| Author |
Message |
degojoe (198.81.16.29)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, June 30, 2002 - 4:55 pm: | |
I have two busses that I can get my hands on at a great price. One is newer but not yet converted that mechanically is great. The other is older with a first class conversion and engine may need a rebuild pretty soon. I'm leaning toward the converted bus as that looks like an awful lot of work already done and a lot of money already spent. (4104 vs Eagle model 5") |
Ace (24.28.44.126)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, June 30, 2002 - 5:19 pm: | |
Personally I would go with the Eagle especially if that's the one mechanically sound! If not it's still a good bus to work with as there are many options. If you like Gm's then go with that one but keep in mind the age. 4104 were one of the first to be converted. Parts are still availlable for both though you might have to hunt more for the Eagle parts than you would for the GM. You can always spend money on converting either one to your likes, but one thing you don't want to have is a pretty conversion that will just sit because of the MUCH needed money to fix it to get it to move!
Just my thoughts!
Ace |
Derv (24.216.35.76)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, June 30, 2002 - 7:01 pm: | |
Go with the one already converted and just needing an engine (especially if it is the Eagle). Mechanical is much easier than converting! Plus, you'll be sure to get an engine overhauled to your standards, not someone else's. |
Lin (65.184.0.189)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, June 30, 2002 - 8:45 pm: | |
If the platform doesn't mean much to the decision, I would probably lean toward the one that is already converted. That is simply because I am not much into doing the work myself right now. However, if you think you would enjoy doing the job, it's a different story. Make sure that you are just talking about an engine rebuild and that both don't have other problems like rust etc. By the way, I am not quite sure what you mean when you say "the engine may need a rebuild soon." Is it running strong but dirty or just barely running? |
CoryDaneRTSIIIL (198.29.191.148)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, June 30, 2002 - 9:04 pm: | |
After knowing fully what is involved in a full bus conversion, I would lean toward the converted unit, leaning to a point of almost falling over. I do STRONGLY suggest doing a very thourogh check out.
LOOK AT ALL THE BASIC SYSTEMS.
Water, plumbing, electric. I ESPECIALLY DO NOT LIKE conversions with extension cords buried in the wall, its a fire waiting to happen. Look for good strong stable construction tolast the long term.
Though we never want to buy into an overhaul, I think if the conversion is done, an overhaul cn be endured. cd |
Henry Draper (12.82.128.98)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, June 30, 2002 - 9:18 pm: | |
I strongly agree with those that are recommending the converted unit.
You have to check things our thoroughly, of course, but I believe that once you've assured yourself of what you're dealing with, you're money and time ahead buying the converted one.
That's what I did and I'm happy with that decision. And I know several people that started from a shell, and wish that they'd done what I did!!
I bought an Eagle that was about 70 percent done and a month later took it cross country and back. Since then, over the course of about four years, I've chipped away at the to-do list until it's abour 90 percent complete. But the key is that I've been using, and enjoying the hell out of it over that time!
Henry Draper |
degojoe (198.81.16.188)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, June 30, 2002 - 9:57 pm: | |
The way I look at the work done in a conversion is it takes skills that i do not have and it will nickel dime me to death I figure i can have a 671 rebuilt for $6-7k. The bus is hard starting, takes a shot of starting fluid even in warm weather and smokes until warm but once warmed up runs well. All other components of the drive train seem in decent shape. I'm leaning to a rebuild of the converted 4104 |
Tom Caffrey (Pvcces) (64.114.233.21)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, June 30, 2002 - 11:37 pm: | |
If the engine is a two valve unit with the standard liners, they tend to be stubborn starting if they are cooled off. Since you say that it requires ether even in warm weather, you are probably right about it getting to be due for an overhaul.
I don't know just when four valve engines became the factory setup, but they make a lot of difference.
If you have the overhaul done, you might take a look at going to a turbo setup with a bit more injector. Again, when you use a turbo, the proper piston is lower compression and will be harder starting when cool than the high compression one used with four valve heads without turbo.
From low compression two valve and small injectors to turbo four valve setups, you should get quite a performance increase. From what I've run across so far, I think you can improve your fuel mileage slightly at the same time.
The converted weight of the coach will give you some idea of whether any increase of performance is worthwhile. Driving it on known grades will tell you a lot, as well.
We bought a converted unit ourselves for many of the reasons mentioned earier in this thread. We have not regretted it, even thought there has been a fair laundry list of things needing to be taken care of.
For what it's worth, I have noticed that most people who convert for their own use seem to concentrate on either the running gear or the conversion, but not both.
Since you seem to like this conversion, the running gear ought to be thoroughly checked out to make sure that it has not been ignored. Of course, you should still check out the conversion carefully.
Have you decided whether you will need spring brakes if the coach does not already have them? They will run a pretty good bill to install, if you want them.
If you should want an automatic, the GM is more limited for options than the Eagle. I understand that the V730 is pretty hard on fuel.
A mechanic from a local tour bus outfit told me just today that the old VS-2 is giving them 10 mpg running around town. Theirs have the overdrive, but that only works if they get up to 40 or so.
Good luck in your choice.
Tom Caffrey PD4106-2576 |
mel 4104 (208.181.100.57)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 01, 2002 - 10:20 am: | |
on any motor that you are having trouble starting put a block heater in it and warm it up before you try to start ityou will be suprised how fast it will start and will run a lot cleaner.any one that comes near any motor of mine with starting fluid is not on the pay roll any more, there should be a law that allows you that you can do the same to him that he has just done to the motor and that is trying to kill it. starting fluid has ruined a lot of good motors over the years. mel 4104 |
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