Runamuck Bus

[Runamuck Bus]

The Windshield was installed on Friday. 2 different guys, from two different companies showed up in two different trucks to do the job. The 'Diamond' guy had the experience, the 'Safelite' guy brought the glass (PPG). We talked it over, I gave them all of the history, they went to work. When they started pounding on the glass and bearing down on the suction cups, I did what I was most qualified to do... I left.



Installers commented that the seal was stiff and difficult to work with. At one point, the one installer was 'hanging' on two suction cups to pull the seal into place.





Yes, I should have painted the entire bus BEFORE installing the windshield. But it's in, looks good and I like it...

[Runamuck Bus]

Been a while, thought I should add more...
Finally got the engine area back together after IAC visit (almost 1 year ago!), yikes.


Finished the Interior front panels (except that awful gas pedal)...


And got the interior rear seats and cabinets mounted (yes, I have seatbelts, maybe tomorrow)...



Got re-motivated at recent local carshow (Starlite Cruise). Nice weekly show, but had to take wifes car...


This stuff seems to take forever and there are so many small details fighting me every inch of the way, but what a blast!

[SlashKirk]

Look'n good, keep plugging away and know that you did it all yourself!!

[Howie]

"The Devil is in the Details" as it is said. Get it running and on the road and to campouts, and fine tune the details later. Leakoilers like buses in all stages of work, but what we like most is to have PEOPLE at the events. We are not a snob-crowd like the "car show" guys.

[Runamuck Bus]

Well, you all should be saying, 'Welcome Back'! Did I get kicked out of the club for non-participation? Did you guys (and gals) be come exclusive while I was tinkering in the garage? I'm not too terribly offended; other than the fact that it looks like I've been a member since, well, today. Does this mean I'm a pollywog all over again? Anyhow, enough of the whining rant, back to the stuff that matters...
FINALLY DROVE THE BUS!!!!

3+ years, Grace (the bus) finally sees the light of day -

I saw my garage -

And wife wife and I almost got to see Jesus (insert your choice of deity or higher power here) -

What have we learned:
No Brakes, they are kinda important, they should work.
It's a blast to drive, it's loud, turns heads, leaks oil (appropriately), steers rough (can I get a bigger steering wheel?), needs taillights and I guess license, registration and insurance fit in there somewhere. I just had to get it out, blow the stink (dust) off of her and make a brand new, long list.
Thanks to a little 'butt sag', she (the bus) fits better in the garage:

Gonna be a good year.

[SlashKirk]

Welcome Back Tim!!

Sorry about the screw up on the member profile; I'll take full responsibility for it (even though I think the internet gremlin had something to do with it).

Glad to see the bus on the road again and expect to see you at least one camp out this year.

Later

[vwrick69]

Looking good!! It does seem to take forever to get everything" just the way you want it". Keep up the good work!

[Runamuck Bus]

Thank you Cap'n K and others. Keep in mind, I'm just kidding you all; no harm, no foul, no bad feelings, no tears (tears of joy perhaps). This is all just for fun and the i-net and all it's wizardry are just part of it. I'll be a rookie with this vehicle forever or until my 1st Kelley's Island hangover, whichever comes first!

[Runamuck Bus]

I like to revive this every once in a while just to see if you folks are sleeping -
I found out why I didn't have any tail lights - light bulbs! They're these glass globes with a brass base and a tiny wire filament inside. Once you put some in the sockets, the lights come on. Oh yeah, that horn thing - apparently there are two wires that are supposed to be connected to the horn, has something to do with electric current (beep, beep). Brake lights are a different story. I suspected the master cylinder was bad for some time. I have also been suspicious of the booster too. Why not, they are the only two parts in the brake system (other than proportioning valve) that I hadn't replaced.
I bought a new master

I tore a brake booster out of the parts bus (gotta love parts busses) and sent it to Texas -

I bench bleed master -

I installed (multiple times!) -


Well, I did a 'brake bleed' and seemed to get good fluid flow into the catch container (no bubbles), but I'm not 100% certain of the job. Also, the brake lights come on, but when the taillights are lit, they are barely noticeable. The brake lights do not seem to burn brighter as I mash the pedal. Also, I haven't gotten that brake pedal connecting rod adjustment completely squared away (in my mind) yet. I don't know if that is a problem or not.
OK, enough is enough; I'm off to persuade the wipers to wipe.
Please comment, lots.

[Howie]

I'm off to persuade the wipers to wipe.

Good luck with that one. Do they go halfway up and just stay there like mine? If you figure out that one let me know. (Besides replacing the wiper motor and the other stuff hidden behind the jumble of wires under the dash).