asking for prayer and advice

[bigred]

Guess ole Bryan must have died when he got that price from Williams huh???

[luvrbus]

He is probably just catching his breath

[uncle ned]

I think he should drag it to NC to either Davids Coach repair or Russells Diesel.

Then it would be fixed right and not rip him off.

Ask Boomer he came from Washington to get his fixed right.

uncle ned

[bigred]

Just for future reference Uncle Ned ,where is Davids Coach located? I have Gene Russel's phone number in Mill Spring's.

[uncle ned]

Davids Coach is located on hy 18 between Shelby and Morganton.

828 874-6105

The cleanest shop I have ever seen.

My first trip to him he asked if it was alright if he steam cleaned the engine before working on it.

great guy

uncle ned

[bigred]

Can't blame him for wanting to steam clean a Detroit before he works on it!!! Thanks a lot Uncle Ned.He is within 60 miles or so of where I live.

[Bryan]

Hey guys! Thanks for checking on me. You are correct that I had to take a deep breath after I got my estimate. 2 heads were cracked. They are saying they have to get the parts from Germany. I haven't moved forward with it yet because I'm still trying to figure out what to do. As of right now I owe 1,200 for the engine take out and diagnosis. But here is what it's going to cost to fix.

$14,000 for parts, $5,500 for labor

Everyone I have spoke with speaks highly of this shop but that they are expensive. If I tow it to another shop I will have towing expense and loose the 1,200 (which by the way will be credited to my total if they fix it).

In the meantime I've kept my ears open for other buses and have found a 92 Prevost Le mirage with 8v92 for $45,000. Interior and exterior in amazing shape. It's very nice. They tell me the motor is in great shape too, but how do you really know? 250,000 miles. From what I've seen, that seems to be a pretty good deal? Right?

Right now I'm trying trying to be patient and figure out what I need to do. I enjoy hearing your advice.

Thanks again!

[luvrbus]

Ask if you can buy your heads then you buy a rebuilt set,Williams stopped using rebuilt heads and fwiw a bare head with nothing are over 3 grand each from MTU.

I know they won't warranty the engine with rebuilt heads from a out source so it is catch 22 for you but will save you 5 grand and all the DD heads are cast in Mexico now

[John316]

If you have the finances, go for the Prevost. The older buses feel like a money pit. The newer ones, at least you don't feel like you are dumping money into a huge time bomb.

Just my opinion

[bigred]

Bryan: everyone wants a bus as new as possible,but here is the deal.Looks like Williams will repair your bus for around 24,000 buy the time you pay shipping and taxes .The coach you are looking at ,probably can be bought for 40 or 42 thousand .Now comes crunch time .If you choose not to have yours repaired ,you are out $1200.00 for labor plus towing charges.If you have it moved again ,there goes another two grand plus you are saddled with a non mobile coach that you are going to have to do something with .You might get lucky and find someone to give it to ,but here is the deal.U R going to be out close to 50,000 dollars and getting a coach that u know very little or nothing about.If your bus is in good condition and you have kept up the maintenance ,I think I would go ahead and have the Buffalo fixed .A lot of money but a lot less heart aches and they will give you a guaranty .I don't know if you are making enough from your singing ministry to report your earnings ,but if u r then u can write off the repair on a pro-rated basis .Just my thought's 4 what it's worth!!

[chessie4905]

 For that kind of money, I'd want a complete rebuild, not just new heads. If you got it hot enough to crack the heads, you may have scored the cylinders too. Now that you know about the other outfit, talk with them for price of doing the same job.

[Bryan]

Thanks for all of your input. I think they are doing a complete rebuild. I'm attaching a pic of the parts they are replacing/rebuilding. Maybe it will give a deeper insight.

[Bryan]

Also what kind of warranty should they be giving me?

[luvrbus]

They will give you 90 days on labor and 1 year on parts it look like they have the parts covered

[Charles in SC]

I will sell you my bus for less than that and you can drive it or put the motor in yours.