| Author |
Message |
Juan Navarro (Jnavarro)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 29, 2005 - 4:27 pm: | |
Who would have thunk it two years ago, that I would be considering another bus. We have a very nicely converted 4104, and today I put a deposit on a 1975 MC8 Crusader seated bus.
Can you guys please chime in with the pro's and con's of the MC8.
The details are as follows
75 MC8 Crusader Seated with bathroom
was in service with TETON line until last week when the engine "blew a head" in San Diego according to the yard
8V71 non turbo and 4 speed automatic "crusader-allison" according to the shifter
very clean it appears that no one has "modified" anything. (wiring, hoses, lighting)
Stainless skin is unpainted and straight
some painted panels have a little bubbling of corrosion.
has 12R 22.5 tires and alcoas in front. the guy will take my spare three mismatched alcoas and give me all matching alcoas all around except fot the inner duallies.
What do you all think,
oh yeah, $5K out the door,
$250 for towing to my place
Look on my wife's face (unforgetable!)
Cheers,
Juan Navarro PD 4104-138 and maybe MC8 |
Craig (Ceieio)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 29, 2005 - 4:48 pm: | |
Juan - I think the 8 is a great bus. Condition of the shell is what makes the difference and it sounds like yous has been well loved.
I would only change one thing with your deal - send your Alcoa's to me! :-)
Craig - MC7 Oregon |
Jim Ashworth (Jimnh)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 29, 2005 - 6:11 pm: | |
The MC-8 was considered by most Greyhound drivers to be the best driving bus ever made. I agree, after having owned one for 9 years. That being said, look for corrosion in the nose by pushing on the stainless and listening for a crunching noise. Check the engine doors to see if the framing has been reinforced and it is still good. A little rust can be expected at the lower driver side steel at the rear cap. Corrosion is also expected at the floor/wall area of the bays. Just be sure it isn't too much. If it's a good bus, the price is right
Jim |
John MC9
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 29, 2005 - 7:47 pm: | |
hmmmm...
* 1975 MC8
* last week...... the engine "blew a head"
* $5K out the door
* $250 for towing to my place
My rule of thumb: If I can't drive it to my place, it ain't worth
the headaches.
It's old; it's broken, and you can do a thousand times better
for a few bucks more. |
Doug Wotring
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 29, 2005 - 9:06 pm: | |
I agree with John unless youw want a project.
Also look for corrosion near the plenum inlets on the side and the structure holding up the Radiator blowers.
If the sides are wavey or there is rust in these areas or in the suspension, Run.
I would expect since it spent it's life in the Tetons there is a fair ammount of rust hiding here and there |
Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 29, 2005 - 9:59 pm: | |
Gee, and here I thought that only Eagles rusted. Have you guys been pulling my leg? LOL
Richard |
Wayne Buttress (Eagleman)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 29, 2005 - 10:06 pm: | |
Juan,
I went in the other direction. I'm converting a eagle 20 with at least 2 years to go before it is done. I just purchased PD4104-4169 less than a month ago to use until the Eagle is finished.
The 4104 is a great coach and my allegeance is changing. It is simple to operate, systems are in the KISS family. It will be great fun going to the bus rallys in a real bus instead of a class "C" stick and staple.
Good luck with your decision, Wayne |
Stephen Fessenden (Sffess)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 29, 2005 - 10:49 pm: | |
If he doesn't give you a running engine, it sounds like a bad deal. |
Brian (Bigbusguy)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 29, 2005 - 11:01 pm: | |
I would say you would never sell it the way it is for $5000. with blown motor any place any where. SO I would say pay less. But you pat a deposit on it so saying that you should pass is a little late mabe you should have asked first!
Have you even looked in a MCI at where the motor is ? Its not east to do ant thing with out pulling the motor out.
Spend 2 to 3 k more buy a newer running MCI you will be money ahead.
Brian 4905 Klamath Fall Oregon |
Juan Navarro (Jnavarro)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 30, 2005 - 2:48 am: | |
Thanks to all of you for your input,
I will be crawling thru it this weekend and poking at the places where you all indicated. The bus still runs but it overheats, the mechanic at the yard said he can pull the head and look, I would rather repace the engine with a 6V92TA and freshen the trannie. Found out it also has a retarder.
The radiators and all the hoses/belts look well maintained and the coolant reservoir shows bright green coolant on the tank. It also has a MC9 cap on the front. I looked at the engine and trans craddle and it shows no signs of rust. I imagine I can get my forklift under the engine frame and the whole thing may come out. The A/C is complete and reportedly works great.
I think the charter company did not want to tow it all the way to Idaho to repair the old bus and sold it on the spot to the yard. probably for a song.
Now there are two MC9s with manual 5 speeds that are great but they want too much $19K. I drove one of them and it was soo sweet!
Will let you know more soon,
Juan Navarro, decisions, decisions. |
Brian Brown (Blue_velvet)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 30, 2005 - 2:59 am: | |
I'm with John and the others. I wouldn't buy a bus I couldn't drive. If you can drive an MC8, also check the tightness of the non-integral steering. The MC8 I had briefly was the most wandering thing I've ever driven.
Since the shell is seldom the most expensive part of the conversion, but is the most important component of it... I'd be tempted to spend more $ and get a newer 9 (with integral steering) or even a 102. For a conversion platform, a 102A2 would just rock, IMHO. Probably lots more $, though.
Hmm... Since I mentioned a 40' two-axle, you could consider a 4905 if you want the best-riding bus ever made. Oops, my allegiances are showing again.
BB
PD4106-1175 |
John MC9
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 30, 2005 - 7:52 am: | |
Juan-
There's an 8v71in there now, and you want to swap it to a 6v92?
I'm hoping someone will jump in here..... I thought the cooling
system for the v92s were considerably larger than those for
the v71s....?
Man, that shell would have to be in show-room, near mint
condition, before I'd even consider buying it with a "broken head".
If there's anti-freeze in the oil, you mind as well tell 'em to take
the engine out before they move it...
Sometimes, Juan.... we get caught up with the glitter of something
that's new to us... The glitter tarnishes fast, trust me. You do not
lose a thing by walking away from it.
I wish you luck with whatever your choice is.. |
john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 30, 2005 - 11:13 am: | |
Don't the MC8,s have a funny floor area?As used coaches keep coming down in price, you could get a nice MC9 or newer with a little patience, although it is hard to come by when you look to upgrade. |
Juan Navarro (Jnavarro)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 30, 2005 - 1:06 pm: | |
Well
Here's the decision. I looked and prodded at the MC8 and also looked at other buses on the web and the 4 sale boards.
I'm passing on this one. I think I'll wait for a 96A3 or Prevo shell.
Thanks to all for your input.
Now I have to get the GM ready for a September - October trip to Baja. Oil, Coolant, filter changes, and brake adjustments.
Juan Navarro, Still PD4104-148 'Hound |
John MC9
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 30, 2005 - 2:22 pm: | |
Wise choice, Juan! Have a great trip!! |