Most miles before engine rebuild/replacement

[Joyce and Richard Hayden]

If I might jump in here with my experiences on this subject. Summer before last I found that our radiator needed to be replaced. I had had good experiences with Performance Radiator in Everett, WA when our FC needed radiator attention. As I recall the new core, using theold tanks, cost around $3800 for the radiator work only. I delivered to their shop and picked it up. I did the removal and installation myself in the "Birdhouse" which has a nice flat floor. I point that out because the thing is very heavy and not something I could have managed alone were it not for the nice floor. I used a ATV jack to do the heavy lifting. I just had to balance it.

While the radiator was out I replaced all of the 1 inch heater hoses in the engine room with silicone hose, removed and replaced all of the insulation and cleaned and painted the surfaces that I couldn't get to when the radiator was in place. I don't remember what the total came to with all of the extra work and can't look it up just now since the bus is in Yuma and I'm at home.

The radiator was necessary and the hoses were to the point of needing replaced as they were getting hard and brittle due to the heat. As withmost of our coaches the insulation was completely shot and a mess and badly needed attention. The painting was not really necessary and involved mostly my time but it sure looks nice.

I believe Performance Radiator is a west coast operation and I've seen their ads in Yuma.

Good luck Bob.

Dick Hayden - '87 PT 38 - Lake Stevens, WA

----- Original Message -----

From: "aeonix1@mac.com"

To: "WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com"

Sent: Thursday, January 01, 2009 10:13 AM

Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Most miles before engine rebuild/replacement

Well, in that case, it seems a rather high. When I researched the matter, there was a radiator core place (they manufactured radiator cores, whom I no longer remember*) that referred me to several northern California radiator shops, including the one I eventually used.

* I _think_ I got the name from one of the Blue Bird lists, way back when... I don't see any references in my saved files, though.

A price of $800 plus shipping comes to mind for what my core cost. Even with the considerable increase in some materials prices, a 400+ percent increase doesn't seem reasonable.

You might discuss what core manufacturer they're using and it might be worth searching the Internet for radiator cores for busses. I found these:

<http://www.completeradiators.com/radiatorcores.asp> with a specific mention of the DD Series 60...

and <http://radiatorgroup.com/238559bluebirdbusradiator.aspx> but this one looks more like what you'd put in an FC...

This link has Blue Bird "truck" radiators:

<http://detroitradiatorcorp.com/11_2_1.htm>

This outfit has a radiator assembly (rebuilt and used) for 6v92:

<http://www.capbusparts.com/Sec06/s6p4a.html>

I'm wondering if the price differential might be in part due to the 6v92 being so long out of production...?

Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42 (For Sale)

<http://www.aeonix.biz/BBforsale.html>

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

On Dec 31, 2008, at 7:32 PM, Bob Lawrence wrote:

Hi Pete,

No, the price of $3,500 was just for the rad. No labor. Altho,

Richard, who did mine works for $35 per hour. Can't beat that!

Bob Lawrence

84 PT36

Padre Island,Tex

It's been 2-1/2 years since I had to work done, so my recollection

is

a bit sketchy. (I have the receipt somewhere, but I really don't

want

to look for it.)

The bill ended up costing about $4600 -- with $1000 being work on

the

AC system (that wasn't related to the R&R of the radiator). Most

of

the cost was labor (at SF Bay Area rates) and I believe that the

new

core was about $1000 with about $2600 labor to remove and replace

all

the stuff -- the air charge radiator had to come out as it's part

of

the same assembly.

I expect that a core might be a lot more expensive now (aluminum?

brass?) -- and I'd think that labor in Corpus Christi is a bit

lower

than here. I think the S-60 radiator is a little larger (but big

is

big) -- and other costs of the R&R might be different in an S-60

vs.

an 8v92.

So, if the $3,500 includes R&R plus the new radiator core -- it's

probably a fair price.

Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42 (For Sale)

<http://www.aeonix.biz/BBforsale.html>

El Sobrante CA

aeonix1@...

On Dec 30, 2008, at 2:44 PM, Bob Lawrence wrote:

Pete,

How much did you pay for the radiator?

I'm trying to get an answer for a Powell Brown and his 88 8v92.

He is

new to this and needs to replace his rad.

He has been quoted $3,500 for one in Corpus Christi.

Is this out of line?

Bob Lawrence

84 PT36

Padre Island, Tx.

I noted (on my maiden trip) that it had an overheating problem. A

trip to a heavy-duty bus/truck radiator shop quickly found the

reason

and I had a new radiator core installed. Excessive heat kills

engines, probably the quickest of any abuse an owner can give.

I've

also added regular cleaning of the (external) radiator fins

(which

were clogged with oily-dirt) to my maintenance list.

Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42

El Sobrante CA

aeonix1@

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