Need service in Riverside California

[Calumet]

Hi again,

Before I bring my bus home I was advised to have all the fluids changed, belts and hoses inspected, etc.  I also want to make sure the gauges work so I know if it starts over heating or losing oil pressure.  I'm understandably concerned about finding someone trustworthy to do this service and would appreciate any leads or warnings.

A company called Advanced Systems Services owned by a Reed Wigington is just 20 miles away from where the bus is.  They work on these type of vehicles extensively and I was going to have them check out the house systems.  Anyone heard of them?  Reed recommend going to a Detroit Deisel shop for service.  Any thoughts on that?

Thank you!

[Dallas]

Kris,

If the picture at http://www.calumetcoach.info/pics/ec5a_4.jpg

Is the drive engine of your unit, it's a Cummins or a Cat,(I can't tell which), not a Detroit.

Which again leads me to believe the unit is a Fire Apparatus built by HME.

Dallas

[Calumet]

Hi!

You are also correct that the chasis came from HME.  A nice guy there is looking through archives for me to see what technical documentation he has.

I've got my fingers crossed!

[TomC]

That's valve covers for a 5.9 Cummins ISB, not even close to a Detroit.  Los Angeles Freightliner has a branch in Fontana, Ca.  We work on lots of RV's since Freightliner makes the chassis for them.  There number is 800-673-0500.  Good Luck, TomC

[Calumet]

5.9 liter, guess I won't be winning any bus drag races!
Any guesses as to what kind of milage I might expect?  Cruising speed?  Hill climbing?  I had a self asperated MCI 7 that would only go 25 miles an hour over high steep mountain grades!  That was one reason I got rid of it.
Tom do you work at the Fontana branch?  It's only about 10 miles from where the bus is.
Thanks again everyone!

[tekebird]

all depends on Weight and Gearing.

With what I imagine it is and has....I would expect less than 7 and probably worse performance than your MC-7

INteresting swap....I'd say you went backwards.

still very interested in what and how you intend to do for the conversion.

Is truely a unique platform

[TomC]

I work at the Whittier branch about 35 miles towards down town L.A.  Your performance will be determined by the transmission.  Unfortunately if you have the Allison AT545, your hill climbing and freeway performance will be poor.  Also, the AT545 was designed for around town service of less than 40 mph.  It does not have a torque converter lockup, so you're slipping all the time.  Personally, I would switch to an Allison 2000 series 5 speed.  Then you'll have the same basic 1st through 4th gears with the addition of a .71 overdrive AND lockup clutch on the torque converter.  Much superior transmission.  Course if you have a manual, you don't have to worry about this at all.  Good Luck, TomC

[TomC]

What bus make and model is this in?  I can't believe anyone would install a Cummins 5.9 in a full size MCI.  I could believe a Cummins 8.3, since they put out about the same power as the 8V-71N.  Good Luck, TomC

[DrivingMissLazy]

What bus make and model is this in?  I can't believe anyone would install a Cummins 5.9 in a full size MCI.  I could believe a Cummins 8.3, since they put out about the same power as the 8V-71N.  Good Luck, TomC

Tom, I believe this was a medical van built on a truck chassis for the very early MRI units. They traveled from hospital to hospital (clinics) in the southern California valley. Some plugged into the hospital power (480 volts, three phase) and some of the hospitals did not have enough power so they had an on board 75kva three phase, 480 volt engine gen set.

I seriously doubt if they were ever designed for over the road units to travel great distances.

I installed 75 kva power conditioners on some in the belly area since the utility power was many times not good enough for the electronics of the MRI.

Richard

[larryh]

Don't understand how you think this is a bus!!

I worked ona few of the early ones were a joke didn't have enough to pull a greasy string out of a goat's A%%. Most complaints from drivers were no power and not fast enough to get out of their own way.

Good luck with your mistake sell it and find a nice 4905 somewhere.

LarryH

[Calumet]

I actually called that office before the holiday and the girl that answered the phone said if it's not on a freightliner chassis they won't work on it.  I called back and said someone online posted and said you could work on it so she went and asked again and put a mechanic on the line who said he would work on it!  Thanks a bunch.  Would you go for the DOT inspection or the Safety inspection?  I asked the mechanic about the emmisions he said since it was an old mechanical engine it wouldn't be held to such a strict standard.

[Calumet]

Hi,
A technician with Oshkosh who services these type vehicles stated he thought they were all geared for over the road not city but I'm still hoping HME can tell me for sure...otherwise I will plan on a week or more to drive it to florida taking the scenic route!  Great way to see the country at 40 mph!!
Thanks again!

[Calumet]

HME called with specs as delivered...
Cummins 6B 5.9 230 HP at 2500 RPM with charger and cooler
Allison MD3060 transmission 5 speed automatic
Rockwell rear axle (5.86 ratio on rear drive axle medium speed)
Rockwell front
Hendrickson rear suspension HA400 34,000 lb
Front stear, rear drive, tag axle

[TomC]

Only one of the rear axles drives and the other is a tag?  Not a big deal, just curious.  As stated before, I'd seriously consider converting the spring suspension to the air suspension.  Look at the Hendrickson suspension site and you'll see the conversion kit for your suspension.  Good Luck, TomC

[Dreamscape]

I applaud your effort and purchase of your "Bus". I know not everyone agrees, but that is your deciscion and yours only. As you get all the data you are searching for, you will know what you are driving.

Good Luck and keep the questions coming, I'll learn something even if it doesn't apply to me. 

Paul