1973 Blue Bird

Mark R. Obtinario · Post by **Mark R. Obtinario** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 4:00 am

Actually, if you look closer you will see a couple of coolant lines at the top of the picture. Which tends to make me think that is an engine oil cooler, particularly since it has the engine oil filters hung on the bottom of it.

Most medium and heavy duty diesel engines have some sort of oil cooler on built into them.

Rudy · Post by **Rudy** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 4:06 am

I paid this guy who was supposed to be an "expert" to do the oil change.

What are some better oil filters?

Mark R. Obtinario · Post by **Mark R. Obtinario** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 4:32 am

The NAPA Gold filters are made by Wix.

IMHO, what you have are good filters. They are what I usually use.

Rudy · Post by **Rudy** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 5:02 am

I spent quite some time coming up with a color scheme and design for when I paint my bus. I found this pic on the web. Amazing resemblance to what I came up with.

ezrablu · Post by **ezrablu** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 8:38 am

Wonderful Rudy...I really like it a lot.

Rudy · Post by **Rudy** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 12:34 pm

This little section is primarily about replacing the bottom radiator hose.

We'll get to that, BUT FIRST here are two doggie pics.

Emma snoozing inside the bus with the air conditioner on.

Buddy snoozing too, but caught me taking his picture.

Rudy · Post by **Rudy** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 12:53 pm

Now to the hose project.

I have been under the bus many times to see what I could see. A troubling sight was the kink in the bottom radiator hose.

Apparently some ignorant person put in a hose that was too long. That is the reason it was kinked at the 90 degree juncture.

As much as I did NOT want to mess with this hose, I knew I could not let it slide.

Here are a few pics in which you can see the severity of the kink. I surmised that the liquid flow was hampered tremendously.

Rudy · Post by **Rudy** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 1:00 pm

Mark Obtinario had mentioned getting an additive for the radiator, It is called Napakool.

It is made to eradicate electrolysis in the radiator system. I got some. It was not cheap. ($9.00 for a pint.) It was a pretty red color.

As can be seen in this next photo, there is evidence of elotrolysis on the spring of the old hose.

Rudy · Post by **Rudy** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 1:29 pm

Here's a photo of the old hose, the new hose, the new clamps, and the bottle of Napakool.

I went to Napa today. The owner said, "what do you need?" I said I need a hose. He said " just come on back there and look around."

I said, " I was hoping you would say that." He lent me a tape measure. I had made a diagram of the hose with it's measurements.

At first, I was unimpressed with the selection of hoses on the rack, but the third choice yielded what I thought would be the perfect hose.

It already had a 90 degree bend in it. Also, it had a spring inside to hold the hose from kinking.

I knew it was too long, but I knew I could cut it to the proper size. Also, I knew that once it was cut to the proper length, the spring would be compressed, thereby providing an even stronger force against kinking.

It took three tries at cutting the length at each end.

It was difficult to mount the hose. I was concerned that I would kink it by trying to install it.

After determining the proper length, it took three attempts to install it.

After the second unsuccessful attempt, I went into the bus and sat down and drank a beer and smoked a cigarette.

It was getting dark soon. The feeling of being despondent was creeping in.

So, I summoned the energy from the good vibes I have been receiving from the bus family, and realized that I can not let them down.

I said to myself, " I am going out there, and I WILL get that hose on ."

With determination and surgical strength I got the hose installed.

I was so happy that I went in the bus and cranked a CD of the Nashville Mandolin Ensemble real loud.

Then I filled up the radiator with the fluid I had captured into gallon jugs.

I started the engine and checked for leaks. No leaks. The beautiful thing is that, now the hose has a beautiful smooth bend and no kinks.

I don't know why I am so excited about this project. You would think that the fuel pump project would have made me happier.

Standaddy · Post by **Standaddy** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 1:42 pm

Good job Rudy! It does feel good to know you've corrected a problem and improved your bus'es chances for a long and happy life. I'm sending you all the good vibes available, and right now, my mind is just about right.
Stan

Rudy · Post by **Rudy** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 1:46 pm

I did not want to get greasy doing this job so I put plastic bags on my sleeves and then put on latex gloves.

Rudy · Post by **Rudy** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 1:57 pm

AND NOW! Here is the new hose installed. It has the perfect curve.

Rudy · Post by **Rudy** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 2:00 pm

Standaddy wrote:Good job Rudy! It does feel good to know you've corrected a problem and improved your bus'es chances for a long and happy life. I'm sending you all the good vibes available, and right now, my mind is just about right.
Stan

Thanks for the energy, Stan.

ezrablu · Post by **ezrablu** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 3:29 pm

Hurray Rudy! I was sending out my good vibes to you all day and I didn't even know about this hose job

I'm so glad you accomplished replacing the hose and it looks like a fine job.

P.S. Very good photos...and you're a good story teller, too

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 4:45 pm

Well done, Rudy! Nice feeling knowing that's resolved, eh? (...and with time to spare with T-minus 8 and counting, heh).

NOMADICISTA

1973 Blue Bird

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