Today the bus got moved to a friend’s house where we can both hide in a giant shed out of the weather. There is also plenty of room for me to empty everything out so I can work on things. The extra room allowed me to empty out two storage compartments that I hadn’t previously investigated.
Here is what I discovered:
Those two brackets on the front of the bumper are there for the sole purpose of hanging clothes to dry.
The previous owner was in the process of smuggling 800 pounds of illegal hardwoods into Iowa.
Lots of rusty jacks and generator parts.
And a drawer full of old school.
Finally feels like we’ll be able to get something accomplished on this thing. Bum friends are the best.
33 Comments on “Moving the Bus”
Are you going to keep the leveling boards, or install some of those fancy electric automatic leveling jacks?
There will be no fanciness. Though I probably will jettison the massive amounts of lumber for some of those plastic thingies.
the boards are to put under the tires to level the motorhome. not fire wood lol. WW
Please tell me you don’t think I am so stupid as to not know that. Please. Because I’d hate to have to start putting smiley faces at the end of all my jokes.
Love the Old School parts and the Good Sam sticker!
What’s with the battering ram bumper (besides being a clothesline hanger)? Storage?
Lastly, any thoughts about dropping a modern fuel-injected 318 into the bus? You’d probably save half on fuel. It appears there are a bunch of howtos on the web, but it’s the web…
Love the groovy beast. Have a great time aboard and thanks for the updates!
Yeah, it was an option. A pretty rare one it turns out. Probably because of how strange it looks.
There are three big storage compartments, one of which has the batteries in it. The others are empty. Also doubles as a crush zone in an accident I’d imagine.
Hi Folks,
greetings from Germany. Sent you some songs a long time ago when You where on the road with the vee-dub and asked for them. Remember? So You are (going to be) on the road again. Looking forward to Your coming journeys.
LG
Holger
So what do you think? A couple of weeks and you’ll be on the road? Piece of cake!
Seriously, how it it since you purchased it sight unseen? Better or worse than expected?
Mark and Cindy
I’d say it’s pretty much exactly what we expected. So far there have been no unexpected surprises.
It sure has character and will be a good winter’s project. Better than a boat…no worries about it sinking! LOL
After redoing an old Airstream, I empathize with you. You sure find interesting stuff when you open things up! 😉 Isn’t the first order of business to replace the gas-sucking, pollution-spewing engine? Good luck!
And replace it with pedals?
No, the first order of business is to make the interior into our home, the second order of business is new tires, and the third order of business is to hit the road. Whatever happens after that is all part of the adventure.
I was considering emissions and the environment.
That’s awesome. I love what you can find in buses/rv’s when you empty them out for the first time. Mine was filled with Mouse Skeletons and roller skate wheels. Wasn’t sure what to make of that.
Glad you found a warm place to put the Travco. Makes a big difference in the mid-west winters.
the mice must of forgot to eat after skateing to disco music and never left the rv lol
Ah, “old school parts” “Oil seals”? an absolute necessity for all Detroit Iron, lots of them.
Suggest you give the old engine a chance to live. If it is fairly sound, a compression test is a start, maybe electronic ignition, new wires & plugs, and a brand new carburetor, just might get you down the road for a while. You would have to save a lot of gas to pay for a new motor? Or, if you want to really be adventuresome, maybe retrofit a diesel into it.
Or maybe just get a rig with a diesel already in it. I retrofitted a Ford 302 V8 into a Willys truck, NOTHING fits. 🙂
Paul Thomas
I like the idea that you can work on the Travco and be home with the family that evening. I expect that you are going to keep the engine old school and original, easier to maintain in less developed countries. Where to first? Love all your pictures. They each tell a story.
I can’t believe anybody seriously thinks we may be considering switching out the engine! This thing runs. It idles beautifully and pulls us along at 65 smooth. Why in the world would I go and f with that? Really, I am of the mind that you roll with what you’ve got until it doesn’t roll any more, then solve the problem, fix, replace, whatever. But we certainly didn’t buy this bus because we wanted to put a new engine in it. We bought it to take off and have some new adventures. If it breaks down along the way, so be it.
By now, I’d have thought that the obvious thing would be to remove the diesel from bumfuzzle, the boat, and install it in the camper, that you might continue to do battle with it. I’m not gonna put a smiley face here, but imagine one if you need to…..
I think there was one post suggesting you change the engine? In any event if it breaks, much better than having one break in a boat. Now all you need is a bit of the shoulder to pull over on, without going on the rocks. Enjoy your site.
Paul Thomas
I’m guessing a lot of people didn’t get their way when it came to replacing the boat engine so now they are turning their attention to the RV engine. Can’t wait to read about your new adventures!
When did I get lost regarding bumfuzzle’s boat in MX.? No boat anymore, but an RV?
Greetings from Panama, soon Greece.
We just bought one of these beasts in the early fall site unseen… Runs and drives great! It’s partially gutted and under wraps for the winter just waiting for some Spring weather to get it finished. Check out my blog to see where we are at. I agree with you “roll with what you’ve got until it doesn’t roll anymore”. Good luck!
Today on the 5’o clock news: “State police bust multi-state hardwood smuggling ring. State Police spokes person Officer Bumfuzzled says, “This is the largest bust in the state’s history. We’re glad to have these illegal hardwoods off of the street and out of the hands of our children. The streets are a little bit safer tonight thanks to the hard work of our officers.”
Pat, Those plastic thingies you’re referring to are also known as Linx Levelers: http://www.lynxlevelers.com/newtest/new_index.php
Amazon has them on special form time to time.
The bus looks great BTW.
Pat.. Good on you for running with the engine as it is… old technology is best, it was made in a time when people worked on things with their hands and expected to be able to fix things. I bet that those that recommend doing an engine upgrade have never done it. From bitter experience I can tell you its a disaster unless you do the whole damn thing! Sure it sound attractive to burn less fuel and have more power, and the new engine will put out more power, meaning the clutch is next to go! Upgrade that to a new heavy duty one usually with a different bellhousing, then the universals start to clap out, upgrade them then either the driveshafts flex too much and shear or the pinion cluster goes west ….. then the cog box cries enough …. The setup you have is shade tree mechanic friendly and all balanced to work properly so dont “F” with it, use your money on fuel and enjoy life on the road. Treated with love and respect your setup will last you out. Stick to your guns and tell the ‘armchair admirals’ where to go.
Muzza in N.Z.
PS guess you wont be down our way for a while now .. but with the Bums we have learned to never say never!
Save a couple of the smaller boards for a jack base and top plate in case you end up having to lift her up on soft ground or have to raise her from an odd spot on the undercarriage.
Yup. the boards are for leveling….you’ll appreciate them first time you roll out of bed or you are baking a cake….:)
Uggggh, I know what the boards are for. I was making a joke! Apparently not a very good one.
An alternative to all the wood:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/81412237@N00/3674299732/in/set-72157620609307191
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/21143513/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1.cfm
I love the clothes dryer…but it looks a bit small for a family of four. If you could figure a foolproof way to attach the clothes, you could fly down the road just a few miles & they’d be dry! (would they still be clean?) Love you all!
Yeah them boards SUCK for leveling. Take a hint. Go to Tractor Supply. They sell recycled (tire rubber) stall mats. 3/4 inch thick and I think 4’X6′. for $39 bucks. You cut them into 8″ or so wide strips and then down to 12″ blocks or so. You end up with a couple of dozen leveling pads that are indestructible, or nearly so… far more than you need if you’re a little careful picking a spot to park…and far cheaper than the plastic junk that breaks the first time you roll up on ’em.
Pat
been following you guys since the race days, I may be able to help with this motorhome if you want, send me a email if you would like to talk to a great racing mechanic, motorhome service, semi retired local grandfather
Rich
Wow Pat, Now that you’re converting to the RV adventure blog I’ll be your #1 fan. This has all the makings for somekind of reality tv show. And what a cool RV. Goodluck to you guys and I can’t wait to meet you all on the road somewhere and to read about your wonderful adventures. Don’t let the bastards grind you down, go get em.