New Member Huntsville TX - Looking at a GMC 4905A and a MCI 102A3

[luvrbus]

I believe number 5 is a 1982 model 10 with a 5 speed manual 8v71 and power steering with a raised  roof it looks like the same bus I installed a injector one time in Needles Ca

[ScharpeStGuy]

Here is a 1986 Eagle with a 6V92T and Manual 5 speed per the owner for $28,500: http://greensboro.craigslist.org/rvs/5480317762.html

I have asked for more pictures.

Note: removed Allison per luvrbus, owner was very specific that it was a manual five speed and mentally I just added Allison.

[luvrbus]

The Allison will not be a manual transmission he says 102 wide also and it appears to be a model 15 Eagle  40ft x 102ins wide

[lvmci]

the bus at B&B is a MCI96A,it is set up as an entertainer, but with a bedroom, corner toilet water closet, all grey formica interior, a pro conversion, 8V92, had a big diesel  genny, but was stolen, hasn't moved in years. may need tires, lvmci...

[luvrbus]

There is nothing wrong with a good model 15 Eagle unless it is rusted out,they were probably IMO the best bus ever built in it's time frame

[DoubleEagle]

I believe number 5 is a 1982 model 10 with a 5 speed manual 8v71 and power steering with a raised  roof it looks like the same bus I installed a injector one time in Needles Ca

#5 can't be a model 10 unless someone went through the trouble of installing 05 windows and doors.

[eagle19952]

#5 can't be a model 10 unless someone went through the trouble of installing 05 windows and doors.

the mirrors look early 05 to me... maybe older

[DoubleEagle]

This is great sport spotting things wrong with Eagle pictures. The 1982 is a 05, not a 10, the 1986 model 15 quite possibly has an older engine which might explain having a 5 speed manual as well. The picture of the engine clearly shows a mitre box, which was last used in 1985. Belts were used after that change. It still bears checking out, but an Allison would be better for your left leg.

[luvrbus]

This is great sport spotting things wrong with Eagle pictures. The 1982 is a 05, not a 10, the 1986 model 15 quite possibly has an older engine which might explain having a 5 speed manual as well. The picture of the engine clearly shows a mitre box, which was last used in 1985. Belts were used after that change. It still bears checking out, but an Allison would be better for your left leg.

Eagle used 3 different fan drives the miter box was used the 6v92 and the 8v92 long past 1985, I know where several model 20's are that use the mitre box,the hyd fans were a piece of crap and you had the option on fan drives fwiw all the Houston Metro 10's had a mitre box,the way one can tell if its a 05 or 10 is with a serial Dennis has 1981 model 10 with the same windows,mirrors steering wheel(factory power steering) and doors lol I am betting it is a model 10 

Donald even the model 15 had those mirrors the Ramco's were a option  

[ScharpeStGuy]

Here is a 1992 PREVOST 40' "SPECIAL" LE MIRAGE XL CONVERSION being auctioned off in Sealy Texas this Saturday coming up. Apparently it was a drug seizure and it's missing the generator and some other items it appears. Doesn't appear to have a good area in the current setup for bunk beds but could be a great deal for someone.

http://hibid.com/lot/24350396/1992-prevost-40--special--le-mirage-xl-conversion/?q=prevost&ref=lot-list

[ScharpeStGuy]

Check C/L for Parker and Lake Havasu Az Bill has a 4104 and 4905 for sale his 4905 is a better coach for less money than the one in Laveen and has 2 roof tops with a diesel generator

Luvrbus, I spoke with Bill tonight about his 4905 bus. Sounds like a bus with a solid engine and transmission with a little bit of work needed to make road worthy. I will start looking for flights to Phoenix and look at both 4905's out there and then compare to the MCI in VA and hopefully make a decision.

Thanks everyone

[DoubleEagle]

Eagle used 3 different fan drives the miter box was used the 6v92 and the 8v92 long past 1985, I know where several model 20's are that use the mitre box,the hyd fans were a piece of crap and you had the option on fan drives fwiw all the Houston Metro 10's had a mitre box,the way one can tell if its a 05 or 10 is with a serial Dennis has 1981 model 10 with the same windows,mirrors steering wheel(factory power steering) and doors lol I am betting it is a model 10 

Donald even the model 15 had those mirrors the Ramco's were a option  

I still respectfully disagree, the "1982" has a low height driver side window, and the entrance door is also low - the mark of a 05. The picture is not real clear, but it looks like the main side windows have the older vent window on top - 01 & 05 vintage. Many 05's had 10 caps after they were built and during the final transition year. I know of no model 10's that left the factory with 05 windows. Subsequent owners are free to make changes, but how many would put in 05 windows in a 10? According to several history of Eagles documentations, including the one by John Veerkamp on coachbuilt.com, the mitre box was eliminated in 1985. It is quite possible that some special arrangements might have been requested by buyers that wanted the mitre box back, but that would cause a change in the location of the engine and other components. It is more likely that when engines wore out, some would elect to make changes and put back mitre boxed engines back in. I drove a 1986 Model 15 with the belt arrangement, and I disliked it. The mitre box might have used more power, but it was more dependable.

[luvrbus]

We have a FaceBook page all about Eagles some there sold Eagle and parts,designed the Eagles even built the Eagles very interesting some of the things Eagle did under different ownership,serial numbers 30763 and 30674 purchased by Tenneco 2/82 had the small drivers window and they say there are more

[jackhanow]

So is it a worth while bus, was the question. I believe these folks were just trying to get some advice on a big decision.

[ScharpeStGuy]

Jack

That is correct! It is a big decision. I like the slogan that Marty the Busman has on his website "Finding buses is not a problem It's finding the RIGHT ONE!" which is so true. I have now found this 1988 MCI 102a3 located in Claremore Oklahoma:http://tulsa.craigslist.org/rvs/5496707811.html

This bus appears to be pretty similer to the 1990 MCI 102a3 I am still looking at in VA:https://www.sawyersbussales.com/-90-mci-102a3--bus---741.html

However I think the VA bus is a nicer conversion inside. Apparently Chuck at Commonwealth Coach Works has done quite a bit of work to the 1990 MCI and I left him a message this morning asking if I could discuss this bus with him. Apparently the shower at one point leaked and Chuck replaced some or all of the plumbing with what the owner believes is PEX plumbing which I believe is a great upgrade as that stuff is awesome and freezing won't crack the pex or lead to leaks.

Thanks Everyone