Broken Down off of I-10 Louisiana

[chessie4905]

Maybe a reman. 8V-92 would be cheapest in the long run and quickest to get back on the road. With all that metal, complete teardown and thorough cleaning is only way to guarantee no chunks of metal go through it and have a repeat failure. Patching and crossing your fingers isn't  a good idea in your line of work with schedules to keep.

[Scott & Heather]

If only I could find one. Silver DDEC II

[blue_goose]

Scott, I just sold my MCI 102C3 with a series 50 engine.  That would be the best way for you to go but it isn't cheap if you do it right.  I put in a B-500 and changed the gears to 4:11.  If I did it again I would use 4:50 gears.  The pre EGR engines are getting hard to find, but there are still some around.  If you could find a MCI 12 and take all the parts out that would be the easiest.  The MCI 12 rear won't fit your bus you would have to re gear yours.
If you have it done look to spend 20,000 to 25,000 for parts and labor.
Jack

[Scott & Heather]

Thanks Jack for that info. Ok guys, so someone recommended a reman. Should I just find a low mile 8v92 silver and pop it in there? swap and pop?

[luvrbus]

Maybe with new bearings the shop can buy you a little time before you make the plunge

[neoneddy]

I know it's a long way away, but C&J Bus repair out of BLoomington, MN has a silver 8v92 fresh reman with all the trimmings (turbo blanket, exhaust manifold blankets etc) in the warehouse.   I saw it when they gave me the tour , they said someone ordered it years ago, and never picked it up.

I know they support bus RV folks, they did me right on an alternator.

Ask for JD if he's in, and if it's worth considering.

[Scott & Heather]

That sounds interesting. I'm looking for a ddec ii just for an easy swap. Don't want to have to run cables to the throttle etc.

[neoneddy]

I have no idea if it's DDEC or not, it looked new enough though.

[Scott & Heather]

So bus is running but airbox drains are definitely leaking more oil than I'd like. We all realized it's a ticking time bomb. I have 45-50 psi of oil pressure hot and it's running perfectly since bearing replacement and crank polishing, but upper engine is tired and will grenade eventually sooner than later. We spent $4000 and bought some time. Need a silver DDEC ii 8v92TA. Also, can someone explain to me why I'd have to regear if I put a 50 series in?

[6805eagleguy]

What gears right now?

[Scott & Heather]

What gears right now?

Not sure. 102C3. Jack mentioned he had done a swap and had to regear.

[DoubleEagle]

I would change the oil filter more often now, and change the oil fairly soon as well. You might have always used a garage to change the oil, but when I change it, I drain it into a large wheeled plastic drain with a drain platform that lets you see or hear any larger particles coming out. Oil analysis would have warned you of the bearing changes, but if you run it for the time being, it still might be wise to test it. You might get lucky and wing it for another 100,000, or not, but at least get an early warning. There might not be a radical difference between DDEC II & III, hookup wise. Another thing that might help longevity is turning down to a lower horsepower setting (like where it was originally). Flying up the hills is fun, but getting up them with reasonable cost is cool too. 

[jmblake]

Scott, I didn't regear mine when I put in the series 50, But mine has 6th gear locked out and wouldn't do any good with the fast gearing in the rear end. But in the long run I really like the 50 series. Good luck Jason

[freds]

If you are getting oil out of the air box drains, have the blower overhauled it should set you back less than 1 bus unit $1000.00.

[blue_goose]

You can get by without changing the gears in the rear, but you will not have anywhere the power you need on start up and the long pulls.  You won't be able to get in 6 th gear.  The series 50 that I put in my Eagle had a 3:73 rear and 740 trans.  Ran great but turned too many rpm's. 
Jack