You are one hell'va gutsy guy. To not only attempt, but pull the engine solo. My hats off to you. Personally I would have done a couple of things different, but I have a different background and experience. So to each his own. My hats off to you, keep up the good work.
+Bruce Deville Thanks man!! It takes a lot for me to get overwhelmed. I just see an obstacle and find a [good] way to overcome it. I know I am not a professional, but I hope to do good work on it. Any advice or critiques on the methods I used? I'd truly love to know what I need to work on? Thanks for the feedback man!!!
Glad to see more videos. Your wife must be awesome / supportive. Looking forward to continued updates....you do great job with you videos. Your going to have something amazing when your done.
+Frank Rizzo haha, thanks man! passion is what drives me. I enjoy getting away from the daily grind of life and working on something that is of future benefit to me and my family. I love working on vehicles, and this is that much grander. I can't wait to take family vacations in this. The memories will be priceless.
TJ, I grew up with these old Detroits too but since you are this far into this project, it would actually be easier to just re-power. I personally would toss this setup and go for a Detroit 60-series and an Allison 6-sp. You are as into trucking as much as I am though I've been at it 33-yrs. Switching to Detroit 60-series and Allison auto (B500 or HD4060) combo means plentiful parts for many years to come, no more changing clutches plus any diesel shop in the U.S. can fix your ride if you breakdown. I'm just saying if you've gone this far, re-power. It's much easier than messing around with that antique power. Jim in Crawfordsville, IN.
+James Barrow I seriously couldn't agree with you more!!!!! That is my long-term plan. I am elbow deep in research and sourcing potential donors for this. I will use the current setup until I find a 12.7 or 14L 60-series and the b500 trans. In the mean time, I have plenty of other areas on the driveline to check out and replace as needed, not to mention a possible roof raise ;) hehe. Seeing as your in Indiana, you are welcome to come visit me or the bus any time. I am just south of Chicago. I'd be happy to give you a tour or hand you a wrench if you want to assist me working on it. (Also, I'm just as happy picking up a pen and paper and learning more too.) Thanks for your comment man!!
+Tj Hoekstra Well if you are part of the trucking company then I know where that is. I live not far here in western Indiana. I have the non-egr (one of the very last ones ever built) DDEC4 S-60 12.7L in my truck and the government will have to kill me to get my engine away from me. Was just talking with shop today about doing a complete inframe and uprate to 500Hp this summer. Just got through having a replacement Eaton transmission installed by VanderHaag's / Rife Truck Parts over in Winamac two months ago. They have several locations so check them out because they'll have both an engine and B500 Allison for that bus. Judging by the ass on that bus, it appears it had a T-drive which will make installing new setup easy. The transverse engine/tranny mounts are a bitch but can be done. Everything is mounted in a cradle and just slides into the back end of bus. I recommend the DDEC S-60 engine because of excellent performance and fuel mileage that you will not get from a two-cycle. My semi averages 7.5 to 10.5 MPG deadhead, 12 bobtail, and 6.8 loaded. For an 80k-lbs truck, that is good. With the bus, you'll average 10-12 easy if geared right. Call (or go online) VanderHaag to see about engine and transmission and matching rear-end if needed. They'll even install the whole thing if you want them to.
+James Barrow James, This is AWESOME information!!!! Thank you!! Actually, not part of the Hoekstra trucking company. Not even related to them; crazy since they are in St. Anne and I in Kankakee. Thats fantastic mileage! Much better than a 2 stroke!! Ideally, I'd like to pull a custom stacker trailer (Custom meaning it will have a steerable front axle, like a "Competitive Stacker Trailer"). I'll be reinforcing the body of the bus, back end, rear roof, and engine cradle to handle the load. All in time though. I'll need to 60-series before hand though to move that much weight. Thanks again!!! This was super helpful!!
You must be very critical of the length of the driveshaft. To install a different engine and or transmission may very well mean shortening the driveshaft to compensate. And it looks to be very short already. As the suspension works the shaft angle changes- very hard on the U joints.
+reagentism Gizmo (dog's name) is doing awesome!!! Still part of our family and is about 4-years old now. Thanks for asking!!! Bus, well, it is feeling a bit neglected, but I have picked up some new parts for it. Working on a couple things at home first, but the bus will get some much needed TLC again this summer. I can't wait to get back to working on it!! You're a rescuer!! Awesome!!!!! We got Gizmo right before he was about to be used as a bait dog; he was the runt of the litter. (Sad what people do to pit bulls) My wife went to a sketchy area of downtown Chicago to get him, (had others with her of course) and I am so happy we were able to give him a much better home and future. He honestly is the best dog ever and a very welcoming member of our family!
Drive shaft is no needed be same place where you have marked it, but there where you have pulled it out must be just same place or 180 degrees other side if not it making shaft shaking.
A Detroit 60 would be awesome in this bus but not cheap all about how much you can spend and that's just to get it running still a lot of work and money on the rest of it
+Mr Jones I totally agree!!!!! and an Allison B500 trans!! that would make this bus FLY down the road!! It is actually in the long-term plans. Just need to find a good donor truck/bus to pull it from... oh yeah, and some money :)
+reagentism Working on new videos! (Have a couple I haven't edited/uploaded yet) I am working on making my editing better. Didn't realize I would get this much interest, so I need to step up my video production game. More videos are coming ASAP, just need time, lol. (Don't we all need more time, lol)
+iansrving I want to do a restomod in a sense. I want to make the exterior paint sceheme a tribute to the original by mimicing it, but going darker with polished baggage bay doors. Interior I will re-use the original seats still left in it in the RV conversion I have planned. I want to make the interior nice and elegant, like a Prevost or Newell. I know it will take time, and thats fine. I want it to be classy, and I want it done right so it lasts.
Yes, Clutch is in and the bus drives. I actually drove it to a car show in my home town in Sept. 2013. That was fun :) It is actually sitting in my driveway currently. I am working on gutting it. It will get moved back to the storage lot shortly. Will post video of the gutting as well... Give me 2 weeks and I'll have more video up.
Take lots of video of the clean out cause I will be right behind you and would love to see what you are doing. I am anticipating dropping my upper floor cause I stand nearly 6'4". I have some ideas about setting the shower floor down so I can stand up etc.
+MightyThor Dito! I'm hoping to get back to work on it in late April/May. I have new Hub Caps, Jake Brake, Heater, and other things to do. I really need to replace my skylights kinda like you did asap along with removing and covering up the air conditioner holes in my roof. It leaks pretty bad now. Any updates on your Scenicruiser(s)??
Started pulling Ubuntu the floors on one side and I have an air leak in the tag axle dump valves. Was trying to maintain ability to load the drive axle, but I will probably have to bypass and use it without the dump for a while.
Would it have been simpler to remove the engine with a forklift? That's how Greyhound used to do it. Then you could have lowered it onto a trailer or flatbed tow truck.
+formidable38 & +M8Nigguh Yes, there is a train yard right next tot he storage lot. its cool to hear them roll past. Even cooler listening to them hook up! Can tell how long the train is by the sound of the cars slamming into each other once the engine hooks up.
+Tj Hoekstra You may or may not know but an EMD is a GM 2 stroke also ie GM EMD. Typically 645V16 (45deg Vee with exhaust inside the Vee) and about 3500hp @ about 950rpm. The blowers on many EMDs are cam driven (one per bank), but the later ones have a crank driven turbo that transitions to exhaust driven via an overrun clutch. This hybrid arrangement was proposed for the 8V92 also, but was canned on account of development cost. Instead GM used a bypass flap on the blower and ran a seperate turbo as well. The blower was for starting and idling and as the turbo spooled when the engine revs rose, the bypass flap would close and the motor would run on the turbo. The blower was still turning but the bypass flap saved 30% of the parasitic drag of turning the blower. Not an ideal situation but worked well, was simple and reliable. Horsepower on motors with blowers are negatively effected by temperature and elevation whereas most turbo motors will produce their rated horsepower in all conditions. Consequently turbo 2 strokes didn't die on hot days above 2500ft.
The thing@ 4:11 or so is NOT even close for the weight your messing with PLEASE BE CAREFUL. YOUR MESSING WITH DEATH...That bus is always going to go w GRAVITY. You may forget it doesn't!.
You are one hell'va gutsy guy. To not only attempt, but pull the engine solo. My hats off to you. Personally I would have done a couple of things different, but I have a different background and experience. So to each his own. My hats off to you, keep up the good work.
+Bruce Deville Thanks man!! It takes a lot for me to get overwhelmed. I just see an obstacle and find a [good] way to overcome it. I know I am not a professional, but I hope to do good work on it.
Any advice or critiques on the methods I used? I'd truly love to know what I need to work on?
Thanks for the feedback man!!!
Congratulation on focus, planning, confidence, persistence, and recording your activities.
God Bless You, tackling that arduous project alone.
Glad to see more videos. Your wife must be awesome / supportive. Looking forward to continued updates....you do great job with you videos. Your going to have something amazing when your done.
Thanks! She is a pretty awesome wife!
Looking forward to seeing the finished product
You got a lot of heart! Good luck with the project old man.
SWEEEEEET!
Thanks for the update!
Remember it's not about the destination and to enjoy the ride eh?
+reagentism Speaking of ride, I can't wait to drive this again! Spring is almost here!!
I give you a lot of credit kid. You're better than me.
+Frank Rizzo haha, thanks man! passion is what drives me. I enjoy getting away from the daily grind of life and working on something that is of future benefit to me and my family. I love working on vehicles, and this is that much grander. I can't wait to take family vacations in this. The memories will be priceless.
I, as do many others look forward to your next video. Keep goin! Motivation!
Best wishes, keep up the great work, and the dog is great :)
+Jonathan Heid Thanks man! Best wishes to you as well!!
TJ, I grew up with these old Detroits too but since you are this far into this project, it would actually be easier to just re-power. I personally would toss this setup and go for a Detroit 60-series and an Allison 6-sp. You are as into trucking as much as I am though I've been at it 33-yrs. Switching to Detroit 60-series and Allison auto (B500 or HD4060) combo means plentiful parts for many years to come, no more changing clutches plus any diesel shop in the U.S. can fix your ride if you breakdown. I'm just saying if you've gone this far, re-power. It's much easier than messing around with that antique power. Jim in Crawfordsville, IN.
+James Barrow I seriously couldn't agree with you more!!!!! That is my long-term plan. I am elbow deep in research and sourcing potential donors for this. I will use the current setup until I find a 12.7 or 14L 60-series and the b500 trans. In the mean time, I have plenty of other areas on the driveline to check out and replace as needed, not to mention a possible roof raise ;) hehe.
Seeing as your in Indiana, you are welcome to come visit me or the bus any time. I am just south of Chicago. I'd be happy to give you a tour or hand you a wrench if you want to assist me working on it. (Also, I'm just as happy picking up a pen and paper and learning more too.)
Thanks for your comment man!!
+Tj Hoekstra Well if you are part of the trucking company then I know where that is. I live not far here in western Indiana. I have the non-egr (one of the very last ones ever built) DDEC4 S-60 12.7L in my truck and the government will have to kill me to get my engine away from me. Was just talking with shop today about doing a complete inframe and uprate to 500Hp this summer. Just got through having a replacement Eaton transmission installed by VanderHaag's / Rife Truck Parts over in Winamac two months ago. They have several locations so check them out because they'll have both an engine and B500 Allison for that bus. Judging by the ass on that bus, it appears it had a T-drive which will make installing new setup easy. The transverse engine/tranny mounts are a bitch but can be done. Everything is mounted in a cradle and just slides into the back end of bus. I recommend the DDEC S-60 engine because of excellent performance and fuel mileage that you will not get from a two-cycle. My semi averages 7.5 to 10.5 MPG deadhead, 12 bobtail, and 6.8 loaded. For an 80k-lbs truck, that is good. With the bus, you'll average 10-12 easy if geared right. Call (or go online) VanderHaag to see about engine and transmission and matching rear-end if needed. They'll even install the whole thing if you want them to.
+James Barrow James, This is AWESOME information!!!! Thank you!! Actually, not part of the Hoekstra trucking company. Not even related to them; crazy since they are in St. Anne and I in Kankakee.
Thats fantastic mileage! Much better than a 2 stroke!!
Ideally, I'd like to pull a custom stacker trailer (Custom meaning it will have a steerable front axle, like a "Competitive Stacker Trailer"). I'll be reinforcing the body of the bus, back end, rear roof, and engine cradle to handle the load. All in time though. I'll need to 60-series before hand though to move that much weight.
Thanks again!!! This was super helpful!!
You must be very critical of the length of the driveshaft. To install a different engine and or transmission may very well mean shortening the driveshaft to compensate. And it looks to be very short already. As the suspension works the shaft angle changes- very hard on the U joints.
Thanks for the update! Keep them coming. This is a very interesting project. Cheers!
+UCanDoIt2 Thanks! Working on editing more. Will upload them asap!
Great to see more progress! Thanks for taking the time to film it. Also, it was good to see ya on RVillage.com too!
You as well!! Thank you sir!
That dog is stinking cute as can be!
Oh don't forget TJ Fuckin awesome Hunk ! l'll J *** You any day LOL
How's the Staffy?
How's the bus?
btw I'm a staffy rescuer twice over... love the breed
+reagentism Gizmo (dog's name) is doing awesome!!! Still part of our family and is about 4-years old now. Thanks for asking!!!
Bus, well, it is feeling a bit neglected, but I have picked up some new parts for it. Working on a couple things at home first, but the bus will get some much needed TLC again this summer. I can't wait to get back to working on it!!
You're a rescuer!! Awesome!!!!! We got Gizmo right before he was about to be used as a bait dog; he was the runt of the litter. (Sad what people do to pit bulls) My wife went to a sketchy area of downtown Chicago to get him, (had others with her of course) and I am so happy we were able to give him a much better home and future. He honestly is the best dog ever and a very welcoming member of our family!
Drive shaft is no needed be same place where you have marked it, but there where you have pulled it out must be just same place or 180 degrees other side if not it making shaft shaking.
A Detroit 60 would be awesome in this bus but not cheap all about how much you can spend and that's just to get it running still a lot of work and money on the rest of it
+Mr Jones I totally agree!!!!! and an Allison B500 trans!! that would make this bus FLY down the road!!
It is actually in the long-term plans. Just need to find a good donor truck/bus to pull it from... oh yeah, and some money :)
So, I reckon the weight on that trolley is around 3t.
+ThePaulv12 you are pretty dang close! I'd say 2.5-3tons myself.
Heeeey TJ how ya doin?
TEEEEJEEY, my man... how's it going?
What's up?
How's tricks?
Don't leave us hanging brougham....
Nice Staffy BTW!!!
+reagentism Working on new videos! (Have a couple I haven't edited/uploaded yet) I am working on making my editing better. Didn't realize I would get this much interest, so I need to step up my video production game. More videos are coming ASAP, just need time, lol. (Don't we all need more time, lol)
Do you plan on restoring it to original seated condition or leave it as a motor home?
Just wondering.
+iansrving I want to do a restomod in a sense. I want to make the exterior paint sceheme a tribute to the original by mimicing it, but going darker with polished baggage bay doors. Interior I will re-use the original seats still left in it in the RV conversion I have planned. I want to make the interior nice and elegant, like a Prevost or Newell. I know it will take time, and thats fine. I want it to be classy, and I want it done right so it lasts.
So I assume you got the clutch in by now, so have you moved the bus since then? Inquiring minds need to know.
Yes, Clutch is in and the bus drives. I actually drove it to a car show in my home town in Sept. 2013. That was fun :)
It is actually sitting in my driveway currently. I am working on gutting it. It will get moved back to the storage lot shortly.
Will post video of the gutting as well... Give me 2 weeks and I'll have more video up.
Take lots of video of the clean out cause I will be right behind you and would love to see what you are doing. I am anticipating dropping my upper floor cause I stand nearly 6'4". I have some ideas about setting the shower floor down so I can stand up etc.
+MightyThor Dito! I'm hoping to get back to work on it in late April/May. I have new Hub Caps, Jake Brake, Heater, and other things to do. I really need to replace my skylights kinda like you did asap along with removing and covering up the air conditioner holes in my roof. It leaks pretty bad now.
Any updates on your Scenicruiser(s)??
Started pulling Ubuntu the floors on one side and I have an air leak in the tag axle dump valves. Was trying to maintain ability to load the drive axle, but
I will probably have to bypass and use it without the dump for a while.
Would it have been simpler to remove the engine with a forklift? That's how Greyhound used to do it. Then you could have lowered it onto a trailer or flatbed tow truck.
Its basically a giant diesel VW beetle
+TamiyaRunner more or less, yes. Thanks for watching man!!
Train yard near by? I hear a EMD idling .
Yep, deffinately EMD close by!
+formidable38 & +M8Nigguh
Yes, there is a train yard right next tot he storage lot. its cool to hear them roll past. Even cooler listening to them hook up! Can tell how long the train is by the sound of the cars slamming into each other once the engine hooks up.
+Tj Hoekstra You may or may not know but an EMD is a GM 2 stroke also ie GM EMD. Typically 645V16 (45deg Vee with exhaust inside the Vee) and about 3500hp @ about 950rpm. The blowers on many EMDs are cam driven (one per bank), but the later ones have a crank driven turbo that transitions to exhaust driven via an overrun clutch.
This hybrid arrangement was proposed for the 8V92 also, but was canned on account of development cost. Instead GM used a bypass flap on the blower and ran a seperate turbo as well. The blower was for starting and idling and as the turbo spooled when the engine revs rose, the bypass flap would close and the motor would run on the turbo.
The blower was still turning but the bypass flap saved 30% of the parasitic drag of turning the blower. Not an ideal situation but worked well, was simple and reliable. Horsepower on motors with blowers are negatively effected by temperature and elevation whereas most turbo motors will produce their rated horsepower in all conditions. Consequently turbo 2 strokes didn't die on hot days above 2500ft.
The thing@ 4:11 or so is NOT even close for the weight your messing with PLEASE BE CAREFUL. YOUR MESSING WITH DEATH...That bus is always going to go w GRAVITY. You may forget it doesn't!.
I hope you block up that engine be for you go home. Thanks