pre-purchase inspection help

Satelliteguy · October 28, 2023, 07:44:59 AM

SO reading back a few (hunderd) posts I have found several posts about what to look for in a pre-purchase inspection. I am headed to the Pueblo Colorado area the first of the week and will be looking at a MC-8 for sale. The seller says the bus belonged to their father, he was prepping it for his travel before he became sick. From my reading I have a reasonable idea on what I should look for, would anyone have a check list that could help. I am new to the bus ownership part of this but do have some years of driving bus's ( I have driven a charter bus nearly 300,000 mile ), I know how they should act and feel driving, although it has been a while since my last driving experience's.

My question is, is there anyone ( i.e. "BUSNUT" ) on this forum in that area and would like to help? A second set of eyes that are not tired of looking for a bus could really help. "OR" Does anyone know of a shop in that area that could do a inspection on short notice?

Thanks for any help or suggestions you may have.

luvrbus · October 28, 2023, 07:58:33 AM

Buying a CO bus watch the gearing most have 4:11 rear gear and about 62 MPH is the best you can do @2100 rpm,rust can be a problem on the MCI 8 check the rivets especially the front for rust stains if they have streaks there is rust behind the siding what engine and transmission ?. Check the electrical panels both rear and front it if looks like a rats nest you have work to do,the engine cradle rails you check those close for rust and patches if so pass on it. Steering can be a issuse on the 8 too if it hasn't been updated they can be real sloppy

Satelliteguy · October 28, 2023, 10:17:06 AM

luvrbus: Thank you for your quick reply. The motor is the 8V71?The bus does have the automatic in it and I am not yet sure which model.
Thank you for the rivet information, I will look closely. I do believe he said this bus was from Arizona but I am not sure as I have spoken with several folks or the last yet months and my notes are now decipherable. I do recall he said the bus has been stored inside for 20 years before they purchased it. I am very concerned about the rusting issues along with airbags, tires, and motor. The coach batteries I was told are two years old and holding a charge but the generator battery needs to be replaced.

The interior can be fixed if needed but the main body of the bus is really where I need to get some help.

Thanks again

windtrader · October 28, 2023, 11:55:07 AM

I have a MC8. You should expect it to need some maintenance. Rarely, does one trade hands and be 100% roadworthy. For that matter, only a small percentage of them make that claim.

Clifford was spot on the steering. Mine is solid but there is a catch when cranked hard left or right. It needs a new steering gear but nothing changed in 6 years. It's on the list. Airbags do leak but they are basically treated as regular maintenance item. Transmission is probably Allison HT740, very solid, and not often a reported problem. The 8V71 comes in two versions NA and turbo. Generally. very solid but you can get a good idea of condition with a test drive. If it pulls good, makes no/very little smoke, and no weird noises, it's "OK". Oil leaking is common; unless dripping as you watch, probably OK.
Body integrity is important. Rust will be fairly evident. Others can chime in where to look. Shout out if you want other pre inspection checklists. I have some filed away.
Best is getting someone experienced to check it out.
As to it's history, get the VIN, call MCI and get the FVR (final vehicle report). it has the details of the original buyer and what was delivered.

luvrbus · October 28, 2023, 12:27:13 PM

Quote from: Satelliteguy on October 28, 2023, 10:17:06 AM
luvrbus: Thank you for your quick reply. The motor is the 8V71?The bus does have the automatic in it and I am not yet sure which model.
Thank you for the rivet information, I will look closely. I do believe he said this bus was from Arizona but I am not sure as I have spoken with several folks or the last yet months and my notes are now decipherable. I do recall he said the bus has been stored inside for 20 years before they purchased it. I am very concerned about the rusting issues along with airbags, tires, and motor. The coach batteries I was told are two years old and holding a charge but the generator battery needs to be replaced.

The interior can be fixed if needed but the main body of the bus is really where I need to get some help.

Thanks again

Check the transmission most factory installed on the MCI 8 was the 6 speed H-70 with 2 overdrives with early serial numbers it is good transmission but parts are hard to find for the H-70 with the wet torque converter, a guy in Tennesse was here looking for imput on the H-70 in MCI 8 he is running 3 or 4 MCI 8's with the H-70

Satelliteguy · October 29, 2023, 08:50:58 AM

windtrader and luvrbus: thank your for the input, this is very helpful.

I will see what transmission it has, check the steering, and LOOK for RUST everywhere. Yes I could use the per-check file list if you would share it, thank you. I will get the number off the preferred mechanic's list and call MCI with the vin and see what information they have to share with me.

Its getting close to travel day and I hope this is a good bus to be my new home. If not its a terrible time to be in Colorado, weather changing and all, but a trip is a trip I'll try and enjoy the ride.

Everyone be safe out there.

Bob

windtrader · October 29, 2023, 09:32:57 AM

Hi. Bob,
Send me a private message with your email and I'll send the docs. I tried here but PM did not seem to allow attachments. donFYI - My bus came out of Denver. I flew in from Calif. and drove it back. Very important on my list was to stay objective and not allow the fact I had taken a one way flight with the bus being the most likely way to get back home. If it isn't meet your stated minimums, walk away.

Van · October 29, 2023, 09:59:54 AM

Not mine. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1237977250205343/?mibextid=dXMIcH

Satelliteguy · October 31, 2023, 06:34:48 AM

windtrader: I sent you the PM please let me know if you got it. Thank you for your help.

Satelliteguy · October 31, 2023, 04:24:40 PM

SO I went today and looked at a bus. Its a 1976 MC-8. I called MCI and asked if they could help with any information on the bus. They were very polite but said they did not have info back that far. I did ask about any possible motor and trans info they may have during that time, all he could tell me was if its a 8v then more then likely it was the 8V72. This motor does have the supercharger, I think that is a good sign.

The bus does have a generator, Generac Model 9055-1 K.V.A 8 The battery was dead and we tried jumping it but no luck. Seems that the pre-heat switch worked but no turn over or even a hint of a click to say the starter was getting any juice.

The owner has passed and the son has little information to help me with all the questions I have.

I did not see any really Hugh spots of rust, the rear air door has been repaired from a rust or vibration issue. Poking around with a screw driver I could not poke through anywhere in the frame area. The air bags look newer as I could not detect any weather checking or checking in the rubber.

I did check the air system from the driver seat and noticed that doing a leak down test I could hold the brake and see the air drop at about 5 pounds in 45 seconds. I could not hear any hissing so I would have to spend some time crawling around under the bus to see what's up.

I took a ton of pics and will post a few and ask that anyone who could help ask of more specific pics they would like to see.

The exterior of the bus has been painted and it looks good but the sides of the bus are not visible to see if there was any rust around any rivets. They have installed a sheet of some kind of metal over the exterior from the door line up and around the windows they wanted to leave for use. The metal they installed has some de-lamination or just was not installed with any type of glue.
The steering box has a small leak of fluid I could see a drop come off the lower point of the box. Following the trail up I could see a seal that was leaking. Turning the steering wheel from lock to lock while sitting I could not hear any issues or did it seem to do it unreasonable hard to do.

It also looks like it may have a n aqua heat system installed but I need to do more research on it. The is a Wabasto Thermosystem controller.
The bus has 8 house batteries but they only had abiout 6 volts and the son did not know anything about there age. It has a Seaward water heater Model S600, 120 volts. It has a Vanner 3600 Watt Power inverter system

I still do not know what transmission it has but the son said he drove it and could count 5 speeds. He did say the Jake brake worked but I have not confirmed. I have just moved the bus forward and back has I am not sure about driving it with the air not holding well. The compress seems to build pressure well but you never know, would not want to hurt anyone while doing a test drive.

Putting all this information down almost seems like I am trying to talk myself out of buying.

Satelliteguy · October 31, 2023, 04:41:20 PM

More pics

windtrader · October 31, 2023, 06:49:35 PM

Quote from: Satelliteguy on October 31, 2023, 06:34:48 AM
windtrader: I sent you the PM please let me know if you got it. Thank you for your help.

I sent info via email just now. good luck.
Did you drive it? How does it sound and handle? If it can't impress you with a running and on the road drive, think twice or offer salvage plus the transport costs. I'll be your first vulture, I mean customer, if you part it out.

Dave5Cs · November 01, 2023, 07:00:16 AM

You meant a 71 or a 92? Those are only superchargers on hot rods you have a Blower on a 2 stroke to get air into the engine. HTH good luck on your engine.

luvrbus · November 01, 2023, 07:28:18 AM

Quote from: Dave5Cs on November 01, 2023, 07:00:16 AM
You meant a 71 or a 92? Those are only superchargers on hot rods you have a Blower on a 2 stroke to get air into the engine. HTH good luck on your engine.

Looking at the front of the engine all he needs to do is look at the 2 belt pulley on the right side and it will tell him what engine he has

lvmci · November 02, 2023, 08:03:13 PM

There is a great Stewart and Steven's in Denver and 2 years ago there was a service manager and mechanic that were very familiar with my 102C3, 8V92 and an obscure alternator problem. I can recommend them...