Hello from Oregon

Trask97140 · 10-10-2015, 02:00 PM

Hello from the Oregon Coast/Portland area (depending on the time of year). Looking at doing a conversion into living space! Picked this bad boy up for 1600 bucks with 150k miles on it!

1978 International Harvester w/ Carpenter short bus frame
V8 345 w/ Allison 4speed auto

Might not be the fastest or the most economical but from what I have researched this is a great engine and transmission?? It does fire up super easy and runs great. Other than being a bit of a dog up the hills I think it should work out great.

https://goo.gl/photos/eWVZ2Mq9b1hhAavJ7

The windows are going to be my biggest problem. They are full frame & slide up and down inside the actual walls of the bus... completely open to the elements (leaks lots of water) If anyone has a quick link to a thread addressing an issue like this that would be amazing!

Anywho, glad to have found this site! Look forward to talking with you all.

Trask

crazycal · 10-10-2015, 03:25 PM

Cool bus....

Tango · 10-11-2015, 10:43 AM

You are correct sir! --- The old style drop-into-the-walls windows are a royal PITA. No way on Earth to keep water out and I'll venture to guess you will find a LOT of rust in there. I had them on my '46 but surprised to see them on a '78.

Unfortunately, the only real fix is to replace them. I only needed four so I went with custom built RV style but a number of folks have managed to find household units in vinyl or aluminum frames. If you can snag something with dual pane glass it is a big plus. You might search "Ol' Trunt" here. He found some excellent replacements for his 1935 Chevy.

Most Big Box stores like Home Depot can have them made to fit just about anything for a lot less than the RV units.

Good luck with it and please do keep the pix coming.

Trask97140 · 10-11-2015, 02:04 PM

Thank you for the info! Probably wind up getting vinyl windows... Would fix the water issue, plus help insulate. I was wondering with the paneling if I there would be any issue re-attaching once ive taken the rivets all out. Maybe use a large diameter screw to re attach? Suppose I should start a new thread for progress updates/questions...

Thanks again,
Trask

nat_ster · 10-12-2015, 12:05 AM

Welcome

Any plans to insulate the bus?

Head on over to the build thread section and do some reading. Asking questions will only get you opinions, not experience. Many idea's and how to knowledge over there to be seen in picture form.

I look forward to a build thread and pics.

Nat

Tango · 10-12-2015, 09:01 AM

BTW...the windows on my rig required fabbing some sheetmetal to close up and reinforce the old window openings. Not sure how yours is built, but the C-channels below were a must before I could put newer windows in.

Drop down window opening.

C-channel cover that will get riveted then new windows screwed to them.

Dual pane RV windows with screens fit now.

Your bus may be built a little differently but this worked on mine.

Trask97140 · 10-12-2015, 01:42 PM

Thanks Nat. Appreciate it. I will be insulating the walls of the bus when I do the window replacement, also plan on replacing the insulation in the roof. Not 100% sure what im going to do for the flooring/insulation yet. Big thing for me at the moment is making ol 82 watertight. Ive sealed the holes left from seat/old flooring removal. Next, windows.

Tango, thanks for the pics. I imagine ill have to do something similar with the windows. The C channel is a good idea! They are close to 24"x24" which homedopey carries for decent price. I do like the look of your RV window. Lots of research/planning/pricing to be done once I get more free time from work.

Ill get a thread going soon, appreciate the interest/help!

Trask

Tango · 10-12-2015, 03:03 PM

BTW...I made my C-channels from 14 gauge and they really provide a lot of rigidity to the inner & outer panels once they are all tied together.

Trask97140 · 10-16-2015, 11:10 AM

Thanks Tango! I will definitely keep that info. How did you bend the steel so perfectly? haha. Vice?

Going to start taking out the interior panels, deciding on how many windows to keep, and fixing the radiator fed heater today...hopefully! We see how those rivets come out.

So much information on this website to read. Its amazing.

Ill start up a conversion thread tonight.

Trask

bansil · 10-17-2015, 08:34 AM

welcome,I have been to Oregon several times, once about 1979 and swear I saw Bigfoot, next couple times I got dysentery and all my oxen died

latest time was last week and made it with 2 family members left, (wife drowned in a river crossing in Nevada, lost a couple kids to snake bites) also had 6 healthy oxen and like 15 pairs of clothes

again welcome

Tango · 10-17-2015, 09:20 AM

So sorry about the oxen.

crazycal · 10-17-2015, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bansil

welcome,I have been to Oregon several times, once about 1979 and swear I saw Bigfoot, next couple times I got dysentery and all my oxen died

latest time was last week and made it with 2 family members left, (wife drowned in a river crossing in Nevada, lost a couple kids to snake bites) also had 6 healthy oxen and like 15 pairs of clothes

again welcome

It's a little early to hit the bottle, don't you think?

Trask97140 · 10-17-2015, 11:35 AM

Sorry for your loss. I usually splurge for the barge. Even that has failed me from time to time.

Thanks for the welcoming!

teyolee · 10-19-2015, 10:29 PM

Thanks for posting everyone i have the same windows and im thankful for all the info, ive spent a number of months looking for something like this !

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