Eagles International Forum

Well, the weather should be pretty cold up in NC by the time I get the bus. I'll be sure to take with me the list you typed out and the other tools/supplies that will help get her started easier. I'm in Jacksonville, Fl so the 50's is freezing to me and I know I won't want to be up there any longer than I have to.
Here is a photo of the engine that I shot when I was up there. I have many more pics of the bus but will only focus on this one so you can see what I'm up against. What I do know is that all the fluids and filters were changed and that it doesn't sling oil. One of the oil filters (I believe) was not a standard filter and cost a little more. Not sure exactly what that meant but will be sure to ask so I know for future reference.
I see an engine. You guys might see something more so point stuff out, I don't mind. Some things are rusty, other things are "old" looking. I haven't seen the engine lately so it might have a newer filter look or the turbo might be cleaner. I won't know till I get there but the more I learn the better so thanks.
Stay warm everyone!

It looks like you have a block heater, now it's a question of whether you have a place to plug it in (don't forget extension cords). The two filters on the left are the fuel filters, but they seem to be mounted lower on the engine than on my 1984. That might make priming more difficult if it is necessary. The filters on the right should be one coolant filter and one mystery one behind it, maybe a hydraulic oil or power steering filter. The lower part with the belts is not visible. The number and size (and condition) of your batteries will be important. It could easily be in the twenties or thirties when you get there. When did the engine last run?

Make sure you take your carhartt overalls. The least fun thing is driving home freezing cold.

With our bus, we slid red hot charcoal on a piece of tin under the engine. Warmed up the engine oil, but I am not sure it helped because to get it started it just took a touch of ether. Just a little squirt and off she went! However I don't like to use too much... just use your judgement!

Good luck and safe travels!

OK Gentlemen:

Thank you for the replies. I have the lists of recommendations from all of you and am willing to go a step further and offer the pics I took in the sweltering heat BEFORE I purchased the bus. Either the heat "made me do it" or I looked at the photos later on in the A/C and simply said, "What the hell, let's take a leap of faith and buy it."

Attached are the photos of all I could take of the engine, mind you, not having a clue on what I'm looking at, but hopefully will offer you all a chance to put some puzzle pieces together and let you tell me more of what you see right off the start. Oh, one last thing. The bus was moved to the seller's location 1.5 hours away. When he drove it in Nov, he said that the turbo didn't kick in like it should have (based on his experience of driving and selling buses) so his mechanic looked it over, changed all the fluids and fixed all the air leaks and said it works now! As far as oil flinging goes, seller and mechanics say it's a dry engine compared to what DD's usually give off. Maybe you guys can be Ricky Ricardo and 'splain something to me cause I don't know why a DD would leak oil anyway. Were they like Harley's back in the day?

I only know based on the seller that it runs well, fluids changed, new batteries (not sure yet of size/quality but they're new) and I got 3 of them along with 6 new tires (brand/type I'm not sure but I was told that they're not crap tires). I'll certainly ask when I call him up soon. Crossing my fingers that I can get this baby home safely after Christmas. It would make a nice present, that's for sure!

Thanks guys!!

Everything looks okay, except I would check the integrity of the block heater cord. It is wrapped around a support bracket that is not padded, and depending on how long it has been draped there, it might have gotten chafed (electrocution hazard). The fuel tank placard indicates you have the optional 154 gal. main tank, and the auxiliary 45 gal. tank, which is bolted to the baggage floor in the last bay. The placard lists the recommended maximum amount of fuel to put in each tank, but in all practicality you will not know just how full the tank is until it starts to back up at the filler. The auxiliary tank gets supplied by a small hose from the main tank, and will not fill up instantly. If you fill it up to the point of backflow at the filler, chances are the level will go down to a safe level as the auxiliary fills up more. You have a working maximum of 187 gal. out of an absolute maximum of 199 gal. At a 7 mpg average, you have a range of 1309 miles, if properly filled.

Your bus looks above average appearance wise, and if it was truly maintained well, you should make it back without any major problems. Just remember to have the heat valves turned on so you get heat up front, they might have been closed off for summer use. Hopefully, the owner will know where they are and whether they are open or closed. Not sure on the Model 15, but on the Model 10, they are on thick hoses on the transmission end of the engine. You might have to open the rear hatches to get to them, or do some crawling underneath.

Walter:

Thank you so much for the analysis. I can't believe you can look at all the pics and tell all that but I'm glad you can. I've been told by many, based on the pics that I've taken that it looks like a nice bus. I'll write down everything you mentioned along with the other points I need to be sure of when I get up north. I'll be contacting the seller today as well to ask about all these things and get an update. I've asked repeatedly for pics on the inside of the bus since the seats have been taken out but he's been super busy selling buses so hopefully, I can get those and more updates on the things you mentioned.

If all is done accordingly, I hope to have an answer that makes me put on a happy grin. The only other step is to get down south to warmer conditions. I just moved into a new place on 7 acres. We're renting a part of the house but the yard is huge and has potential for making the bus it's home while I work away on it. I've got to talk to the owner, who also lives on board in the larger portion and see if she's keen on me using her tools and landscape equipment, which she has a lot of, but is never used. I'm going to have to balance the amount of work vs the option of renting a space elsewhere vs time vs cost, yadda, yadda...

More updates soon. Need to contact the seller!!

I see on the map that Denver, NC is not far from Maiden, NC, which is where Goodson Bus Sales is located. You might not be aware of them, but you should check out their website as they are one of the few places that has parts for Eagles. It would be prudent to visit them while you are up there. Of course, I would not be surprised if they are involved with this sale, since you mentioned that the seller was busy with other buses.

Excellent! I most certainly will. It will be my first time up that way so would you happen to have a name or number of who to talk to? Maybe I can request a visit before I arrive so that some time is set aside to chew a little about buses and make a new friend. Seems to me that anyone who has driven a Detroit or had an Eagle are some of the best, most knowledgeable people I've ever met and those are good friends to have!

I'll be setting up an email to my seller this weekend and be sure to ask some questions you stated above. As far as the Goodson Bus Sales go, I'm not sure of them but if my seller is up that way, then competition must be good for buses.

The website is goodsonbussales.com, and their phone number is (828) 428-4102. I don't have the name of any particular contact, but I have gotten things there occasionally over the last twenty years. They are a busy bus sales and parts outfit, so I doubt that they have the time to chew the fat, but since you will be so close, it would be prudent to make contact and get an idea of what parts they have for Eagles. They have bumper parts, lenses, windshields, etc., and do mail orders. Chances are your seller knows of them.

The person to see at Goodson Bus Sales is Gregg Goodson.