Awesome find, here, by Ralf K (Don Kincl), in Lowell, AZ. I recommend clicking on the image for maximum viewing pleasure. It’s superb.
And then head to my Scenicruiser CC in case you haven’t taken it in yet, or are ready to ride it again.
Cohort Pic(k) of the Day: “Strayhound” Scenicruiser
– Posted on November 19, 2022
I have always thought that these were the coolest looking buses, make that the only cool looking bus. I saw one that was fitted out as a private camper at a Pacific Coast Dream Machines show years ago. The owner let the public inside the front half of the bus, which was still in passenger configuration. I can only imagine how much fuel it used.
Strayhound, I love it. Not sure what’s with all the yellow, I would assume the silver color is aluminum, but maybe it’s just painted and primer is showing thru.
On the MPG, while certainly not Prius like, it might not be all that bad at least if it’s a diesel. Even back in the 70’s I heard semi’s got 6MPG and this would be lighter and probably more aerodynamic than a semi. And there were cars that got 8 MPG back in the 60s.
Take a stroll down Erie Street, Lowell AZ where this pic is taken on google maps. Some great classics there in a street I read is supposed to be sort of a timecapsule of the 1950`s.
Nice .
I’ve looked at a few old ex Greyhound buses, too much $ to fix and operate .
-Nate
Fuel economy was never the best with Greyhound, starts and stops and the gearing was steep and then a four speed transmission on top of that. The MC-5 coaches were running against the governor most of the time. They needed a cruising gear but the 6 speed Allison was years away, the only options would have been two-speed rear end, a 5 speed Allison or a manual trans with 1 or 2 more gears. The shifting was sloppy to begin with and adding another set of gears wouldn’t have helped, that would require another rod and all the pins, clevis’, support bearings to operate the additional pair of gears.
One other issue with the 8V-71 was Greyhound had neutered them especially in the MC-5, Max revs was 2000 rpm no load which translates into 1900 rpm at full load. Also ran N-45 injectors, a 318 hp 8V-71 runs N-65 injectors.
The MC-5 also had the goofy out of phase driveshaft running thru a drop box to drive the differential, another leaking mess.
MCI didn’t get their act together until the MC-7. I think some of the early MC-5’s used 6V-71’s, did they have the drop box?
I never saw an MC-5 with a 6V-71 in an MC-5. I don’t think the 6V-71 would be short enough to allow the diff to face reward. The driveshaft in the MC-5 is pretty short as it is. The 6V-71 would probably only net you 6 inches in length savings.
I agree the MC-7 was a great coach.
I won’t even bring up the MC-6. I have a friend that was with Greyhound back in the day…….
Too late Bob you just did .
Time to spill the beans .
-Nate
True. They would have had to redesign the gearbox on the GM set up. This may be the reason why many British and European bus & coach makers stayed with the underfloor mid-engined concept (and in some cases horizontal, front engine in an integral (!) body) longer. In Israel we had loads of Leyland Royal Tigers and swapping from 4 to 5 sp box was easy.
I might be wrong on the 318 hp 8V-71, it may have run N-75 injectors, I would have to dig up my Detroit Diesel spec book to confirm.
Strayhound at the Greyhound office/depot/diner….great shot, and I suspect some great stories in that bus’s history….
Great comments from you bus savvy gents. Much appreciated.