New Member of the Cult of Coaches

[ojgetaway32]

Hello all:

After much longing, research and vasilation, I bought a bus.  It is a 1982 MC-9 with an 8V71 and a 5 speed manual.  I am in love.  I hope that you will all welcome me to your family, I will surely need your guidance as it takes a village to raise an idiot.  I purchased my bus primarily to cart my adult league hockey team around to play tournaments.  With the bus, everybody can play and party together and be on time for games.  I have made some changes, not necessarily improvements to it.  Philisophically, I know that it will never be completed.  The first upgrade I would like to do is a repower.  I have been contemplating the obvious, sticking an 8V92T with Jakes in it.  However, I have always been a Caterpillar man and would love a 3406B in it, but alas, I should proabably just keep it simple.  Any thoughts, advice or contacts for finding a reasonable 8V92 would be appreciated.  I don't mind shifting gears but if an automatic presented itself at the right time, I would probably do it.  Anyway, I am located in Eastern Ohio just off I-70.  If anyone breaks down and needs my help, I have a place to park and know all the parts houses, diesel shops and tow operators in this area.  Here's hoping that we all have great times and cheap diesel.  Josh

[Slow Rider]

Josh,

Welcome!!!  We always like new bus nuts.  As far as the village goes, they put up with me so you are in like flint.   I am brand new at this so will let the smart folks answer about the re-power.

Frank

[skipn]

Josh,

   Into the madness you have jumped! Congradulations and welcome

  3406B 300 to 425 hp RTO $3500 to $6500 not including core charges and of
course shipping charges.  I have always liked Cats (have a d333 in my tractor)
A lot of work from what I heard but can be done w/ enough time and the green
stuff (not DD green though).

Good luck and have fun
Skip

[Kristinsgrandpa]

    Another Ohioan, welcome from Ed in the Portsmouth area. We have several busnuts in the Columbus area. There is also one south of you in the Marietta area.

Join, and look at the Frapper Map that show most of the locations of busnuts all over the N. American continent.
Since you offered to help break-downs the Frapper Map was started just for that reason.

There are 3 busnuts in my neighborhood, a friend of mine doing a Prevost and another friend doing a Thomas schoolie with a Cummins engine.

Last summer (07) there was rally held in Cinti. and another one is planned, but not yet scheduled, for this summer.  Paul Elbisser organized the one last year and is trying to get a larger area for the one his year.  I'm sure he'll let us know when he get things lined out.

Ed

[HighTechRedneck]

Welcome Josh!  You will find that this is the most supportive and cohesive bunch you will ever meet.  The forum has a huge amount of knowledge already stored up in it and grows every day.  And most evenings there are several in the chat room where you can get live interaction.

[BusMom]

Josh, Welcome to the madness.  This is the best place to go if you have any questions.  I love looking through all of the posts to see what people have been working on and to get helpful hints for our conversion.  Best of luck with your bus.

[HB of CJ]

Sir....we deeply regret to inform you that you have now become infected with a social behavior disease for which.....THERE IS NO KNOWN CURE!!!  He he he!  Also understand....there is more bad news....you is NOW....ONE OF US!!!   Welcome to our demented....and fun...world.

Nothin' wrong with our present mill/drivetrain.  Eight vee detroits sounds soossss cool.  Just wind her up to the governor ALL THE TIME and you will enjoy.  About the only thing to really consider is a Jake Brake...then you will be in hog heaven.  Life is too short.  Enjoy. 

[Green-Hornet]

Welcome aboard!
Enjoy yer little walk on the Dark Side.
Of course you realize you will be required to post often with pictures!

[FloridaCliff]

Josh,

Welcome!

Were not all Cult members here, only those who posted before or after me! 

I really enjoy my bus and I am sure you will too!

Now practice this scenario:

Josh:  I just bought a bus!

Them: Oh, Why did you buy a school bus?

Josh: No, like a greyhound bus!

Them: Why?

Josh: To haul my friends and Hockey team around.

Them: (either)  Bye! or Your a genius!

Have fun....

Cliff

[chazwood]

it takes a village to raise an idiot.

My parents did it all by themselves.

I just bought an mc9 about a week ago. Took out the seats, luggage racks, floors, seat rails, and bathroom. Been grinding, scraping, sanding, and scratching my head.

Man, my hands are sore. 

Welcome to the "coach approach."

[Hartley]

it takes a village to raise an idiot.

My parents did it all by themselves.

I just bought an mc9 about a week ago. Took out the seats, luggage racks, floors, seat rails, and bathroom. Been grinding, scraping, sanding, and scratching my head.

Man, my hands are sore. 

Welcome to the "coach approach."

And that is not all that will be sore as the project continues.. Watch out for people with cameras when you are upside down working in the bays...

Keep plenty of advil and first aid kits on hand..(s) Feet and wherever else things will rupture or start leaking.. Have fun...

[PP]

Welcome aboard-I'm sure you'll find as I did that everyone here is both friendly and helpful. In fact, with all the help I've recieved, I feel as if I should be paying a subscription (Maybe I shouldn't mention that )

[TomC]

Josh- I sell Freightliners so I know a bit about engines available.  Personally I too like the 3406B since that's what I have in my old over the road Kenworth Aerodyne cabover (I'm probably going to make a truck based motorhome with garage with this truck-am in the design faze).  But-like the Series 60, Cummins N14, it is a large in size and heavy engine.  Personally, I would suggest using a Cat C12 with an Allison 4000 (or B500) World 6spd automatic.  The C12 is physically much smaller and still can put out 525hp and 1650lb/ft torque built to RV engine specs.  The C12 actually weighs a bit less than the 8V-71 or 8V-92.  While the 8V-92TA would be a simple swap since it is the same outside as the 8V-71, it is thee hardest engine to cool (requires giant radiators).  With the C12 you would have to install an air to air intercooler, but in this day and age you will be at least a couple of miles per gallon ahead of the game with the Cat C12 over the Detroit 8V-92TA.  The other choice that is a good sized engine is the Cummins M11/ISM (there are a lot of these engines around with World transmissions in old trash trucks).  Good Luck, TomC

[Brian Diehl]

Josh one more idea:

http://home.earthlink.net/~diehls0792_1/BusSection10.html

[Kwajdiver]

Welcome to the madness,,,,    Fifteen months ago I could even swim my way out of the bus.  With the help of everyone on the board, I now know where the engine is.   

It's really cool to cruise in a bus.....Have fun and post photos.   You would think these nuts had seen enough buses,,,,guess not, it's in the blood.....


Bill
Tampa Bay, Florida