| Author |
Message |
David J. Silva (Cypress) (208.7.212.28)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, February 09, 2004 - 7:33 pm: | |
There's one on ebay that I have a special fondness for (wife is a UVA grad) It looks real nice, is it a decent conversion shell, (despite being a transit)
Seller claims it has 6v92 and "747" transmission. |
Greg Corbett (Kootking) (24.70.251.188)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, February 09, 2004 - 8:06 pm: | |
My advice would be to stay away from it, they were problematic in our area when they were new.
Our Provincial transit has more than a few up for sale at: http://www.bctransit.com/corporate/rfps/bus_sales/orion_1981.cfm
These have puny engines, leaking trannies, brake problems, etc.
There are no basements, so conversion is difficult, check top speed, may only hit 50 mph. There are good transits for conversion (RTS, GMC, and MCI) but I wouldn't touch Orion. |
David J. Silva (Cypress) (208.7.212.28)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, February 09, 2004 - 8:59 pm: | |
A 6v92 isn't puny if that's what it has. I just read the archives on Orions. Some speak well of them. And what about that trans? is it a 4 speed? |
James Maxwell (Jmaxwell) (66.81.208.128)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, February 09, 2004 - 9:46 pm: | |
That is a good eng & tranny combination, so if they are in good shape, you should not have a problem with that part of it. I converted a Grumman that had no basement and I'm doing a intercity Neoplan now. True the bays are nice, but my Grumman had plenty of room under it for all the rv system components. Just takes a little more planning and a few hangers here and there. Actually, I built a cargo bay under my Grumman, 8'x8'x17"h. Don't be put off one because some of these people have this disdain for transits; mine runs with the big dogs on a regular basis and actually runs away from some of the big "dogs". |
Greg Corbett (Kootking) (24.70.249.2)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, February 09, 2004 - 11:08 pm: | |
If your bus has the 6v92 & the 747 (4SP), great but not having the "buildsheet" for that bus, I'm not going push it. The Canadian buses have 6V53s and the lighter MT345 Allison, for town use, fine but highways they are snails. See this spec sheet: http://www.city.toronto.on.ca/ems/pdf_files/mpu_123.pdf
PS: There are $1200 worth of used tires (new more $$) to locate, mount, and return old ones to add to the price! |
Jayjay (64.12.96.105)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, February 09, 2004 - 11:40 pm: | |
Lee-Tran here in Ft. Myers,FL uses the 32/35 ft. Orions, 6V92/Allison 740 4spd auto tranny, and the drivers just love them. They go like stink, turn on a dime, and have a lot of head room. Really "square" corners make it easy to panel/plumb/wire. Not musch space for a full-timer to live with, but a nice "camper" for vacations and ballgames. Drives like a car and has a shorter turning radius than my neighbors 1 ton dually Chev pickup!!! You'll have to drive it 'til it falls apart, 'cuz it's gonna' be real tuff to sell. Have at it!!! ...JJ |
Peter Broadribb (Madbrit) (67.136.121.168)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 - 12:11 am: | |
Don't forget, THIS bus needs tires all round as the one son it are on lease and must be returned to the University, read the small print.
Peter. |
James Maxwell (Jmaxwell) (66.81.32.239)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 - 1:08 am: | |
Don't sweat the tire issue that these guys present. Most transits and intercity that you buy on the open market need a full set of rubber. Ocassionaly, you come across a private sale that has good rubber. My 1st one was open market from a dlr. former transit, scared me to drive it 150 miles home on them. Last one was a private bankruptcy deal on a factory reconditioned intercity, brand new Good Years all around, but I pd. for them, believe me. It's a plus if they come with them, it's just another conversion expense if they don't, what $1800.00? |
Phil Dumpster (24.16.189.48)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 - 4:15 am: | |
Just because those 30 foot Orions have 6V53s doesn't mean all Canadian Orions have them.
I looked at an Orion 40 foot coach with 6V92 and 747 before buying my Flyer. Thought they would make a decent conversion candidate.
On the 40 foot busses there is enough room to stuff in a Series 60 if you raise the floor over it. Imagine, with one of those and a Roadranger you could outrun almost anything going up hill. |
rands5302 (65.58.48.57)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 - 10:36 am: | |
where do i find one with 6v92 to be doner for mci thanks randy |
Buswarrior (Buswarrior) (64.229.210.156)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 - 9:19 pm: | |
Hello all.
Beware, a 6V92 of this vintage may not give you the power that you dream of....
there are differences between mechanical and DDEC motors. Check with your local Detroit Diesel representative to see what is involved in making maximum power out of each type of engine before jumping in.
As for the Orion as conversion candidate, great little buses, check for rust, be sure all your auxiliary equipment (generator/tanks/etc) will fit somewhere that YOU want it to fit and go for it.
We are a bit elitist around here with regard to transits, but we're working on it!
happy coaching!
buswarrior |
Geoff (66.238.120.34)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, February 11, 2004 - 7:55 am: | |
Actually, Buswarrior, a 6V92TA built in 1983 is an excellent engine for power upgrades. It would be an MUI engine with federal cams so all you have to do for a power upgrade is install bigger injectors. The transit turbo is already a good size for power upgrades so the whole process is quite easy. The problem we see are the engines that have received EPA conversions-- they run smog cams, smog pistons and injectors, etc., and are hard to upgrade without rebuilding the entire engine. So the Orion still has the original engine configuration it would be a great engine to have.
Oh, and I try not to be "elitist" about having an RTS but it is hard to keep my mouth shut when it is such a superior bus!--LOL
--Geoff
'82 RTS CA |
David J. Silva (Cypress) (152.121.36.65)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, February 11, 2004 - 9:49 am: | |
Thanx Geoff,
I agree completely that the RTS is the better choice. And this may sound like a stupid set of reasons but the most important feature this bus has is the UVA logo and crossed swords on the front. My wife is tentatively supportive of a bus conversion but she is nuts about her school and almost certainly rode this particular bus. We have a paint scheme in mind that would retain the existing logos and blue/orange stripe.
It would be a blast to bring it to footbal games (not that i watch football games)
Of course we wouldn't buy junk just because it was a UVA bus but if it's as nice as it looks in the pictures and passes inspection, it might be the one.
This is all contingent on winning the bid. My study of ebay buses suggests $2000 might be high for our area or for any Orion anywhere.
Local tire guy will hook me up with some real cheap rubber to get it home (50 miles)
What can i expect to pay to get the tires swapped?
And what else can I add to my inspection list?
thanks
Dave |
Geoff (66.238.120.34)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, February 11, 2004 - 10:29 am: | |
Hi, David
Actually I wasn't passing judgement on your Orion, but being "elitist" when it came to comparing an RTS to a highway coach (Buswarior started it).
As far as tires go, you could pay more for new tires than the bus! Are the rims included with returning the tires? I hope not.
What else to look for? Well, that takes a little bit of experience. Rust is a big factor, and you have to get underneath the bus to see if rust has eaten away the important frame structure. Sometimes just looking in the wheel wells will give you an idea of what to expect further in. Also, looking underneath will give you an idea of what it is going to take to hang tanks, a generator, LP tank and plumbing systems.
If you just want the bus to go to games and work towards getting your wife used to the bus conversion idea it should work out nicely. Just don't put too much money into it if you are not going to keep it a long time, resale usually puts you in the hole.
--Geoff |
Phil Dumpster (24.16.189.48)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, February 12, 2004 - 8:29 am: | |
Check the builder's plate of that bus to see if the body was made in Hungary. If so, it will have rust problems. Guaranteed.
If it was made in North America, it should be OK. |