Well it took ten days, but the bus is back and it is better than ever. Like so extremely better than ever that as I drove it down the road from the shop I actually laughed out loud. I couldn’t wipe the smile off of my face. It’s ridiculous how different this bus is from the one I’ve been driving around for the last seven thousand miles.
So yeah, the brakes work. But that’s not what had me so giddy. That honor belonged to the exhaust manifold. Oh my sweet, sweet, sound-deadening, carbon monoxide diverting, exhaust smell eliminating, heat dissipating, exhaust manifold—I had no idea how truly important you are. The bus sounds like a Prius now. It’s so quiet. And the acceleration feels so smooth—though that may just be because I don’t have to listen to it. I’m in love, really. And it’s all thanks to some donor truck from 1954 that died early so that sixty years later we could have its like new manifold.
The shop managed to get all but one bolt off without breakage, but did have a head snap off of one. Then snap again, and again, until they were finally able to drill it out without damage. Definitely not a job I could have done on my own.
The rear main seal has been replaced, meaning no more leaving puddles of oil upon start-up each morning. That also means no more guilty conscience. The seal was in such bad shape that they couldn’t get it out and actually had to go buy a new tool to get the job done. This shop has been in business for thirty years and appears to have every tool known to man, yet our bus demanded one more. Fortunately the bearings inside all looked good.
The brakes were what put us out for ten days. We’ve finally got a full brake job accomplished. New cylinders, new shoes, new master—the works. The shop ordered a new master cylinder which was supposed to show up on Friday before the three day holiday weekend. It didn’t. When it did show up they installed it (this was the very last thing to do on the bus) and bled the brakes. But they couldn’t get the pedal to firm up. At some point somebody finally asked if they had checked the bore size. Turns out they needed a 1.5 inch, not the 1.25 inch. They called around and found a new one five minutes away, meaning the previous four or five days could have been avoided. Doh!
All in all I’m psyched about the new condition of the bus. I thought it was pretty great before, but now it feels like a new car, and I find it every bit as easy to drive as my mom’s Jeep Cherokee. Excited to hit the road and tackle those hills along the coast.
Since we were busy hemorrhaging money I thought I’d pile on by finally breaking down and making a purchase that I’ve been putting off for about two years now—a full frame camera. I just could never justify the expense, and I still can’t, but I finally bit the bullet and did it anyway. The new camera is the Canon 6D with the 24-105mm lens.
Here Ali and Ouest put on their excited faces as I tell them I’m about to take the first picture with the new camera. Yay! The camera really adds to my excitement to get back on the road.
Recently Lowe learned how to cross his arms and humph. It takes him roughly fifteen seconds to get his arms in position, which is an absolute joy to watch. It’s incredibly difficult not to laugh at him once he finally gets his disgruntled “Humph” out.
Our friend Megan invited Ouest over to sew some dress up clothes for her and her doll. Ouest asked us every couple of hours for a week when we were going over there. I was amazed by Megan’s ability to sew while both kids fought for control of the foot pedal. That’s skill. But really what most surprised me, is that we have a friend who owns three sewing machines. I’m not sure if I own three pairs of underwear.
I was doing a couple of projects around the bus, so while I had the lumber and the saw out I figured I might as well make the kids swords. Nobody has been injured so far.
17 Comments on “Bus Work”
what does the new camera do differently than your old one?
For me the big benefits will be that I can shoot a wider angle in tight spaces (i.e. inside the bus), that it will shoot much better pictures in low light situations, and the video has auto focus as opposed to the focus once and hope for the best that we were using. Those are three of the main benefits to me personally, but there are also some other small features that will be nice. The lens is also a big step up from what we were using.
Wow nice pictures with the new camera, I love the Bokeh effect in the shots.
BTW, do you now need to buy all new lenses?
Regards,
David
No, my Canon 15mm fisheye and Canon 50mm still work with this body. Only difference now is that they actually shoot at 15mm and 50mm versus 24mm and 80mm which is what they actually shot at with the APS-C format camera we were using.
We’ll be selling the Canon t3i with the Tamron 18-270mm lens soon.
What are you going to do for a longer lens?
I have looked at the EF 70-200 USM and the IS version but are still undecided, or I may go for a 70-300 as 200 is not quite long enough for most shots that need a telephoto.
Decisions, Decisions !!!!!!!!!!
The 70-300 seems like a good choice. I’m not doing anything for now. First I have to wait until I’ve told myself at least ten times, “I really need it.”
Excellent news. Is there any better feeling (well maybe) than the satisfaction of knowing your old runner has new life in her!! Congrats
Not to be a total downer, but is it about time for a total cost of ownership post?
Why would that be a downer? Ali posts the expenses every month. Right there at the bottom of the page are the Travco costs. Neither of us is the least bit unhappy with what the bus has cost. It’s our home now and for the foreseeable future and it cost less than a Ford F-150 (commuter car). All four of us love the bus.
The 24-105 is a sweet lens. Just got it last year and it’s my go-to lens for most things now. Just came in from doing night shooting during the super moon. Enjoy. And if you want to add to your photo playthings, be sure to check out the LensProToGo site…
Boy, do I ever hear you about the exhaust manifold!! We went through that in Baja with our truck. UN-BAH-LEEEEEV-ABLE, the difference a new one made!
Also, just wanted to say I was kind of surprised you are not going the mirrorless route – it seems like everyone is dropping their chunks of change that way.
I wanted a full frame camera, and wasn’t interested in a Sony or Leica. Also not interested in replacing all my Canon lenses. The other thing I can’t get used to any more is not having a viewfinder—I don’t like staring at a screen.
Manifold!!!!!!!
Love watch the story unfold….
Such bootiful photography. 🙂
I have changed a couple of mopar v8 rear main seals. Always a little scary to get the old out and the new in. And only having one manifold bolt/stud that had to be drilled out is probably better than average for a 318 as old as yours. I hope they didnt overtighten the bolts: If the manifold is able to skid slightly against the gasket when it is expanding/contracting, they arent likely to crack.
Oh to be a kid again! Dirt on your face without a care in the world…Sounds a little like your philosophy Pat. Play, travel, eat, sleep and repeat! Im sure there is a little work tucked in there somewhere for you…
Awesome pics! Loving Live on the Margin. Inspiring…
All smiles!
Ouest looks so much like you, Pat. It really shows in the third photo. Great to hear the bus is better than ever. Nothing like a “good old” vehicle that you already love suddenly feeling like a “new vehicle” in a way. Roll on!