Potential MCI 8 converted bus purchase

[Melbo]

I have already told you what I think they are worth to someone else.  I love my L10 BUT it is a dog.  We drive it on trips but it is not a race car.  I had a DD 8v71 and the spicer four speed.  This is better and it was done by Gary at B&B coachworks.  I don't know if he would entertain doing it for you but call him and talk.  Let's face it the drivetrain is the heart of any motor vehicle.  The rest is just what you want to move if it is a race car an SUV a work truck or a bus conversion.

HTH

YMMV

Melbo

[luvrbus]

If the blue smoke didn't clear in 5 miles the 8v71 won't be around long and those are not cheap to rebuild anylonger

[BusNit]

No, it did not clear in the 8 miles I drove it. That engine did not inspire confidence. I am looking online to see if it would be worth my time to pull it on my own. I really do not want to go that route. I have to make some calls on Monday to see one final time if the local shop in town who is DD would be interested and or what they would charge. Not many nice buses in my price range out there and/or ones that are converted well. There's one in the classifieds in Indiana (Eagle with a s60 conversion) but it would need an interior redo as my wife says. half a dozen eggs on one side half a dozen on the other... Pick your poison and money trap I guess. Maybe I should cancel the sale of my Skoolie build and keep at it.

[luvrbus]

A good shop using quality parts you can bank on 20 to $30,000.00 lol by the time you pay for shop supplies.130,000 miles on rebuild, it that is true you can almost rest assured it has been run hot,pull the inspection covers your self and look at each cylinder or call Kevin it probably would cost you less than 300 bucks to see what you have.If the liners and pistons check out the blower seals could be the cause of the smoke     

[BusNit]

I did leave Kevin a message the other day. I assume he is busy as well.

[freds]

It also might have been run on multi-weight oil. Mine smoked a bit though nothing as bad as you reported that cleared up after getting the proper oil into it and a few hundred miles on it.

From the pictures it looks like you have major source of oil getting to the exhaust system.

I totally agree with everyone that the price is way out of the ball park. I paid a bit more than half as much for a newer lower mileage Prevost that has a turbo.

[BusNit]

When I went through this bus, there was Delo 100 30 stored underneath.

I am sure they’d negotiate a better price seeing the owners are stated as being in poor health. The issue is finding a shop that can rebuild this engine. I left emails and calls to two shops in Phoenix so I hope to hear back. Feeling doubtful anyone works on these engines anymore.

As you all can see, I really want this bus! (But at a much much lower price point.)

I really appreciate everyone’s input. I take each response seriously.

[niles500]

30 wt. In Phoenix is a little weak, 40 wt is the minimum and 50 wt might be warranted FWIW

[chessie4905]

you mentioned Phoenix. I take it the coach is in Arizona. if so, maybe pay Cliff to come and take a look and give an assesment on the engine

[BusNit]

I have always gone with my gut feeling about things. There's something about this lump of iron that feels like it may have been assembled with some unskilled labor. From the ad.... "Bus conversion done by myself and a bus mechanic friend" The part done by the owner looks absolutely first rate. The rest which is the engine, well... It did make it to 35mph after about 20 seconds pedal to the pergo! (noticeable knock sound at idle too)

I have the room to pull the engine but honestly, not the knowledge to go much further. From reading, I need to build a engine dolly/cradle if I were to attempt this.

[luvrbus]

I have always gone with my gut feeling about things. There's something about this lump of iron that feels like it may have been assembled with some unskilled labor. From the ad.... "Bus conversion done by myself and a bus mechanic friend" The part done by the owner looks absolutely first rate. The rest which is the engine, well... It did make it to 35mph after about 20 seconds pedal to the pergo! (noticeable knock sound at idle too)

I have the room to pull the engine but honestly, not the knowledge to go much further. From reading, I need to build a engine dolly/cradle if I were to attempt this.

 

Pallet jacks work better than the cradles made for those engines

[chessie4905]

Maybe throwing a set of fuel filters on it. Very common to have them restricted after parked several months. If you buy this eventually, pull tank and get it thoroughly cleaned. Saves many fuel filters down the road.

[chessie4905]

be nice to see pictures of interior, plumbing and electrical workmanship.

[luvrbus]

Buses are strange people usually fall in love with the 1st bus they look at,if you like the bus and can get it for the right price I say go for it,shoot me a contact number ,I am not in the Phoenix area at this moment but will be soon 

[BusNit]

I agree on the emotional side of purchases. I have been looking for the last couple of years even while building my skoolie. I am what you call OCD. Very few if any home builts tickle my fancy. I look at edges, details, nail filling, component selection. This bus is not perfect in terms of "coloration" but I can tweak that and hit the road quickly. The builder could have been my twin! I did not take pictures of the basement, but it is all clean and fully carpeted. The generator is enclosed in a sound proof box with a front carpeted panel removable by wing nuts. Radiator for the genset is relocated with an electric fan.