1993 BlueBird "Trap Bus"

[Robin97396]

I think every one of us has asked "What have I done" at least once. Sorry to hear about the condition of the bus, but my glass is half full (or there abouts) and I agree with cadillac. Start figuring it out. There's more mechanics online here than you could believe. If you don't have a camera, you're going to need one.
You may have a diamond in the rough. And don't expect it to work out immediately. At worst you have gained a good size bedroom. Also if you haven't lost $2k before, brace yourself. Life is about to hit you.

[Docsgsxr]

If you feel bad about yours, just look at my build and photo album. Ive replaced a motor, AND have floor structural work to do......

[Robin97396]

Thanks for making us feel better Doc. It's true, things can get worse.

[jbohall001]

Lol thanks guys. I went fishing for a while to relax. Decided to pull up my pants and just handle it as it comes. At least I have a rust free bus that runs. I mean other than the smoke and oil issues, it made the 90 mile trip flawlessly. even did 68 mph haha.

[cadillackid]

Originally Posted by Docsgsxr

If you feel bad about yours, just look at my build and photo album. Ive replaced a motor, AND have floor structural work to do......

and I had a bus burn up in a fire caused by a careless classic car owner who shared the storage space..

-Christopher

[Robin97396]

Originally Posted by jbohall001

Lol thanks guys. I went fishing for a while to relax. Decided to pull up my pants and just handle it as it comes. At least I have a rust free bus that runs. I mean other than the smoke and oil issues, it made the 90 mile trip flawlessly. even did 68 mph haha.

Obviously the next question is what were you doing with your pants down while you were fishing? No, no, don't tell me.

[jbohall001]

I like to fish naked. It's an old ancient technique. Haha

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[Robin97396]

I was expecting some kind of explanation about a worm...

[jbohall001]

I almost went that rough but decided against it at the risk of sounding cliché haha

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[jbohall001]

Trap Bus taking up 90% of my shop space now. Had to move 3 bikes out and 2 toolboxes.

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[Tango]

Kinda snug around the sides there.

[jbohall001]

Very. I had to fold one of the mirrors in to fit it through the door

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[cadillackid]

I dont see a bunch of oil trailing that bus into the garage.. so maybe its not spewing too much oil out when you run it? sometimes just seems like it is if you get oil on just the wrong part of the engine..

-Christopher

[jbohall001]

I noticed that too. I think it may have leaked all it damn oil out cause my oil pressure gauge doesn't move at all. Gotta put some more oil in it tonight.

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[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by jbohall001

So, I spent every dollar I've saved on a bus that needs more work than its worth.

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That describes a good number of us on here.
Sorry you aren't happy with what you got. What all is wrong?

[jbohall001]

I don't know yet. Multiple multiple oil leaks. Smokes a bit, consistently. I'm not super happy with the whole situation, but all in all at least I finally have a bus. So I'm good with it.

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[cadillackid]

Originally Posted by jbohall001

I don't know yet. Multiple multiple oil leaks. Smokes a bit, consistently. I'm not super happy with the whole situation, but all in all at least I finally have a bus. So I'm good with it.

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have you put oil in it and then started wit wit hthe doghouse open and got under to track down any of the leaks?

is the smoke from the tailpipe after its fully warmed up?

oil leaks in and of themselves can and will cause smoke if the oil is getting on the manifolds or exhaust pipes.. the smoke will come from under the bus, sometimes into the cab from the doghouse, etc..

oil leaks can be from many many things.. many times they are quite fixable without a ton of work..

the best thng to do is take it one step at a time even though it seems overwhelming at this point...

often these engines were used in many vehicles other than busses.. and you can read online about where others may have had the same type oil leaks you find and how they fixed them..

-Christopher

[Robin97396]

I don't think you should feel bad about your bus. Most of us have a considerable amount of deferred maintenance to catch up on when we get these buses. They especially smoke on startup, and if you've got the bus between two houses when you make that cloud of smoke you'll be mosquito free a while.
You know most of us need to change our injectors and other things to get these engines back on track. They don't usually fix them up before they let them go. You got a pretty good price on your bus. You can either bail and sell it, or you can see how far you can go one step at a time. For a while here I've felt you wanting to backpedal. Don't count your bus out until you know it as a fact. Maybe your bus wasn't the best choice, and neither was mine. It's like your first car in high school. It probably wasn't your first choice, but it worked.
Now where's those photos? And let's get started.

[jbohall001]

Man, I really have to say. You guys are freaking awesome. I've never come across a group of people so, hell I guess the best word is inspirational. I was so bent out of shape about this whole ordeal and you guys have been nothing but cool and offered TONS of knowledge, advice, and easing words. I'm super happy I've found this community.

Anyway, I will load pics very soon! I'm about to head to my shop and get started assessing this bohemoth! And maybe with yall help we can get this bus on the track to progress!

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[cadillackid]

Originally Posted by Robin97396

I don't think you should feel bad about your bus. Most of us have a considerable amount of deferred maintenance to catch up on when we get these buses. They especially smoke on startup, and if you've got the bus between two houses when you make that cloud of smoke you'll be mosquito free a while.
You know most of us need to change our injectors and other things to get these engines back on track. They don't usually fix them up before they let them go. You got a pretty good price on your bus. You can either bail and sell it, or you can see how far you can go one step at a time. For a while here I've felt you wanting to backpedal. Don't count your bus out until you know it as a fact. Maybe your bus wasn't the best choice, and neither was mine. It's like your first car in high school. It probably wasn't your first choice, but it worked.
Now where's those photos? And let's get started.

I blew the headgaskets and steamed a piston in my first car.. a peugeot 505 DIESEL.. (back in 87 I think?) I went to the library and read books.. took out a bunch of bolts, saved my $$ and bought some tools as I could.. and darnit if that wasnt the first engine I ever rebuilt...

I learned a skill that proved to be FAR useful later in life as i got into Hot-rodding i ended up building cool stuff and saving a ton of $$ since I was no longer afraid of tearing apart engines...

-Christopher