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Rob Staver (Postorganic)
Registered Member
Username: Postorganic
Post Number: 1
Registered: 1-2008
Posted From: 63.228.155.130
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 - 12:36 pm: | |
Hello everyone, I'm a new poster. A little background - I used to live in a converted bus that I rented monthly while living in Olympia, WA. That bus didn't run, just sat in the woods and had a wood burning stove for heat and a kitchenette that ran off propane gas. It was a large Bus from the 1960's and that's all I know about it.
I am now living in New Mexico and recently found a converted bus for sale in Ft. Collins, CO for $750. Supposedly the bus runs fine although it has a "small leak in the carburetor" and the tires seem to be in decent shape from the pictures, but the guy selling claims that a few of them have minor "flat spots that may or may not affect it on the highway." He said the bus has primarily been sitting in one area for the last 10 years, but in the last few months he's taken it out a few times and it's performed fine.
So, the thing here is that I want to live the converted-bus life again, but have a few questions..
To get a few things out of the way..
-I do not plan on traveling in the bus, i would just need to make it down from Ft. Collins, CO to Santa Fe, NM. (approx. a 7 hour drive) I may relocate with it a few times beside that in the coming years, but plan on doing some work on it once I buy it. It is an automatic transmission.
I will be using it almost entirely for living purposes, not travel.
So one thing i'm wondering is - from the pictures that i've posted does this seem like a fair deal to you guys? It comes with a fridge, queensize bed,futton and space heater included in the price.
another thing I'm very inexperienced about is how I will properly run electricity; the best way to heat it without a wood burning stove (I'm assuming small space heaters would work best since I will need electrcity anyway,) the best way to go about finding land, renting land, keeping it parked, etc.
The idea of it breaking down en route from CO to NM is also a concern as I would have very few options in event something like that happened. However, the seller claims that the engine is in good shape and that it runs.
So any advice, tips, or feedback would be much appreciated, no one who i know has any experience with this kind of thing whatsoever, whatever advice you veteran and pro busers can give me would be very helpful and much appreciated.
postorganic@gmail.com
I'm very torn on making this decision! My heart says 'yes' but everything else seems to be saying 'no', ever been in that position, what would you do?
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Rob Staver (Postorganic)
Registered Member
Username: Postorganic
Post Number: 2
Registered: 1-2008
Posted From: 63.228.155.130
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 - 12:49 pm: | |
whoops, here are pics..
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b208/Slimer666/busexterior.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b208/Slimer666/businterior.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b208/Slimer666/businterior2.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b208/Slimer666/busbedroom.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b208/Slimer666/busengine.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b208/Slimer666/bustires.jpg |
Mark R. Obtinario (Cowlitzcoach)
Registered Member
Username: Cowlitzcoach
Post Number: 185
Registered: 4-2001
Posted From: 204.245.228.200
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 - 1:20 pm: | |
At a guess, I would say the bus at which you are looking is a early '70's vintage IHC/Superior bus. Since you say it has an automatic, it most likely has the SV392 V-8 under the hood. If it has a 4-barrel carb, it is even more likely a SV392.
You can expect fuel mileage to be in the 4-6 MPG range with the average closer to 4 MPG than to 6 MPG.
Most 'binders will take a lot of abuse and keep coming back for more.
The one really weak spot SV engines had was the oiling system for the rockers. Before I were to take a 'binder any distance I would pull the valve covers and check to make sure the top end was getting oiled properly. You are probably going to have to replace the valve cover gaskets anyway, they tend to dry out and leak at the best of times.
If the transmission shifts from forward to reverse and back again without any really long pauses the transmission should be okay. Check the color of the ATF. If it is anything close to pink it should be okay. If it is really dark or smells carmelized you may have a problem.
The tire in the picture doesn't exhibit any really bad weather checking.
If you are moving the bus at this time of the year you may not have any problems. If you wait until the warm months you could have some really bad problems with tires that old.
The price seems pretty fair. You should be able to get almost that amount in scrap metal and used parts.
When it comes to house buses, Mr. Sharkey seems to be the real expert (http://www.mrsharkey.com/). There is a distinction between those who convert in order to live in them and those who convert them in order to go out on the road. Mr. Sharkey is better versed in the nuances of living in a house bus/truck than an RV.
All I can say is good luck.
Mark O.
Castle Rock, WA |
Gus Causbie (Gusc)
Registered Member
Username: Gusc
Post Number: 581
Registered: 11-2005
Posted From: 208.54.200.49
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 26, 2008 - 11:34 pm: | |
Rob,
Mark has covered just about everything and very well.
I would add that the carb leak may be from dried gaskets or simply loose screws at the carb body joints.
Check all the fluid levels now and check for leaks while driving. Ten years sitting is bound to result in a bunch of dried gaskets.
I collect antique trucks along with my bus and unfortunately I don't own an IH. My two biggest problems are hyd brakes and stale gas. Todays gas is only good for a month or two until it gets stale and gummy. I recommend you drain the tank and refill with fresh gas or if it is low already fill it completely with fresh gas.
I would also spray some carb cleaner into the carb throat plus remove the fuel line into the carb and give the carb float bowl and needle valve a good shot of cleaner.
The fuel pump is probably dried out so it might be a good idea to get a spare - even better just change it before you start. Fuel pumps are not high tech to change.
Drive slow, especially the first few miles. Keep a good watch on wheel bearing temps. You could easily have sticky brakes. I assume they are boosted hydraulic?
From the photos it appears to be a good old bus so the price is right. The interior is worth that.
Make sure to register it as a motor home. Then get Road Service insurance with Good Sam. One tow can cost you more than the price of Good Sam and you could easily need more than one. Good Sam also covers all your other vehicles, a real bargain. |
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