The Journey Visvi 1999 Thomas MVP ER

[bansil]

Don't do big convertable! You could never driveit down south and out west....all the migrant workers and their veggiees would end up in it

[Malkieri]

Originally Posted by bansil

Don't do big convertable! You could never driveit down south and out west....all the migrant workers and their veggiees would end up in it

Sweet!! Free food!!

[wmkbailey]

We almost got to 100 today. I went out to the bus at 6:30 and it still was 98. Some people say that is not to hot, but we have 95% humidity.

LuckyChow,

You where right, I got the impact driver today and for the first six roof panels, I had about 50 screws I could not break loose. It got them all but two. I think I tried to hard with the screw driver and striped them beyond repair.

I spent the rest of the time touching up paint and installing the windows and mirrors. Then I took it out for a drive. I got a lot more looks because it is not school bus yellow anymore.

Since I cannot get the bus inspected until August 1st (All the Frederick county buses are getting their inspections done and have to be finished by the end of the month), I'm going to wait until Sunday when it gets back down to the mid 80's to finish gutting the bus.



Here she is, all buttoned up.

[LuckyChow]

Super! I thought that'd work for you. As I recall, mine has square head holes in the screws. Does yours? I wish I'd had an electric impact driver when I did my Thomas. I think I used one that you hit with a hammer. You can imagine how many misses (and hand hits) I had at the end of the day. I'm still amazed at how well that tool works.

Bus is looking great.

[wmkbailey]

I found my marker light lenses at https://www.apartswarehouse.com for only $3.76 each. I almost forgot I had to replace them after I painted the bus. I guess light tan is not an acceptable color for marker lights.

[wmkbailey]

I got a little done in the heat.I started to remove the inner roof sheet metal.



Since I had most of the screws removed, it took about 30 minutes to get the first half done.



I found a lot of mold under the insulation.



Glad I'm removing it.

The second half I have seven screws I could not break loose, even with the impact driver. So I had to break out the drill. My air chisel did not work on the screws with the curve of the roof.

About two hours later it was all out. I still had 120 screws up front to remove. They came out much nicer with that impact driver.

[wmkbailey]

While I was removing the wires for the interior lights and the green/yellow blue/grey speaker wires. I found a pair that ran down into the body. Not sure why. When I got up to the front I discovered they are for the side turn signal lights. I guess I need them for inspection. Nothing like add more work to my todo list. I cut the wires flush with the body, so I will have to remove the lights (which are corroded) and run new wires down to them.

[wmkbailey]

First things first, I decided to repair the damage I did my self to the bus. The passenger side turn signal wire I was able to grab with a needle nose pliers and pull out.



Then solder the original wire back on.



A little heat shrink and a new grommet and we are back in service.

[wmkbailey]

The other side was a different story.



Look Ma, no wire.

May be I can take this panel off and get to the wire.



All the screws came out but the bottom two. They where so rusted they disintegrated when I tried to break them loose.



Time to break out the drill.

I got all the screws out but the panel is glued on. I could only get the bottom half pried loose. I will eventually have to get these all off when I raise the roof, what fun.



I soldered the original wire back on, heat shrink and a new grommet and now both side are back in service. The panel was bent, but I got it straightened enough that if you stand back you can't even tell, see.

[wmkbailey]

I spent the rest off the time trying to get the screws out for the bottom galvanized steel that sits below the windows. What a night mare. Most of the screws along the seats are so corroded, I can't get them broken loose. There will be a lot of drilling.

I have a question, I got one panel loose, but I could not get it out from under the window. Is there a secret to getting these out?



Hey look at this, I ran my 115 VAC.



And hooked up my generator. I'm almost an RV

[JakeC]

Dang you're doing work! Looks great, man! Corroded screws suck. And you are for sure an rv already, lol...

[wmkbailey]

I was looking into adding cruise control to my bus. I see now why some of you want mechanical buses, adding cruise control is easy. I have a computer controlled fuel injection. My Accelerator is a sensor on a wire. You can’t add a standard cruise control to it. I have been researching, but cannot find the cruise control kit for a Cat 3126. I guess I will have to make friends with a local Cat engine mechanic.

[wmkbailey]

JakeC Being EMP proof is a fun bonus, lol...

Another reason against computer controled buses.

[JakeC]

Lol...yup! You've got an incredible bus, though. Extremely jealous of your transmission! I just get a kick out of how simple mine is. I don't even have glow plugs.

[somewhereinusa]

Originally Posted by wmkbailey

I was looking into adding cruise control to my bus. I see now why some of you want mechanical buses, adding cruise control is easy. I have a computer controlled fuel injection. My Accelerator is a sensor on a wire. You can’t add a standard cruise control to it. I have been researching, but cannot find the cruise control kit for a Cat 3126. I guess I will have to make friends with a local Cat engine mechanic.

William,
I have plans to build a cruise control using late model GM actuator, it uses a stepper motor not vacuum. I have all of the parts gathered up and only have about a couple of hundred in it. And that includes a rather pricy speed signal splitter. (there are other ways to get the signal) Wiring diagram completed. It's just not high on the priority list of things to finish right now. I've seen it done on an old grayhound. It pulls on the throttle pedal so no problem with the setup you have.

Dick

[wmkbailey]

Hey somewhere,

That is a good idea. I haven't thought of going that route.

[eyedeal.ink]

Originally Posted by wmkbailey

I have a question, I got one panel loose, but I could not get it out from under the window. Is there a secret to getting these out?

I used a cut off wheel and a grinder, it all got covered any way . If you're planning a roof raise you'd jsut remove the panels after removing the windows, at least that's how it is on ours.

[wmkbailey]

That is what I was thinking. I was hoping there was some secret handshake and it would just come out.

[eyedeal.ink]

Originally Posted by wmkbailey

That is what I was thinking. I was hoping there was some secret handshake and it would just come out.

haha, the "secret hand shake" is what your hand feels like after running a grinder for a few hours. Oh yeah, we taped off the sharp edges with dict tape until they got covered. Bus is lookin great by the way, we're looking forward to more pics in the future.

[LuckyChow]

Originally Posted by wmkbailey

I was looking into adding cruise control to my bus. I see now why some of you want mechanical buses, adding cruise control is easy. I have a computer controlled fuel injection. My Accelerator is a sensor on a wire. You can’t add a standard cruise control to it. I have been researching, but cannot find the cruise control kit for a Cat 3126. I guess I will have to make friends with a local Cat engine mechanic.

I believe your bus already has cruise built into the computer. You just need the control panel so you can turn it on/off and set the speed. Talk to a Cat mechanic.