Time for a rebuild...locations and what kind of price to expect?

[thomasinnv]

Well the old girl is pretty well wore out. Still runs good but leaks oil profusely out of the end plates among other areas, and smokes more than it used to. Smokes pretty good on startup and most of the smoke goes away after it warms up but it's starting to show a little blue smoke running down the highway if you look closely enough. I would just keep running it for a while longer and squeeze some more life out of it, but it takes a gallon of oil every 200 miles or so now and it has to come out to fix the end plates any way.  I  have known for a few years this day was coming because of a problem with the air filter setup by the PO (it got dusted some), and I have known that one of the pistons has broken oil rings for a few years. I was going to rebuild the 8v71 myself but I just haven't had the time and the facility with the tools and the guy with the know how which offered his assistance come together at the same time. You know how it is, when you have the time you don't have the money and when you have the money you don't have the time. (To that fella, you know who you are and this is in no way a reflection on you or meant to point any fingers. your my friend and I apreciate you and all that you do. I am blessed to know you. Sometimes schedules just don't meet up and that's just the way it is.)

I'm going to have a probably 2 to 3 week window next spring around the end of march in which I have to have this done no matter what. I will be in the Kingman AZ area and will be able to leave the bus during this time. I would prefer a shop not farther than say Vegas or Phoenix. Let's hear some suggestions for reasonable reputable shops and some ball park figures on what I should expect to pay for an out of frame overhaul. I have some money set aside for this but would like to know if I should be setting more aside.

Thanks guys!!!

[ol713]

  Hi;
      I would suggese you check with a local charter company and
      ask the shop manager if one of his mechanics takes on side
      jobs. At the same time you can pick his brain for more info.
      This is what I did some years ago.  I watched him rebuild my
      8v-71 in my driveway.  As I remember it took him approx
      46-48 hours to do the job.
      This might give you a rough idea of cost.  Just multiply the
       hours times what ever the shop rate is.
                                              Good luck,    Merle.

[bigred]

I have had some people in the know to tell me to figure a thousand dollars a hole to rebuild one of these smokers.May be more now.

[luvrbus]

The offer is still on the table you do my honey do list I'll do your engine work yours is going to need a out of frame so bank yourself around 10 grand in parts and do it right with good crank,heads, blower rebuild,injectors and so on

I am sure the crank is wore in your engine lol March would work for me.Tim Wice has a good 8v71T he is removing to install a 60 series it will be a lot cheaper than rebuilding your engine, then the 6v92TA is a good option also easy to find.

The places you travel a turbo engine would be better anyways you would like the extra power.Now DD doesn't offer liners in different sizes like the old days 1,2,3 or 4 they ship a standard size and you hone for 2 or 3 days to make the liners fit it costs money    

[thomasinnv]

Hey clifford is that a 8v71TA? What is it in now? Meaning what kind of work will be involved to do the swap? I would definately be interested in that option, I would much rather be turbo'd. Do you know the history of the engine? Would I have to upgrade my cooling system too or would it handle the turbo engine ok?

[TomC]

Believe me when I tell you, turbocharging with air to air intercooler REALLY wakes up the 8V-71. I had 65N injectors before and because we didn't change the high compression pistons, we used 7G75 injectors with bypass blower and 12.7 liter Series 60 turbocharger with waste gate set at 15psi. Even though I get about the same fuel mileage, the performance and lack of smoke (except first stepping on the throttle) at altitude really made it worth while.
Course, a 6V-92TA with 9G90 injectors would be good too! Good Luck, TomC

[thomasinnv]

Anyone have anything to say about WWWilliams in Las Vegas? I was not at all impressed talking with the shop on the phone. they wouldn't even begin to talk dollars and they tried to tell me 2 to 3 months lead time for parts. Not at all impressed.

[luvrbus]

WW Williams will work on one in Phoenix the Vegas shop most of the time will send you down to the Freightliner dealer@ 140 bucks a hour last in frame I heard from a bus nut @ Freightliner was over 15 grand for his.

Dig deep a dealer out of frame will be between 25k and 30+k and you will be there a month + for sure waiting on parts.

Try Geoff Smith @ General Diesel Service in Prescott Az (928) 771-0045 he is a good 2 stroke mechanic and will save you some using aftermarket parts maybe. Check with Kevin here on the board aka (Arizonadieselman) he has a shop in Glendale or Goodyear and he is a good mechanic  he is the one involved in propane vs freon debate going on here 1 of those should be able to help you I just don't have the time   

[azdieselman]

Get a quote from Williams.

I'll beat it by $500.00

[luvrbus]

   he gets a price from Williams he will be looking for a converted Prevost with a 60 series and B 500.I saw a bill at Williams on a 8v92 in a bus the turbo went through the engine it was over 50 grand that guy loved that Eagle is all I could say  

[sledhead]

long way away and long time ago..... but I had mine rebuilt at leids diesel in 2010 . full out of frame rebuild $ 10'000 no tax out of state .I shipped it to them on a skid , return was $500 each way . awesome guys amazing job no complaints 2 weeks start to finish and no extra charges . they rebuild lots and lots of the old 2 strokes each year . if I need any work done on my coach I drive 12 hours to there place so it is done right . I was there last spring for a hp up grade .

  https://plus.google.com/114066827614420446586/about?gl=us&hl=en   

if you have any questions send me a p m

dave

[thomasinnv]

I  talked to Andy your  neighbor Clifford he quoted me a really good ball park price for a rebuild all oem parts. Said he could have it back to me in 10 to 14 days depending on how long it takes to get the heads back from the head shop. Sounds like a pretty decent guy we talked for quite a while.

[luvrbus]

I forgot about Andy he is good guy and will not use any offshore aftermarket parts he is DD 100%

[chessie4905]

I'll second Leid diesel. They rebuilt and turboed our 4104. VERY reasonable. Amish or Mennonite and have rebuilt scores of dda engines, and especially many stationary units. 
Have done some coaches also. Located in Newville, Pa.