Adventures with Thomas the Bus

[Twigg]

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

I am facing the same question. I pulled the two rear heaters but will be keeping the front heater/defroster.

Given that I am removing approximately 2/3 of the heating capacity could I get away with using 3/4" heater hose? It is significantly cheaper.

That would offer a lot more resistance to flow.

Sticking with the 1" hose gets the heat up front fairly quickly and if my coolant pump was wired it would have been even quicker.

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by Twigg

That would offer a lot more resistance to flow.

Sticking with the 1" hose gets the heat up front fairly quickly and if my coolant pump was wired it would have been even quicker.

I prefer sticking with 1". When I started looking I found several places offering it for $4-$8 a foot. 3/4 was MUCH cheaper. Some Google Foo found this: https://www.ryderfleetproducts.com/dayco-products-80319/heater-hose-insulone-1in-x-50ft-per-foot-price-p-u29-80319

Much better price.

Anyone here familiar with Dayco products? Any idea of the quality?

[Twigg]

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

I prefer sticking with 1". When I started looking I found several places offering it for $4-$8 a foot. 3/4 was MUCH cheaper. Some Google Foo found this: https://www.ryderfleetproducts.com/d...ce-p-u29-80319

Much better price.

Anyone here familiar with Dayco products? Any idea of the quality?

That looks excellent.

[Dizzyman]

Originally Posted by Twigg

You might find it cheaper, but even at half that price it's expensive.

My pipes had no signs of deterioration, and were clean inside.

Mine look pristine on the exterior, I’ll have to start pulling it apart to see what it looks like inside. Some things I don’t mind shelling out almost $500 for but not if I don’t have to. You gave me a severe case of “sticker shock”!

[Dizzyman]

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

I prefer sticking with 1". When I started looking I found several places offering it for $4-$8 a foot. 3/4 was MUCH cheaper. Some Google Foo found this: https://www.ryderfleetproducts.com/d...ce-p-u29-80319

Much better price.

Anyone here familiar with Dayco products? Any idea of the quality?

I’ve used Dayco products in the past with no problems. Is the upper end of that temperature range sufficient at 257 F?

[1TallTXn]

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

I prefer sticking with 1". When I started looking I found several places offering it for $4-$8 a foot. 3/4 was MUCH cheaper. Some Google Foo found this: https://www.ryderfleetproducts.com/d...ce-p-u29-80319

Much better price.

Anyone here familiar with Dayco products? Any idea of the quality?

Dayco is one of the major automotive hose/belt brands. Right up there with Gates on quality and popularity.

[Twigg]

Originally Posted by Dizzyman

I’ve used Dayco products in the past with no problems. Is the upper end of that temperature range sufficient at 257 F?

You've trashed your engine by then, so I'm guessing you won't be worrying about heater pipe.

[Dizzyman]

Originally Posted by Twigg

You've trashed your engine by then, so I'm guessing you won't be worrying about heater pipe.

Ummm, yeah, your right. I shouldn't post after working a 12 hour shift!

[Dizzyman]

I crawled around under the bus today scouting out likely pathways to run the coolant lines from the RE to the front heater/defroster. While I was under there I learned a number of things - the biggest was that I ain't as small and limber as I used to be!

I answered the question of what transmission I have - An Allison MT643,
I found that I have a mild leak somewhere in the power steering.
I found that all of the various filters I saw were all replaced 1 year ago this month and about 600 miles ago.
I found a coolant hose that badly needs replaced, not sure what it attaches to or comes from but it looks bad.
I found a device just in front of the rear axle that I have no idea what it is!
I found the bus number that matches the stamp on the key ring. (OK, that wasn't under the bus)

OK, I GIVE! THE PICS WERE ALL RIGHT SIDE UP AND ALIGNED CORRECTLY IN DROPBOX, WHAT HAPPENED?!

[Twigg]

That "device" is your air-dryer

[Dizzyman]

Originally Posted by Twigg

That "device" is your air-dryer

Wife read your reply and thought you said hair-dryer, she was ready to move in!

[2martins]

Originally Posted by Ninjakitty

Cut the bolts horizontally, aiming for the bottom of the head so you can cut the shaft if possible. I didn't have a helper and had to cut out about 75% of the seats with my 7" harbor freight grinder.

Just keep a mindful eye on where the heads shoot off to. I didn't pay attention and I now have a nice bolt head burn in my calf.

Sent from my Vivo 5R using Tapatalk

I always wear long sleeves and pants after getting a nice crescent moon shaped scar from angle grinding carpet tack strips off a concrete floor. The hot tack head stuck to my skin when it hit it at an angle. Unpleasant. But memorable. I bought a full face shield after some unpleasantness with eye protection that didn't quite do the job.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

[Dizzyman]

Originally Posted by 2martins

I always wear long sleeves and pants after getting a nice crescent moon shaped scar from angle grinding carpet tack strips off a concrete floor. The hot tack head stuck to my skin when it hit it at an angle. Unpleasant. But memorable. I bought a full face shield after some unpleasantness with eye protection that didn't quite do the job.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

All good advice, thanks! Sounds like it was painful.

[jonb8]

Great start, I'm a newbie so I don't have much advice on Tech... Good luck on your build though.......

[cadillackid]

you can use 3/4" heater hoses esp since you are yanking out some heaters.. also most of the busses the under-hood valves are 3/4"..
-Christopher

[Dizzyman]

Originally Posted by jonb8

Great start, I'm a newbie so I don't have much advice on Tech... Good luck on your build though.......

Pretty new myself but you will find tons of support and wisdom here on this site. Thanks, good luck to you too!

[Dizzyman]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

you can use 3/4" heater hoses esp since you are yanking out some heaters.. also most of the busses the under-hood valves are 3/4"..
-Christopher

I wondered about that but wasn't sure since I only had one heater to pull leaving leaving just the front heater/defroster.

[dan-fox]

That looked like a decent price on the 1" hose that another poster had, but I just want to point out that if the money works correctly (as in 3/4" being half or less of what 1" costs) that running two parallel 3/4" hoses offers a 12% increase in capacity over one 1". I know there are other arguments against it - twice the points of failure, more work/fittings at the ends, etc. But I thought I'd put it out there.

[Dizzyman]

A friend dropped by today and told me that while visiting a friend in SE Missouri recently he was shown the Onan Genny located below and was told it was for sale. Knowing I was converting a bus he said he would pass the info on. At this point I don't know the history of the unit other than it is in good running condition and has a remote start. He said the asking price was $1,000 but that was negotiable. My friend is an electrician and said it looked good although since it was not hooked up to fuel he did not see it run.

I am looking to power two RV roof AC units, medium size home fridge, microwave and occasional other kitchen type tools along with an LED TV. Stove and water heater will be propane.


Think it is worth looking into seriously?

[Dizzyman]

Originally Posted by dan-fox

That looked like a decent price on the 1" hose that another poster had, but I just want to point out that if the money works correctly (as in 3/4" being half or less of what 1" costs) that running two parallel 3/4" hoses offers a 12% increase in capacity over one 1". I know there are other arguments against it - twice the points of failure, more work/fittings at the ends, etc. But I thought I'd put it out there.

That had never occurred to me, great idea. I’ll have to consider it.