| Author |
Message |
Herb
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 11, 2005 - 10:04 pm: | |
GIVEN: MCI-9 with all inside wall metal totally removed for conversion. roof raised 8 inches.
QUESTION: Recommended or Not-Recommended to drive MCI-9 bus 1500 miles, given that ALL INSIDE WALL METAL IS REMOVED AND ROOF RAISED 8 INCHES??? |
Nick
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 11, 2005 - 10:12 pm: | |
We stripped the inside of our MCI-8 and drove it from the Dallas, Texas area to northern Michigan, and then to Kingman, Az with no problems. Did not raise the roof, but I don't see any problems if the roof raise was done properly |
James Maxwell (Jmaxwell)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, March 12, 2005 - 12:27 am: | |
Nick: Did u also remove the lower wall interior metal? It is structurally integral to the body and lends strength. The recommendations I have heard caution to move it carefully if the lower wall metal is removed. |
Nick
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, March 12, 2005 - 12:38 am: | |
Yes, it was stripped down to just the outside skin from the floor up, including the interior ceiling. Maybe we were just dumb and got lucky, but we had no problems. I also had a fellow stop by whre we are staying in Florida this week with an MCI 9 that he had purchased already stripped down the same way. He bought it in New York and was on his way home to Louisiana with it. |
John that newguy
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, March 12, 2005 - 7:06 am: | |
I dunno', but It makes me wonder... why anyone would go through
all the trouble to strip the body clean, then sell it... Most converters
care more about body and engine/drivetrain condition, than if it's
been stripped...
I wonder is I oughta' sell mine now and get from under the
mechanical repairs I need... Rather than finish it and enjoy it.. |
John that newguy
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, March 12, 2005 - 7:58 am: | |
Oops. Sorry Herb. I didn't mean that the way it sounded..
You probably got a great deal. I was just wondering why
I see so many of these "stripped" buses for sale. |
TWODOGS (Twodogs)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, March 12, 2005 - 8:36 am: | |
THAT ...is the way this hobby is ! !...for every coach converted to motorhome...there are ten unfinished coach's that either people have lost interist in ...or...found out it was going to cost too much due to something they found |
BrianMCI
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, March 12, 2005 - 9:47 am: | |
or...found out that they reall didn't know how much work it would actually be to convert a coach?
Brian |
TWODOGS (Twodogs)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, March 12, 2005 - 9:55 am: | |
THUS....the name of this institution....you either REALY get the bug...& are a "BUSNUT"....or ....it sits in a field & rots & you say: "someday I'll fix it up" |
Sojourner (Jjimage)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, March 12, 2005 - 10:53 am: | |
You do what it pleases you but with safety first in mind and avoid all unnecessary cost.
About inter below window alum panel fasten with pop (blind) rivets, no….you don’t have to reinstalled before driven however go slower over bumpy joints or whatever to keep wall from vibrating side-way if they have a some rusted or weaken vertical & horizontal framing. If some are rusted out (missing frame or “H”&“Z” rail) then have it repaired or be more caution while driving with no or very light pay-load.
When repair & cleaning done to inside wall after reinsulated with hot spray or foam sheet in between framing. Be sure seal all outside leak for moisture. Reinstall original inter skin or new 2024-T3 alum sheet using blind rivet, Then apply ½” or thicker “one-side” smooth good grade plywood with self-drilling screws. That will stiffens back to better than original.
Inter skin are to stiffen wall some horizontally and vertically but mostly to stiffen side way. That what “corrugated” cardboard does to boxes.
Main monocoup’s structural is outer skin, roof top & side wall solid alum rivets and all windows.
About roof raise, solid alum or strong blind rivet added extension .060”, 2024 T3 aluminum sheet and or larger (higher) windows. Before driven on HWY, have all windows & extension installed properly.
Caution; Windows as well outer metal skin are diagonals support for vertical & horizontally, Front & rear is included. Such as in the case of roll-over, a well retained front windshield keep top (roof) from horizontally searing off beginning at front end. Example NASCAR car’s windshield are metal strap over so to retained while roll to control diagonal action via glass from collapsing roof.
Caution; be sure windshield rubber moldings are not cracked & loosen (ages) otherwise you are risking your life as well costly repair or replacement (coach). This applied to all coaches.
To under stand what diagonals framing do to “shoe box” w/top is same as monocoup coach which is MCI-5-6-7-8-9-10-12 & GMC & early Prevost.
1) Remove top & try twisting both end….it twist but put top (diagonal) back on…. Ridged.
2) Now cut out “windshield” end (diagonal) of box & put top “roof” back on (diagonal) w/box table….now top is trying to go side-way at cutout end.
3) Remove “roof” (diagonal) now side wall move freely because missing diagonal (no windshields).
4) Same applied to missing diagonals on side-wall (no windows). However one or two side window remove is still supported by others on same side (windows) is ok to drive if necessary.
5) Main point is 6 sides to complete a monocoup construction.
6) All new intercity buses are not monocoup but bridge construction (trusses). Skins are glued on frame.
7) Due to production cost & cutout in walls for handicap-lift, bridge construction is best choice.
8) Aircraft is best in monocoup construction because of difference application.
All being said is to inform the whys and can do before driven as far as body construction.
Like I said before, you choose what please you.
I am not responsible anybody workmanship of above quotes. GM retired experimental photo-type build-up.
Beautiful monocoup constructed plane; http://www.ftlcomm.com/ensign/planes/bellanca/superviking.html
If you are owner of bus, none of above is boring if you are a Do-It-Selfer.
I read all posts & learn & help to share my experience to you all bus nut or whatever.
FWIW |
John that newguy
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, March 12, 2005 - 2:36 pm: | |
Yeah..... but with the shoes back in after a month's worth of
wearing them, it stinks like all hell no matter how you twist it. |
TWODOGS (Twodogs)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, March 12, 2005 - 2:52 pm: | |
still saveing feces ??? |
John that newguy
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, March 12, 2005 - 6:32 pm: | |
Sure! What do you have to be saved from? |
TWODOGS (Twodogs)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, March 12, 2005 - 8:34 pm: | |
JTNG |