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Posted by D. Sherman on Saturday, April 05, 2008 at 13:05:36 :
A couple months ago I was asking opinions about it here. We ended up going with the one with the 3208 Cat, and it was delivered yesterday. Interior and exterior finish as nice was we hoped. But I'm not very happy with the mechanicals.
The motor won't run unless the low oil pressure override switch is held down continually (it's supposed to just be held down for starting). No oil pressure gage, but there are two oil pressure switches on it that both change states (one opens, and one closes) when the engine starts up, so I believe it has pressure. I have the wiring diagram for the trolley with original engine, but the 3208 has a different setup for the oil pressure switch. Right hand defrost heater blows steam out -- heater core is probably leaking. Main cabin heater fan non-op. No fuel gage (came that way from the factory). Air system won't keep up with the windshield wipers when idling. Large number of idiot lights in the instrument cluster, most of which are in broken sockets that have been glued together several times. Much mickey-mouse wiring -- clipped off, tapped-in, taped-together etc. -- probably has something to do with oil pressure switch and other electrical problems. Leaky rear main seal (?) dripping engine oil out of torque converter housing. Rust blisters under exterior paint. Frame parts rusted away to nothing in several places (not the main frame, but a lot of 1.5" square tubing used for the trolley body frame). P.A. system non-op, never used by previous owner (represented by broker as functional). Passenger bell cords occasionally work, but usually don't. Speedometer doesn't usually work, but sometimes starts up on its own (electrical, related to mickey-mouse wiring?). Center headlight, coin box light, and cabin fan disconnected.
The biggest issues for now are the oil pressure interlock and the steaming heater. Granted, this bus "only" cost $50K, compared to $150K for a new one, but there are things wrong with it that the seller should in good faith have disclosed but didn't. I'm going to take pictures and document things, and try to get some adjustment. We don't have any decent mechanic within trolley-driving distance, and I don't relish trying to fix all this stuff myself. I suppose I can put a bottle of CD-2 oil stop-leak in the oil and a bottle of Bar's Leak in the radiator and see if that'll "fix" the leaky rear main seal and heater core, but I'd be amazed if either of them works. I've already spent several hours trying to untangle the mickey-mouse wiring without any success.
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