It's always interesting to see what design gets chosen when it gets converted to an RV. I find it funny how most of the RV conversions date a lot faster than the bus itself!
Great video! Your skill are getting better and better. Would love to see how they drive the fan on the 4104 and other systems. Would be good content. The MCI has an old tack card speedo. You flip the front down and put in a round paper disk and the pen inside draws out your speed as you drive. It was a way to keep track of "Company Speed Limits" and see what the drivers were doing.
WOW, somebody really knew their stuff for that conversion, well thought out, I think before I would put a new pinion in I would have it professionally magnafluzed.
I'm a new subscriber, I enjoy your videos a lot,love your antique bus, so many things I didn't know about the mechanics on this buses,thank you very,very much,
Hi! That bus used to belong to Mike Kadletz, founder of bus conversions magasine, he wrote about it a few time, citing that it was elongated 2 feet to accomodate the drive train you talked about
Both buses are awesome! I like the basement bedroom in the MCI. On a bus forum there is somebody that has a converted 45' Van Hool with a basement bedroom and solar and rooftop hybrid chiller.
I to have become addicted to your videos. We converted a 1995 school bus into an RV and took it on vacation to the Grand Canyon (from SW Florida). We'd like to trade up to a real bus. Something better suited for highway driving. Do you have any suggestions on what to look for? We have a $23k budget, hopefully it will cover purchase, repair and/or conversion. Your videos are great inspiration and very entertaining. Thanks for posting them.
That first conversion screams late 70's early 80's. Looked just like the couch in an old Southwind that we had when i was a kid. VERY cool though. I'll bet that drivetrain conversion and stretch cost a pretty penny because of how well it was done.
I’m actually surprised that newer bus isn’t worth saving. I confess I don’t really understand these economics, but a used drivetrain and $10K put into the interior is still miles cheaper than a newer bus.
That MC-9 looks to be a former prisoner transport bus. I hate that it had such a catastrophic engine failure. Those rode so nice on the highway. Spent many a mile driving one between OKC and Elk City BITD.
About that big speedo... You slide paper disk in it and it prints graph what records speed, distace, time used to drive and so on. It is required by law in most countries, though modern vehicles have digital system.
That is a smooth extension cant tell unless you know buses well I bet this hauls it now with the new drivetrain If we stay out of the mud! I know I will catch some flames but I prefer the older MCI coaches over the GM but MCI with Detroit power of course
Re: MCI, was it poor operating procedures that led to overheating or bad instruments? I had a Cat 3208 overheat and seize due to erroneous water temperature readings after a small hose between the pump and block burst(rear engine). Bad judgment in buying an older vehicle without the where with all to properly maintain it. Did make one trip from AZ to FL and back.
I think this was a bad idea finding this channel. Ever since I was four or so I had a fascination with buses. Ever since finding those channel, the irrational urge to purchase, say, a GM Buffalo bus just continue to grow. I'd even settle for a Prevost mirage...
Hello mr Scott. What bus would you say is worth doing an Rv conversion on. I have near me a bus like this mci. 1986 d series. All I know is that it is a v-6 automatic. What are your thoughts. He wants 8500 for it. It’s completely gutted. New to this so any advice would be appreciated. Thanks
Good video. On the MCI with all those extra lights on the front - could it have been a prisoner transport or type of school bus, perhaps military? Makes me wonder
Too bad about the motor on the second bus. Would be cool if someone had to dough to repair or replace it, but I guess as long as the next "user" doesn't let the remainder of the bus go downhill (no pun intended), it could always be a future possibility.
Are the conversions you run into always older? Do you ever run into a modern conversion on this old platform? I love the simplicity of these powertrains.. Great channel, I watch it every time there is a new episode!
Speaking of that funky 45 degree transmission and rear diff on these buses, is there any purpose to the shaft that comes out behind the passenger side engine bay door? It looks like a PTO, but I cant think of any reason why a bus would need a PTO.
I’m not sure what was ever hooked to them. I’ve never seen one hooked to anything except a couple times guys added a 12v alternator to them as a supplemental. Never seen anything factory hooked to the pto on them. But i only work on the old shit and those transmissions get added to everything i work on
Shaft was for running the air conditioning compressors on the buses. Royal pain to pull the trans when they are still intact. I only encountered one that still had it
@@brentfoster9138 I believe the Novabus was a Voith V drive. I'm referring to a suburban or metro style GM bus with a V730 if I remember correctly. Possibly was a VS2. I just remember more than anything it being the biggest pain in the ass lol
Christopher Hall The 50 the TTC had were most definitely VR731s with the PTO running the A/C comp. ZF was the default spec on them towards the end of production. I believe Dallas ordered them that way.
@@BusGreaseMonkey I have to do it from time to time in our shop. working on leveler jacks or slide out mechanisms on these big 36/38/40 odd foot motorhomes.. Hydraulic or electrical malfunctions.. Dislike it.. But I am on concrete and throw old carpet under there to crawl around on..
@@BusGreaseMonkey Are there newer improved seals and gaskets that can prevent most of the leaks, or is it just the design of the engine themselves? I like the old mechanical diesel engines, but every video I see the engines, drive trains and suspensions are covered in oil and grease.
Don’t people know that if you store anything on grass or dirt for a long time you cut the life of your vehicle in half. The moisture rusts the undercarriage crazy fast.
I'm becoming addicted with your channel! But I have a question, can I contact you by email? I've found 1964 GM 4106 less than 20 minutes from me. It has a Detroit Diesel 8v71 with a manual trans. It's a very tired RV conversion with an RV title. They're asking $4,500.
Running driving that’s a fair price for a crusty manual trans 06. 3-5k. Plan on doubling that investment to get it home. Rubber and other must have improvements
It's always interesting to see what design gets chosen when it gets converted to an RV. I find it funny how most of the RV conversions date a lot faster than the bus itself!
A great bus to have.
Many people dont realize the weight and power that these animals have.
Never rock them in mud.
Amen
Great video! Your skill are getting better and better. Would love to see how they drive the fan on the 4104 and other systems. Would be good content. The MCI has an old tack card speedo. You flip the front down and put in a round paper disk and the pen inside draws out your speed as you drive. It was a way to keep track of "Company Speed Limits" and see what the drivers were doing.
WOW, somebody really knew their stuff for that conversion, well thought out, I think before I would put a new pinion in I would have it professionally magnafluzed.
I'm a new subscriber, I enjoy your videos a lot,love your antique bus, so many things I didn't know about the mechanics on this buses,thank you very,very much,
My 70's Leyland Tiger has shaft driven alt and rad fan. Mid mount flat 6 engine. Very different. Nice Buses!
Hi! That bus used to belong to Mike Kadletz, founder of bus conversions magasine, he wrote about it a few time, citing that it was elongated 2 feet to accomodate the drive train you talked about
Denis Thérien Is the bus conversion magazine still in publication? I’m looking into possibly buying a bus conversion and super interested!
Actually just found the magazine online!
Both buses are awesome! I like the basement bedroom in the MCI. On a bus forum there is somebody that has a converted 45' Van Hool with a basement bedroom and solar and rooftop hybrid chiller.
very interesting engine Conversion and extension, I would do a project like that for myself.
Enjoyed your video and your attitude towards working on them.
I to have become addicted to your videos. We converted a 1995 school bus into an RV and took it on vacation to the Grand Canyon (from SW Florida). We'd like to trade up to a real bus. Something better suited for highway driving. Do you have any suggestions on what to look for?
We have a $23k budget, hopefully it will cover purchase, repair and/or conversion. Your videos are great inspiration and very entertaining. Thanks for posting them.
That first conversion screams late 70's early 80's. Looked just like the couch in an old Southwind that we had when i was a kid. VERY cool though. I'll bet that drivetrain conversion and stretch cost a pretty penny because of how well it was done.
A basement room would be great idea for a Greyhound Sceinicruiser. That lower baggage bay is prime for it.
Hey Grease you got a great set-up travelling and repairing im jealous. Looks like you are having too much fun!
I’m actually surprised that newer bus isn’t worth saving. I confess I don’t really understand these economics, but a used drivetrain and $10K put into the interior is still miles cheaper than a newer bus.
Now that is dedication!
Thx.4 posting.
That MC-9 looks to be a former prisoner transport bus. I hate that it had such a catastrophic engine failure. Those rode so nice on the highway. Spent many a mile driving one between OKC and Elk City BITD.
Thats a great idea using that bus as a non running tiny home
About that big speedo...
You slide paper disk in it and it prints graph what records speed, distace, time used to drive and so on. It is required by law in most countries, though modern vehicles have digital system.
That is a lot of room for a tiny home. Take out the engine, make a storage garage. Interesting possibilities!
That is a smooth extension cant tell unless you know buses well I bet this hauls it now with the new drivetrain
If we stay out of the mud!
I know I will catch some flames but I prefer the older MCI coaches over the GM but MCI with Detroit power of course
Haha I was really scratching my head on this one, cause I watched the other videos first!
Re: MCI, was it poor operating procedures that led to overheating or bad instruments? I had a Cat 3208 overheat and seize due to erroneous water temperature readings after a small hose between the pump and block burst(rear engine). Bad judgment in buying an older vehicle without the where with all to properly maintain it. Did make one trip from AZ to FL and back.
They must have sunk an enormous amount of money into the extension for that first bus. Do you have any idea how much it sold for?
20ish That extension and repower must have been well over 100k
WOW!
Maybe I m wrong but I think the second bus is worth spending 10 thousand on a engine. You couldn't buy a chassis like that any more.
I think this was a bad idea finding this channel. Ever since I was four or so I had a fascination with buses. Ever since finding those channel, the irrational urge to purchase, say, a GM Buffalo bus just continue to grow. I'd even settle for a Prevost mirage...
LOL "Settle."
This channel is widening my appreciation beyond my childhood fascination with Flxibles.
Just bought 3 buses selling 2
Hello mr Scott. What bus would you say is worth doing an Rv conversion on. I have near me a bus like this mci. 1986 d series. All I know is that it is a v-6 automatic. What are your thoughts. He wants 8500 for it. It’s completely gutted. New to this so any advice would be appreciated. Thanks
Thanks for sharing 👍🇦🇺
Good video. On the MCI with all those extra lights on the front - could it have been a prisoner transport or type of school bus, perhaps military? Makes me wonder
It was a prison bus. La
Too bad about the motor on the second bus. Would be cool if someone had to dough to repair or replace it, but I guess as long as the next "user" doesn't let the remainder of the bus go downhill (no pun intended), it could always be a future possibility.
Are the conversions you run into always older? Do you ever run into a modern conversion on this old platform? I love the simplicity of these powertrains.. Great channel, I watch it every time there is a new episode!
Speaking of that funky 45 degree transmission and rear diff on these buses, is there any purpose to the shaft that comes out behind the passenger side engine bay door? It looks like a PTO, but I cant think of any reason why a bus would need a PTO.
I’m not sure what was ever hooked to them. I’ve never seen one hooked to anything except a couple times guys added a 12v alternator to them as a supplemental. Never seen anything factory hooked to the pto on them. But i only work on the old shit and those transmissions get added to everything i work on
Shaft was for running the air conditioning compressors on the buses. Royal pain to pull the trans when they are still intact. I only encountered one that still had it
Hmm every GM Bus I’ve seen had the ac driven off the torrus drive.
@@brentfoster9138 I believe the Novabus was a Voith V drive. I'm referring to a suburban or metro style GM bus with a V730 if I remember correctly. Possibly was a VS2. I just remember more than anything it being the biggest pain in the ass lol
Christopher Hall
The 50 the TTC had were most definitely VR731s with the PTO running the A/C comp.
ZF was the default spec on them towards the end of production. I believe Dallas ordered them that way.
I’m trying to purchase a 1970 silver eagle. That was a band tour bus partially converted it has a 8v71 dedriot engine and a 4 speed automatic
I like the extension. have you see many gmc's with raised roof's? My 4107 has a 4"lowerd floor.
Crawling under tight spaces in the dirt w/ approx 30,000 lbs over your head.. lol. have fun w/ that..
Hell, its only 24,000 lbs over my head. No problem.
@@BusGreaseMonkey I have to do it from time to time in our shop. working on leveler jacks or slide out mechanisms on these big 36/38/40 odd foot motorhomes.. Hydraulic or electrical malfunctions.. Dislike it.. But I am on concrete and throw old carpet under there to crawl around on..
Several questions: how much would it cost for a new engine for the MCI?
How come every bus is totally covered in grease? Do they all leak that bad?
Yes detroit Diesel engines leak oil from the day they got oil put in them. 3-5k for a used takeout to swap in.
@@BusGreaseMonkey Are there newer improved seals and gaskets that can prevent most of the leaks, or is it just the design of the engine themselves? I like the old mechanical diesel engines, but every video I see the engines, drive trains and suspensions are covered in oil and grease.
Need your help with a 66 Silver eagle in Iowa. Has a 871 runs ok but smokes.
Too bad it wasn't a u joint. A pinion is a lot of work.
Living in a Bus conversion is not a very bad idea,, I will,
Don’t people know that if you store anything on grass or dirt for a long time you cut the life of your vehicle in half. The moisture rusts the undercarriage crazy fast.
Sounds like the parking brake wasn't released or frozen.
Much mirror inside, makes looking bigger or feeling dizzy.
Will the bell housing accept either Detroit or Cummins or Cat engines or is there different plates to make them work ?
I think they are SAE bell housings, would need a custom cradle, I hope he replies if he has seen engine conversions.
👌👍👍
Bet you would recommend to the new owner to keep a spare pinion on board !
How much?
I'm becoming addicted with your channel! But I have a question, can I contact you by email?
I've found 1964 GM 4106 less than 20 minutes from me. It has a Detroit Diesel 8v71 with a manual trans. It's a very tired RV conversion with an RV title. They're asking $4,500.
scott@busgreasemonkey.com
Running driving that’s a fair price for a crusty manual trans 06. 3-5k. Plan on doubling that investment to get it home. Rubber and other must have improvements
Has anybody consider to widen a 4104 or 4106 to 102 inches?
Even my wife would want me to do that much work for only 6 more inches... a scenic has been done, but i wouldn’t want to do it.
Ouch
Sell for parts