New to the Group

[Pete Masterson]

Cliff, 

Welcome to the list. Many BB parts can be found from Blue Bird School Bus dealers while many others can be obtained through the Blue Bird Coachworks plant. The school bus division and the Wanderlodge division were recently separated into two different companies. The older Wanderlodges share many components with the school busses while the newer (wide body) Wanderlodges are based on a different chassis, though many parts remain compatible. (e.g. I got a tie-rod end from a BB School Bus distributor in Sacramento, CA near where I live.)

Go to the Blue Bird Coachworks web site

<http://www.bluebirdcoachworks.com/>

and follow the link to "contact" then parts or service as needed. 

Stephen Birtles, a member of this list, has a couple of entities (if I'm not mistaken):

<http://www.dupreeproducts.com>  and

<http://www.capeinnovation.com>

That have a fair number of the more esoteric parts frequently needed by older birds.

Of course, the older 'Bird will have parts that simply aren't available anymore and may need to be fabricated. 

Ask away, you'll find this list is very helpful.

Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

On Jan 31, 2008, at 4:03 PM, Just me wrote:

Hi all from central Ohio. New to the BB Wanderlodge group. I purchaced 

my first BB this past summer after a buyback of a new coach by the 

manufacturer of a different kind (a very big mistake). My BB is a 1985 

FC 35' and so far I just love it. I have always wanted one because---- 

well they are so dag gone ugly they are cute. I have taken the bird on 

several different short trips and yes there are some issues and I know 

I will have a million questions <snip>

[indynotjones]

> finding a good mechanic to take care of my bird. Right now I need a
> power steering pump bracket for it, we were down in southern Ohio when
> it broke, I removed it my self and had it welded but it does not look
> good and I would like to get a new one real soon but no one in my area
> can locate one.

Hi Cliff,
That is a problem I have always had also. I try to do all the
homework and background work and then, as a last resort, take it to a
specialist place and say "fix XXX". There might be a place/person
somewhere that you could take the bus in and say "I heard a noise from
the right front wheel" and they would find and fix it. I have not
found such a person/place.

For pure chassis/mechanical problems, see who the local school bus
people use. I asked at my local BlueBird bus shop and they didn't
even want to talk to me about a Wanderlodge.

You could meet some people who have a great deal of bus knowledge at
the upcoming Washboard Festival at Logan, OH (June) when Paul and
Claudiene Elbisser host the Great Lakes Converted Coaches (FMCA group)
meeting. I have been to GLCC events in Cincinnati and Elkhart and I
learned a lot! They are a very tolerant group and allow people to
attend who don't drive MCIs or Eagles and long as you don't try to
talk too much about CAT engines.

When somebody writes the book about Bluebirds, there will be an entire
chapter on that power steering pump and plumbing.

If you ever get over toward Indiana, give me a call. I am in the
country south of the FlyingJ at Spiceland, IN on I-70, about halfway
between Indianapolis and the Ohio line. I don't know much but I am a
world class coffee drinker!

Lee Benson 85FC35 Near Carthage, IN

[pattypape]

Welcome Cliff,

There are several BB Forums , One of them has a list in the files of
garages or mechanics that can work on these old coaches.

Do not know where in Ohio you are located, But I am in Michigan and
travel to PA, to see family and when visiting, I have work completed
by a very good truck garage with reasonable rates. Walt the Owner
will tackle all chassis, air system, exhaust, brakes, and heavy truck
work, He will also work on some of the motorhome accessories.
Butler Exit PA turnpike, Route 8. Near Pittsburgh.
Dinnerbell Truck Garage 724-586-7066

Bill 88 FC Michigan

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Just me"
wrote:
>
> Hi all from central Ohio. New to the BB Wanderlodge group. I
purchaced
> my first BB this past summer after a buyback of a new coach by the
> manufacturer of a different kind (a very big mistake). My BB is a
1985
> FC 35' and so far I just love it. I have always wanted one because--
--
> well they are so dag gone ugly they are cute. I have taken the bird
on
> several different short trips and yes there are some issues and I
know
> I will have a million questions and I hope that no one gets to
upset
> for me asking. I am in south central Ohio and having a devil of a
time
> finding a good mechanic to take care of my bird. Right now I need a
> power steering pump bracket for it, we were down in southern Ohio
when
> it broke, I removed it my self and had it welded but it does not
look
> good and I would like to get a new one real soon but no one in my
area
> can locate one. There is a few cosmetic items that are missing or I
> would just like to change out. Well I hope I like the group and who
> knows some day we may be able to meet and have coffe or tea with
the
> other halves and just enjoy.
> Happy camping:
> Cliff
>

[mbulriss]

Cliff,

Bill is correct that we have a list of service places here on the
WanderlodgeForum, but it is in the Database section rather than the
Files. The 'Service' Database has close to 100 places recommended by
members. You can click on the State heading to sort it to find places
closer to your location. I took the liberty of adding Dinnerbell,
based on Bill's recommendation, since it was not already in the list.

There is tons of parts and repairs tips in the Files and Links
sections. Take some time to explore them also.

Welcome to the forum.

Mike Bulriss
1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
San Antonio, TX

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "pattypape"
wrote:
>
>
> Welcome Cliff,
>
> There are several BB Forums , One of them has a list in the files of
> garages or mechanics that can work on these old coaches.
>
> Do not know where in Ohio you are located, But I am in Michigan and
> travel to PA, to see family and when visiting, I have work completed
> by a very good truck garage with reasonable rates. Walt the Owner
> will tackle all chassis, air system, exhaust, brakes, and heavy truck
> work, He will also work on some of the motorhome accessories.
> Butler Exit PA turnpike, Route 8. Near Pittsburgh.
> Dinnerbell Truck Garage 724-586-7066
>
> Bill 88 FC Michigan
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Just me"
> wrote:
> >
> > Hi all from central Ohio. New to the BB Wanderlodge group. I
> purchaced
> > my first BB this past summer after a buyback of a new coach by the
> > manufacturer of a different kind (a very big mistake). My BB is a
> 1985
> > FC 35' and so far I just love it. I have always wanted one because--
> --
> > well they are so dag gone ugly they are cute. I have taken the bird
> on
> > several different short trips and yes there are some issues and I
> know
> > I will have a million questions and I hope that no one gets to
> upset
> > for me asking. I am in south central Ohio and having a devil of a
> time
> > finding a good mechanic to take care of my bird. Right now I need a
> > power steering pump bracket for it, we were down in southern Ohio
> when
> > it broke, I removed it my self and had it welded but it does not
> look
> > good and I would like to get a new one real soon but no one in my
> area
> > can locate one. There is a few cosmetic items that are missing or I
> > would just like to change out. Well I hope I like the group and who
> > knows some day we may be able to meet and have coffe or tea with
> the
> > other halves and just enjoy.
> > Happy camping:
> > Cliff
> >
>