The Journey Visvi 1999 Thomas MVP ER

[JakeC]

Just got caught up on your thread...looks awesome!! The front really turned out nice. So close to having a sealed up tin can to work on!

[wmkbailey]

Originally Posted by JakeC

Just got caught up on your thread...looks awesome!! The front really turned out nice. So close to having a sealed up tin can to work on!

Thanks, I hope between the next two evenings and Saturday to have the back done. At least I hope so.

[wmkbailey]

Originally Posted by arutkow

That flat spot in the back might be a good location for a fold down TV antenna or even a dome for a dish. You know it'll never get hit it is safely back there.

-Abram

If it does get hit, I have bigger problems.

[wmkbailey]

Went out to the bus this evening expecting a nice dry bus after the rain. I walked in to a nice wet floor right in the front middle. I looked up and said dang, I remove the vent and did not cover the hole.

That was the first thing I tackeled. Cut a piece of the 16 GA I had, drilled, primed and riveted it down with some butyl tape to seal it.



Now it shouldn't leak.

I took the tarp off the back and measured for the side straps. They will be 50" x 4"



I case some of you want to know why I'm going to the trouble of riveting a strap all the way across the roof. It just happens both places where I cut the roof, it is not attached. I figured it would be best before I weld to it to attach it to the supports.



I got both side pieces cut and the passenger side drilled before I had to start cleaning up. It gets dark to early and next week it will be worse.

[roach711]

Nice job on the front! It looks like factory sheet metal.

[wmkbailey]

I finally got the roof done. After I pre-drilled the side and top straps, I marked the line on the roof so I could line up the straps to the support.



I put down the butyl tape and clamped the straps in place and then drilled and riveted. This worked much better.



Then I took a break and installed the air horn.





Boy do they sound good.

I used cardboard to make the template for the back panel. I found it easier to do each side separately and then tape them together..





Then I put it back on the roof to verify that everything lined up. I marked and cut the steel.





The steel lined up very nice. Now to welding. This piece welded much better than the front piece.I was able to start my bead on the thicker strap and work to the panel.





All that is left to do is paint. When I was done I blew the air horn and woke everyone up.

[porkchopsandwiches]

That looks awesome. If the body filler doesn't work to fill the gaps, try urethane based seam sealer. I bought some of it from amazon (they also sell it at autozone) and it comes in a caulk tube. It cures but stays flexible and is crazy strong, made by 3m and is used for sealing panel gaps underneath cars. I'm using it to seal some gaps in the floor and the holes where the seat bolts were.

[inkblots84]

Looks great!! I know it probably seems like it's taking forever to you, but man you are really buzzing along! I can't wait to see what you're going to do with the interior.

Also, the return trip is imminent! We're aiming to stop in Laurel MD again this weekend, not sure what night or time, but we're heading your way! I'll keep you posted when I know more specifics.

[wmkbailey]

Originally Posted by inkblots84

Looks great!! I know it probably seems like it's taking forever to you, but man you are really buzzing along! I can't wait to see what you're going to do with the interior.

Also, the return trip is imminent! We're aiming to stop in Laurel MD again this weekend, not sure what night or time, but we're heading your way! I'll keep you posted when I know more specifics.

I PMed you my number. I will be working on the bus over at porkchopsandwiches in Urbana. I may have to drive the bus over.

[bansil]

looks good

[Diesel Dan]

Cool! I'm looking forward to seeing a pic of the whole bus after you have the roof all sealed and painted!

[wmkbailey]

Getting some good rain here, decided to check out how nice and dry the bus is. The front is dry, but the back is a little wet. I look up and see sky.

There are some rivets I removed in the roof that are still open, and a couple spots I sealed up in the dark that are showing light through. When it all dries up I will fix the leaks.

[Hex]

Even with a couple of holes, it looks amazing. Congrats on being 99.44% done with that roof raise!

[wmkbailey]

Found a flaw in my heating system this morning. It was 35 this morning and I turned on the diesel heater and an hr later the engine temp was 165. I kicked on the fans to the school bus radiators and the temp droped right to 100. The system does not hold enough water to level out the water temp. I will have to figure something out. Anyone with an idea please speak up.

[wmkbailey]

I guess the heater only runs for a hr and shuts down. I turned it back on and ran fro 20 min got temp back to 165. Turned on fans and temp only droped to 120, a little better. I still wonder if i should add a 5 gal buffer tank. Suremarine has one for about $200.00

http://www.suremarineservice.com/W002-105B.aspx

[sojourner]

Looks awesome. Keep up the good work!! Had a friend once that had a grinder go through both his face shield and goggles he had on. Cut him from his forehead between the eyes down the side of his nose and into his cheek. A very close call (just missed his eye). Once healed up though (with a nasty scar) he had to scratch his cheek to relieve an itch on his forehead, Not joking!! I have had a career of both metal fabrication and marine mechanics with woodworking on the side. I'm thankful to have all my fingers in tact. Machines are not forgiving at all (remember the Terminator movies). Please be careful and always watch which way the rotation of the grinder will kick the grinder when (not if) it get's caught (which causes wheels to explode).

[eyedeal.ink]

great job on the roof raise, gotta say I'm a little jealous, lot's of work up front but should be totally worth it.

[wmkbailey]

Got a four day weekend to work on the bus. I should have it done by then, right.

Pulled it up front of my apartment and pulled everything out to do a cleaning.



After getting everything out I realize my bus isn't big enough.





I'm not sure how I'm getting all of this back in and have room for Durango and I.

Edit: everyone is calling the bus a whale, a humpback that is.

[wmkbailey]

Originally Posted by sojourner

Looks awesome. Keep up the good work!! Had a friend once that had a grinder go through both his face shield and goggles he had on. Cut him from his forehead between the eyes down the side of his nose and into his cheek. A very close call (just missed his eye). Once healed up though (with a nasty scar) he had to scratch his cheek to relieve an itch on his forehead, Not joking!! I have had a career of both metal fabrication and marine mechanics with woodworking on the side. I'm thankful to have all my fingers in tact. Machines are not forgiving at all (remember the Terminator movies). Please be careful and always watch which way the rotation of the grinder will kick the grinder when (not if) it get's caught (which causes wheels to explode).

I was in a place where I could only get the grinder in to cut that would kick it toward me, most of the time I have it where it would kick away.

[somewhereinusa]

I guess the heater only runs for a hr and shuts down. I turned it back on and ran fro 20 min got temp back to 165. Turned on fans and temp only droped to 120, a little better.

I've forgotten which heater you have, If you have the 7 day timer, it will only run for a short time (mine is 2 hours) If you supply power to the cpu (like turning on the ignition) I just ran a power wire with switch to it. It will run until you shut it off. You can also program it to come on at a set time for each day of the week.

Manual available on this page.
http://www.espar.com/products/fuel-o...day-timer.html

Dick