Options, Advice, Decisions Part 4 - Shopping and acquisition

[PP]

....When it comes to conversions Prevost may not be the best deal (curved walls being the main thing)but when it comes to parts ,you can't beat them.Some priced very reasonable ,some absolutely beyond reason,but at least you can get them

Don't forget that they're still the sharpest looking coaches too   

[windtrader]

My criteria is quite restrictive, full of compromises including excluding many better quality bus conversions such as Newell and Prevost. As this is a "hobby", it's coming out of the spare change account which has limits. After owning one, maybe it becomes a valued item in the hobby closet and a second purchase would include better options.

An interesting insight. I was speaking with a shop owner who knows buses. His frustration level was pretty high on this chat and was not interested in doing any more busses. His comment was he views working on buses a "restoration" rather than a repair service. Makes a lot of sense due to the difficulty getting parts and the potential for additional service items while trying to fix the original issue.

He did say for me to call when I needed something done; clearly just burned out at the moment with buses in the yard stuck in the repair process. Clearly, a labor of love rather than a profit center for both shops and owners.

[eagle19952]

Don't forget that they're still the sharpest looking coaches too   

only if they aren't parked next to an Eagle

[windtrader]

Eureka!
Finally proud to be a full member of the club. Frustration and depleted describe best the feeling until the moment of overwhelming joy when the title and bus door key were in my hand.

On the road home so just a short announcement of the new arrival.

Briefly, purchased a 1976 TMC MC-8 in Denver on Monday.

Route- Denver to Rock Springs WY to Elko NV to Reno NV. Tomorrow home to SF.

Coach performing nearly flawlessly. Zero oil use but a leak came and went. Transmission filter gasket leaked but tightening the canister bolt resolved the leak.

Purrs like a kitten, so quiet and tight, feels like it's just floating on smooth sections of highway.

Not perfect. Old school headlights need an upgrade. Dash lights need a couple bulbs. Genset was perfect then just quit, nothing, not even trying to kick motor. Battery checked and good. I'm thinking the solenoid is dead.

More later. Here's an exterior pic. BTW - fully equipped, everything thing, all cooking, dishes, glassware,  bedding, linens, cleaning, vacuums, even aluminum foil. Only thing missing is food and drink.

Huge thanks to everyone here for freely sharing your knowledge, wisdom, insights, and recommendations.






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[lostagain]

Great! So happy for you. It looks fantastic. Hope to meet you someday and see your bus.

JC

[GnarlyBus]

Congratulations! That's a good looking bus!


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[B_K]

NICE FIND!
Glad you finally found the one you were looking for!
Just remember it's OLD and will get there when it gets there!
It may not fly up the hils but it will get you where your going as long as you treat it right, keep the rpms up and coolant temp down!

Have a great trip and enjoy the ride!
  BK 

[Dave5Cs]

Congrats. Just like mine in the front but the back has $1,100.00 more in Tires, LOL
Got Jakes? You will need them on I-80.....

[Astro]

Nice work Don. Looks good. Congratulations. Welcome to the wonderful world of bus ownership. May all your mechanical surprises be minor in nature and pleasant learning experiences. Have a safe trip home and show us that interior.

[PP]

Looks good! Congrats and have a safe journey. We're all waiting to see some fresh bus porn here, so don't delay on the pics when you can. Happy travels,

Will

[daddysgirl]

Beautiful!

I love the original front cap and drivers window.
You'll have plenty of time to work on it later, so be safe and enjoy the ride;D

[Dreadnought]

Congratulations!

Good luck finding parking in San Fran!

I went for a job interview out there last year and was astounded at the cost of living. Toyed with the idea of trying to live in the bus but then found there was no real place to park/camp in it and commute to work...

[windtrader]

Final thoughts on the acquisition phase. Wondered myself how close the coach I bought matched up with the original stated criteria;
YES -> Already converted 2 stroke bus
YES -> Likely GM or MCI
YES '76 -> 70's - 80's vintage
YES Allison HT740 -> Converted to auto
BEAT this by a lot -> $20k - $25k spend
YES -> Priced at market or owner knows the current market and prepared to sell at market
YES -> Owner allows 3rd party inspection and test drive
YES -> Bus located in western states, no further east than Colorado.
YES Docs from day one of conversion process -> Complete documentation
YES 23 years -> Long history of ownership
YES -> Clear and clean title
YES -> No deferred maintenance (running gear)
YES made 1330 mile journey with minor leak fixed by tightening filter bolt -> Bus ready for the road
BEAT custom interior is older but quality trumps any dating. -> Expect dated interior
YES -> House system built to professional standards using quality components

For those in the hunt, stay focused and patient. It is a buyer's market so super deals are out there. You need to find the right coach at the right time, meaning the owner has been trying to sell for some time and lowered asking price multiple time and understands how soft it is to be a seller.

[Dave5Cs]

So where are the other pictures Engine size? interior, etc. Did you get parts book maintenance manual, operator's manual. Jake's How was it driving a bus for the first time lnog distance.... Is the grin still on your face. are your knuckles still white? 

[windtrader]

Here's more details on the bus

1976 MCI MC8 Bus Conversion
Asking $25,000 (Listed on Facebook)

Coach has total 40k miles post conversion (1995)

Detroit Diesel motor: Remanufactured 8V71N with 4,000 miles. Motor dynoed and had 100k warranty, N65 injectors, A timing. Rebuilder:  American Fleet inc, Springfield MI
Jake brakes: high/low
Extra radiator fans
Transmission: Allison HT-740

Interior:
Flexsteel leather driving seats: passenger swivels
Flexsteel couch pulls out to bed
Full custom hickory cabinetry with custom hardware
Dining table extends with leaf, 2 chairs
Dish satellite dish receiver
Alpine Stereo

Norcold Elec/Gas Fridge with Freezer
Microwave oven
Four burner gas stove and oven
Full size, dual tub stainless steel sink
Roof A/C in front and rear with heat
Fan-tastic ceiling fan
Washer/dryer
Full closets: pantry, utility, clothes, storage
Bathroom: full sized vanity and shower
Door opens across hallway for master suite privacy
Queen bed - full open storage underneath
Set of closets in master bedroom
Blinds for all windows
Completely furnished with dishes, pots, pans, utensils, linens, vacuum, etc.

Exterior:
Tank sizes: Fresh 150g, gray 75g, black 75g
Webasto heating system with four zones
Water heater 11 gallon - electric, heat exchanger connected to motor and Webasto
Bays heated and lighted
BF Goodrich ST230 tires - 95% tread, zero weather checking, DOT 2010
Minor rust underneath, zero corrosion
Recent service - Fluid changes

Shore power 220v 50 amp
Generac 8KW - 3 Cylinder Diesel with 519 hours
4D Oreilly Super Start 2 years old
8D Interstate batteries 2 years old
Vanner 3600 watt inverter/charger system

Towing - Blue Ox tow bar and tow car braking system

Drive from Denver to Rio Vista was a breeze. Only issue I had was leaking fluid from transmission filter housing. Tightening it stopped the leaking. Other than that 1335 miles in 4 days, looks like about 6 mpg. Got slowed down on the big grades but it was fine, Jakes kept speed in check on the downhills

More pics to come.