New Bloodmobile -- Charlotte NC Area

[invictus28]

Hi Everyone!

I'm Eric -- just bought a 1990 Thomas Bloodmobile. She had a short life as a party bus before I bought her -- somebody ignored the idiot lights and blew the engine.

Should I keep the stripper poles? Ha ha! I'm sure I can find a new purpose for them.

I am in the process of replacing the original Caterpillar 3208 Diesel engine with a Cummins 12V 5.9 liter 6BT. According to this article, it's a great choice:

https://www.drivingline.com/articles...diesel-engine/

Anybody Agree/disagree?

I negotiated the new engine as part of the purchase. You can see the photos of my bus in my profile -- I've not done any interior work YET, but I'm busy plotting and scheming on what I might do.

Originally, I'd planned to rip out the built-ins and replace them with IKEA cabinets (I work there a lil' part-time) . . . but then I noticed just how high-quality the original plywood/venner is. So now I'm considering how I might re-purpose some of what's there and add to it.

Either way, those florescent lights have to GO!

Oh -- I'm 49 years old, gay dude who lives in and around Charlotte, North Carolina USA.

Glad to be part of an interesting new community and enjoy making friends of all types!
e

[HazMatt]

Welcome to the looney bin!
Looks like an excellent platform to modify, but given it's last incarnation, some serious deconn is called for.
For most of us, fluid leaks are of concern under the bus, not in it..!

[EastCoastCB]

Bloodmobiles are awesome!

I wouldn't pay more than a grand or so, though. Usually non runners go for scrap value.

[Drew Bru]

Welcome! Looking forward to seeing what you do with it.

[Sleddgracer]

Originally Posted by invictus28

Hi Everyone!

I'm Eric -- just bought a 1990 Thomas Bloodmobile. She had a short life as a party bus before I bought her -- somebody ignored the idiot lights and blew the engine.

Should I keep the stripper poles? Ha ha! I'm sure I can find a new purpose for them.

I am in the process of replacing the original Caterpillar 3208 Diesel engine with a Cummins 12V 5.9 liter 6BT. According to this article, it's a great choice:

https://www.drivingline.com/articles...diesel-engine/

Anybody Agree/disagree?

I negotiated the new engine as part of the purchase. You can see the photos of my bus in my profile -- I've not done any interior work YET, but I'm busy plotting and scheming on what I might do.

Originally, I'd planned to rip out the built-ins and replace them with IKEA cabinets (I work there a lil' part-time) . . . but then I noticed just how high-quality the original plywood/venner is. So now I'm considering how I might re-purpose some of what's there and add to it.

Either way, those florescent lights have to GO!

Oh -- I'm 49 years old, gay dude who lives in and around Charlotte, North Carolina USA.

Glad to be part of an interesting new community and enjoy making friends of all types!
e

a high ceiling bus - very desirable

[invictus28]

Originally Posted by haz.matt.1960

Welcome to the looney bin!
Looks like an excellent platform to modify, but given it's last incarnation, some serious deconn is called for.
For most of us, fluid leaks are of concern under the bus, not in it..!

Hahahaha! Good one.
Maybe I should name her, "Cleanup on Aisle 7"?
e

[invictus28]

Originally Posted by Sleddgracer

a high ceiling bus - very desirable

She's only about 6'4" in the center -- although I'd love to have her stretched a bit taller -- maybe that's possible in the future.

Thanks!
e

[invictus28]

Originally Posted by Drew Bru

Welcome! Looking forward to seeing what you do with it.

Thanks! Me too!

My good friend will bring her tools and come down from Michigan to help me with the reconfiguration of the interior.

I think the first step is going to be, as others have suggested, a thorough cleaning!

Thanks,
e

[invictus28]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Bloodmobiles are awesome!

I wouldn't pay more than a grand or so, though. Usually non runners go for scrap value.

I think I negotiated a pretty good deal at about $5.5G for the bus, engine-swap, and a thorough road readiness going-over.

I'll know more after she's running -- hopefully by the middle of July.

Thanks,
e

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by invictus28

I think I negotiated a pretty good deal at about $5.5G for the bus, engine-swap, and a thorough road readiness going-over.

I'll know more after she's running -- hopefully by the middle of July.

Thanks,
e

Not bad at all!

[Gustav]

Welcome!! Really nice platform to work with. Can't wait to see how the engine swap works out.

[invictus28]

Thanks.

I don't know the first thing about diesel mechanics . . . time for a crash course.
Let's hope not literally!

e

[HazMatt]

I like it!
It isn't the blood bank people that gives me pause. They're trained trained to safely & sanitarily handle bodily fluids in discrete, one pint bags.
In its later life, I doubt there was much going on that could be considered in the same time zone as, "discrete."
And anyone who could wear a pint bag was probably the headline act...

Originally Posted by invictus28

Hahahaha! Good one.
Maybe I should name her, "Cleanup on Aisle 7"?
e

Heck, no! Sounds like a dandy deal!

Originally Posted by invictus28

I think I negotiated a pretty good deal at about $5.5G for the bus, engine-swap, and a thorough road readiness going-over.

I'll know more after she's running -- hopefully by the middle of July.

Thanks,
e

Ba-Da BOOM!
Thank you, ladies and germs!
Try the veal!

Originally Posted by invictus28

Thanks.

I don't know the first thing about diesel mechanics . . . time for a crash course.
Let's hope not literally!

e