoses... from rats and mice as it is in a field. 

Also, I'll need to take a battery to see if it will crank.  What size is needed to turn this beast over?

Other than checking fluid levels and signs of contaimination what is suggested prior to attemping to start this thing?

Are there any areas of concern that I can check/address before I try to move it? 

It's located about 90 miles away.  How do you tow these things if needed?

Thanks in advance. Hopefully I'll be of some useful contribution someday.

Dan     

[belfert]

No offense intended, but you really need to find someone experienced to help you look over this bus to determine if it is the right one for you.  If you're not a mechanic you could be in for thousands and thousands in repairs if the bus isn't in good shape.

These buses are 24 volt so you need 2 batteries.  Car batteries really won't cut it.  They need to be large truck batteries since you'll probably need to crank it a bit to get it going.

Any towing company that tows large semi tractors should be able to tow a bus.  Plan on paying probably $500 to $1000 (or more) for a tow. 

The rest I can't answer since a lot of the things to check are specific to each bus model.  It would really pay to find someone experienced to look at the bus.

[ccbmster]

Wow.  I am betting it is an 8v71 and not an 8v92.  That would leave you on the short end of enough power to handle mountains of any kind without practically having to get out and push LOL.

I would run, not walk, away from it unless he was paying me to hall it away or I was at least buying for less than scrap metal price.  But I am no mechanic either.

You might want to look around at the number of people that started with shells like this one and sank a significant amount of money into them, only to have their plans change and find out they can't get even half the amount of money they have invested back out of the unit.

I think it was in a thread in  here that I read one should start off with the absolutely best shell he can  possibly afford when doing a conversion, and I would totally agree with that statement.

You might want to check with Christy and take a look at the MC9 she has for sale.  A MUCH better place to start than this 8 and they are not asking much for it considering the work they have done to it (at least in my opinion).  If I did not want to stay away from another 8v71 I would have been down to make a deal with them on it already.
Good luck
Mike

[coyote]

The "discused" price is near it's scrap value is the only reason I'm considering it.  A stated before, it may be a good parts unit for a future purchase or others needing the odd part.

Not a mechanic by trade but have done my fair share of engine, transmission rebuilds, restored a few old historical homes pretty much single handed and keep all the heavy equipment running at my ranch.  So, I am somewhat familiar with "money pits" and the dedication they take. 

The original plan was to convert an old school bus but, after much consideration (and a test drive) I think it would be money/time wasted. 

Thanks for the feedback, keep it coming.  I'm still interested in having a look and see if I can get her running.  Even if I decide not to make the purchase it will be a good to get some experience in for the future.

Dan
   

[robertglines1]

I had a 78 Mci 8...8V71 with 4 spd automatic---no rocket sled but will get you there...2 8d batteries=300$ prob set of tires=2500+$ ck dates on tires no more than 10 yrs old..If cracked are no good..Tires not run as rule of thumb more than 10 yrs..gen set at least 7kw ? It could be a 8v92 if so will have turo feeding blower..ck frame about6 ft from rear for cracks..take a first look and ask more ?

[Chopper Scott]

My mc 7 has a 8v71 and I have no issues with power. Granted we all want more. I sure can pass a lot of power strokes yanking on 5th wheels even while I'm pulling a 16' trailer! But regardless tons of work and even if free it's a big investment dollar wise and time wise. Have fun.

[RJ]

Dan -

1978 is the last year of production for the MC-8.  Some clues that it really is a '78 (if it hasn't had them skinned over) are the vertical window posts all the way down the sides after the "d" window up front.

Open all the compartment doors, and check carefully for rust/corrosion, especially in all nooks 'n crannies.  IF there's major corrosion of the frame to the door underneath the driver, there's a lot more hidden corrosion elsewhere. 

Is the bus still seated?  Is it a shell?  Is it partially/fully converted already?

Before any $$ exchanges hands, ask yourself this question:  What do I want to DO with a bus?  Think about the answer - seriously.

As was already mentioned, there are the later model MC-9s out there, already converted and ready to go, at "fire sale" prices due to the sluggish economy.  There is absolutely NO WAY you can duplicate what's available for the prices being asked.  Think about it.

Nothing wrong with an 8V71 engine, unless you have a serious "Tim Allen Syndrome".  That engine reliably powered thousands of coaches for over 20 years, it was the most dependable workhorse the industry's ever had.  Buses aren't BMWs!

FWIW & HTH. . .

[James77MCI8]

Actually unless you are in Siberia, the engine should fire off of two group 31 batteries

[Paladin]

I have 8D's but usually start off of a set of old auto batteries and it fires immediately with just a touch of the button unless it's cold out.

[coyote]

I had a 6V71 powered trackhoe excavator at the ranch a few years ago and it always started fine with a standard group 27 battery.  Can't imagine two more cylinders would make much difference.

Thanks for all the input.  I'm pretty clueless when it comes to these things at this point.

Is there a place on the web that has a good decription of the suspension?  I'd like to learn more about the air system, beam , bags...     

[bevans6]

MC9 manuals are here, most everything is the same on an MC8.  Incremental changes to some systems, steering in particular will probably be different, but these will give you the idea.

http://www.buses101.com/mc9_maint_manual.htm

Brian