Potential MCI 8 converted bus purchase

[BusNit]

I was hoping someone may have known the builder or seen this bus somewhere.

[windtrader]

I know the excitement and anticipation from standing at the edge of buying a bus. It looks great inside. As stated the engine is the big concern and you know the approximate cost to repair it if it needs a rebuild.


It seems you are time and energy on activities that have no consequence unless the owner will reduce his expectations a lot and is open to taking a half off offer at best. Nearly all busnuts know this sort of situation well as virtually all the older conversions had vast amounts of time and money and energy going into the conversion. Many selling owners look at the stack of receipts and may be willing to take a bath and offer the bus out at 30-50% less than what was put in. Often times, that is still to high and many early selling attempts end with the bus still sitting in the yard. At some point, the owner may get tired of wanting to selling and decides he really needs to sell it and it will get sold with another sever discount but at least it is gone. Some hold on and the widow ends up with the bus still sitting and finally it will get sold off for whatever price is offered.


Long story to figure out where this seller is in that process. Fish or cut bait because if this seller really is stuck at 40k, turn the page and keep looking and stop wasting time and hoping it will work out because it won't unless he will deal. Just trying to save you heart and headache on a big goose egg

[BusNit]

Don, your words could not be more true. To begin with, I cannot find anyone willing to work on these engines here. Even calling out of state they are booked out for 7 months. I went back today to get a serial number off the engine in case I would order one and do the swap myself but the number was difficult to get to and my camera didn’t catch all the digits. Company out of Wyoming could not read it to determine if they had an engine for me. (Power Line systems)

Local Detroit shop that I physically went into said they won’t work on anything older than 20 years.

So in the end I told the lady at the RV place handling the consignment my final offer assuming the risk of replacement engine, radiators, hoses and the like.
She told me the guy is set at his minimum of 40k yet she understood where I was coming from. Bus has been sitting on their lot for over a year and I know she wanted it gone.
I declined at that point and wished her luck. It’s too bad because as you said, the wife will be stuck with it and it will either be sold for pennies or to the scrapyard. What you wrote above fit this scenario to a T. You guys are great! Very knowledgeable group.
The search continues.

[freds]

Local Detroit shop that I physically went into said they won’t work on anything older than 20 years.

The search continues.

Maybe ask the shop if they know anyone who is retired and knowledgeable on Detroit's that may want to take on a project?

Rather then do a full overhaul just do an in frame.

 

[BusNit]

It doesn't matter. The seller is not going lower than 40k. Shop is corporate. Guy working is more of a phone picker-upper and had to confer with management to see if they work on the 8v71


I am looking at the 38k Eagle in the classifieds. Anyone know much about that bus? I did speak to the owner about it a little bit.

[Melbo]

BusNit

Wise choice to move on.  40K isn't close to reality no matter how nice it looks inside.When I bought my (our) bus (that was in 2004) I placed a bid on Ebay which at the time would have been a fourth of what had been invested in a started conversion.  Someone lost interest motivation or spousal support.  We have spent money but not "BANKROLL" money.  We have traveled in it every year.  When we are done traveling it will have "NO REAL VALUE EXCEPT AS SCRAP".  I know it inside out but no one else wants to figure it out I am sure.  That MC8 has no value to anyone that is not in the upgrade it your self mode and they need to subtract the "upgrade it yourself" dollars from  the price.   Good luck in your search.  I'm not nearly as smart as many of the people on this board but I am much more "frugal" than some.

HTH

Melbo

[kyle4501]

Yes, you could do most of the engine work yourself & save a lot of $$$. However, based on the likely total cost involved, I believe your time would be better spent elsewhere.

Considering your stated needs / wants / desires, I think it is a wise move to pass at $40k.

You indicated you wanted to be all in for less than $60k ish & didn't want to convert one from scratch. I assume you realize no repair on old vehicles ever comes in under budget - and - you wouldn't be interested in spending the time / effort to rebuild the suspension & drivetrain at the realistic expected cost.

Therefore, I would strongly advise extreme caution on ANY bus conversion based on a bus retired from charter service - they are usually retired due to needing more maintenance than they can earn in revenue service. Very few get the maintenance they need after that.

With the age coaches you mentioned, I believe you will be much better off to focus on the high end coaches of the 80's that were professionally built in a new shell (or Newells)
You should be able to find low mileage (less than 250k miles), stronger engine, & even better interior layout for less than $40k.

I know what it is like to buy a bus that needs lots of work - & then buy more for parts . . . .
I also know what it is like to buy a Newell & only have to deal with minor repairs (as the chassis has not been worn out ).

Take your time & enjoy the search. Once you buy one, then reality sets in . . .   

[BusNit]

Thanks Kyle,

Of course, I may have said I did not want to do any work on a bus, but in reality, Once I get one, Nothing stands a chance being left alone. Airbags, bushings, seals and the like are always first on my list. I have the space and tools to do most of the work but coming off a skoolie project, I realized that it just takes so long to get something done when the temps are in the 100's. I had someone proposition me about my skoolie build and they are buying it for exactly everything I have in it. I was reluctant to sell but my wife made me realize that it would be quicker for us to hit the road with something mostly done that may need "fine tuning". I opened my horizon in the search to include large RV coaches that have a steel frame and not wood on top of a chassis. It is really hard to find anything halfway decent for under 40k. We are flying out on a redeye to see a 1999 Country Coach Intrigue in Houston. It is an ugly shade of teal with peeling clear coat all over. A genuine Sore sight, but one which I can handle if I could find a good painter at under 10k. Overall, it looks ok from the pics but laying eyes on it will reveal if it will be worth the sub 20k price tag. Incidentally, I had a side yard driveway extension which will handle any size coach I park there. 6" slab at 55' long. I was working on the skoolie with it half off the concrete and it was a misery dealing with laying on the dirt.

[someguy]

It doesn't cost $30-$40K to rebuild a 2 stroke DD.

Usually the heads and injectors are good.  Usually the blower is fine.  Usually all they need are sleeves and pistons and a gasket set.  Sometimes the block will need some machine work, but not usually.

You can do it yourself if you have a fork lift to get the engine cradle out.   Some people do them in the bus.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9_btasRJLs

Having said that, I'd avoid any bus with a 2 stroke diesel like the plague.

[dtcerrato]

We self performed our 2 stroke in frame including labor from a well versed 2 stroke bus nut for under 5 grand. It has been running like a top @ 15 thous miles later....

[lostagain]

A "rebuild" can be anything from a $5 spray can of alpine green to a $20,000+ complete at a diesel shop. But if you are pulling the engine out, might as well do a complete rebuild, and the parts are going to be $10,000+. Anything less is just a band aid that will buy you a few more miles. 

[Utahclaimjumper]

 Then again a 671 won't make enough horsepower to hurt itself.. >>>Dan

[dtcerrato]

$5000 for 42 driving years. That's why we love it.