Demo questions

[benherman1]

Hello,
I'm still tearing out the interior on my bus and have a couple questions after removing the drivers side air duct.

There are coolant lines running inside the duct. I assume for the defroster considering where they go. Is there any reason these were run here rather than in the space under the floor? I assume others have moved them there in the past? If so is there any particular way I ought to do it?

I have removed the outer steel panel above the duct that has the air gap between it and the next panel with the little wood strips in between. Is the next panel structural? I'd like to remove it to asses rust issues and upgrade the insulation.

[Jsrcaptain]

This might help.

[benherman1]

It looks like the panel in question is structural. Is it safe to remove and re-insulate then put it back with rivets of similar quality? Everywhere else I've pulled off panels the fiberglass is in pretty sad shape. I assume in the walls will be the same so I'd like to get inside if at all possible.

[Jsrcaptain]

As you may have noticed, I have a 72 MCI MC5B. Other manufacturers may do it differently. It's my opinion that most of the strength is in the monocoque frame. Any additional strength is probably in the outer skin. I have an aviation mechanic background. These buses are built just like airplanes.

[Jsrcaptain]

My defroster lines are in the same place. I would leave them alone if they are in good shape. I'm planning on running my rewiring along the same chase.

[benherman1]

As you may have noticed, I have a 72 MCI MC5B. Other manufacturers may do it differently. It's my opinion that most of the strength is in the monocoque frame. Any additional strength is probably in the outer skin. I have an aviation mechanic background. These buses are built just like airplanes.

So I shouldn't have any issues removing the interior panels then? I did notice the inner side's rivets were considerably smaller than the outer ones. The outer skin holding more weight would make sense.

My defroster lines are in the same place. I would leave them alone if they are in good shape. I'm planning on running my rewiring along the same chase.

I've already removed the chase. I can build up the wall to cover them but repair work later would be pretty unpleasant. the valves to turn it off in the back and front are frozen so I'll have to tear into it anyway.