| Author | Message | ||
| Paul Karasz (Neverlearn)
Registered Member Username: Neverlearn Post Number: 1 Registered: 11-2009 Posted From: 74.4.253.24 Rating: N/A |
Hello All! I'd like to introduce myself: I am (and always have been) a DIY'er with an addiction to all things with wheels. I learned by combining need with patience and new tools instead of shop labor fees. A bus has always been in my sights, but just out of possibility due to parking. Now that parking is no longer an issue (although I am certain I can't navigate anything larger than a 35' past the turn into my driveway), I jumped in with the willingness to start on a larger platform and learn all over again. I recently purchased for myself and my family of 5 (when traveling we are usually grow to 6) a 1967 MC5a. It was previously owned by the West Virginia Bluegrass Connection. It was converted for them from passenger use to it's current state: 6 forward-facing seats behind the driver, behind which is a kitchenette separated by a bulkhead, and then 6 bunks, and a large closet in the back - with the original Grayhound toilet intact. It has an Onan 6500 (4.8 Kw) gasolone genset underneath, 2 roof airs with heat, a Fridge and a microwave. For their purposes, this was considered complete. For my purposes, it is a great start. I have only made two trips so far since bringing it home, and unfortunately my second trip ended with a tow truck. My remodeling plans are currently on hold as the drop-box failed and I am waiting for it to be removed and inspected for rebuild-ability. Sadly, it didn't break down anywhere that I could get my hands dirty, and it is at a truck repair facility. For those who are willing, I am always happy to listen to suggestions, advice, and ranting. For those who ask, I am always willing to share what I know. Right now, my bus knowledge is rather limited to speculation rather than fact - but I have a collection of knowledge of certain cars (VW, Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Saab). I have had 2 Diesel VW's and 2 Diesel Mercedes (I still have my 87 300 SDL). While I'd love to have a diesel toad, the Merc just isn't a reasonable candidate for this - so instead I am converting my over-restored VW Eurovan to a manual trans for this purpose. I suddenly feel like I have a longer way to go than I anticipated, but I expect this by now. I still have on my sights a full bathroom install, a kitchen remodel, and a 12v lighting conversion. Like my username says: I Neverlearn and the projects get bigger! | ||
| Josh McElhiney (Zcommanager)
Registered Member Username: Zcommanager Post Number: 109 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 75.187.41.177  Rating: N/A |
Welcome to the asylum, Paul! You will find that this forum will provide you with a wealth of information, opinions, suggestions, etc. Congratulations on the purchase of your 5A!! A 66 or 67 MC 5 has been on my wish-list for quite some time!! Josh | ||
| Patrick levenson (Zubzub)
Registered Member Username: Zubzub Post Number: 129 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 174.91.226.239  Rating: N/A |
Ya poor bastard. Will you never learn? I also have a eurovan toad, don't even notice it back there. If you were closer to MTL there is someone selling a diesel motor and tranny here in town....might as well make that euro get even better milage. FWIW the euro 5 spd is a delicate box, mine was rebuilt at 300,000 km and at 420,000 km it is a little fussy and I am very gentle with it. If anyone else drives it 2nd take about a week of me being gentle before the synchros work properly again. So now you have a old bus, welcome from another grease monkey. | ||
| Paul Karasz (Neverlearn)
Registered Member Username: Neverlearn Post Number: 2 Registered: 11-2009 Posted From: 74.4.253.24 Rating: N/A |
Hi Patrick. I don't think that there is such a thing as a robust tranny for a EV (or any VW). The Auto's don't last more than 150k miles, and the manuals aren't much better. I blew a differential in my '85 Jetta TD - but the mileage on that tranny was unknown (came out of a gasser) and then the original 250k mile tranny went back in. The Jetta was an easy swap, but back to not learning, nothing is easy on the EV. I replaced the CV boots and heater core (the foam flaps failed in the heater box, not the heater core) one weekend and the next day the tranny died. Although it has been a desire of mine to swap the head for the 20v turbo head from an old Audi S4 and install the quattro drive train from a Euro model - these are outrageously expensive undertakings to be passed up for the thrill of a bus. Thanks all for the welcome! (I'll try not to turn this into a VW thread!) | ||
| marvin pack (Gomer)
Registered Member Username: Gomer Post Number: 683 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 71.53.153.91  Rating: N/A |
Neverlearn!! Trust me on this one, YOU WILL LEARN!!!! Sometimes we take the longer road but it all ends at the crossroad. What you don't know, you will,and what you know make sure you share it with us as we all are still learning.LOL It is a never ending process,trust me LOL LLOOLL Gomer | ||
| Paul Karasz (Neverlearn)
Registered Member Username: Neverlearn Post Number: 4 Registered: 11-2009 Posted From: 74.4.253.24  Rating: N/A |
I updated my profile with a bus pic, so hopefully it will show with this post. | ||
| ED Hackenbruch (Shadowman)
Registered Member Username: Shadowman Post Number: 190 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 75.210.162.248 Rating: N/A |
Cool, another 5 owner. | ||
| Grant Thiessen (Busshawg)
Registered Member Username: Busshawg Post Number: 230 Registered: 10-2007 Posted From: 206.45.93.160  Rating: N/A |
Welcome, great post. Here's my first question for you. I currently have a 2001 VW jetta diesel , with a manual 5spd trans. Can I tow it 4 down without any mods?? Grant | ||
| Paul Karasz (Neverlearn)
Registered Member Username: Neverlearn Post Number: 5 Registered: 11-2009 Posted From: 74.4.253.24 Rating: N/A |
Hi Grant, I believe that VW says no - but I have no idea why. I have seen them towed 4-down with no issues. Just expect like any toad that the wheel bearings, CV joints, and trans bearings will wear at the towed mileage which in your case will differ from what is displayed on the odometer. Hmmm, maybe that's why VW says no - they don't want to pay warranty claims for a trans that says it has 10k miles on it but really has 300k miles on it. | ||
| hiwaycallin (Hiwaycallin)
Registered Member Username: Hiwaycallin Post Number: 52 Registered: 10-2007 Posted From: 208.98.211.154  Rating: N/A |
Nice looking bus. I love the original look with destination sign and markers intact. I just don't get why some like to go through the trouble and expense of capping that original beauty. To each their own I suppose. | ||
| Jim Rink (Fakeguy)
Registered Member Username: Fakeguy Post Number: 156 Registered: 1-2005 Posted From: 96.11.208.166  Rating: N/A |
Neverlearn...love your handle...describes me to a tee. The fact that your coach was involved in Bluegrass makes it lovable to me. Welcome aboard. | ||
| L James Jones Jr (Jamo)
Registered Member Username: Jamo Post Number: 107 Registered: 11-2007 Posted From: 24.59.114.207  Rating: N/A |
Welcome Paul/Neverlearn, My wife says I neverlisten, and almost neverobey, but that's another story. I'm neverhungry and neverbored with her, as long as I keep the first items in check. I'm loving this place and the help I'm getting can't be beat. Enjoy... Jamo | ||
| Rob Norgren (Robsedona)
Registered Member Username: Robsedona Post Number: 173 Registered: 11-2007 Posted From: 70.212.208.146  Rating: N/A |
Welcome I think you will love the MC5A with the drop box Their is a washer that has to be but into it under the yoke or it will go soon again I found this out the hard way I have A 66 MC5A The washer can be got at Jefferson I don't know the # off hand Some one will have it handy or I can get it to you later (A lot of rebuilds don't but this washer in or don't know about it But with out it will blow apart fast!) Welcome and happy Coaching! PS where is the MC5 at now? a lot of truck places don't know much about drop boxes Jefferson or others can rebuild complete for about 3500 and their is a place online that has one for 2500 exchange I believe I will look for it! http://www.tejascoach.com/parts.html#MCI. Jefferson's # is I Believe is 405-272-0213 and if I remember its Ed that does MCI Luke at US Coach also Knows So much about Older MCIs 888-262-2434 (Message edited by Robsedona on November 21, 2009) | ||
| Paul Karasz (Neverlearn)
Registered Member Username: Neverlearn Post Number: 8 Registered: 11-2009 Posted From: 74.4.253.24 Rating: N/A |
Right now it is at Hartman Fleet Service in Manassas Park, VA - and I am having the drop box sent to Transaxle for the rebuild. I'll be sure to ask about the washer - thanks! | ||
| Bruce Henderson (Oonrahnjay)
Registered Member Username: Oonrahnjay Post Number: 482 Registered: 8-2004 Posted From: 70.60.107.113  Rating: N/A |
Paul wrote: "Hi Grant, I believe that VW says no - but I have no idea why. I have seen them towed 4-down with no issues." VW has stated that they are concerned that a VW towed in neutral will not have the lower transmission shaft spinning. The gears on the lower shaft (which also are not spinning) are what throws oil up to the gears, synchros and bearings for the top shaft. I don't know anyone who's tried it that has had any problem (and a lot of people have done it successfully). There's a level plug/drain plug on the front lower face that could be used as feed for a simple pump. Just drill and tap an oil supply fitting near each upper shaft bearing (if you feel that you really need to do something about VW's recommendation). I don't. | ||
| Bill Holstein (Billmoocow)
Registered Member Username: Billmoocow Post Number: 44 Registered: 5-2009 Posted From: 98.232.207.25  Rating: N/A |
Welcome | ||
| Jim Wilke (Jim Bob) (Pd41044039)
Registered Member Username: Pd41044039 Post Number: 420 Registered: 2-2001 Posted From: 184.0.0.219 Rating: N/A |
Most car companies will say NO to nearly any unusual use of their product because we live in a lawsuit happy world. Why would a company open themselves to liability (often they have to pay even if they did nothing wrong) with no potential profit? If they just say no, they might escape liability for transmission failure, towbar /baseplate problems, accidentally locked steering wheels or parking brakes left on. What would any of us do given that kind of choice? That being said, I have towed two different '04 Jetta TDIs a total of about 20,000 miles with no problems. If you have a concern with transmission lubrication, just start the engine & leave it idling when you tow. I have done that often at night when I wanted the car's running lights to be on in addition to the two little towing lights (without killing the battery). Of course, with the VW (and others) if you have the engine running, and you release the parking brake, the headlights come on. (These shine in the back window if towing with a car.) Also, if you tow with a dolly, with the engine running, you will give the traction control a nervous breakdown from the back wheels doing 70 while the fronts are doing 0! It seems to shake out it's feathers after a couple of start/drive cycles though. | ||
| Grant Thiessen (Busshawg)
Registered Member Username: Busshawg Post Number: 231 Registered: 10-2007 Posted From: 206.45.93.160 Rating: N/A |
thanks guys, I think I may start building a tow bar for my jetta and tow 4 down, as mentioned a person could leave it idling. They burn next to no fuel, but in reality I don't think I'd even have to do that. | ||
| Bruce Henderson (Oonrahnjay)
Registered Member Username: Oonrahnjay Post Number: 484 Registered: 8-2004 Posted From: 70.60.107.113 Rating: N/A |
Or if you felt necessary, you could stop every hour and start the engine; then it would splash the upper bearings and gears for another hour's worth of travel. But I seriously doubt that that's necessary. |