Need Advice

[mmanning]

Over the weekend I looked at a bus that I'd like to purchase, but there are a few blemishes that I don't know if I should be worried about.  I'm sure it can all be fixed, but my worry is that I'm either going to disregard an issue that I should take seriously enough to walk away or I am going to pass on something that I shouldn't have.

I would appreciate any thoughts you might have.

[mmanning]

Here are a couple other blemishes that I don't know if I should be overly concerned about.

With the exception of the steel tubing under the bus, I can do the rest of the work as long as I don't have to replace more of the steel framing.  Welding is not a current skill I have..

[Dave5Cs]

Type of and make of bus etc.

[mmanning]

1978 Model 05 Silver Eagle.  Recent rebuilt 8v71.

There are issues with the house systems as well, but I have no problem with those.  I’m mainly worried about structural issues.

[Dave5Cs]

Clifford can tell you he is the Eagle guy as well as some others.
Why this one is it the price? If so look at some others because there are a lot of buses for sale right now and there are some nice Eagles, Provosts, MCI's and GM's that don't have as many problem areas and might be a better fit for you and you would be surprised what they may sell for in the end. Just sayin! 

[lvmci]

If that's showing, imagine what you can't see!

[richard5933]

Is the framing in the nose of this Eagle steel tubing? If so, I'd be concerned that it's compromised like the tube behind the steer wheels. That framing is really the only thing between you and the car coming at you.

[6805eagleguy]

Have you seen this excellent checklist?

http://eagles-international.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4343

[6805eagleguy]

If you don't know how to weld I would probably pass on that one.  Anything can be fixed on an eagle, It just takes time and tools.

Of course you could always learn how to weld.  But it takes a lot of tools to start replacing tubing all over an eagle.
With that leak under the window I can say it is 95% likely there is not much tubing left under that window.  Of course the big money is the adjustment screws. 

If that's showing, imagine what you can't see!

Unfortunately, that is often true.

And, you didn't say what transmission it has.

[luvrbus]

That looks likes Doyles 05 in El Paso there are no major rust problems with it  the windows need to come out and be resealed any ways, that is a Hanford Atomic Eagle very low mileage on the suspension system it never ran on the highway just  used at the nuke place in Washington State sister bus to Joe and Bill's there was 5 of those and all are still going strong it needs some TLC from setting will make a good bus for someone if the price is right.I would like to see that bus back to it's glory days it was a beautiful bus it has 3:33 rear gears too lol Doyle is a friend to know him is to love him his  bark is worse than his bite    PS it has a 740 Allison

[DoubleEagle]

The rust is not bad (as pictured), the main concern is the rusted bottom tube in the front supporting the Torsilastic tube. If you are weak on welding skills, then it might not be for you. Eagles with much worse rust have been successfully restored. The various checklists for inspection will be helpful, but the best thing is to have someone who knows Eagles looking at it. There are hundreds of details to be aware of. Looking down the side of the coach and seeing a straight surface is desirable. If you see waves and missing or loose rivets, then there is trouble underneath. Smacking the side walls with your hand or a rubber mallet might cause a rain of rust chunks to fall to the ground, or tinkle inside. The Eagle is a very desirable coach, and is worth the effort, just be sure of the condition and a fair price. If that is Doyles Eagle, give it fair consideration, he put a lot into it, and if memory serves me, Cliff overhauled the engine, plus, as he updated, it has the Allison 740.

[mmanning]

Have you seen this excellent checklist?

http://eagles-international.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4343

I have seen that checklist, its a very good resource.  I've also had a really awesome day of training with akroyaleagle.  I tried to use the checklist the best I could, but the part I am now having a hard time determining is how bad the potential issues are and how much they would cost me to fix.

For instance, the surface rust on the steel tube running above the baggage doors, the one that runs the whole length of the frame, does not look overly bad to me.  Am I right about that?  The rust on the baggage door frame itself does look a little worse, but does not seem catastrophic.

Most of the RV specific work, I can do.  I'm not a diesel mechanic, but the engine was recently rebuilt.  Some of the jobs I can't do, like most of the welding.  I am willing to learn, but I don't think I should practice on the main frame.  I'm trying to figure out a ball park number that I can use as the cost to fix immediate issues now.

Why this one is it the price?

As to why this bus, well...  I want an Eagle, but I also want to make it my own.  I also want an already converted bus, so it is ready to use for the most part. While this bus has issues, if they are not too costly to fix, I can purchase the bus and make some changes I want now.  If I purchase a more expensive bus, I have to roll with it the way it is until I build up more funds. 

That looks likes Doyles 05 in El Paso

It is.  My wife and I spent last Saturday with Doyle, Coffee and his bus.  Doyle is a good guy, I had a fun climbing in, around and under the bus with him. 

Given enough time, I think I can get the bus back to it's glory days.  I've seen some of the pictures of the bus when Charlie Brown still owned it.  The walnut wood that Charlie used sure was sharp.

The rust is not bad (as pictured), the main concern is the rusted bottom tube in the front supporting the Torsilastic tube. If you are weak on welding skills, then it might not be for you.

I figure if the cost of fixing that one area isn't too terrible, I can pay someone else to do it.  As long as nothing else looks like it is about to fall off, I'm thinking this is the bus for me.

Can anyone ball park having someone fix the steel tubing forward of the steers?  $1,500-$2,000?

[luvrbus]

I doubt it will cost 500 bucks for the area in front of steers to replace that's mostly to weld the sheet metal to, lol Doyle is one a kind isn't he only Doyle would put new tires on a bus and park it.Brown did some good work he was a custom dune buggy builder he also is a friend and neighbor of mine   

[bobofthenorth]

If Clifford says that's a good bus you should just stop reading and write the cheque.  Don't ever get Doyle to help you with wiring issues.  Its probably a good idea to learn to weld anyway.  Get you a cheap MIG to learn on - I think I could train my tomcat to weld with a MIG.

[DoubleEagle]

If Clifford says that's a good bus you should just stop reading and write the cheque.

That nails it, if the interior is laid out in a way that suits you, this bus will be basically bulletproof for the engine and transmission. Everything else is trivial. Plus you will have the benefit of the knowledge of the owner. I think he was not asking all that much for it, considering that Cliff touched it. 

[mmanning]

I just called Doyle and told him I’m going to buy it.  The journey begins.

Thank you all for your advice. 

[6805eagleguy]

  Its probably a good idea to learn to weld anyway.  Get you a cheap MIG to learn on - I think I could train my tomcat to weld with a MIG.

Yep!  If you own an eagle you will need to learn how to weld.  Mig is the easiest process to learn by far.  With a little practice you will be running decent beads in no time.  The only thing I would recommend is to buy a auto darkening helmet, it is definitely worth the money.

 

I doubt it will cost 500 bucks for the area in front of steers to replace that's mostly to weld the sheet metal to 

And yeah, this piece doesn't seem to support to much and its fairly easy to get to, compared to some other things on a eagle.

[Van]

I just called Doyle and told him I’m going to buy it.  The journey begins.

Thank you all for your advice.

 Bravo!

[luvrbus]

Bravo!

LOL Van even has a little blood on that Eagle 

[Van]

LOL Van even has a little blood on that Eagle

Yessir! The gov't could collect a bit of my DNA from Magic Bus.
 My congratulations to both seller and buyer alike. 

[eagle19952]

correct me if i am wrong, ( I know someone will )
I was told that the baggage bays and it's structure are not supporting the chassis structurally and just hang there to hold cargo.

[DoubleEagle]

You could totally eliminate the baggage bays and the Eagle would roll on, but it would look like a Sikorsky Skycrane. 

[eagle19952]

You could totally eliminate the baggage bays and the Eagle would roll on, but it would look like a Sikorsky Skycrane. 

So my point. if the OP's rust concerns are the only ones he shows...no big deal