etcetera

The crank position sensor is what fixed it, the plug had some oil on it and it caused the intermittent out of sync condition with the camshaft position sensor.

The mechanic said there is spark and there is gas. Today started after 8 seconds of cranking and some light throttle. That's right, some sensors have been deleted, it's all by wire. I will relay this to him: could be the throttle body or the TPS (throttle position sensor) not allowing air past to the butter fly when starting.

The camshaft position sensor swap did nothing. But it was an easy swap. The crank position sensor swap was much more difficult, the mechanic had to remove the AC compressor but it finally started on the 1st try today, though it did crank for about 15 seconds, still too long. And I had to punch the gas pedal a bit, which makes no sense at all in an fuel-injected vehicle. But it works.

Forgot to say already replaced the fuel pump control module. And the fuel pump. I talked to a guy at an auto parts place, who seems familiar with the V10, he thinks it's the camshaft position sensor. Plausible?

This has been driving me insane for over a year. Ever since I got it. 2012 F550 shuttle bus. V10 6.8L with low 54K miles. Nobody can fix it. Had numerous mechanics look at it. One of them replaced the fuel pump. Same thing. It cranks and cranks ad infinitum and sometimes starts and lately not even that. If I use a starting fluid, it will "run" for a nanosecond, then cut out again. I thought it was the fuel pump for sure, didn't fix anything. I know I need to pull the fuel pressure. There is no fuel filter. It's built-in to the pump. I got a certified Ford guy with 20 years of experience look at it and declare it has bad gas. It has been sitting for 6 months since the last trip. It has maybe 5 gallons in it potentially bad and I added 10 fresh ones. No improvement. No start. The thing is, a year ago I completely circulated all the gas out of it and filled it with fresh gas and it still would not start. I think I am going to drop the tank again, maybe some gas disintegrated into residue (The PO from what I understand kept it parked for 2 years) and won't start for that reason even if you add fresh gas to it? It has a 50 gallon tank. If it does start, it will start OK for the rest of the day. That right there is a clue but I don't know what it means. Apparently the fuel pressure is good. Or is it? It runs really nice. Idles OK too. I need a mechanic with really strong diagnostic skills. I am completely frustrated with it.

fiberglass, the shuttle bus is fiberglass. I only want to seal the hatch and eventually replace the entire section.

I am going to completely seal that hatch since it has no purpose.

2011 Ford F550 shuttle bus I am trying to convert. I ran into this issue, my emergency hatch (exit) is leaking pretty bad. I climbed on the roof and this is what I saw. Looks like there is a huge dent, like something fell on it. Maybe a tree? The roof looks warped, both in front of the hatch and to the rear and the hatch is in a pool of water. It shouldn't be like that. Do you think a tree fell on it? Or this by design? Or the roof warping due to heat? The hatch was closed and apparently not leaking when I got it, but I opened it and could never close it back correctly.

I haven't determined that yet.

Got all the seats and out and am contemplating what to install next. Probably the electric system because it seems to be at the heart of the entire operation. The computer, fresh water pump, mini fridge. Can cook on propane. Solar plus Li-ion battery bank plus all the other parts I need.

I ultimately decided to go with South Dakota option. Working on it this week.

Yeah, you are right. That makes sense. I got stuck with something else but now am back on the project. Removed most of the seats. I probably won't full time in it until spring but this gives me plenty of time to finish it. The electric stuff seems to be the most important element. What I am doing this week is trying to figure out South Dakota registration, it seems straightforward. Want to register it there without a SD DL.

Interesting point you make.

I really appreciate the moral support, it's unlike anything I've ever done and will definitely fall in the category of a "learning experience".

A F550-based shuttle bus. I know it will entail a lot of conversion work, will take me probably 6-12 months if I work alone, less if I hire someone. But, I want to build it exactly the way I want it. There are some things I want, some things I don't. V10 6.8L gas engine, 52K miles, no rust, no dents. Hard to find in great shape. I wasn't entirely sure if I wanted a more compact one, 18-22 passenger, they are so much easier to park but the 31-passenger one has so much more usable space. And I always run out of space. Removing the seats and mentally designing the interior before I start drawing. Then the next question is what to address first - probably the electric/solar component. There is so much to do. Not going to redo the floor or the ceiling, don't want to add any more weight. Plus I am 6'3" and if I add another 1/2" of flooring, I may not fit in there. Want a couch and a full size desk. Registration is the essential first step, I can't do anything without it.