BCM Community
Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: Paladin on September 17, 2007, 09:57:30 AM
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Hi everyone,
Just thought I'd introduce myself. My name is Dave, I live in Salt Lake City and while I've been lurking here and there for several years I've been mostly quiet just trying to gather info and trying to decide if I really was ready to make the leap. I did finally become a bus owner recently and thought I'd come out of the closet so to speak.
I'm not sure really of what forum decorum is so I won't go into a long description and many pictures until I find out if that's kosher. I'm not sure exactly what people want to see or hear but my bus (still not used to saying that) is a '75 MC8 that I just bought from an owner who lost interest. That and his wife didn't like it I guess. It's got a regular 8v71 and Allison trans. We have many plans of course for this 'thing' and I'm sure I'll need lot's of help so I hope you guys will bear with me.
I do have a question though, I seem to see more MC8's that had a manual trans than auto. Why is that? Was the auto trans just coming available then?
(http://www.geocities.com/dax2274/busdark.jpg)
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Dax,
Welcome to the group. We are very glad you are here!! ;D your bus looks beautiful & I know you will enjoy many years of good, safe fun with her.
I don't have an answer for your manual trans question, but I'm sure it will be answered soon.
Kind Regards, Phil
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Kudo's brother!!!!!!!!!! Way to go!!!
Chaz
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Looks like a great start has already been made on the bus. The caps and the outside stuff intimidate me more than anything and that has already been done for you. As far as I know, we all love seeing as many pictures as possible so bring em on!
And welcome to that actual posting part of the forum! ;)
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Thanks guys.
Yep, I got really lucky I think. When I sat down and thought of what I'd like, having a roof already raised and new caps etc were high on the list. I'm recovering from a rotator cuff tear plus I have no space to do a roof raise. The guy I bought it from did a 9" roof raise and then put on the R&M kit and new windshields. The seats are all out and the lav and air are also gone. Just a gutted interior now.
The rear bumper is off because he was going to put on a tow hitch but never got around to it. There is also a new R&M dash in the bus ready to be mounted. The guy also did a tuneup with new injectors, re-cored one radiator and the other was flushed. He gave me spare parts, manuals including a parts manual and a maintenance manual. He also is giving me a torque multiplier wrench and some other junk.
She starts right up, if she blows at all I'd call it a light gray which clears up within about a minute. She airs up to 100-110psi in about 3-4 minutes but the left wiper knob is leaking some of it out. Steering seems ok but I have little reference, it is the old power assist (is that what it's called?). I don't hunt driving down the road though. Tires are bad but I'll replace them after I get the other work done. The brakes work very well but I do want to look at the brakes and bearings before I go very far. I guess I should also look at the tie rods etc. Anything else?
-Dave
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Congrats! I look forward to your updates. Hope you have some really fantastic ideas for the windows. Sure would hate to travel through Utah and miss all the beautiful sites. Good luck!
Grant
Citrus Heights,
Parents in Elk Ridge Utah!
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Thats a great looking bus and all the great work already done. Now comes the fun part of planning and building. congrats to you and glad to have another busnut. Jerry
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Dax - apparently you've not been just lurking - but reading a lot - welcome and good luck
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Thanks again everyone!
Yes, I've been doing quite a bit of reading and such for quite some time. I also bought a bunch of books (Galey etc...) Not knowing much about diesels etc I had and still have much to learn. Not knowing anything about buses was whole 'nother thing too. I've never even driven an rv or been in one aside from shows and never been on a bus except the school bus in jr high and the local transit buses in my life until now so I had and still have much in that area too. I do like driving this one though.
I should thank Mark O for his help and input. I've also been quite an avid reader of Gumpy's web pages as he's done his work.
I've searched out about everyone's web pages and everything I could devour to try to make sure I was up to the task. I hope I am!
Even Ebay has been helpful in finding information and seeing other coaches.
Tons of work still to do.
Should I feel happy or scared? We run the range from being very happy and excited to being just about terrified looking at the thing and what we are getting into!
We're very excited at not just using the bus but also the building part, that's half the fun!
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Congratulations. Good idea brings it home under the cover of darkness but the neighbours will still find out you have it. :D
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Great find and welcome.
Hard to tell from the picture but it looks like a lot more has been done.
New nose w/ updated lights, reskinned bay door I'm sure the list goes on.
Can't wait to see more pics.
Enjoy
Skip (A meer 8 hours away) :)
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Dave,
Great looking bus! 8) It looks like a lot of your "heavy lifting" is already complete.
My advice would be to first make sure your mechanical foundation is reliable & safe.....engine, trans, brakes, tires, air, etc. Secondly, don't ever let it set for too long...get it out on the road and have fun with it so you don't become overwhelmed or burned out.
Never hesitate to ask questions here on the MAK board. There will be someone who can answer your question. :)
Good luck,
Darrin
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Greetings Dave,
Welcome to our mad mad world!
I am sure the waiting for the right bus will be worth it. Good luck with you conversion! You have a good one to start with. Go to lots of bus rallies to see how you want your layout, it will really help. Nothing like seeing the real thing up close and personal. Take lots of pictures and ask lots of questions from the owners. That's what my wife and did this last weekend at TBR 2007.
Happy Trails,
Paul
Dreamscape
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Dave, I think the real drivers wanted sticks. Not sure when the 740 came out but I would guess it was before your 8. Nice looking start. Tom Y
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hmmmm, you sure you didn't steal our "BigBus" and just paint a few doors silver to trick us???? ha ha. :o Great looking bus!
Sure you should be scared, and excited, and eager! :D
I agree 100% with Paul that one of the best things you can do is go to bus rallies. At the rallies, especially the smaller ones, you can really take your time to see stuff close up, ask questions, really look things over to see how other people did things. Pictures help a lot, but sometimes, there's just nothing like seeing it in the flesh! :-[ um. . .skin? :-[ um, well, you get my point! ;)
Also, keep a very open mind and listen to all the arguments back and forth over various posts, you'll learn a lot and you may change your mind about what you plan, over and over and over again. We feel very lucky that we were able to use a bus conversion while planning and converting BigBus, as I know we've already changed our minds about a few things. It's a lot easier to change things BEFORE you get too far, that's for sure! :P
I actually went to the trouble of making cardboard "mockups" of the bed, walls, shower, etc, so I could test some clearance questions I had, and I also took a lot of measurements from our motorhome and TempBus when it came to hallways, doorways, cabinet depth, etc. so that I could see what the minimum dimensions could be for various components. It also helps you visualize how it's going to look too. . . .closed in? open? somewhere in between? ???
Welcome to the insanity! Christy Hicks
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Welcome to the asylum.
Check this site out if you haven't already:
www.busnusa.com
They haven't updated the site for the 2008 rally but I'm sure they will eventually. It wouldn't be too far away from home for you. We were there a couple of years ago & learned a lot.
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Thanks again everyone!
Yes, I've been doing quite a bit of reading and such for quite some time. I also bought a bunch of books (Galey etc...) Not knowing much about diesels etc I had and still have much to learn. Not knowing anything about buses was whole 'nother thing too. I've never even driven an rv or been in one aside from shows and never been on a bus except the school bus in jr high and the local transit buses in my life until now so I had and still have much in that area too. I do like driving this one though.
I should thank Mark O for his help and input. I've also been quite an avid reader of Gumpy's web pages as he's done his work.
I've searched out about everyone's web pages and everything I could devour to try to make sure I was up to the task. I hope I am!
Even Ebay has been helpful in finding information and seeing other coaches.
Tons of work still to do.
Should I feel happy or scared? We run the range from being very happy and excited to being just about terrified looking at the thing and what we are getting into!
We're very excited at not just using the bus but also the building part, that's half the fun!
DAX,
CONGRADULATIONS! & Welcome to the madness!
First off, I very impressed! Looks as thou you've done a great job on your home work! Also I see you've gotten advice from the honorable & quite capable MARK O (just don't ask me what he's capable of!> just kidding, Mr. O is a very knowledgable source of info and a very nice guy to boot! He has probably has forgoten more about most buses than I [or many others] ever knew > except SETRA's of course! LOL!).
Also if you've followed MASTER GUMPY'S site than you are really way ahead of many of us who've been there done that and learned the hard way, cause MASTER GUMPY is just that a MASTER at this hobby to be learned from! There are others also but if you've been studying while lurking as well as it looks as though you have you already know this! Good luck and by all means if theres anything you need to know about, I assure you'll get whatever help you'll ever be likely to need! Remember the only truly STUPID QUESTION is the one that is not asked until it's too late! Great job so far! ;D BK ;D
By the way sticks were the norm back in those days and many were scared of auto's as they were still "new" in the industry! Now days yer lucky to find a driver that can handle a stick (commercial driver that is!)
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Congrats! That is one sweet ride you have there. Quite the blank canvas there. You can do a lot with it from where it is now. Windows for sure, to start ;D
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Oh Darn...Dave. Christy beat me to welcoming you to the World of Bus Conversions insanity! :( But that's OK because she's one of the wonderful gals in our hobby. Hi Christy! ;D
Ah, the anticipation and adrenaline rush of the bus! And NOW it's OUR'S! Welcome! And when your feet hit the ground we'll all be here to support and help you as best we can.
No more lurking, now...we expect you to be a more active part of the Board. ;)
NCbob
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Dave welcome to the madhouse. I will give you a couple of hints I use to save some aggravation screw everything together I guarantee you some will have to come back out LOL.
2nd Hint Do it your way it's yours some will say it'll never work but DO IT YOUR WAY.
LarryH
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Thanks everyone!
Thanks for the welcome and the hints. We do plan on marking off a floor plan with tape and when we think we have it how we'd like it we plan on doing just as Christy said and mocking up in cardboard. Lot's of cardboard to get!
Our first item on the agenda is to take out the old flooring and see what we have under there. I'm sure it'll be shocking and a can of worms but it needs to be done. :o
After we get the new base in we'll probably turn more to the mechanics of the bus a little more while we wrestle with the floor plan ideas etc.
Tons of ideas already but far more ideas than budget sadly so we'll go as we can, take our time and try to do it right or as right as we can.
-Dave
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Congrats Dax!!!
I'm sure your still overwhelmed with mixed emotions.
the many different ways to say
I HAVE A BUS!
I HAVE A BUS!, Yea!, WooHoo!
I HAVE A BUS! ??? what was i thinking
Welcome to the Nutacy, :D
You may want layering some insulation in the floor when you put it back
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Dave,
Did you buy your bus from 'busmanted' in Florida. I was looking around the forum and found an entry from him in the thread with everyone's pictures. If so, he has a couple more pictures posted there...
About halfway down the page... http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=2547.225
After looking again, I see that it is not the same bus. Ted already has windows in his. It is amazing to see two buses look so similar.... right down to the shiny bay doors. If nothing else, Ted's might give you some ideas for windows.
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Nope, I looked all across the country and didn't even think to look locally which is where I found it. I thought that there would be no way that I'd find anything locally.
I was browsing some local online classifieds and ran across it quite unexpectedly.
That bus does look amazingly similar except for the windows and smooth door on the rear side where the air compressor was. I also have a camera pod too but that is really close and give me more hope.
He also has Alcoa's or simulators which I'd like too.
-Dave
Dave,
Did you buy your bus from 'busmanted' in Florida. I was looking around the forum and found an entry from him in the thread with everyone's pictures. If so, he has a couple more pictures posted there...
About halfway down the page... http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=2547.225
After looking again, I see that it is not the same bus. Ted already has windows in his. It is amazing to see two buses look so similar.... right down to the shiny bay doors. If nothing else, Ted's might give you some ideas for windows.
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If you decide you need some engine work, there is a guy here in Bakersfield named Don Fairchild who knows more about Detroits than anyone I have ever met. He also has some 22.5 Alcoas that he would probably sell too. I wouldn't mind having them but the Eagle came with 24.5s so I'm looking for them.