Tips on helping your engine run cool

When I installed my new motor, an  8V71 Turbo with N 80 injectors, I found that pulling a car at any speed over 65 caused my temperature to climb. By opening the back doors and leaving them open I could run 70 to 75mph without much heating problem at 95 degree out side temp. I bought the two lower panels from International Bus Parts that are ventilated, cost $320. As the upper panels are painted I went to an air conditioning shop and was given the sides off a whole house house unit. I cut the ventilators off the unit and weld it to the top door panels . This opening is about 21 by 11 inches and the two ventilators fit just right. I then cut the door skin to fit the opening and painted to match . These upper panels cost nothing and will let out more hot air than what I could have got for another $300. I think that it looks real cool and at a big saving. If you don’t want the S.S. at the bottom you can save big. Try it if you are having any heat problems you may like it.



Tips on helping your engine run cool - High Speed Pulley

As more and more converters go to bigger motors on MCIs it becomes very hard to cool the motor with out a lot of expensive parts. I have given some tips and here is one more that will be a big help, and at a modest price. The MCI 7 and 8 have a 8.5 pulley on the squirrel cage fans. The 9 has a 8 inch which is not very much better. You can get a 6.5 from Granger or and good bearing and drive shop. The thing that you can’t get is the tapered shaft that will fit the fans shaft. You have to buy a straight shaft that is ¾ inch and take it to a machine shop and have the taper and the key way cut into it. I took the original pulley and they matched the taper. Now it is exactly as the original was. It cost me $50 to have this done.

The 6.5 pulley is the only size that you can go to as the C belt which is on the coach is 124 inch. The next size smaller is 119 inch which will work on the 6.5 pulley. It seems that they come in 5 inch differences at this big size. The difference is about 500 RPM faster at running speed. This will pull in a lot more air and not destroy the squirrel cage fans, if they are in good shape.

The advantage to my system is that you can install any size pulley an the center hub. If you go with the 7.5 and need more air you can just buy a smaller size pulley. The adjustment on the 7 8 and 9 can adjust down to 6.5 with out buying a smaller belt. I don’t advise going to 6.5 , if the fan is not in good condition as it really pulls in a lot of air. Also you need to ensure your radiators are clean.

If anyone is interested in having a high speed pulley, I'll make them available for $250.00. And I guarantee it to lower your temp 10 degrees. I also send instructions on how to install it right.

On the two squirrel cage fans there are four rubber or plastic shrouds that cause the fans to pull in max air. These need to be replaced on most old coaches. The way to tell is to look inside. If the shroud does not come to the center of the fan it needs to be replaced. The new ones will come very close to the fan. They cost about $30 each at international bus. But the best ones you can have made at a local tin shop. Have them made so that they come to the center of the fan blades. Another way to tell is to feel them if broke they will have a rough edge on them. Also seal the door on the fans so that no air can be sucked in around them. Also make sure that air can’t be pulled around your radiators.There is a small hole in the center of each fan were there was a cold weather adjustment. I plate over this so that all the air comes out the bottom. When you are working on the fans make sure that you clean them. They will have years of dirt on them and a good cleaning will make them move more air. While you are cleaning, go to an air conditioning shop and buy a gallon of condenser cleaner. Spray on your radiator and wash off. You will be surprised on how much cooler it will run.

The above pictures show how the shrouds look after they are taken off. Top shows new rubber shroud, bottom shows old one with chips out of it. There are two bolt that hold the end ones on and you won’t be able to move with out heating and cooling nut quickly. Don’t break or you will have a hard time fixing.

MCIs have a tendency to run hot when you get them in a hard pull at high altitudes. There is a after market plastic model made that sales for about $50. I found that I couldn’t tell that it did any good. So I made my own design, That will really pull in some air.

The plastic inlet rings that make the squirrel cage fans work to there maximal, from ABC bus cost $140.00 and only last a few years. Then they start to crack and go bad. A better way to do the same thing is to have a tin shop make up four inlet rings out of 20 gage galvanized metal. Cost was $15.00 each, with a saving of $80.00. And they will last the life of the coach. Below is a photo of the cones that I had made. The rubber one were on the coach for just over two years and about 30,000 miles. The heat had cracked them. The reason that I found this out was that the seals were leaking and I had to remove both blowers two change the seal. I didn’t want to install the rubber inlet rings that weren’t going to last.


Tip on building a freeze proof box for holding tanks

I use 100 gallon tanks as they can be shipped by UPS. First measure your tanks length and width. Now add 7 inches to the width and length. Cut your bottom piece of plywood so that your splice will be across the width to make it the right length. I use 1/2 inch plywood. Now put 1/2 by 1/2 inches strips around the bottom. On the inside of the strips put your sides and end pieces . The end and sides should be cut 3 inches taller than the tank.Screw and glue sides and ends together. Place corners in and screw them together.Now install your 1-1/2 insulation board on the bottom . Cut you sides and end insulation board 1-1/2 less than the height of the side pieces. Leave the back end piece out and install a 1-1/2 piece around the top but leave the end piece off for, now install your tanks. Press the tanks hard up into the insulation board to make a impression. This tells you were you need to drill your holes. After the holes are drilled and tanks are out you can place your water bed heater under the water tank. The tanks must have at least 5 inches of water in them at all times when you have heater on. Now put tanks back in box and put the end piece of insulation in and install the top strip. Place the insulation board on top and press it down on top to make impression. Lay it on top off plywood and drill holes for fittings Screw top on but don't glue it until you are ready to install fittings. You can now install in your coach and bolt to floor with carriage bolts down through the outer rim that runs around the bottom. I use the high density insulation board, the pink stuff. You now have water, black and gray tanks that want freeze in winter and your water tank won't get hot in the summer.

Tip on how to fix the cable on MCI 7 and 8 baggage door lift cables

Find the top of the spring in the vertical spring container and cut two of the sections between the holes out. This will let you pull the end of the spring out so that you can put your new cable on. I make the cables up from stock material from Home repair stores. Home Depot has the cable and compression ends in there garage door department. I put the cable through the sleeve and put a nail behind it and squeeze in two places in the vice. On the clevis end I slide clevis on, put small sleeve on and slide it down cable, then I open the end a little and put a ball of braze on it. Then I slide sleeve down and crimp as I do on the eye end.