Engine Rebuild

viking1 · July 31, 2016, 09:07:30 AM

I went to start the bus this morning, and as I always do I checked the oil first. Well the oil was about 10 inches up on the dipstick, milky and the unexposed portion of the dipstick rusted. Not a good way to start my morning. Obviously I did not attempt to start the bus.

I've decided to pull the engine and send it out for rebuild. I have the equipment needed including a fork lift. However, I never pulled an engine of this kind. So I have the following questions.

It's a 1989 MCI 102C3 with a Detroit 8v92

1. Does any one know of someone in Southern California that can help me with the R and R.

2. Where should I send it for overhaul?

3. Would it be cost effective to replace it with a 4 stroke?

4. Would it be advisable to buy a used or rebuilt engine to replace mine.

Any feed back would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

luvrbus · July 31, 2016, 09:49:15 AM

You are going to need to weigh your options,the 8v92 engines are not cheap to rebuild if done right.If you have the rear mounted radiator a engine upgrade is so much easier on a C.The guys in MO maybe your best bet for prices but the freight could be a killer.Not many people in CA are rebuilding the 2 stroke since Pedco and Ironman are gone now

good luck

Lin · July 31, 2016, 11:08:54 AM

Several years ago, Adrian at United Transmission in San Bernardino gave me the name of someone he said was a good 2 stroke mechanic there. I can not find the info now and I do not know if he even did rebuilds. However, if you want to give it a try you can call Adrian and see.

lostagain · July 31, 2016, 12:28:14 PM

I would rebuild it. But I have the time and the facility. If you have it done in a professional shop, it will cost you $20000 or more. So yes a known good used engine would be cheaper. A four stroke would be nice, but there will be lots of fabricating involved: motor mounts, intake and exhaust plumbing, etc. That will also take time and money.

And your engine now may not need a complete rebuild. Maybe just take it apart and just replace what is broke...?

JC

B_K · July 31, 2016, 01:00:54 PM

I agree with JC it may just need a repair job.
But if you just want to rebuild for piece of mind then that's cool too. (if you have the extra $20,000)
Where in So CA are you talking about?
Again Clifford is probably on the $ about sending it to Springfield, MO for acost effective rebuild, but unless you have a real good connection in the freight business the shipping will kill any deals you get on the rebuild!

BK

luvrbus · July 31, 2016, 01:22:07 PM

isn't this the same person that his 8v92 is pouring oil out the air box drains not long ago ? LVMCI just got through with buying a used engine for his MCI C I don't think it went all that good for him. You are better off to rebuild,if you do buy a used engine be sure it is from a MCI it can get expensive changing the gear train on the back of the engine to work in a MCI

HB of CJ · July 31, 2016, 02:49:38 PM

Delaney and Alf, (sp?) and Valley Detroit Diesel both in Bakersfield CA? I do not know if either still do 2 strokes. Also remember if done in California their MIGHT, (??) be some strict air smog restrictions limiting what may or may not be done legally with your old mighty 8V92TI. Is it a MUI engine? Transmission? Top road speed?

Valley Detroit Diesel in Medford OR? Wrong time of year to nurse it North. Finding good DD 2 stroke mechanics might be difficult. Check to see if they are all over 60!

thomasinnv · July 31, 2016, 02:50:10 PM

Liner orings let go?

Dave5Cs · July 31, 2016, 04:23:04 PM

Yep Derick is right, it has been sitting awhile i think you said and if it hasn't been run they get lose or pull away and then leak. You start it up and they leak faster. If you run as is you freeze up your engine Hydro-lock.
Yes Valley does still work on 2 strokes in LA and in West Sacramento up north. No restrictions on smog or California laws etc. There was one in there the other day they just finished 8V-71. But they are really high on price. They do the Greyhounds as well as all the commercial diesels for the State and Firetrucks for Metro.
Dave5Cs

luvrbus · July 31, 2016, 05:30:13 PM

If the engine was healthy in the beginning repair it,now it is just a guessing game till he finds the source of the water the liner O-rings just don't turn loose unless it has been extra hot.
He needs to pull the air box inspection covers to see if it is coming from above, the liner O-rings leak to the outside of the liner you can see those leaking. The after cooler can be a big leak also when a turbo sends the tips off the blades through one.It could be his oil cooler too

I say it is the head gasket seals or a cracked head.Again if his engine was in good shape repair it ,if it was sick and using or leaking a lot of oil rebuild it.

Without the history of his engine this all a guess.Last bill I saw from Valley Power for a rebuild on a 8V92 in a bus was $55.000.00 that is a lot more than I would spend

DoubleEagle · July 31, 2016, 07:06:52 PM

Depending on how much you plan to use your bus, consider putting in a good used engine, even a 6V92, if you can stomach the drop in power. If you are not climbing mountains, it will do, and burn less fuel. That $2500 4104 that was listed for sale recently, has a 6V92.

luvrbus · July 31, 2016, 07:16:41 PM

Quote from: DoubleEagle on July 31, 2016, 07:06:52 PM
Depending on how much you plan to use your bus, consider putting in a good used engine, even a 6V92, if you can stomach the drop in power. If you are not climbing mountains, it will do, and burn less fuel. That $2500 4104 that was listed for sale recently, has a 6V92.

It does but it turns left and they cost to much now to convert to a right hand turning

eagle19952 · July 31, 2016, 09:16:06 PM

Quote from: DoubleEagle on July 31, 2016, 07:06:52 PM
Depending on how much you plan to use your bus, consider putting in a good used engine, even a 6V92, if you can stomach the drop in power. If you are not climbing mountains, it will do, and burn less fuel. That $2500 4104 that was listed for sale recently, has a 6V92.

There is virtually no way out of CA. where don't run into big hills...

TomC · July 31, 2016, 10:17:47 PM

California still has the rule that older Diesel powered RV's are exempt from smog laws.
I think the best would be to take it apart to see what is wrong then over haul the engine. A rebuild-where everything on the engine is replaced is expensive. You might be able to get by with a far less repair bill.
While going 4 stroke sounds nice, the 8V-92TA is still being made by MTU for the military (also the 8V-71TA and 6V-53TI). Maybe get one of those surplus military engines! Good Luck, TomC

Scott & Heather · August 01, 2016, 03:41:16 AM

I don't know why we sometimes seem to be on the "gotta have a 4 stroke" bandwagon. If I were running charters I would have the cash flow and need for a new model coach with a modern four stroke. But a good chunk of us here drive 10,000 or less miles a year. The 8v92TA will keep up with most of the big dogs if tuned right and cooling system kept tip top and when you only drive 10,000 miles or less a year, you're talking $1300 a year in extra fuel when comparing 6mpg to maybe 9mpg average on a two stroke versus 4 stroke. The time and money and issues in converting to a four stroke would take a lifetime to recoup. Just doesn't make sense to me. I have a friend in Texas who stuck a cummins 4 stroke into his mc8 and it runs awesome.......when it runs. He has all sorts of issues he's been trying to sort out for years now. Obviously some here have successful 4 stroke conversions. Do it if you like it, but know it doesn't make financial sense. You're better off starting off with a newer coach with a 4 stroke and doing another interior conversion. I drove our 6v92 for 6 years without a hiccup except it seemed always so slow. I'm hoping for the same with our 8v92. Time will tell.

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