1989 mci 96a3

[peterbylt]

1989 MCI 96A3

I did a 6 month search including many different busses Including a number of different Skoolies and a Scenicruser, (still want the Scenicruiser) I finally found the right bus with the right engine for the right price.

I purchased her in Nov 2015 From Horizon Coach in Arcadia Florida, very nice people to deal with.
This was the sales Video: https://youtu.be/VxpCoJof_jU


A friend of mine, Kevin, who is a professional Bus Driver with over thirty years’ experience gave it the once over and drove it and gave me the thumbs up, The wife and the dog liked it, So, after some negotiating, I bought it.

Made the 100 mile drive home to Tampa without any issue, plenty of Power, No unusual Noises, Air Conditioning worked.

Engine - Detroit Diesel 8V92TA
Automatic Transmission - Alison HT740

1998 MCI 96A3 8V92TA HT740

I rent space in a shop that I use to work on my Motorcycles, there is a large yard attached, the owner of the shop had no problem with my bringing in a bus to work on, even encouraged me and did not charge more rent (amazing) even had a concrete pad to park it on.

Bus at the shop

Three years later we are just getting to the point where it is usable (but far from finished).

I have created a series of Slideshow's that chronicle the build.

Hope you like them.


Bus Build Part 1 - https://youtu.be/JEq45DGANew
Bus Build Part 2 - https://youtu.be/WvftDKN_E10
Bus Build Part 3 - https://youtu.be/kwOYu-I8PVQ


There is still a lot of work left to be done.

Peter

 

[EastCoastCB]

Very cool!
Nice to see so many Florida folks on here.

MCI is a nice coach.

 

[peterbylt]

I have created another in the series of Slideshow's that chronicle the build.

Bus Build Part 4 - https://youtu.be/7uIyhRxZUVk

Let me know what you think.

Peter

 

[PNW_Steve]

Sweet MCI!

I miss my two stroke Detroit's. Be sure and school yourself, if you haven't already, on the proper oil for your 8v92. A good resource is Tejas Coach Works, Silver Eagle Bus Conversion, Motor Home Bus Conversion, Bus Sales, Repair

 

[peterbylt]

Sweet MCI!

I miss my two stroke Detroit's. Be sure and school yourself, if you haven't already, on the proper oil for your 8v92. A good resource is Tejas Coach Works, Silver Eagle Bus Conversion, Motor Home Bus Conversion, Bus Sales, Repair

You are Definitely correct, Detroit 2 strokes are finicky when it comes to oil.

Has to be a straight 40W low ash and CF2 compliant.

I was using Delo 100,

The last oil change I switched over to Coastal from Fleet Pride.

Has the same specifications as the Delo 100 but sells for $11 a gallon instead of $18, makes a difference when you are using 9 gallons for an oil change and the Bus seems to like it.

These engines are designed to use oil as well, never meet a Detroit that did not leak, Like Harley's, Old Chevy's and Dog's they need to mark their spot, If they ain't leaking it means they are out of oil

I sure do like the way she runs, will do 70 MPH on the interstate all day long, Quite the smooth and quite ride.


Thank You for watching the Slide show, a lot of work and sweat went into creating those pictures.


Peter

 

[PNW_Steve]

that is precisely why the call the "green leakers

My mechanic told me that to keep a freshly overhauled Detroit from leaking was simple. Don't start it and it wont leak.

 

[PatrickBaptist]

that is precisely why the call the "green leakers

My mechanic told me that to keep a freshly overhauled Detroit from leaking was simple. Don't start it and it wont leak.

Yeah whut thou sayest!
LOL, don't start it and it won't leak... I've said that about others before but yeah DD are notorious foe leaving their mark and being a fuel toilet, atleast not a gutless fuel toilet though LOL.

 

[Mtrdrms]

So glad I found this! Your bus is awesome! I just bought an 89 mci 96. I traded up (hopefully) from a bluebird all american. I pick up the mci next weekend.

I have a few questions if you guys don't mind.
So this bus hasnt been run in a year. I'm working with the owner (he's in Indiana and I'm in CT.) To get it ready for the drive back when I go and pick it up next weekend.

He tried to start it last night and it was dead.
I have a week to make sure its ready to drive about 900 miles. I'm a mechanical minded fellow but ive never had a DD bus and I'm not there with it!

Kind of an open ended question but what should be done to it to get it ready?
I'm glad I saw that it needs special oil!
It has a 6v92 says the owner.

Any help or advice would be appreciated!

 

[peterbylt]

So glad I found this! Your bus is awesome! I just bought an 89 mci 96. I traded up (hopefully) from a bluebird all american. I pick up the mci next weekend.

I have a few questions if you guys don't mind.
So this bus hasnt been run in a year. I'm working with the owner (he's in Indiana and I'm in CT.) To get it ready for the drive back when I go and pick it up next weekend.

He tried to start it last night and it was dead.
I have a week to make sure its ready to drive about 900 miles. I'm a mechanical minded fellow but ive never had a DD bus and I'm not there with it!

Kind of an open ended question but what should be done to it to get it ready?
I'm glad I saw that it needs special oil!
It has a 6v92 says the owner.

Any help or advice would be appreciated!

Was on vacation, hope you get this before you go.

Good choice of Bus, we really like our 89 96A3.

Please give a little more detail on “Dead”.

Make sure the Batteries are good and fully charged, we have two 8D hooked in series, 24 volt.

Make sure the gear selector is in Neutral.

Make sure the battery shut off switch is ON.

Be sure the start switch in the engine compartment is set to rear or front depending on where you are starting it from.

I would change the fuel filters, be sure to fill the filters with Diesel before installing.

Make sure the fuel system is primed.

Check to see if there is enough oil in it.

These engines can sit a long while and start right up, they want to run.

Be sure the fuel rails are not stuck before starting, depending on where it is stuck it could either keep it from starting or cause a runaway.

Before driving any distance, check the date and pressures on the tires, we run ours at 90 psi.

Be sure the air system gets up to and holds 120 psi, you need at least 90 PSI to release the brakes and for the alternator to kick in.

If you have the Allison HT740 transmission, run it in the higher RPMs Detroit’s hate to be lugged.

I will be happy to answer any questions you have.


The Bus Conversion Magazine Forum is about the best resource for these Buses.

https://www.busconversionmagazine.com/bcm-forum/


Peter

 

[Mtrdrms]

Thanks Peter! I actually just got home yesterday. All I did was put 2 new batteries in it and it started instantly - once I figured put how to start it.
Its got a manual transmission which was a not so fun surprise.
But, I have to give it credit - 900 miles straight home with only some wobble issues from the front end. Gonna dive into that soon but I have to get these generators running first so I can power inside this thing! Its a partially converted bus already, I just have to finish it.
Any help or info you can povide would be great!
Thanks,
Andy

 

[PNW_Steve]

Was on vacation, hope you get this before you go.

Good choice of Bus, we really like our 89 96A3.

Please give a little more detail on “Dead”.

Make sure the Batteries are good and fully charged, we have two 8D hooked in series, 24 volt.

Make sure the gear selector is in Neutral.

Make sure the battery shut off switch is ON.

Be sure the start switch in the engine compartment is set to rear or front depending on where you are starting it from.

I would change the fuel filters, be sure to fill the filters with Diesel before installing.

Make sure the fuel system is primed.

Check to see if there is enough oil in it.

These engines can sit a long while and start right up, they want to run.

Be sure the fuel rails are not stuck before starting, depending on where it is stuck it could either keep it from starting or cause a runaway.

Before driving any distance, check the date and pressures on the tires, we run ours at 90 psi.

Be sure the air system gets up to and holds 120 psi, you need at least 90 PSI to release the brakes and for the alternator to kick in.

If you have the Allison HT740 transmission, run it in the higher RPMs Detroit’s hate to be lugged.

I will be happy to answer any questions you have.


The Bus Conversion Magazine Forum is about the best resource for these Buses.

https://www.busconversionmagazine.com/bcm-forum/


Peter

Good advice!

Especially making sure that the rack moves freely and knowing where your emergency shutdown is.

A stuck rack or warn/damaged blower seals can lead to a runaway engine.

The first time you start it you may want to have one hand on the emergency shutdown.

Good luck!!

 

[peterbylt]

Thanks Peter! I actually just got home yesterday. All I did was put 2 new batteries in it and it started instantly - once I figured put how to start it.
Its got a manual transmission which was a not so fun surprise.
But, I have to give it credit - 900 miles straight home with only some wobble issues from the front end. Gonna dive into that soon but I have to get these generators running first so I can power inside this thing! Its a partially converted bus already, I just have to finish it.
Any help or info you can povide would be great!
Thanks,
Andy

Great that you got it home without any issues.

The first drive home in mine was only about 100 miles and I was nervous.
900 miles is bit of a ride.

I am looking forward to seeing your build, Start a Build topic and post pictures!!!!!

It will be interesting seeing someone else’s take on the same bus.

Peter

 

[Mtrdrms]

That's a great idea. I'll start a new topic on it.

 

[peterbylt]

Before 11/2015.

In the middle, After the gutting and prep work, before the interior started going in 6/2017.

Now 5/2020.

It has been a long road and we ain't done yet.

Peter

 

[EastCoastCB]

NICE! Glad to see an update!

Got any of those coach seats left?

 

[ol trunt]

Don't over heat it ever. Not just once!
Jack

 

[52Flyer]

Before 11/2015.

In the middle, After the gutting and prep work, before the interior started going in 6/2017.

Now 5/2020.

It has been a long road and we ain't done yet.

Peter

This is a great motivating post!! Looking forward to seeing you down the road at a skoolie function!

 

[peterbylt]

Another Slideshow of what we have accomplished over the last year.

1989 MCI 96A3 Bus Conversion Build Part 5

https://youtu.be/9QwIxws0kEU

Parts 1 - 4 posted above.

Or you can search Youtube for Peterbylt.

Let me know if you have any Questions on what you see.

Peter