Messages

1

All MCI Bus Discussions / Re: And then depression set in...

« on: October 22, 2012, 05:25:21 PM »

I just plug in two 500 watt work lights and in no time I was taking off the jacket down to a t shirt.  I had the bus spray foam insulated and did a lot of the conversion in one winter.

Melbo

2

All MCI Bus Discussions / Re: 8V71 swap to 8V92

« on: October 05, 2012, 05:49:54 PM »

Having taken one apart you also know that besides being up on blocks that level ( front up also ) is better than having to go a bit and then raise or lower and move a bit more.

Melbo

3

All MCI Bus Discussions / Re: custom coach conversion

« on: August 30, 2012, 07:37:11 PM »

Pictures would be helpful so we could see the style and color   

Melbo

4

All MCI Bus Discussions / Re: Low Air Sensor

« on: August 26, 2012, 06:42:50 PM »

I have an intermittent problem with my low air light staying on. I did some checking and I think that mine is next to the junction box in the engine compartment on the drivers side rear. I located what appears to be an air activated switch ( well it has an air line and wires connected ) attached to the side of the box closest to the engine.

I have an 8 so this may not apply to your situation. I have not been bugged enough by it to chase it down yet. I did however replace the air gauge so I was sure that I knew what my air pressure is to be safe.

HTH YMMV

Melbo

5

All MCI Bus Discussions / Re: air bags

« on: August 20, 2012, 07:30:15 PM »

Don't try to save the bolts as previously mentioned.

I found that with the wheels off and the bus properly blocked up it was still difficult to see some of the bolts and nuts to get them off.

It is my opinion that the easiest thing to do is cut the nuts on each side with a dremel tool so you can put a flat tip screwdriver in the slot.

Pry the sides apart and the nut cracks in half and falls off.

For the ones that you can't see get a mirror and set it so you can see the nuts and do the same thing.

Steady hands and patience is what worked best for me.

HTH  YMMV

Melbo

6

All MCI Bus Discussions / Re: Roadside Assistance, who do you use?

« on: August 13, 2012, 07:17:34 PM »

I have Good Sam ERS and they loaded the bus on a flatbed when the driveline took a hike.

Hauled it 75 miles and put me in a RV park (I paid for the park) picked it up the next morning and took it to a repair shop.

I figure it would have cost me over a grand if I paid it myself

It cost about 125.00 a year so I figure I'm good for 8 years before I'm out of pocket for the deal.

HTH

YMMV

Melbo

7

All MCI Bus Discussions / Re: Few questions about an MCI coach.

« on: June 18, 2012, 07:46:24 PM »

Black and grey water combo tanks are common and a matter of preference -- they do make the tank washers -- I've never used one. 

Hard to tell on the radiators and other stuff.

The difference on the hubometer and speedometer is also hard to explain -- they typically reset them when they do a rebuild  or replace on the engine.

HTH

Melbo

8

All MCI Bus Discussions / Re: Installing a hitch

« on: June 17, 2012, 03:06:47 PM »

Here is a picture of my hitch -- You can see who made it on the label

In the second picture you can see the three bolts that hold the hitch on that side

At the front of the hitch (toward the front of the bus) there is a round cross member I took pictures of but they did not come out well

HTH

Melbo

9

All MCI Bus Discussions / Re: Installing a hitch

« on: June 16, 2012, 09:55:16 AM »

When I bought my bus it already had a hitch -- I didn't know all the ins and outs til I had to take the trans out and have it rebuilt so I will "describe" what I found when the engine cradle was removed.  The hitch itself is mounted to a 2 1/2 inch square tube that runs from just inside the engine cradle on each side across the back of the bus just below the bumper. Extending under the bus just inside the engine cradle all the way toward the front of the bus to the other end of the engine cradle is two plates of quarter inch steel about three inches tall. There are six grade 8 bolts (three on each side) that extend through the engine cradle brackets (the frame the cradle sits on). I don't recall how the bolts that hold the engine cradle and the frame of the hitch fit together BUT if I remember correctly the hitch was installed last when I put things back together. I can take pictures if you want. I always check the bolts because I heard about a tow hitch coming off a bus one time in Georgia.

HTH

Melbo

10

All MCI Bus Discussions / Re: Venting the bay

« on: June 13, 2012, 07:58:23 AM »

Check out Jack Conrad's set up --- I know he originally had issues with this type of installation.

Melbo

11

All MCI Bus Discussions / Re: Venting and air flow

« on: June 11, 2012, 07:18:59 PM »

Where are you located -- sometimes someone is close and can help.  Is your radiator remote mounted or part of the need for cooling. Is the unit in a quiet box or just in the bay. Pictures are always helpful.

Melbo

12

All MCI Bus Discussions / Re: Question about family and guests overnighters

« on: June 04, 2012, 07:39:14 PM »

Glad it went well --- It's nice to be at home no matter where you go

Melbo

13

All MCI Bus Discussions / Re: Recommended Shops / Not Recommended Shops

« on: June 02, 2012, 07:09:30 PM »

B&B Coach Works in Las Vegas did my repower and I am very happy with the work they did.  I'm not sure how they would do for emergency work but they did what they said at a reasonable price and in a timely manner.

Melbo

14

All MCI Bus Discussions / Re: Question about family and guests overnighters

« on: May 31, 2012, 07:55:03 PM »

I am pretty strict about who even comes inside the bus. It's my house and I treat it as such.  Knock on the door -- if I look out the window and don't want to talk to you I don't answer the door.

When I park I set up with a mat that is like my "yard" and any activity that crosses that is called out.

I may be considered a JERK by some BUT it keeps my space just that "MY SPACE" and that way I don't have to pick up trash and clean up after other people.

Just my way.

Melbo

15

All MCI Bus Discussions / Re: Oil Drain Plug Valve

« on: May 28, 2012, 06:15:27 PM »

Although I do not have a DD I do have the drain valve on my L10 and one on the Kubota for the genset and it makes draining and changing the oil much easier. I still have to do the trans old school because it gets drained by dropping the filter.

3.5 to 4 hours and I have the trans engine and genset oil changed the bus greased and the fuel filters done.

I have to be sure to line up the 15 gallons of oil and all the filters ( I have extra filters when I start but I have to restock them) can take longer to do that than the actual job.

HTH

Melbo