Crown bus information needed

[frank-id]

My Crown is a great bus. The engine is dead, but I have another engine. In my area, no shop wants to exchange engines for me. Money was not ever mentioned. I'm going to R & R the engine myself and a pal. Anyone else changed a mid engine Cummins in their Crown?? I'm going to use 2 chain hoists rated at 2500 pounds each. My idea is to build two frames to hang hoists inside the bus. Bus is currently a shell. The frames will be located at the front and rear of engine trans assembly. I'm guessing the body needs to be about 18-24 inches from earth. I must remove the engine from the donor bus, then remove the engine from the keeper Crown, then install the good engine. Did I mention the temps have been about 48 degrees in the daytime... The frame for the hoists shall be fabricated from some "H" beam

3X6X3, connected to some oil well drill pipe. I'm using a 4X6 on the bus floor to spread the load. It would not be good to make a large hole in the floor, of either bus. I'm a mechanic, but not on large equiptment.. Any suggestions appreciated. I've made a few drawings, but have not yet struck any arcs..

A friend said the steel parts are greatly over size.......I'm ready......

[Rainforest]

Go looking for Buskid, friend of mine. She can answer any questions.

[andybus9]

i was told some where that they jack the buses front end way up in the air and remove the engine from the bottom. I saw them doing that on a bus like that once with the mid engine. they had a engine hoist inside the body to lift it up, then then removed any obstacles that would get in the way when lowering. They then had a deal mounted on wheels that would allow the engine to sit down on it. they had large wooden block laying across and upright to set the engine mounts on and tranny. they then would run some straps around it to hold it in place and then roll it out from under the bus. other wise i have seen them reove the engine side ways through the front windshield and some times from a side emergency door and front door. I think its a good time now to replace it before all the stuff goes in. I thought they rebuilt those engines in the frame?

IF you do decide to remove it and have to use a cutting torch or torch to heat the bolts have some one standing by with a fire extingusiher. IT can be very easy to start the bus floor on fire or the grease that builds up on the engine. It may also be a good time to clean out the area of grease and dirt where the engine sits while it is out. YOu will be happy you did, incase you have to work on it after the interior is complete. Also make sure you do not make getting the cover off the floor impossible once you conversion is done. I also would take a large blanket and lay it over the hole and then cut a square out if it in the middle. The suqare had edges of blanket to lay down over the side of the hole into the hole. You could lay on the blanket and not get they floor or sourounding are dirty. Good luck, be safe and remeber take pics of before, during and after so we can see the cool stuff going on.





Andy B Bus#9

Minnesota

KC0JCK

[Rainforest]

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/crowncoachjunkies



Try this too