Eagles International Forum

Per request, I'm a new member here (due to an impulse buy this past summer) with a 1989 Model 15 transit bus (Ron Burgundy) that I am converting to an entertainer.  I also own a 1978 Model 5 with friends we named Opaline (so I'm not a total newby), that we might be renovating next year also, but the 1989 is my pet project.  So far I had to install a new air ram tensioner for the hydrolic pump, new front tires, new shocks, and then remove and re-set the leaky escape hatches.  Related to the pump, I suspect that the engine was run hot, as the broken tensioner was not providing much power to the fans.  In addition, I am finding that the auto shutdown of the 6v92 turbo has been disabled; now trying to get documentation on the system to restore capabilities.  Removed most of the seats, and I happened across a 1950's Motorola record, radio, and reel tape recorder console that I am adding to the planned front lounge (that my dad is restoring now).  Would also like to get the original AC back up and running (anybody know bus AC shops in Denver area?).

Ron, welcome to our group!  Thanks for starting a project thread - we really love these kinds of threads.

(due to an impulse buy this past summer)

{big grin} we have all been there on some big purchase.

Looks to me like your bus has "good bones" and should result in a great conversion.

Keep us posted on progress!!

Jim

Matthew, sorry I messed up calling you Ron, when that is your bus name.

I am in the Denver area, but do not know of an AC shop that would specialize in buses.  That said, most any good AC shop should be able to service your bus AC. 

Before you spend big dollars on the AC, you might want to have them charge it with Nitrogen and see if the system will hold the pressure.  The system holds a lot of expensive freon type material (could be R22 or R134).  Given a choice, I would think you would want to go R134 and stock up on a ton of it while it is still available.

Jim

Yes, the bus is Called Ron Burgundy.  It has r134 stickers, so fortunate its still around.  There is oil at the pump input shaft; I almost bought the seal, but I am hesitant because that is a lot of refrigerant to buy and manage if it ends up being another issue.  I am also reading that the compressor oil needs to be the correct amount, and you test for all this after letting it run for 20+ min, etc.  I can do most other things on the bus, but this just seems to be something better left to someone with the expertise and equipment to manage the old refrigerant, oil, etc.

Also FYI is the old girl Opaline.  Was built as an entertainer, and from what we can tell it was used in the states by a jazz musician from Australia before going through a few private sales.  Ron was originally commissioned by the Dallas/Fort Worth City/Airport, then went through a few churches before falling into my lap.  The title says it exceeded the odometer, but I think the 250k mile reading seems correct to me.  However, the Dallas/Fort Worth area is quite large.

Updates!

First and foremost, we keep referring to the bus as female, by habit,  so Ron Burgundy has been re-named Rhonda Burgundy.

Second, the mystery engine oil leak has been found: Boot strap for blower gearbox was never tightened down by the previous primate working on it.  That inspection and discovery saved me a whole weekend!  Was watching youtube videos on how to take the blower off in preparation (BTW, MCI engine bays are ridiculously tight and a pain to work on anything).

Other pics are interior progress.

-K4

Well, I am finally getting my head around this thread (I confuse easily).  The first few pictures showed a red bus and that was not the Ron (Rhonda) Burgundy bus.  The following pictures showed a beautiful blue bus and that is the subject of this build thread {grin}.

I sure am glad that you are picking away at the conversion and taking us along for the ride!!

Jim

Yes, I am sorry to confuse all (even family and friends) by having 2 Eagles).  The project I am working on is the 1989 Burgundy (interior pics, etc.).

These things are adult busy-boxes!  I feel I spend more time researching, cross-referencing part numbers, and second guessing what the previous owners did.  I am now trying to revive the original air conditioner by replacing the compressor shaft seal (interestingly, the shaft seal is 2 carbon rings riding against each other, not an o-ring).  I am now trying to find an appropriate air drier cartridge, and then will attempt a test compression.  There was a little bit of pressure/refrigerant before I worked on it, so the system has largely been kept sealed.

If this works, then next step is a 240v air conditioning system install.  I really dislike seeing AC units on top, so am looking at mini-split systems, and if the size is comparable, using the existing HVAC system (inserting the evaporators on top of existing evaporators).  The interior design may call for removing the wall ducting in favor of new ducting in cargo bays, etc.

The interior is still in development, but if you google "prevost marathon floorplan" there are a lot (of non-slide out) plans to pick from for ideas.  (FYI our initial budget is $50k, but we already have many parts, including a 17kw diesel generator that can power a small neighborhood).