Bus Mechanics List

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

I found a list of Bus Mechanics in my files and I am not sure now what the source is.  You can click on the link below to view the list. 

Let me know if you recognize the list and know its history.

I will leave it on here at least for a while and if you have any changes you would like made, please list them here and I will update the Master List as I get time.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/al14od1uuxx383hyfgr61/Bus-Friendly-Bus-Mechanics-2022-10-12.xlsx?dl=0&rlkey=74stsyizybh1c8niwrcd868qu

[Dave5Cs]

Nope remember a help list we used to have on the board but a lot of those people dies or are out of the bus world now.

[ktmossman]

As much as I would like to keep this one as my own personal "bus guru," he should be on the list:

Dallas/Fort Worth, TX

DFW Bus Service and Repair
Julian Castaneda
(214)293-6401

As far as I know, he is only mobile (no shop).  He worked for Greyhound for a long time and then MCI.  He was in charge of the Dallas MCI shop for a while.  In fact, if you watch the MCI J4500 Orientation Walkthrough Video on YouTube (https://youtu.be/1NoXzCYjZnU?si=hl4HRc-FdJa-2Ntk), he is the one doing the walkthrough.  I don't know if he goes back as far as two-strokes, but he definitely knows the four-strokes AND has the computer to do all the diagnostics.

Really good guy and very fair...

[Whatdidido]

I am not sure how active he is, but Tejas Coachworks in Mineral Wells Texas.  He evidently had as a primary business buying buses and preparing them for conversion.  He had lot of very cool old buses (I specifically remember a 1956 Starliner).  His website says repair so I guess his retirement plans didn't quite pan out LOL

[luvrbus]

I am not sure how active he is, but Tejas Coachworks in Mineral Wells Texas.  He evidently had as a primary business buying buses and preparing them for conversion.  He had lot of very cool old buses (I specifically remember a 1956 Starliner).  His website says repair so I guess his retirement plans didn't quite pan out LOL

The kids sold off all the stuff and closed it a couple of years back ,Charlie had some serious health problems, I need to call his daughter and see if he is still around

[plyonsMC9]

Adding:

Action Bus and Truck Repair, LLC
4021 S. 16th Street
Phoenix, AZ 

Kevin Griss Owner  :  480-748-5199

They did a great job on our DD Series 60 / MCI DL3-45, Cooling system, radiator clutch, alternator replace, Wheel seals.  Enthusiastic crew

[windtrader]

Phil,
what is the shop rate there? How much lead time to get in for service?

[plyons]

Sorry about the delay in responding Don!

It was $140 (I think - maybe 150, but - I think 140 IIRC).  I was surprised to find that rate.

And - getting in took about a week.  Again, I was amazed.  But they jumped right on it when I got there.  We plan to go back early in 2025 for some more work.

Hope this helps!
Phil

[windtrader]

Thanks Phil,


I'll be starting my winter loop through the southwest, Phoenix is a doable jog off the planned route but good to know about them. I may contact them on doing some work and prepared to for the labor charges. It seems the 150 range is pretty even across most metro areas.


I wonder what others are paying for labor in other locations?

[luvrbus]

You can get into well over $200.00 at shops for major repairs ,some will add another $50.00 per hour if it is a RV conversion, Cummins the largest supplier of generators for Rv's are at over $200.00 per hour with a waiting list like a medical specialist of months. Factory shops like Williams if they don't know you and not a regular customer they are not going to work on anything over 10 years old. It is not all the shops fault with all the changes to engines and transmissions the manufacture does not support any longer it becomes a problem for the dealer. When I go into WW Williams about a 1/3 of the techs are in some kind of school all the time plus the overhead for doing business and insurance alone is out of this world now .The independent you find and can trust is all you have now for older bus conversions or get your hands dirty and learn to do it yourself but some things are going to require a well equipped shop