| Author |
Message |
Mark Radius (24.247.10.129)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 05, 2001 - 9:48 pm: | |
HI. I am looking for a coach to convert into a motorhome. I have no particular loyalty to one brand or another, I just want a coach that is reliable and not impossible to get parts for. That being said, I have been drawn to the MC5 series of coaches. I don't know why, just 'like the lines' I guess. Can anyone enlighten me on what I'd be getting into with this series of coach? I know much depends on each particular coaches history, but in general are they a good platform for a conversion? Any (and all!) information is appreciated!
Thanks..... MR |
Earl-8-Ky (209.250.58.179)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 06, 2001 - 11:13 am: | |
Mark A mc5 is a good coach to convert if you want a 35 ft. coach. I would think about a mc8 or 9 because they are 40 ft. coaches. that is 5 ft of useable space. there is going to be a lot mc9 coaches for sale at abc bus. this is a very good coach to convert. I have an mc8. iwould like to have a 9. |
JanDen (64.188.242.19)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 07, 2001 - 12:30 am: | |
We looked at some 5's and 8's last year and came up with a few obvious but important points:
MC5
Plus side; the shorter length and single rear axle makes it easier to drive, fit more places (read driveway) and is more maneuverable.
Down side, it is built lower and has wheel wells inside to deal with when converting. That's not too bad if you're just a bit creative.
MC8
Plus side, long flat floor with no wheel wells and lots of room inside. Allows a bit more flexibility for the floor design.
Down side, tag axle means 2 extra tires. The extra length and wheels might make some places a tight fit.
What we really found is that we preferred an automatic transmission and power steering. Those features make all the difference in the world on something as big as any bus.
That being said, we ended up in a totally different direction than originally planned. We decided that a bus is like a home and the one we're in now is our "starter" bus. One day we'll be ready to move on to something different. Maybe a big MCI, Eagle or Prevost. |
Rick Johnson (208.8.212.92)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 13, 2001 - 12:09 pm: | |
Hi Mark, do you like the '55 Corvette or the '55 T bird better? It's all a matter of personal choice. There's a trade off for every coach you look at. Size, speed, looks, you name it. If you read the boards much you can see all the differences in options, advantages and disadvantages. We went with the 5C because we liked the way it looked, we found one that was in good shape for under budget, it has room for the big things that were important to us, pull chain toilet, clawfoot bathtub, Queen bed, big 2 door refer, it was easier to maneuver around town then the 40 footers, and while the engine leaves a lot to be desired in performance in the mountains, it runs good and I have gotten everywhere I wanted to go so far at highway speeds away from the mountains. If I could buy an MCI 9 for what I paid for the 5C would I trade it or would I have bought the 9? NO, but I might trade my 5C for a manual transmission, that's my only regret. If you want to run with the pack you have to get off the porch. But this is a buyers marketplace and had I waited just another 3 or 4 months to buy, I would have found a 5B with a stick that was in as good as shape as the one I bought, maybe for less money, maybe not, but we're sure having fun with what we have now. Just a thought.
RJ |
Larry Baird (Airhog) (206.114.251.71)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 15, 2001 - 5:29 pm: | |
Now that I have one, what's wrong with a MCI 7? |
Mark Radius (24.247.10.216)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 15, 2001 - 7:36 pm: | |
I don't know of anything "wrong" with any of the MCI units. I know that every inch of space is great to have, but how easy will it be for my wife to drive, and will it fit in most campgrounds? I drive 40' and 45' coaches for a living and realize what a challange they can be in traffic. We have a 26' travel trailer now and getting it into some campgrounds can be a hassle. Now try to maneuver a 40' coach (that doesn't bend in the middle) into some of those campgrounds. That's why I'm thinking about something shorter.
My biggest concern is buying something that I have to manufacture parts for when it breaks! |
Michael C. Smart (63.229.92.174)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 17, 2001 - 1:16 pm: | |
Would you be so kind as to share some advice?
I have an MCI-5C which I am proposing to restore to running condition. It has no engine, trany, or steering box assembly. It was an automatic trans.
I have a Detroit 8V92N, non-turbo, which I plan to rebuild for it.
The idea is to fit it with a manual 'Roadranger' type trany. Will it all fit ok, and can you recommend a trany, or any other suggestions? Linkage would be a problem.
Would a steering box from the MCI-5, 1963, #5036, fit the '5C?
Any suggestions and/or referals would be greatly appreciated. Please reply directly to my email, mielcat@hotmail.com
Thank you,
Michael |
Mike Wonser (209.222.176.162)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 17, 2001 - 6:05 pm: | |
I have a friend who just finished a BEAUTIFUL and USER FRIENDLY conversion on a 1982 30' ORION city transit bus. Rearranging the large windows was easy and minor outside skinning was cheap. With all the "fully-self contained" gizmos, tanks and gadgets, Diesel gen, dual airs, everything a normal 30' motorhome has. BUT, a normal 30' class A has 6' of waisted floor space up front. This 30' ORION gets 13 "documented" miles to the gallon with its 6V53 turbo Detroit and a 4 speed allison. The short wheelbase and power steering that got it around so well in the city now makes it easy to get into any campground. A VERY SWEET LITTLE COACH.
I personally own a 30' Allegro w/454 chevy power. 6 mph, can't relax while driving, functional but depressing to drive. I also own a 1963 GMC 35' transit conversion. 6V71 w/70N injectors and an Allison 2 speed, doesn't like REAL steep grades but it does pull hard. Even without power steering this bus drives 10 times better and easier than the Allegro. Thats why I'm selling them both to buy a bigger bus. I LOVE BUSES. This has been a great first bus and its in better shape now than it was when I got it, it had been sittng for three years when I bought it, but its functional now and its time for someone else to get there first bus as cheap as I did and I can get a new baby. It seems like all the other toys and projects get put on the back burner when another bus comes around. |
James A Womble (Bubbabusnut) (216.80.138.192)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 24, 2001 - 12:52 am: | |
can a auto be fit into a MC5? I mean without a big problem. |
Buswarrior (Buswarrior) (152.163.201.208)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 27, 2001 - 8:50 am: | |
The MC5 will readily accept an automatic transmission..... BUT only if you have a V6 motor.
The original V6 motor for this coach was a 6V71.
There is insufficient space between the back of the V8 (8V71) and the differential to fit anything but the 4 speed manual. (Automatic transmissions are longer)
If you don't mind climbing hills more slowly than some of the others, then a V6/auto combo will get you there quite nicely. (Remember to use your 4-ways on those hills!) Also, if you don't mind the challenge of designing your coach as light as possible, you may end up with bragging rights when you actually PASS someone with a bigger motor on one of those hills. Using less fuel, to boot!
As long as you aren't planning to add hundreds of extra gallons of fluid (fuel/water) and use marble throughout your coach, your power to weight ratio, in combination with the smaller frontal area of the MC5 (pushing through the wind) won't put you at too much disadvantage to a stock 8V71/auto MC7/8/9/102A, with some extra weight built into them.
If you just HAVE TO run with the big boys, while still sticking to a budget, or if you plan on big extra tanks and marble, an MC5 with V8 (bumped to 318 HP) and stick shift is one way to do it cheaply.
I haven't heard if a 6V92 turbo motor and automatic will fit in easily.
Does anyone else know? |
Dave Wheat (206.11.237.109)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, February 04, 2001 - 8:53 pm: | |
Like Mark Radius's posting of 1/15/01, I too drive motorcoaches for a living. MC-5, MC-9's, Prevost 40' - 45'. I agree with Mark that manuverability decreases with each 5' increment. I'm thankful for having had the opportunity to drive various coaches and quickly told myself that when I own a converted coach my choice will be a 35' coach because of it's manuverability. My wife and I can travel nicely in a 35' coach as our current motorhome is a 26' GMC. I'm very satisfied with the MCI's and find them to be a strong, well thought out vehicle. The 8-71 is an excellent engine. Look at the current used MC-5 for sale on busnuts listing over $35,000. See the nice conversion for sale there. Our current MC5C at work is a 6V71 automatic. I would opt for a 8-71 stick shift. Good Luck and enjoy whatever you acquire!! Dave |
Frank Wells (161.184.181.127)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, February 07, 2001 - 11:22 pm: | |
Yes you can put a 6V92TA with a 740 allison behind it. WE just did one and it required the driveshaft to be shortened a bit. We are happy with it so far. Hope this helps. |
C. Ray Powell (Raypowell) (205.188.193.183)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 01, 2001 - 11:44 pm: | |
I posted this on another board & didn't get a response. Try here. Have a 5C that is up on blocks. I want to remove the right front wheel hump to make a flat floor. Any problems with that?
Thanks
Ray |
FAST FRED (209.26.87.61)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 02, 2001 - 7:26 am: | |
THE only problem is that unless you install a set of much smaller wheels , the existing wheel and tire will lift the flat floor with a severe pot hole.
The clearences are well thought out,at the factory, and while you may never install a set of chains to climb a snow covered pass, there isnt much "extra" clearence you can use.
MUCH easier , and safer to re- think your interior floor plan.
Dont know why you would post a question anywhere , except the best board on line ,, HERE.
FAST FRED |
RobertNordin (63.50.233.149)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, June 03, 2001 - 4:51 pm: | |
Ray and Buswarrior, I have an MCI5 and did install a 6V92T with 740 Allison trany, had to shorten the driveshaft and motor mounts, had a few problems with overheating. The turbo crowded the air chamber and fans above the engine. I had to add more radiators and fans. Also the trany added to the heating problem and added a seperate radiator for the trany. I have a lot of power on the hills and am quite satisfied with the whole setup. Now on the wheel wells, I raised the roof six inches and the floor three inches(with ridged insulation), which made the floor higher and only needed a little flattening of the wheel wells. This extra height on the floor allowed room for the hydraulic ram to move the slide in and out. These are the things I did to solve these problems. Bob |
al spanjer (148.63.32.128)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, July 12, 2001 - 4:52 pm: | |
1970 mc5A...anybody know the fuel economy with the 8v71/ 4-speed???
Thanks-
-al spanjer |
Dan MCI5 (206.74.235.28)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, July 12, 2001 - 7:55 pm: | |
My '67 MCI5 w/8v71 and 4-speed got 10 mpg on the last trip I made.
Dan MCI5 |
Larry Baird (Airhog) (63.115.73.17)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 16, 2001 - 10:48 am: | |
My '72 MCI5 w/8v71 (big injectors) and 4-speed got 7 mpg on the last trip I made, 2100 RPM and 1100 miles |
Larry Baird (Airhog) (63.115.73.17)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 16, 2001 - 10:50 am: | |
Make that a MCI-7 |
Henry, eh (24.70.95.206)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, July 17, 2001 - 12:20 am: | |
Hey Larry,
How many of your roof airs were running at the time? Ha! Ha! Do you run your genset off your regular fuel tank? And do you figure your mileage with that in mind?
Henry, eh |
Larry Baird (Airhog) (159.115.147.139)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 23, 2001 - 7:55 pm: | |
I never need more then 2 or three, unless the ice make quits. The two 7KW gen sets are gas, don't ask. |
mci5anewbie (24.20.237.69)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 17, 2001 - 1:35 am: | |
I just purchased a 5a conversion and am wondering what my options are for leveling this bus when parked. Are HWH hyd. levelers practical. What is the GVW of a 5a?
One last question. Will a 6v92TA out of an RTS work in a 5a?
Thanks in advance. |
RJ Long (66.74.169.186)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 17, 2001 - 1:56 am: | |
MC-5a Newbie:
The GVW of your coach is the same as all two axle units:
Front = 12,000 lbs.
Rear = 20,000 lbs.
Total = 32,000 lbs.
A 6V92TA out of an RTS will work, if you don't mind four speeds in reverse and one forward. They use a LH rotation engine, while your MCI uses a RH rotation.
If you must do a powertrain swap, then install a 6V92TA / HT740 combo. You'll have to reroute the turbo and it's plumbing, and increase the cooling capacity, but it's the best upgrade available for your unit.
You could try to shoehorn in a Series 50, but it would require major surgery.
I have seen HWH levelers on MCIs. . .expensive, though.
RJ
PD4106-2784
Fresno CA |
Jojo Colina (Du1jec) (24.20.237.69)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 30, 2001 - 2:12 pm: | |
Does anybody know what are the specs on the 24 volt alternator on the MCI-5a? What is it's capacity? |
christopher (12.91.1.11)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 30, 2001 - 8:24 pm: | |
i have a 5c with a 6v92ta and the original 640 trans. my coach has 80 k on and the new motor has 60 k. it works fine. i like the 35' no tag. the coach does 75 at 2200 and realy goes up the hills.
christopher |
Dale Leyten (216.23.152.10)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, October 01, 2001 - 2:16 pm: | |
MCI5A 24v alternator is 250 amps at 1600 rpm. |
Jojo Colina (Du1jec) (24.20.237.69)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 05, 2001 - 9:45 am: | |
Would it be possible to increase cooling efficiency of the original radiators by adding electric auxiliary fans blowing inwards to assist the blower in moving air. It seems I have not read of people doing this. Is there any reason why? |
RJ Long (66.74.169.186)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 05, 2001 - 12:12 pm: | |
Jojo -
You'd have to have some HUGE auxiliary fans to come even close to the amount of air the OEM squirrel cage blowers move.
For example, take a look at the A/C condensor motor(s) on any charter or transit bus.
You won't find anything large enough at your local Pep Boys store. . .
If you're talking about an MC-5, it's very rare for these to overheat, unless there's a problem.
The 40-foot MCIs struggled with overheating problems until the "D" and later models. Especially with high HP powertrains.
If you are having MCI overheating concerns, here are some suggestions, in reverse order of cost:
~Replace radiators, squirrel cages and blower box drive pulley with those used on MC-9s powered by 8V92TA motors. Very important to replace the radiator seals, also.
~Replace radiators and blower box drive pulley with the models listed above.
~Pull and have a truck radiator shop thoroughly clean radiator cores. Replace blower box drive pulley. Obviously, flush and clean the rest of the system.
~Flush and clean cooling system thoroughly. Replenish with DDA-approved coolant and distilled water.
~If all of the above have not corrected the problem, then evaluate weight of the driver's right shoe. THIS is where a lot of overheating problems originate.
You MUST pay attention to what's going on, both by watching the temp gauge and the tailpipe for telltale signs of smoking.
More engines have been ruined by inattentiveness than by poorly designed cooling systems.
FWIW
RJ
PD4106-2784
Fresno CA |
Jojo Colina (Du1jec) (24.20.237.69)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 06, 2001 - 8:12 pm: | |
Thank you for the information on cooling. Is the MCI-9 pulley smaller? Is this how it helps? By turning the blower faster. |
Jojo Colina (Du1jec) (24.20.237.69)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 11, 2001 - 11:04 pm: | |
I bought a 7 inch custom pulley for my blower drive from Fred Hobe. He drove 60 miles to Fed-Ex my pulley so I could get it next day. The smaller pulley along with cleaning out my radiator exterior with a/c condenser cleaner took care of my heating issues. Fred Hobe is definitely one of the good guys in my book.
Jojo
68 MCI-5a
8v71/4 spd. |