1967 Deadhead Bus "Bessie" Resurrection

Ian · Posted: Fri May 29, 2015 10:43 am Post subject:

Me and Marley got the transmission taken out to fix a few things. Going to replace the urethane transmission mounts, needs a new front shift coupler, and need to drill out the RGB bolts.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

_________________
All your Buses are belong to us.
Love and good roads!
IN LOVING MEMORY OF ROB CRESS 1968-2012
**ACHTUNG DO NOT USE AA BRAND PRODUCTS OR BUY ANYTHING FROM PACIFIC PARTS INTERNATIONAL IN CALIFORNIA**

shiningstar76 · Posted: Fri May 29, 2015 9:08 pm Post subject:

I love this thread. I am happy that this bus survived. It really makes me happy as we approach the 50th anniversary.
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KK4NTP
96 Tacoma
86 4Runner
My bus caught on fire and is now on the other coast with someone who gave me money for it.

Manfred58sc · Samba Member Joined: October 05, 2009 Posts: 3382

Great pic with the Dog! I just did the a T-3 swap on Wednesday in our 62DD, those Rgb trans are heavy (and I'm getting old..)
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Fat chick owner/operator

slowvolks1969 · Posted: Sat May 30, 2015 10:16 am Post subject:

Happy to see this bus will be back on the road! I'm hoping I'll get a chance to see it in person this summer.
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Every time that wheel turn 'round, bound to cover just a little more ground.

Ian · Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2015 6:44 am Post subject:

Bessie didn't make it to Chicago, but the good news is that she is almost a runner!! I got everything back together yesterday, brakes bled and adjusted, electrical sorted, I put gas in and go to fire it up..big nada enchilada. So, I checked for fuel on the outlet side, nothing. Check for fuel on the inlet side, flowing pretty good. So I figure it's the fuel pump and swap for a known good one, same situation no fuel getting pumped out of the pump. I took the cap off, rotor is spinning so distributor drive is good. Then I took the pump off, the pushrod is going up and down and is the correct length (long one for generator style pump). Why is there no fuel comming out of the fuel pump?!

So I sprayed carb cleaner in the carb to kick it off, guess what, no spark either. I got 12v at the coil. I think it's the points. By that time it was 11pm last night and I was whooped.

Should be running today.
_________________
All your Buses are belong to us.
Love and good roads!
IN LOVING MEMORY OF ROB CRESS 1968-2012
**ACHTUNG DO NOT USE AA BRAND PRODUCTS OR BUY ANYTHING FROM PACIFIC PARTS INTERNATIONAL IN CALIFORNIA**

mtnbus · Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2015 7:26 am Post subject: bessie

Awesome !

was hoping to see you at the show last weekend ?

Ian · Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2015 7:56 am Post subject:

Long story I'll save for next time bro.

Got the engine started, generator light is on. Rolling Eyes

I got the fuel pump working by leaving the inlet hose connected, unbolting it, and tipping it upside down until gas started comming out, then pushing the plunger with my thumb got the gas squirting out of the pump.

New points and condensor and I got spark.

Fired right up. Going to diagnose the generator light now.
_________________
All your Buses are belong to us.
Love and good roads!
IN LOVING MEMORY OF ROB CRESS 1968-2012
**ACHTUNG DO NOT USE AA BRAND PRODUCTS OR BUY ANYTHING FROM PACIFIC PARTS INTERNATIONAL IN CALIFORNIA**

Ian · Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2015 12:10 pm Post subject:

Generator replaced with a good used one. Also replaced the main seal that looked like it was leaking. Hopefully it'll hold together for awhile.

Going to see what I can scrounge up for an air filter.
_________________
All your Buses are belong to us.
Love and good roads!
IN LOVING MEMORY OF ROB CRESS 1968-2012
**ACHTUNG DO NOT USE AA BRAND PRODUCTS OR BUY ANYTHING FROM PACIFIC PARTS INTERNATIONAL IN CALIFORNIA**

Bulli Klinik · Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2015 8:09 am Post subject:

No better person to be working on the Hippy Bus. I hope that you, the new owners and the Bus can make it Down to Buses at the Brewery this year. August 22nd. We'll be sure to reserve a spot of honor.
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I've never met a Bus I didn't like.
Mike K
Bulli Klinik
Colorado Springs

Manfred58sc · Samba Member Joined: October 05, 2009 Posts: 3382

Hey we got a date for the Brewery!!! Hooray. I'm so out of the loop here in back water Fremont County. Yes, that Bus would be great to see at the show, nice work.
_________________
Fat chick owner/operator

Ian · Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2015 9:32 am Post subject:

Lost in Space · Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 4:20 am Post subject:

Kudo's to youz guys !

I swear, I remember the striped over riders, and some of the artwork at some shows from the early 90's.

I also seem to think maybe the final spring 95 show at Tampa stadium with the Black Crowes opening.......

Near the end, there were fewer than 5 full art splittys at most shows east of Colorado. Crying or Very sad

_________________
Im not living in the past........but I sure as hell intend to bring some of the past into the future !!

Ian · Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 9:19 am Post subject:

Other than r&r'ing the transmission with new mounts and replacing all shift rod bushings, this should be a fairly complete list of what all was done to the Bus to get it running again.

-ground strap and tighten front mount
-tighten trans rear mounts
-reinstall shock absorbers
-r&r rear flexible brake lines
-drain trans and RGB's gear oil
-r&r axle seals both sides
-rear wheel cylinders
-axle boots
-pull gas tank
-wash out
-clean gas tank area
-wash and degrease engine
-wash and degrease engine tin
-paint engine tin
-spark plugs
-oil cooler seals
-replace crank pulley
-swap ignition coil
-swap carb
-fan belt and generator pulley
-flywheel & clutch
-clean replacement intake
-reinstall gas tank
-fix electrical rear
-install rear drums
-fill up RGB gear oil
-swap rear tires and rims
-tighten small end axle boot clamps
-fill up gear oil center section
-reinstall voltage regulator
-reinstall engine
-two top bolts
-throttle cable
-oil gasket set + brake cleaner (found metal bits)
-fuel line and filter
-metal fuel line
-adjust clutch cable
-secure bottom tins
-exhaust (used bus exhaust w/ tail pipe n dampner)
-exhaust mounting kits
-brakes
-rear wheel cylinders
-front wheel cylinders
-front shoes
-master cylinder, brake light switch, ATE reservoir and crush washer
-brake pedal return spring
-front flex lines
-secure front bumper
-bolt steering stabilizer back on
-clean n pack front wheel bearings
-swap front tires
-secure rear bumper and apron
-fix accelerator cable
-fix clutch cable up front (clevis clip)
-adjust and bleed all 4 brakes
-engine oil
-battery
-battery cables
-engine wiring (oil light and coil)
-cap n plug wires
-carb vacuum cap
-put gas
-swap front seats
-air filter
-swap generator and voltage regulator for good used
-test drive
_________________
All your Buses are belong to us.
Love and good roads!
IN LOVING MEMORY OF ROB CRESS 1968-2012
**ACHTUNG DO NOT USE AA BRAND PRODUCTS OR BUY ANYTHING FROM PACIFIC PARTS INTERNATIONAL IN CALIFORNIA**

Ian · Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 9:24 am Post subject:

Scramble gave me this painting of one of my favorite bands (Umphrey's McGee). I am super stoked!

The oil leak in the street is from my neighbor, not me. Wink

_________________
All your Buses are belong to us.
Love and good roads!
IN LOVING MEMORY OF ROB CRESS 1968-2012
**ACHTUNG DO NOT USE AA BRAND PRODUCTS OR BUY ANYTHING FROM PACIFIC PARTS INTERNATIONAL IN CALIFORNIA**

Ian · Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 11:59 am Post subject:

Here's a couple cool pics of the Bus when it was at my shop:

_________________
All your Buses are belong to us.
Love and good roads!
IN LOVING MEMORY OF ROB CRESS 1968-2012
**ACHTUNG DO NOT USE AA BRAND PRODUCTS OR BUY ANYTHING FROM PACIFIC PARTS INTERNATIONAL IN CALIFORNIA**

Ian · Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2015 3:03 pm Post subject:

Well, Bessie is up on display now at Red Rocks as part of Scramble Campbell's art exhibit down in the visitors center. The Bus is parked up top, the art is down below. The Bus will be there for all 3 nights of the String Cheese Incident.

Yesterday I got the headlights to work and fixed the tail lights. Also noticed that the passenger side axle seal was leaking so I r&r'd that last night and filled the RGB with gear oil and bled the brakes first thing this morning.

_________________
All your Buses are belong to us.
Love and good roads!
IN LOVING MEMORY OF ROB CRESS 1968-2012
**ACHTUNG DO NOT USE AA BRAND PRODUCTS OR BUY ANYTHING FROM PACIFIC PARTS INTERNATIONAL IN CALIFORNIA**

Lost in Space · Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2015 1:29 am Post subject:

That is SO cool she made it back to her old stomping grounds !

I spotted the ancient magnetic fridge stickers on the interior pics.......its the old 1-800-dead magnet with a photo of red rocks as the backdrop as viewed from high up in the back !!!!

I still have a few myself.

Enjoy brothers ! Man, String Cheese guys gotta be gettin old by now, eh ? Smile

_________________
Im not living in the past........but I sure as hell intend to bring some of the past into the future !!

Lost in Space · Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2015 2:24 am Post subject:

Wait a minute ! ......... hold your smoke people...........

There's a KEY picture in this entire saga a ways down page 3 of this topic !

Seems like back when Bessie was still a work in progress, and you could clearly see it was a red and white two tone bus, ...........

Scramble was actually on tour with Chicken back in those days !!!!! Cool

Now the cosmic energy connection is FAR clearer !

Basically, Bessie is somewhat related to Scramble through kind vibes of the day.........and since Chicken is missing, and has passed Bessie on to Scramble back in the late 90's...............

Scramble is carrying the torch of days gone by of a mutual kinship between all 3 spirits !!

Far Out !!!! Wink

Hey, gotta ask.........did Scramble do some of the paint art on Bessie back in the day.........meaning, he was one of the original artists as Bessie was being transformed ?
_________________
Im not living in the past........but I sure as hell intend to bring some of the past into the future !!

BarryL · Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2015 9:21 am Post subject:

silvertonguedevil · Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2015 10:39 am Post subject:

This is so groovy!
_________________
-Greg


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1967 Deadhead Bus "Bessie" Resurrection
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