The life of BLUB the 1972 BLUeBird bus

[GEEZER]

I didn’t say it was a good idea just that it had been done.

[Bob Horner]

Originally Posted by Redeyedtreefr0g

Pictures
(I'm really AWFUL at using phones like computers, but I don't have a regular camera anymore, so pictures are taken with the phone. Whenever I can I try to use a real computer to type, so I might post a reply and then add the photos rather than try to type the whole message in by phone.)

I use my flip phone for a watch. I bought a cheep digital camera on craigslist, load them on the cooter.
I like seeing the bus untouched the way it was parked. there only original once. Time to hang the party lights from the awning, and get the old zipdee chairs out.

[giderich]

Originally Posted by GEEZER

Am I mistaken or did I read about someone converting one of these old gassers to air brakes? Guess that may require a donor coach. Was it maybe Curt Springer maybe.

John Heckman's first bus, the early FC 31. later owned by Suska, was converted FROM HYDRULIC TO AIR BRAKES. Fairly recently during Suska's ownership the FC suffered a fire and that's all I can remember.

Maybe Critt can tell us the whereabouts of Suska's early FC which would make a good DONOR BUS.

[markusfmeyer]

You asked about plugging in to shore power and the battery charger. First off, shore power, or the generator, should supply 110 power to the coach, just like you have in your house. But keep in mind some things run on 12v instead. Reading thru the manuals is your best bet, or search these forums, or keep asking questions. Will your battery charger work on 110 power? It should, provided it works, provided it's plugged in, turned on, breaker for it turned on etc. Hope this helps.

[Randy Dupree]

Suska still has her bus,it has been converted from hydraulic to air,they changed the axles and added the rest of the stuff needed.
They changed it to diesel also,i assume at the same time.


I think they bought a truck and used the engine and axles and anything else required.
The conversion is good,and her coach works well.
If i was going to convert one i would buy a school bus and use the engine and everything.
An older school bus,diesel etc.
Thats a lot of heavy work.


I met a Canadian a long time ago that had an early FC,he was a heavy duty mechanic and he had a gasser FC that he had changed over to diesel (DT466) and air brakes.
He changed the frame,he jacked the bus up and took the frame out and rolled another frame under it.
He was at the Tampa Super show with it.

[Bob Horner]

Originally Posted by Randy Dupree

Suska still has her bus,it has been converted from hydraulic to air,they changed the axles and added the rest of the stuff needed.
They changed it to diesel also,i assume at the same time.


I think they bought a truck and used the engine and axles and anything else required.
The conversion is good,and her coach works well.
If i was going to convert one i would buy a school bus and use the engine and everything.
An older school bus,diesel etc.
Thats a lot of heavy work.


I met a Canadian a long time ago that had an early FC,he was a heavy duty mechanic and he had a gasser FC that he had changed over to diesel (DT466) and air brakes.
He changed the frame,he jacked the bus up and took the frame out and rolled another frame under it.
He was at the Tampa Super show with it.

The Dt466 is a great engine, I'm surprised it wasn't used more in RV's. Maybe it is harder to fit being an inline 6.

[Randy Dupree]

In the early 80's International went bust,they were not in business again until Navistar bought them out and restarted the company.
In those years getting parts for internationals was tough.
I had a few in my fleet.


In the early 90's Detroit Diesel actually marketed the DT466 under their banner for RV's and light trucks.
Ford did the same thing for Navistar with the 6.9.7.3.6.0 etc.


I used to see the DT in the DD displays at FMCA rallys,painted Detroit colors.
I have never seen a DT in a RV but i don't pay attention to RVs normally,just bus stuff.
The DT was a good engine,but small in HP,the ones i had were only 210hp or so,just like the 3208s i had.

[Mike Hohnstein]

(( jacked the bus up and took the frame out and rolled another frame under it))
The answer^^^right there.
Had a Ford cabover w/8.3 6sp manual, AC same wheel base as a 28' Airstream Classic sitting next to it, for a couple years taking up space in the parking lot.
Might have moved on the project but a guy wanted the truck, and C/L found a new owner for the Airstream almost immediately, but it would have been a great coach.

[Crit Bliss]

I've always wanted to put a FC on a large 4x4 power company bucket truck chassis, this one would be a great candidate

[Redeyedtreefr0g]

Stuck Zip Dee awning arm.