| Author |
Message |
dounan (65.96.83.244)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, July 20, 2004 - 6:25 am: | |
i have a chance to get an mci 8 ,just comeing out of tour service. the man is quiting.
what should i look for ------what are that models inherent problems??
thnk dounan |
Bulldogie (69.4.194.98)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, July 20, 2004 - 10:26 am: | |
Dounan, you don't say what year it is, also what area has it been in, what the milage is,when was the engine last overhauled and was it an in bus or taken out to be overhauled, what is the condition of the transmission and is it a stick or a auto, and was it ever a greyhound?
Most of the time you will find the inner support struts rusted very bad in several places. If your willing to replace all the Monocul sides with channel steel, I am using 3"X 1 1/2" for the uprights and then all the rest is 1 1/2" square tubing. If the bus is not priced for less than $6,000.00 then run as fast as you can and find another bus like a mci-9 that has all stainless steel in the uppers so there is no rust. But then you will still have a mono coach which relys upon the skin for support. |
Jim Ashworth (Jimnh) (172.131.161.206)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, July 20, 2004 - 5:04 pm: | |
Common problems include but are not limited to:
Frame rust behind the ss skin on the nose below the windshield, push on the ss, if it makes crunching sound it is rusted.
Frame rust at the bottom row of rivets on the rear cap, reach in and feel the frame tube.
Frame rust in the sidewalls, look for bubbling paint or blisters on the middle row of rivets, also bubbling at the bottom indicates skin corrosion which should be replaced.
Corrosion on top of the air beams of the suspension. This is tricky to diagnose as a buyer, but look at the caulking and undercoat in the wheel wells. If it is cracked where it meets the air bag mounts, water HAS gotten in there, just how much rust is unknown. If it is a salt country bus, assume there is rust. The air bags may be plated with a 3/8" plate between the bag and the 1/4" upper bag mount. If so, definite rust. Check the top of the tag axle bag mount where it meets the rear air beam. Should be solid with not a lot of flaking rust.
Expect to see reinforcement around the rear engine doors and engine cradle frame. Good repairs are ok.
Frame stress cracks over the entry door by the windshield and behind the door at the top of the triangle window. The interior sheet metal trim should show cracks.
Holes in the bay floors and rust up the bay walls is normal. How much you tolerate is dependent on price.
Check the rear junction box inside the LH engine side door. Wiring should be expected to be dirty but not butchered.
The tag axle bushings are likely worn. Jack up the tag axle after releasing the air from it and using a bar, pry it fore/aft to check for play in the bushings. This one's $1500 for parts alone.
Price is going to be the determining factor along with your ability to fix anything that is wrong.
I could go on and on. The MC-8 is probably the nicest driving bus on the road and is worth putting some energy into fixing, but, how deep are your pockets? At this time you don't want to have much more that $20K in a cherried out shell, that means everything restored:Body, drive train and suspension. It can be done. They make a nice conversion. I often think about how much I miss mine, even though I now have a Prevost.
Good luck with the search,
Jim |
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