Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 09-04-2012, 10:50 AM   #1
New Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 8
Year: 1993
Chassis: International Schoolmaster
Engine: 7.3L
Rated Cap: 24
Skoolie in progress

We started a new project about a month back. It used to be a dos equis promotional bus and has a mexican themed paint job that we plan on covering up. It also came with a great sound system, which we havent hooked up yet. We have been slowly making some progress and jumping all the hurdles along the way. Its been a real journey, and we hope to keep it going for years to come.

The bus:
-1993 International Harvester
- 7.3L V8 - Biodiesel
- 24 foot

As of yet, we havent picked a name. We're hoping it just comes to us

What we've done:
- new power steering return hose
- new alternator
- new brakes and brake lines
- cut out and re-welded rusty stairs and the battery box
- Insulated and ply-wooded the floors - Eventually to be carpeted
- Framed the walls and put up insulation

On the definitive list:
- carpeting
- Put up wall paneling
- Hook up the sound system
- customize some convertible seating/sleeping furniture
- Convert to veggie oil
- Put in new rear passenger window - we have a window but not a gasket for it
- Install solar panels and a battery bank
- Cut out a roof vent for a fan/ and or sticking our heads out

Issues:
- We often have to use a starting spray to get her going
- Sometimes she turns over and then dies out if we dont gas it for a few seconds
- Insulating the current bus windows for cold weather if possible


We'll post some pictures soon as we get them all together

__________________
"The entire world is but a narrow bridge. But the important thing is not to be afraid"
https://www.skoolie.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14831
3forward2back is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-04-2012, 10:58 AM   #2
Bus Geek
 
bansil's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: MNT CITY TN
Posts: 5,158
Re: Skoolie in progress

Welcome to the madness
__________________
Our build La Tortuga
Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory.
George S. Patton
bansil is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-04-2012, 12:24 PM   #3
Bus Crazy
 
Diesel Dan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 1,489
Year: 1996
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/AT545
Re: Skoolie in progress

Quote:
Originally Posted by 3forward2back
Issues:
- We often have to use a starting spray to get her going
- Sometimes she turns over and then dies out if we dont gas it for a few seconds
- Insulating the current bus windows for cold weather if possible
...
I'm guessing you have the 7.3 liter IDI with the rotary injection pump? I've not seen one of these in a bus up close, but my understanding is it's basically the same engine I have in my Ford F250 pickup truck. To troubleshoot starting problems I would start by making sure there are no obvious cracks or leaks in the fuel supply tubing/hose (make sure no air is getting in and that maybe you are losing prime after it sits for a while). Then I would check the glow plugs and make sure they are working properly. Then I would pull the injectors, disassemble, inspect and clean them up, and then get them tested. Does it run well once it starts to warm up?

Oh, and welcome to the forum - post some pics!
__________________
Gallery:
https://www.skoolie.net/gallery/v/Skooli ... l_dan_bus/
Conversion Thread:
viewtopic.php?t=4959
Diesel Dan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-06-2012, 11:56 AM   #4
New Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 8
Year: 1993
Chassis: International Schoolmaster
Engine: 7.3L
Rated Cap: 24
Re: Skoolie in progress

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm going to look into them for sure. I seem to be having trouble uploading pictures, i suspect because the jpegs are too big. Its telling me that the board attachment quota has been reached. In terms of running. It runs just fine once she gets going. Its just the getting going part that is concerning to us.
__________________
"The entire world is but a narrow bridge. But the important thing is not to be afraid"
https://www.skoolie.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14831
3forward2back is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-06-2012, 12:17 PM   #5
Bus Crazy
 
Diesel Dan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 1,489
Year: 1996
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/AT545
Re: Skoolie in progress

If it runs fine once warmed up then I have a feeling it will be glow plugs or the glow plug relay/controller that is at fault. Or the wiring that connects those parts. One way to check glow plugs is pull them out but leave them connected to the wiring. Then turn the key to the glow position and look to see that they are physically turning red hot. I don't remember now if they need to be grounded, but probably so. I would guess in that case the threaded part is the ground and would need to be grounded to the engine or chassis somehow during your test. Of course there are 8 plugs - one for each cylinder. Sorry if you know this stuff already - I'm just trying to make sure you have the info you need. Last time I tested glow plugs I used jumper cables directly from the battery to each plug, but I think the way I described here would be better. You could use both methods if necessary to identify whether it is the plugs or the relay/controller/wiring that is bad. The direct battery test would be used if the first test shows no glow. Okay I'm rambling now...
__________________
Gallery:
https://www.skoolie.net/gallery/v/Skooli ... l_dan_bus/
Conversion Thread:
viewtopic.php?t=4959
Diesel Dan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-06-2012, 03:33 PM   #6
New Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 8
Year: 1993
Chassis: International Schoolmaster
Engine: 7.3L
Rated Cap: 24
Re: Skoolie in progress

Any info you give is hugely appreciated. We are very new to this and none of us has much engine experience. We have a friend who has been helping us a little, but everything has been an enormous learning curve. So i guess its safe to say any help we can get goes a long way
__________________
"The entire world is but a narrow bridge. But the important thing is not to be afraid"
https://www.skoolie.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14831
3forward2back is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-06-2012, 05:04 PM   #7
Bus Geek
 
lornaschinske's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Roswell, NM
Posts: 3,588
Year: 1986
Coachwork: BlueBird
Chassis: 40 ft All American FE
Engine: 8.2LTA Fuel Pincher DD V8
Rated Cap: 89
Re: Skoolie in progress

Quote:
Originally Posted by 3forward2back
... I seem to be having trouble uploading pictures,..
Get a free photobucket account to store your photos on. Then once you have them on photobucket, open a pic (to where it's the only image you will see... just click on the image). On the right hand side you will see ... "Links".

Under "Links" I tend to use either "IMG code" or "IMG thumb" Bear in mind that if one right clicks on the full size image in your post ("View Image"), they will see a larger image. great for those large images where the right half is clipped off. It will open in the same window as your post. If you right click on the thumbnail, you can open the photobucket page image in another tab. This is good for the images that have extra text included on the Photobucket page. If you clicked on the thumbnail image, you would see that I included text that states the pic was taken from the overlook.

Example:
This is a picture of the campground at Bottomless Lakes State Park outside of Roswell, NM. It is a public campground so it is in my "Skoolie Friendly Campgrounds" sub-album. Has some full hookup sites (W/E/S). It's cheap enough for an overnight or a stay of less than a week. More than that & it's cheaper to stay in a private RV Park like the one we live in. We have pretty consistently found that if you plan on staying a week or more, private parks are cheaper with their "long stay" discounts than MOST public parks. Single nights in private campgrounds are very expensive. But I diverse........ Back to the post a pic.....

To place the image in the post I simply go to the photobucket page the image is on and LEFT CLICK "IMG code" to copy the code. The I came back to this page ("post a reply") and pasted (Ctrl v) the whole line I copied off the photobucket page which includes the IMG brackets so you would not use the "Img" button on the "Post a reply"age.

This is the large image.


This is the same image but I copied the "IMG thumb" for a thumbnail size image.


There are other ways to do the same thing. But this is the easiest for me.

Note: don't rearrange your photos AFTER you have linked to them, You will break the links. that means no images in your posts. You can make multiple sub albums off your main album.
__________________
This post is my opinion. It is not intended to influence anyone's judgment nor do I advocate anyone do what I propose.
Fulltime since 2006
The goal of life is living in agreement with nature. Zeno (335BC-264BC)
https://lorndavi.wordpress.com/blog/
https://i570.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps0340a6ff.jpg
lornaschinske is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2012, 06:26 AM   #8
New Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 8
Year: 1993
Chassis: International Schoolmaster
Engine: 7.3L
Rated Cap: 24
Re: Skoolie in progress

Quite helpful of you. Many thanks. Here are a couple pics of the bus.


the bus on the day we bought it


cut out the rust from the stairs


First engine problem - busted power steering hose - all fixed now


New stairs welded - from a cadillac escalade hood


Bare interior of the bus


Finished stairs - rust proofed


Floor insulation going in


First bus trip from New York to Vermont - on the Lake Champlain ferry


Framing and insulation up - this is where we're at now
__________________
"The entire world is but a narrow bridge. But the important thing is not to be afraid"
https://www.skoolie.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14831
3forward2back is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2012, 07:29 AM   #9
Bus Geek
 
bansil's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: MNT CITY TN
Posts: 5,158
Re: Skoolie in progress

That bus is so ready for "the Mayan Rally".
__________________
Our build La Tortuga
Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory.
George S. Patton
bansil is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2012, 10:15 AM   #10
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Oregon/Philippines
Posts: 1,660
Re: Skoolie in progress

__________________
Jesus Christ... Conversion in progress.
chev49 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2012, 05:48 PM   #11
New Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 2
Year: 1984
Re: Skoolie in progress

what did you use to attach the 2x4s inbetween the windows? Screws, thru bolts??

Thanks
collincountycab is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2012, 07:24 PM   #12
New Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 8
Year: 1993
Chassis: International Schoolmaster
Engine: 7.3L
Rated Cap: 24
Re: Skoolie in progress

We used Carriage bolts through to the outside of the bus. then on the inside, we drilled counter-sink holes into the wood and screwed in nuts until they were flush with the 2x4s. We figured the bolts going through to the outside would give us the most support, as we are eventually going to attach all our furniture to these beams
__________________
"The entire world is but a narrow bridge. But the important thing is not to be afraid"
https://www.skoolie.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14831
3forward2back is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2012, 04:06 AM   #13
Bus Geek
 
bansil's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: MNT CITY TN
Posts: 5,158
Re: Skoolie in progress

One possible issue will be loosening of the bolts from vibrations etc,it can collapse the metal and the expansion and contration of the wood may add to the effect...I love the "factory" paint you guys got with your bus
__________________
Our build La Tortuga
Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory.
George S. Patton
bansil is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2012, 08:50 AM   #14
Bus Geek
 
Tango's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 8,462
Year: 1946
Coachwork: Chevrolet/Wayne
Chassis: 1- 1/2 ton
Engine: Cummins 4BT
Rated Cap: 15
Re: Skoolie in progress

I have to agree with Bansil...but you can still come back and apply a little Red LockTite to the threads. That will prevent the bolts from vibrating loose and walking out.
Tango is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-17-2012, 09:05 PM   #15
New Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 8
Year: 1993
Chassis: International Schoolmaster
Engine: 7.3L
Rated Cap: 24
Re: Skoolie in progress

I'm going to do that for sure. thanks for the advice
__________________
"The entire world is but a narrow bridge. But the important thing is not to be afraid"
https://www.skoolie.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14831
3forward2back is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-17-2012, 10:35 PM   #16
Bus Crazy
 
sdwarf36's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Moodus, Ct.
Posts: 1,062
Year: 1996
Coachwork: Champion
Chassis: Ford e-450
Engine: 7.3 Powerstroke
Rated Cap: 14
Re: Skoolie in progress

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tango
I have to agree with Bansil...but you can still come back and apply a little Red LockTite to the threads. That will prevent the bolts from vibrating loose and walking out.
Actually, you want "290" Loctite. Its wicking-made for getting in threads already assembled.
__________________
Don't make a fuss-just get on the bus!

my bus build https://www.skoolie.net/gallery/Skoolies/Sped
sdwarf36 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
G Bus Progress rjz5400 Skoolie Conversion Projects 136 05-07-2015 04:27 PM
Projet in progress Les_stephs Skoolie Conversion Projects 1 09-15-2014 09:50 PM
Buckeye Tailgater.... IN PROGRESS baadpuppy Short-Bus Conversion Projects 25 09-27-2010 09:26 AM
Greasley in progress.. Stuff Short-Bus Conversion Projects 0 04-08-2010 04:26 PM
Why I haven't been making any progress on my bus. Steve Everything Else | General Skoolie Discussions 2 07-03-2005 07:32 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:01 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.