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 08-23-2009, 09:41 AM   #1
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 118
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: C60
Engine: Chevy 7.4l 454 FI
Rated Cap: 59
Toyhauler/camper project:

Hi there, well after lurking for well over a year and looking for a reasonable bus, I have made it!!!!!!
Found an ad and called about it. Never saw any pictures and the lady couldnt tell me many details about it. So with very little to go on I drove over 3 hours to look at it. I was originally looking for an automatic but the deal on this was too good to pass up. you see, I got it from a church that had absolutely no use for it anymore, tags expired in '05. called with intention of paying the asking price of $500, got to talking and it was mentioned their lawn mower died on them. So I ended up trading an old lawn mower for it.
Thinking, Yes I finally got my bus! We made it to the gas station a mile away, filled it up with fresh fuel and got on our way. made it 12 miles to the next town when the left rear caught fire, small fire that went out before I was able to run around with the extinguisher. A couple of nice local farmers pointed me to a repair shop over the hill a mile or so away, so there it sat, at the repair shop!
So what is it? its a 1990 Chevy C60 Bluebird 59 passenger with the fuel injected 7.4l (big block 454), 4 speed trans/2 speed axle (not sure about this 2 speed rear split shifting operation though. I am going to have to figure that out.) its got 9600 miles on it. only around 7000 in 2002 according to inspection when they bought it. so it didnt get drove much. the mechanic at first didnt believe the mileage was right but got to looking at the tires and said they all matched, then looked at the wheels, they have never been off according to him.



ramairws601 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2009, 10:30 AM   #2
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Adirondack Mountains NY
Posts: 1,101
Re: from lurker to newbie with a bus

Sweet I'd trade a NEW lawn mower for a bus like that.

Personally, I'd take the 4-speed with the 2-speed axle over an automatic, but I would prefer not to feed the gasser.
__________________
Someone said "Making good decisions comes from experience, experience comes from bad decisions." I say there are three kinds of people: those who learn from their mistakes, those who learn from the mistakes of others, and those who never learn.
Redbear is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2009, 01:58 PM   #3
Bus Geek
 
the_experience03's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Saint James, MN
Posts: 2,669
Send a message via MSN to the_experience03 Send a message via Yahoo to the_experience03
Re: from lurker to newbie with a bus

Yes, leaky axle seals can cause gear lube into the brakes on a full floating axle. The axleshaft itself is the outside seal on the hub so that will just make a mess, not affect the brakes. However, the hub is removable on these axles (much like a trailer axle). The inner seal hides right inside the brake drum so if it fails or the spindle gets grooved (needs a repair sleeve) gear lube will sling all over the brakes. The ironic thing is that brakes covered in lubricant will work BETTER. They will work too well, in fact, grabbing and locking at will.

Shifting that rear end is pretty easy. Say you want to go from 1-lo to 1-hi. Preselect high range by hitting the switch and waiting a second for the springs to preload themselves. Then just let off the throttle and get back into it. You could also tap the clutch just a little. If you want to make a range and gear shift (say 1-hi to 2-lo) preselect low range and shift the transmission. As you're clutching for the gear change the rear will also shift. It will take a little practice when you get on hills I would suspect, but I really doubt you'll find the need to split the gears all that often anyway.
__________________
https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3024/...09f20d39_m.jpg
Skooling it...one state at a time...
the_experience03 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2009, 03:09 PM   #4
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 118
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: C60
Engine: Chevy 7.4l 454 FI
Rated Cap: 59
Re: from lurker to newbie with a bus

**
ramairws601 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2009, 03:13 PM   #5
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 118
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: C60
Engine: Chevy 7.4l 454 FI
Rated Cap: 59
Re: from lurker to newbie with a bus

**
ramairws601 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2009, 05:20 PM   #6
Bus Geek
 
the_experience03's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Saint James, MN
Posts: 2,669
Send a message via MSN to the_experience03 Send a message via Yahoo to the_experience03
Re: from lurker to newbie with a bus

Quote:
Originally Posted by ramairws601

Actually this bus has disc brakes on it.

Hmm...well then that shouldn't have been a problem. Brake pads are still susceptible to contamination, but not nearly on the same scale. Did you just have a caliper lock up?
__________________
https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3024/...09f20d39_m.jpg
Skooling it...one state at a time...
the_experience03 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2009, 06:05 PM   #7
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 118
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: C60
Engine: Chevy 7.4l 454 FI
Rated Cap: 59
Re: from lurker to newbie with a bus

**
ramairws601 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-25-2009, 01:25 AM   #8
Bus Crazy
 
timbuk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: vancouver island bc
Posts: 1,028
Year: 1965
Coachwork: thomas
Chassis: chevy
Engine: 350
Re: from lurker to newbie with a bus

man this is a great bus with the 454 and 4+2 looks to be a 30 footer.I would be givin that bus the love,starting with a pair of flowmasters.nice buy
timbuk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-25-2009, 07:16 PM   #9
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 118
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: C60
Engine: Chevy 7.4l 454 FI
Rated Cap: 59
Re: from lurker to newbie with a bus

**
ramairws601 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-29-2009, 02:35 PM   #10
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 118
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: C60
Engine: Chevy 7.4l 454 FI
Rated Cap: 59
Toyhauler/camper project:

UPDATE: Well, its home at a temporary site. Made it 223 miles yesterday with no further problems. The problem was a collapsed brake hose not allowing pressure to escape the caliper. Cost me $378 for an oil change and service, 2 brake lines, pads, fluid and labor. Not bad I dont think, I was a little relieved knowing someone had looked it over before heading home this time.
Had a fairly easy time driving her back, learning the 2 speed axle will take some time. I have gotten the shifting into high figured out but still need practice on the hi to lo shift. most of the trip home she purred 65 mph up hills in 4-hi no problem but 2 steep ones I left it in hi and down shifted to 3rd gear which was a little low, I needed to go from 4-hi to 4-lo I guess but was unsure how to do it exactly so I wasnt going to try that on a hill with traffic behind me just yet. I have tried it on flat ground going from hi back to lo range without changing gears in trans and get the chatter from the rear so I just quickly put it back to hi to stop that. scared to try that many times for fear of breaking something.
Now, for my plans, toyhauler/camper. space is an issue here with a UTV and ATV to haul thats over half the bus! so got some planning on what to fold up or down and what is going to have to be lost to do it. I have seen so many great ideas on this site over the last year so I will come up with a good plan in the end. I have always wanted to move the entrance door to the middle and someone has done this and done it very well!:
RazorCityDen's 1994 Cornbinder viewtopic.php?f=9&t=3981&start=45
ramairws601 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-29-2009, 02:40 PM   #11
Bus Geek
 
the_experience03's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Saint James, MN
Posts: 2,669
Send a message via MSN to the_experience03 Send a message via Yahoo to the_experience03
Re: from lurker to newbie with a bus: made it home!

Collapsing brake hoses is surprisingly common though I have a hard time explaining it to customers and getting them to believe me. I'm glad to hear it was nothing major. You'll get the shifting down. How many RPMS are you running at 65 mph? Sounds like you got a good machine.
__________________
https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3024/...09f20d39_m.jpg
Skooling it...one state at a time...
the_experience03 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-29-2009, 02:59 PM   #12
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 118
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: C60
Engine: Chevy 7.4l 454 FI
Rated Cap: 59
Toyhauler/camper project:

No tach but I have an ear, its no where near wound up at 65, she hit 75 REAL easy and had more to go but the gov came in. I believe the 2 speed rear is probably gonna be a good deal in the end once I get used to it!
well the $378 IS a good price, especially considering what I had in the mower I traded for the bus, it was given to me by a relative. but if you consider the fuel I spent in the 2 round trips there plus the fuel in the bus to get it home thats probably another $250 on top the $378, total of $628 so far. still an insane deal for a low mileage bus like this! I found the bill of sale when the church bought it, they gave $3000 for it in 2002.
ramairws601 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2009, 11:00 PM   #13
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 118
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: C60
Engine: Chevy 7.4l 454 FI
Rated Cap: 59
Toyhauler/camper project:

well, this is the result of 2 hours labor. went fairly easy once I got going. Had help from a friend inside with an impact and me under with a wrench. half of the bolts came loose and most of the others broke off, had to cut a few heads off with a grinder. found .67 cents in change!
ramairws601 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-01-2009, 08:11 AM   #14
Bus Nut
 
ezbme's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Datil, New Mexico
Posts: 642
Year: 1989
Coachwork: Thomas Transit Liner
Chassis: Freightliner
Engine: CAT 3208 Turbo
Re: from lurker to newbie with a bus: so it begins....

SWEET deal on your bus & Welcome to skoolie!

Like the old buses & a 454... headers!

Keep posting photos as we all love 'em!
ezbme is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-01-2009, 10:34 AM   #15
Skoolie
 
Kirbystud's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Spencer IA
Posts: 104
Year: 1987
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: Chevy
Engine: 366 Gas
Re: from lurker to newbie with a bus: so it begins....

I would like to have yourset up...I have a 366 with a five speed and at 65mph I am running 3200 rpms. It will go a little faster but not much. Sometime when your under your bus see what the tag on your rear end is. I not sure but the trans is one to one in high gear????????
__________________
What happens on the trail stays on the trail
Kirbystud is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-10-2009, 09:44 PM   #16
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 118
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: C60
Engine: Chevy 7.4l 454 FI
Rated Cap: 59
Toyhauler/camper project:

Well, another 2 hours and the wood is up except under the drivers seat area. I found rust under the wood but not too bad and also found out what was under that aluminum plate, fuel pump access hole.
ramairws601 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-10-2009, 09:51 PM   #17
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 118
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: C60
Engine: Chevy 7.4l 454 FI
Rated Cap: 59
Toyhauler/camper project:

*
ramairws601 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2009, 08:07 PM   #18
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 118
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: C60
Engine: Chevy 7.4l 454 FI
Rated Cap: 59
Toyhauler/camper project:

Well got some more done today. made my door swing out and locked it into one unit. this will work till I change to a standard RV mid location door. got part of the interior panels off so I can re-insulate better. more pics in gallery.

had a crazy idea, if you follow the thread I started here awhile back, viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4960, I like the look of the international so I maybe cutting the front cap off of my roof when I raise the roof. re-use that front cap in place of the rear cap because the bluebirds have the angled back and I want it flat for my ramp to be a simple flat ramp. The front cap is longer and when riveted back in place will allow a flat backside. (1 of the first times I've said I like a flat backside ) the other way I was going to do this is to add a strip of metal to push the rear cap back to make it even with the bottom.
ramairws601 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2009, 08:08 PM   #19
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 118
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: C60
Engine: Chevy 7.4l 454 FI
Rated Cap: 59
Toyhauler/camper project:

Had a hard time deciding on leaving the original insulation in it till I pulled panels back and found these huge gaps! will take all panels out now and reinsulate properly!
ramairws601 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2009, 12:47 PM   #20
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 118
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: C60
Engine: Chevy 7.4l 454 FI
Rated Cap: 59
Toyhauler/camper project:

already got the AC cleaned out, waiting on install till next spring. I'm hoping to find a real RV rooftop unit but I got this to fall back on. cool enuf not to need AC now.
ramairws601 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
7.3l Shuttle Bus 4x4 toyhauler headinthetrees Short-Bus Conversion Projects 39 03-09-2015 05:45 PM
Flatbed toyhauler? Tofer Conversion General Discussions 2 11-17-2011 05:57 PM
toyhauler bus conversion -MOVING- MUST SELL ASAP! ramairws601 Classifieds | Buy, Sell, Swap 1 09-12-2011 12:53 AM
GMC 8100 Motorhome Toyhauler Abbott Everything Else | General Skoolie Discussions 6 08-13-2010 08:07 PM
PLEASE LEAVE FEEDBACK TOYHAULER/CAMPER PLANNING jkindt Skoolie Conversion Projects 4 04-22-2010 09:04 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:41 PM.


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