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

[luvrbus]

I'll be back in Phoenix next week I can peek at the 4905's for you I know a little bit about a GM bus, or I can put you in contact with Kevin who owns a diesel repair shop in the Phoenix area and a bus owner his self.You do know I hope the 4905 brake drums are almost impossible to find I am looking for some rear drums now for 1 and I am not having any luck. The 4905 is a nice bus but me just for parts I would go with a MCI   

[Dave5Cs]

Clifford try these guys. They are here in West Sacramento, CA. if you get stuck and no other way they have a lot of older stuff to include DD3 cans. HTH
Dave

http://www.capitol-clutch.com/

[ScharpeStGuy]

Per this thread is seemed some alternatives for sourcing the brake drums had been found, is this inaccurate? http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=29556.0

I am going to call the Ellis unit and check on the possibility of having a bus painted, it might make the 1990 MCI 102a3 more practical if the body could be repaired and painted for a reasonable cost.

lubrbus, do you know which days you will be in Phoenix next week? Thanks ;-)

[sledhead]

my 1990 mci 102c3 has satin coat galvanized steel siding and I replaced some of the skin on the passenger side over the rear wheels due to bubbles of rust
there was not very much rust on my coach and was easy to repair 

if I would do it again I would look at the newest coach with a auto trans. and newer electronic engine that I could afford

just me but $20,000 for a bus and $20,000 for a paint job ?    I would spend $ 40,000 for a newer bus

you can buy my bus that is in mint condition for $ 65,000 and drive it for thousand's of miles

http://www.busnut.com/classifieds/index.php?a=2&b=2115

dave

[ScharpeStGuy]

Dave, thank you for the offer. Looks like a really nice bus however we really want a dedicated bed for each child that is theirs. However if DoubleEagle could negotiate a hefty discount on your bus we will find six foot of wall space somewhere in there to install three bunks!!

If you come across any newer buses with auto transmission and electronic engine with bunks or a easy spot to install bunks please pass on the information. Many thanks everyone.

[DoubleEagle]

Dave, thank you for the offer. Looks like a really nice bus however we really want a dedicated bed for each child that is theirs. However if DoubleEagle could negotiate a hefty discount on your bus we will find six foot of wall space somewhere in there to install three bunks!!

If you come across any newer buses with auto transmission and electronic engine with bunks or a easy spot to install bunks please pass on the information. Many thanks everyone.

Here I go! Well, this is a fine MCI, no doubt about it, the engine is even painted a leak proof color, but since you are north of Toronto, has the ice thawed from under the bus yet? The only thing I think it needs is some privacy curtains for the outside laundry area, some garments are private. It seems set up for two people primarily, so having dedicated spaces for kids would be difficult. The price seems appropriate if you consider it to be in Canadian dollars ($65,000 US is $82566.24 Canadian), that is a discount of $17566.24 Canadian. How's that?

[DoubleEagle]

Here is another pic I found looks like it may be the "white aluminum oxide" you referenced DoubleEagle.

That is it, alright. After you sandblast and/or chemical strip, you will have a rough texture that will have to be filled. There might even be perforations, and you have the complication of rivets to sand around. Very time consuming to repair or replace. It puts a dent in value if you want a professional looking paint job.

[DoubleEagle]

I live very close to the Ellis unit actually. Found this link on the Bus Refurbishment that TDCJ offers however it appears it's only for city/county/government and select non-profits. See link here: http://www.tci.tdcj.state.tx.us/services/bus.aspx

They still want thousands of dollars to paint a bus, and they do not state what kind of paint it is. It might not be a urethane base coat/clear coat.

[DoubleEagle]

will you haggle for the buyer 

Yes, but for Eagles only, I am partial to them.

[luvrbus]

There are places around that will paint a bus 1 color for 4 to 5 grand with the 1 stage paint,the no feel graphics and blending is where it starts running into big money.

One color is fine for me BTDT with all the blending and graphics on the Eagle that Matt owns now by the time my wife and Mike Wilson finished I was into the paint job for 17 grand back in 2001 beautiful job but 5 grand is my limit this time around     

FWIW if the base is not lifting Mike can usually re clear coat the bus and save the paint job      

[sledhead]

I have a wood shop and as my son puts it we can build any thing .... so if you need bunks we can do that

dave

[buswarrior]

On stacking the kids 3 high...

That was my bright idea too.... until I mocked up a bunk in the bus with the correct dimensions.

The kids did not like how little vertical space they each had.

That was in a stock MC8, a newer coach gets you a couple inches to share between them, and a roof raise gives you a bit more, depending...

And kids get bigger WAY quicker than your dreams of traveling together.

If the kids are unhappy, guess which way momma bear is going to go....

build a mock-up, save yourself?

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[eagle19952]

After reading here for a bit... Question.
Is pristine paint your most important consideration when purchasing a bus....?

[ScharpeStGuy]

After reading here for a bit... Question.
Is pristine paint your most important consideration when purchasing a bus....?

Just re read all the posts and I do mention paint often. Short answer is no but it would be something addressed sooner than later. I wouldn't want neighbors to complain nor would I want to receive frequent turn aways at rv parks. I would also want to be proud of my bus!

Here are four buses in no order we are looking at now, the same two originals and one more of each.

1. 1990 MCI 102A3 $29,995, Virginia : https://www.sawyersbussales.com/-90-mci-102a3--bus---741.html  (has some known leaks on the engine, transmission, not sure of engine condition, some gauges not working, but upgraded very nicely, if I purchase this bus it will be taken to Choo Choo for repairs if they are available)
2. 1977 GMC 4905A $21,000, Arizona : http://phoenix.craigslist.org/cph/rvs/5474051463.html    (Love the look of this bus and the inside, inside would be relatively easy to update/upgrade but only a single roof air and the paint could be freshened up by that fellow on the Mexican side of the border at Yuma, AZ or maybe some prisoners at the Ellis unit)
3. 1970 GMC 4905A asking $12,500, Arizona: http://mohave.craigslist.org/rvs/5541752314.html. newer 8V71 with Allison Auto Transmission, needs a few things done and no bunk beds but great price with good engine so bunks could be put in (I think) and other items addressed.
4. 1988 MCI 102a3 $25,000, Oklahoma: http://tulsa .craigslist.org/rvs/5496707811.htm two bunks, engine had top overhaul 90,000 miles ago, showing 850,000 miles, bus ac needs to be serviced.

[ScharpeStGuy]

Here I go! Well, this is a fine MCI, no doubt about it, the engine is even painted a leak proof color, but since you are north of Toronto, has the ice thawed from under the bus yet? The only thing I think it needs is some privacy curtains for the outside laundry area, some garments are private. It seems set up for two people primarily, so having dedicated spaces for kids would be difficult. The price seems appropriate if you consider it to be in Canadian dollars ($65,000 US is $82566.24 Canadian), that is a discount of $17566.24 Canadian. How's that?

Walter, I'm disappointed! I use to live in Calgary i can tell you about cold! Very nice bus but more than I want to spend immediately. Thanks for trying.