MCI MC-6 information

[dreamweaver]

I am new to the game and would like input concerning the fun and pitfalls of an MC-6

I hear a lot of horror stories but none come from actual owners.

Is there anyone out there that has actually owned one or knows someone who has that has stories to share?
thanks

[lvmci]

try this, may still be there, he recently sold it, Www.my69mci-6.blogspot.com?m=1  ,lvmci...

[dreamweaver]

do you know how to reach Gary?  I have tried a couple of ways, I would really like to talk to him even if he has sold the rig.

[Brian Evans]

I don't think they would be any more horrible than any other 1969 - 1970 MCI.  They were "Hounds" since they were all run by Greyhound, they were re-engined to 8V-71 from 12V-71 so they will have a nice large engine compartment, they are 102" wide which is nice, they are two level in the living space which can be awkward.  Rust underneath, in the air boxes for the springs, all the usual.   Running gear is probably standard MCI.  At that age, condition of the individual coach means a whole lot more than anything else.

Brian

[TomC]

I saw one 6 that was re engined with a Series 60. The engine compartment is so huge, the S60 actually looked small. There is room to install most any engine. The only real weird thing is they had a bigger diameter wheel stud mounting circle. Most have had conversion plates made to run normal 10 stud wheels. They came with 12R-24.5-which are only available in construction type tires. All that I've seen were converted to 11R-24.5. Good Luck, TomC

[dreamweaver]

Tom - one of the big issues I am finding is the tire size.  do you know anyone that has done something to standardize?  not sure what that would take.

[chrome dome]

George Todd, who is a very helpful Guy, also has a MC6 and is in the members list here.

I believe Gary said  he had to change to some kind of an Adapter so he could put standard tire and wheels on it.

Dave5Cs

[seayfam]

Hello Dreamweaver,
Sorry I took so long to get back to you! I've been down in Idaho remodeling a house and didn't have my computer with me.

As mentioned, I did sell my MC-6 a couple of months ago (I'm going to regret that forever) it in my opinion it was the bus to have if you wanted an older MCI. It is 6" wider and is mostly stainless steel so all your work won't rust away on you. The biggest pitfall is the wheel stud pattern and the amount of work it will take to level out the floors to get the headroom you will need.

My bus had custom built wheel adapters to accept standard aluminum wheels and I've heard of some guys having custom wheels built. The floors in my bus were dropped a few inches and the front half of my roof was brought up to the level of the rear half. It looked really good and had 6'5" of headroom in the front.

Do you have any information on the 6 your looking at? There are so few left that I'd buy it and go for it if you have the time and ability to do the build. There are so many bus nuts out there that haven't even seen one and probably never will.

Good Luck
Gary

[dreamweaver]

thanks for the input guys.

Gary, would you mind if I called you and chew on your ear a little while?  I am planning on making the 12 hour drive this weekend to check out the rig and I need to know what I should be looking for in particular.

my email is greg@ai-ent.com if you would like to send me your contact info.

thanks again to all and I look forward to the coming posts....
greg

[wg4t]

The cazy thing after installibg the 12V-71 in the MC7, it was clear the 7 was designed with the possibility for the 12V, it fit nice & clean, about 1" clearance around the air intake on the blowers and same around the bell housing, alternator, hydraulic pump & air compressor, just stand back and laugh, used he origional engine mount at water pump end, moved the ears on the slid in craddle back about 11.5 ". And weld back on.  Other han cooling was finding the short driveshaft with the slip joint, had to be 9.5" center in slip joibt and center of U Joints.
Was a fun project best toy I ever had by far.
Dave M

[dreamweaver]

so Dave, how did the 12v compare to the 8v as far as economy.
the typical argument seems to be more power, less work, comparable economy.
any truth to that?
thanks

[wg4t]

Economy was not a thought as fuel was under $1.00 gal, but with th 8V mpg ran around 6.8-6.9. Going with the 12V the mileage was exactly 5.9 mpg' same 483 rpm 11R24.5 with the 3.73 rear and direct high gear this was running I-95 Richmond va to south Fl& return.
The beauty of the 12V was how smooth, big torque off idle, many truckers crowded around to see it.  Attracted both Fats Domino who insisted I stop so he could see it, that was on I-95 north side of NC,  Fats is a bus nut.  Charlie Danials found it was tine for a new bus after his bus could only run down hill with me on I-40 east of Knoxville.  Get on top of grade and wait for them.

[dreamweaver]

so do you wait for them so you can see the sadness on their faces or just so they have the chance to see you do it again !
that's just fun right there.
thanks for the feedback

[George Todd]

Here's some more info from another MC-6 owner.
There were 100 built in 1969 and 70.  All were originally equipped with a 12V71 and an 8844 four speed non synchro trans.  Eighty two were re-engined into an 8V71T with a 740 Allison auto.

The drive and steer axles were made with  13.5 X 24.5 bias ply tires.  The tags are standard 12.5 X 22.5 tires and wheels.  The bolt pattern is the same as the Van Hools, etc, except they are stud-piloted instead of hub-piloted, making them almost impossible to find.  The standard steel Budd wheels don't stand up well on 12R24.5 steel radials, and tend to crack between the bolt holes.

A different cooling system than all the other MCIs, with one slab radiator on the lower left like a GM, and they cool well.  The radiator is hinged, with a hydraulic driven fan on hoses, so you can get at the road side of the engine easily.

The crank pulley is IN the rear bumper, which is also the belt guard for a Spicer auxiliary drive unit in the right rear corner, which drove the air compressor, alternator, steering pump, cooling fan and condenser fan pumps, and the A/C compressor, as there was no room in "front" of the V12 for the auxiliaries.  The dog left them with this aux drive because it was easy, many later people with shorter engines have used the Detroit cam and blower drives on V8 engines.

These buses are all stainless steel and aluminum, so they will have less rust than others.

Huge bay space, but the bus is theater seated about six rows back, so the side floors are not flat until halfway back, where the sides jump up a foot at the last roof raise.  The aisle is the same height from the front all the way into the rest room.
five 3 zero 9 zero 6 five 7 five two pacific time, or toddelec@att.net
G

[wg4t]

Correct on the 100 MC6 being built, do not forget only 99 left the plant as 1 MC6 got totalled in the parking lot when it rolled over when some idiot decided to test drive it.
Was told that tidbit by an ole time Universal Parts, Des Plains, Ill (MCI-Greyhound) employee who had become a sales-trouble shooter, met him at Wynn Bus, Richmond Va about 1988 before the Big Strike and Greyhound was only the Grey Dog, all others  came under the Armour Meat Co name. Greyhound was a very large outfit with many leasing outlets, Commercial aircraft, Railroad, container and food service was a biggie for Greyhound.  AMazing how the "Strike" changed it all.
Dave M