Cost of ownership

[Curt Sprenger]

Leroy,

Yes,tinkering is fun and a learning process. I love it. I learn new
things every day by tinkering. You and many others on the forums have
taught me a lot and supported me with my tinkering. Come on over to the
left coast and we'll talk birds for hours/days. Let me know when you are
coming and I'll get the local Bird Folks together and we'll have a great
time.

Since I was a little kid I have looked at everything as "why can't I",
instead of " I' can't". I had a teacher in the lower grades and she
always said the word "can't" does not exist. What a wonderful teacher.

Curt Sprenger 1987 PT38, Anaheim Hills, Calif.



Leroy Eckert wrote:

> Curt:
>
> One of these days I'm driving the Bird to CA. I gotta see what you are
> doing. You are like myself, just like to tinker with stuff.
>
> Leroy Eckert
> 1990 WB-40
> Niceville, FL.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Curt Sprenger
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
>
> Sent: Saturday, July 08, 2006 7:31 PM
> Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Cost of ownership
>
> 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 <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
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>