Ok, here are a few pics. One is from when the bus was originally converted in 1984. The other was taken on my cell phone, so forgive the poor quality.
Anyway, went by last week with a couple new batteries and installed in the bus. This thing has been off the road four years, and not started in two. Went in and turned the key and it took half a second and it started and hummed like it had been running all day. No B.S., no coughing, no shudders, just a bit of smoke for 30 seconds. It runs PERFECT
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Waited a few minutes and the air suspension came up, and pumped the brakes and they work. So, put it in gear and it moved it back and forth. Hmmm... ground looks dry. Backed it out on the road, gave the owner a check, and we drove it home!!!!!!!
Now, it ain't perfect. Lots of TLC to be done (electrical, air leaks, LOTS of bodywork, etc.) but it is one hell of a starting point. We will slowly get it back in mechanically sound shape and hopefully the first road trip will be this summer
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Engine is not the 8v-71 Detroit I thought at first, but turns out to be an 8.2T "Fuel Miser". Kind of a mixed review on this from what I've read, but with 167,000 on the clock it seems to have proved itself. Allison automatic shifts great and don't anticipate any problems there.
Stay tuned!
Klaus