Over heating near Ashland, MT HELP!

[chockwald]

Hey guys, I have a friend who owns a '61 GM bus conversion with a DD series 71. He was going down a long grade near Ashland, MT when the engine began to overheat. This, obviously, is not what one would expect. The engine shut down, but he was able to restart it when it cooled down and move it more off the road. Coachnet will be coming in the morning to tow him to a repair facility. What I am looking for is any recommendations in the Billings, MT area (nearest big town) for repair facilities. My phone # is 951-236-5312, or e-mail me directly at chockwald@gmail.com.


He says he had just topped off the coolant this morning before they started out. I'm thinking it must be one of a few things......water pump failed, blown water hose, bad thermostat, or lost fanbelt. Any other ideas?


Anyway, if you are familiar with the area and can recommend a repair facility, or have any ideas that would be great!

[rellick]

Clarke, Sounds like a fan belt? High rmps maybe threw it off? it would still overheat going down if the waterpump isnt turning. Ask him if he can turn the fan easily by hand, if he cant tell if theres a belt on it.

[Gone Busing]

I believe Keith to be correct. This exactly why many Greyhound bus drivers would carry a spare belt and throw one on while on the side of the road.

[chockwald]

Originally Posted by Gone Busing

I believe Keith to be correct. This exactly why many Greyhound bus drivers would carry a spare belt and throw one on while on the side of the road.

Thank you Jay and Keith.....and Keith, thank you for calling!

[NewellCrazy]

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[littlebit]

Clark

Sent you a name and information on Newell Gurus last nite

[NewellCrazy]

Let us know how it goes clarke with the solution and problem.

[rellick]

Clarke, any good news for your friend? is he back on the road?

[Neweller]

Keith, I would have to believe this to be the coach Clarke is referring to. His friend is a member of BCN and they have a pretty extensive thread going on over there. Here's the link:URGENT Technomadia - Overheated and stranded in SE Montana

[rellick]

Originally Posted by Neweller

Keith, I would have to believe this to be the coach Clarke is referring to. His friend is a member of BCN and they have a pretty extensive thread going on over there. Here's the link:URGENT Technomadia - Overheated and stranded in SE Montana

Doesn't sound good for Chris, they should find out tomorrow if it needs an engine

[chockwald]

They got towed to Billings, MT to Interstate Detroit Diesel Saturday afternoon. They (Interstate) will begin work on Monday checking out what happened, and what needs to be done to repair the damage resulting from the overheating. Possibility of a cracked head has come up already. Still wanting to know why it suddenly overheated on a downhill grade. The overheating may, in the end, be the least of the problems he now faces. After the coach cooled down Chris restarted it, and moved it further off the road, but he said there was a big drop off in power.....just enough to move it a few feet.

[NewellCrazy]

Guess it's time for an engine swap! series 60 maybe?

[Gone Busing]

Do you think a series 60 will fit in an old GM bus? We always talked about puting one in the Eagle but not if we sell her.

[rellick]

Aren't those old gm buses angle drive? Not sure if a 60 would fit? A 5.9 or an 8.3 might.
Here is an ad for a GM bus a buddy has that used to live here, but moved to Texas, he didnt take it with him. He's a heavy duty mechanic and went through it and did alot of work to it. Should be pretty close to the same as the 61. 1959 GMC innercity bus(motorhome) - Grande Prairie RV For Sale - Kijiji Grande Prairie Canada.

[chockwald]

I think a series 92 say 8V92 TA Silver might be a better fit for the space, and comparable to what they have now, but better. They have an 8V71 right now. Here is the latest news from them on their Facebook site:

"Well folks - this confirms it. The words quick, easy and inexpensive are officially out of the repair vocabulary. Any one have a spare 8v71 laying around?

The lower bank of cylinders is where the damage is - they are running 100 degrees cooler than the top bank, and oil flows freely into the blower drain and even into the exhaust. There is however no coolant getting into the oil, and the engine still has 'good compression'."

[Neweller]

I actually have a 6V92 laying around and there is possibly another coming available. There good pullouts from upgrades being done.

[rellick]

It is a v eh? I would suggest a rebuilt, fresh start!

[chockwald]

Originally Posted by Neweller

I actually have a 6V92 laying around and there is possibly another coming available. There good pullouts from upgrades being done.

Ken how much, and how close are you to Billings, MT?

[GringoPhil]

What a shame to loose an engine, You know that's the gamble we all take with our old Detroit's. One always needs a pocket full of cash for this scenario. I read his post on busconversion forum and feel for Chris & his wife.

Gringo

[rellick]

I'm with Sean on this one, It would be a good time for an upgrade, if a 8v fits maybe a 60 would fit, probably cost the same or less then you'd be running the newer stuff.