Cost of ownership

[Curt Sprenger]

Gardner,

Here is what I spent doing a swing radiator on the 1974 FC31. I did as
much of the work as I could. I cut the radiator mounting plate, welded
the hinges, etc. $66.00 for hinges/nuts/bolt/washers, etc. for swing
radiator and swing down pumper. $280 to rod out, test, modify the
radiator. $233.27 for hoses/clamps (top/lower/pump, etc.). $105.22 for
new belts. $197.32 for new transmission cooler hoses (this may not be
needed). This adds up to $882.31 total cost for the swing radiator
project. A shop charging $2,000 seems reasonable.

The swing radiator project is not that bad. If you are handy, can cut
the radiator mounting plate or have someone cut it, can weld or have a
friend that welds (about 15 minutes of work at most to modify the
mounting plate) you can do this project. I spent very few hours of
actual work, about 30 hours of head scratching, chasing radiator tune up
& mod., hoses, other parts.

See http://www.6url.com/0TZP Go down to the last entry, Swing.htm, for
a write up on the swing radiator project.

Curt Sprenger 1987 PT38, Anaheim Hills, Calif.



gcyeaw wrote:

> There is an entry in the files section under Swing Radiator. It
> puts the cost between 1 and 2 thousand dollars. It isn't as easy as
> it sounds according to the file.
> Gardner
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> , "orbitalsolutions"
> wrote:
> >
> > Hi, Tom. You are right on the money about the swing radiator! I
> > consider it a must have on an FC. I don't know how much it costs
> to
> > do the conversion but I know it isn't cheap. I'm sure someone here
> > can tell us how much to have it done, or how costly if you can do
> it
> > yourself. In fact, Blue Bird made them standard equipment
> somewhere
> > along the line, not sure when. This is an excellent example of
> how
> > you will have a lower cost of ownership depending if you buy a bus
> > with or without a swing-out radiator.
> >
> >
> > James
> > 78FC33SB "Old School"
> > Orange Lake, FL
> >
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> , Tom Warner
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > Remember that having a swing radiator will have an impact on the
> > > price as will having to remove the doghouse to check the valve
> > lash.
> > >
> > > Tom Warner
> > > Vernon Center,NY
> > > 1985 PT 40
> > >
> > > At 11:31 PM 7/7/2006, you wrote:
> > >
> > > >Bruce, I was quoted $790.00 by Cashman Cat in Las Vegas NV
> where
> > I was
> > > >a repeat customer. Of course, Cat franchises are independently
> > owned
> > > >and operated. So prices, as well as services offered, will
> vary. I
> > > >suppose different markets may dictate varing prices as well.
> > > >
> > > >In any event, I think a range of $800 to $1100.00 is probably
> > realistic.
> > > >
> > > >When I have a chance I'll get a quote from Ring Power, the Cat
> > place
> > > >here in central FL, and see what they say. I need to get some
> new
> > Cat
> > > >hats anyway.
> > > >
> > > >James
> > > >78FC33SB "Old School"
> > > >Orange Lake FL
> > > >
> > > >--- In
> > > > > > 40yahoogroups.com>WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> ,
> > > >"birdshill123"
> > > > wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > James: You must have a bargain Cat dealer. I doubt most
> would
> > do all
> > > > > that work for $790.00 More like $1000 plus. If you figure
> > labor rates
> > > > > of $90.00 (could be higher) just doing the belts and hoses
> > could
> > > > > easily eat up $400 TO $500 . Doesnt leave much for the valve
> > > > > adjustment. They might charge $790 to do this on a
> > conventional truck
> > > > > but not a MH.
> > > > >
> > > > > Bruce: 1988 FC35
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>
>