The Bus Junkies

FIRE!!

busjunkie — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 21:01:42 +0000

Over my Birthday week. Birthday eve to be exact (25 July) we were visiting Steph’s family cottage in Macatawa Mi for the week. Taylor and I were going for a ride in the bus down US31. Just south of the Saugatuk exit I noticed that the engine lost power. Taylor mentioned he smelled gas. We pulled over and I saw that the engine was on fire! I grabbed the fire extinguisher, which didn’t work. A Spartan truck pulled up and gave Taylor an extinguisher and he put out the fire.

State Farm was very helpful. they totaled the bus and offered me $12,151.00. I bought the bus back for $2500 and still have $9600 for repairs. From the initial look, it appears that only the distributor and coil are melted along with the hoses. There was still power to the ignition and the motor still turns. I’m thinking with an engine rebuild and some body work, Ill be back in business with funds left over for other projects.

Buses by the Beach

busjunkie — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 20:39:07 +0000

We went to our 2nd buses by the beach campout over memorial day weekend. For the most part it was a good time, but I got sick and the boys got flooded by rain. So we left on Sunday. Hoping for a better trip next year.

Taylor had a guitar playing contest with another camper. They both did a good job and it ended in a tie.

Solex Stock Carb Jets

busjunkie — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 02:36:32 +0000

In the quest to get better mileage, still 14mpg, I’m looking for solutions. One thing I can do is decrease the size of the main jet so the engine doesn’t run so rich. I’m thinking I have a 130, so I should use a 127.5. I also wanted to see what was originally in the carb. Yes, I know I can take the carb off and look, but with me in Chicago and Kermit in Mi, it’s rather hard. I found this list….

Stock Solex Jets

28 PCI... with removable Venture… Venturi =21.5 mm… Main Jet = 117.5/122.5… Air correction jet =180/200…Pilot jet = g50… Idle air jet drilling = 0.8… Power fuel jet = no…Emulsion tube = 29

28PICT-1… 1961-1965.…Venturi = 22.5 mm… Main Jet =122.5… Air correction jet=125z/130Y
Pilot jet =g55… Acc pump jet = .50…Idle air jet drilling = 150… Power fuel jet=1.0mm
Accelerator pump feed = 1.1-1.4cc/stroke…First year of Automatic choke.

30 PICT-1… 1966-1967…Venturi = 24.0 mm… Main Jet = 125… Air correction jet =125z/135z
Pilot jet = g55… Idle air jet drilling = 150… Acc pump jet = 50…Power fuel jet = __
Accelerator pump feed = 1.1-1.6cc/stroke…Larger Venturi

30 PICT-2…1968-1969…Venturi = 24.0 mm… Main Jet = 116/125… Air correction jet =125z/135z
Pilot jet = g55… Idle air jet drilling = 130/135…Acc. pump jet = 50… Power fuel jet =60
Accelerator pump feed = 1.3-1.6cc/stroke…First year for Power fuel system which draws
fuel directly from the float chamber under full load at high Speed.

30 PICT-3…1970…Venturi = 24.0 mm… Main Jet = 122.5/112… Air correction jet = 125z
Pilot jet=65… Pilot jet air bleed = 135…Acc. pump jet = 42.5… Auxiliary fuel jet = 45
Auxiliary air jet =130…Accelerator pump feed = 1.3-1.6cc/stroke…Idle speed is controlled
by bypass around the throttle plate.

34 PICT-3...1971-1974… Venturi = 26 mm… Main Jet = 127.5/130… Air correction jet = 75z /80z
Pilot jet =g50/55… Pilot jet air bleed = 147.5…Acc. pump jet = 42.5… Auxiliary fuel jet
=42.5/47.5… Auxiliary air jet = 90…Accelerator pump feed = 1.3-1.6cc/stroke…Larger
Venturi.

34 PICT-4…1974 (Calif.)…Venturi = 26 mm… Main Jet = 112.5 to 130… Air correction jet = 75z…
Pilot jet =55 to 60… Pilot jet air bleed = 147.5… Acc. pump jet = 42.5…Aux. fuel jet
=42.5… Auxiliary air jet = 90…Accelerator pump feed = 1.1-1.7cc/stroke

Float weight 1961-1967 = 5.7 grams and 1968-1974 = 8.5 grams

Bed Issues

busjunkie — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 02:49:28 +0000

It seems like the back of the of the bed slopes and I couldn’t understand why. Now I think that it might not have been assembled correctly. You see, the back of the seat should rest on this part here….. one on each side.

Mine doesn’t reach, so that is the next project over the weekend of the 23rd. It would be nice to get that fixed before the Cowpie Blues Festival. Which is the next outing.

New Grill

busjunkie — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 02:09:28 +0000

so this is my first mobile post….

I was at the mall today and saw the green Weber baby grill. I thought to myself…. who the hell would..wait I would. It matches the bus! I didn’t price it but I assume it is double the black ones. Maybe some day when I get employed.

Irish Hills

busjunkie — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 21:21:55 +0000

Had a great weekend camping! Started off the trip on Thursday to get the bus all packed. Found out my friend was playing at the Ball Joint in Battle Creek. I’m not sure if I have heard ever him play with a valid ID….. man those were the days. They sounded great and it was a real treat for me to see them.

Jim "Mouse" Klein

Friday we went to the Irish hills camping to a place called the Jado campground, which is a few miles east of the Michigan International Speedway. We had about 20 buses total which I understand was more than last year. I heard about the event via flyer at the Buses by the Beach.

There were some folks there I met from the Dixie Bus event last year, which was very cool. I’m beginning to see how a close community that us bus folks are! They are the head of the Michigan Vintage Volkswagen Club, who hosts the show in Ypsilanti that I have wanted to attend. Of course, I met many new folks as well. It wasn’t long before the boys were part of a crew. They spent the weekend at the marsh trying to catch frogs. On Saturday the worlds largest slip and slide was erected for young and old alike to enjoy. My back has been feeling pretty good lately, so I stood my some other folks, chatted with them and watched.

Saturday evening, we had popcorn, hotdogs, meat balls, a nice fire and band to entertain us. The guys traded off playing so we had music from about 5pm till dark. One of the hosts was a long distance coach of the musicians, so they were willing to play for donation.

Sunday we had a community breakfast. I was making blueberry cobbler, which I promptly burned. At least some folks there knew I could actually make it. Need to learn to cook over the fire. I used charcoal last time. It rained on breakfast, but that didn’t damped out spirits we moved to cover and enjoyed the morning. Can’t wait for the next trip!

Changing the Oil

busjunkie — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 20:34:30 +0000

I needed to change the oil in the bus before the next trip, so I did some research on who used what oil and why. What I discovered is that the government has made the motor oil producers to eliminate the Zinc and Phosphorus used to assist in extending the life of the motor. This was done to extend the life of the catalytic converter. Newer motors are now built so these materials are no longer necessary in the oil, but what is a person with a 30 to 40 year old motor to do? What I learned is that there are a couple of choices. One is to purchase ZZDP additive, or buy Brad Penn Oil. This is the old Kendal 1 oil according to the man at Knapp Energy in Kalamazoo, where I purchased the oil. Brad Penn was the consensus choice too. I used 20W-50 in the bus because I noticed that when the engine was hot the oil light came on at idle. The thicker oil took care of that issue.

Buses by the Beach

busjunkie — Tue, 25 May 2010 20:27:06 +0000

I took the inaugural trip in the bus last weekend to the River Rouge Campground in Belmont Mi. To attend the Buses by the Beach Camp out. This is a benefit for the Phoenix Society of Burn Survivors . One of the founding members of the group was in an airline crash and the society helped him in his recovery. This camp out, that has occurred for the last 8 years is his way of saying thanks.

The weekend was full of music and beer from the HopCat Brewery in Grand Rapids

There were many different ways to to contribute to the society. We had a lunch, breakfast and a raffle with many donated items. Of the quilt was the most coveted item. Many folks contributed the squares and then it was sewn into the quilt.

Sunday we went for a bus blessing to ensure that we all have safe travels during the summer. I can tell you that I didn’t pass that up given past history. We carabused to Townsend Park where we gathered into a circle for a moment of silence. Then each bus (and motorcycle) was blessed and a drop of 30wt oil under the bumper.

It was a great weekend with friends, the bus ran great. I can’t wait for more camping this year and to attend this camp out next year

Spring Fever!

busjunkie — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 16:04:08 +0000

Now that the divorce is over and the bus is paid off, I’m ready for this years work. Other than the gear box rebuild, I would like to get the water out of the cab. I found a source for 3/16 laminated glass for the windshield right in the neighborhood. Torstenson Glass so I’ll be contacting them this week. I also need new seals for the air distribution box, which I can get at Bustoration. AND . . . . Looks like they also have the 6 to 12v wiper motor conversion kit. Definitely will be getting that….. Finally rubbers for the passenger vent and fix the bar and vent latch on the drivers side and I believe I will be in business…

I’m Still Here . .

busjunkie — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 16:06:17 +0000

Been a long time since I have added anything to the blog. In fact it was Taylor’s birthday. Things have not been well and thought that Kermit would need to be sold. Between the divorce and lack of employment I was really concerned. The divorce came through without me having to sell the old boy. The employment situation isn’t much better, but the house has sold. Could be I’ll be living in the bus this summer. That might not be all bad. I have money from selling the house, so I could live for a few years. Kermit is once again in Michigan in the barn for the winter. The engine is still back firing with the new vacuum can. I did find a leak between the manifold and the carb that may be causing the problem. I’ll get that fixed before I get on the road. This year if I can raise the money, I would like to get the RGB rebuilt and wipers. I’ll finish with the windows and Dad will help me fix the interior and hopefully the windshield. Not sure how much Ill use it, I will try to make another OVT function. These are great people and realy enjoyed the company.