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.

On 11/20/2021 at 4:06 PM, rynosback said:

Don’t leave out SD. But it should be registered where ever your domicile is. 

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". 

On 8/7/2022 at 3:46 PM, 2gypsies said:

So..  what was your final decision on what kind of RV you bought? You had a long discussion about it going on for a long time.

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.

On 8/7/2022 at 3:52 PM, rpsinc said:

Reach out to Americas Mailbox.  They are experts indoing what you are considering and being a user for many years, I can attest to their ability to complete the task with professional results.

Thanks for the link. Looks like they handle registration, so at that point it's the matter of shipping them all the information they require, such as the title, etc.

Sorry about the font, apparently no way to shrink it.

https://americasmailbox.com/faq

 - Are vehicle registrations/renewals being handled?

A - The County Treasurer has recently reopened to the public, and of course is still working daily with Americas Mailbox staff. Procedures may take a little longer than usual but we will continue to process all your new registrations and renewals as quickly as possible.

21 hours ago, JimK said:

You did not mention why you are interested in South Dakota vehicle registration but not a DL.  Many of us picked SD because they make it very convenient for travelers and because of other advantages such as low insurance costs and no State income tax.  If you work in several different States during the year, you can end up with some complicated filing situations.  Having a residency in a State with no income tax would make that easier and you likely would pay lower taxes that way.  If you want to become a resident, you need to do more.  You would then need to visit, change insurance, change your banking and financial addresses and I would also recommend filing Form 8822 to change your IRS address.  Getting a South Dakota DL is an instant process.  Just turn in your old one and they will give you a new one within minutes.

I will think about the DL.

For now, I just want to get the vehicle (RV) registered in South Dakota. Having a DL from that state is not mandatory for that.

3 hours ago, Danfreda1 said:

Get on the South Dakota web site and print the forms and mail them in with the titles. You do not have to go there to do any registration. The only reason you have to go is if you want to get a drivers license. Get on the web site and do what they require it is very easy. Be careful listening to others because I have heard a few people that did and it is not always what you need. 

I see. Is it really that simple?

9 hours ago, 2gypsies said:

All this is on the Escapees web site.  There's also information for Texas and Florida on the site.

https://escapees.com/education/domicile/south-dakota/

I already saw that. It's at least partially not correct in step 3, where it talks about DL application, it assumes the person wants to get the DL in SD which not true in my case. Therefore I need to address the scenario which does not entail DL from South Dakota.

Step 3: Prepare the driver’s license application, the vehicle registration, and voter registration forms.

I am a computer consultant, I travel all the time, 6 months in one state, 4 in another, ad infinitum, that's the nature of the business, IT is inherently unstable. I  do not own property in any state and am not married to any state. RV full-timing seems to fit well into that paradigm. 

So I want to register my RV in South Dakota. Don't care to get a DL there however. Not yet anyway, maybe at some point in the future.  I learned that there are 7 counties that do not require a DL from South Dakota.

Could someone post the step-by-step guide for registration in South Dakota, I understand I have to spend 1 night in the state, which is OK with me. I have to bring the title, my existing DL, my SSN and what else?  Some mail service?  I assume I don't need to bring the RV with me. Which I can't, as it doesn't have plates at the moment.

Thank you in advance.

Would it be possible to fit a full size 6-foot bath tub in it? Something light, fiberglass.

Interesting design.  so many possibilities.

I need to sell the chairs first

I measured, I have 21' of usable space length wise.

If I register/title my shuttle bus in the commonwealth of VA and then 1.5 months later later register or title it in Florida. Will FL hit me with the full 6% tax on bringing the vehicle into the state?
 

VA tax is 4%, FL tax is 6%. But VA has car tax. My county does not prorate. Meaning if the vehicle was not there on January 1st, I apparently do not get taxes for it next year.

FL site says this. Do I understand correctly FL will charge me only 2% on to of the 4% I will have paid to VA?

https://www.seminolecounty.tax/services/tag-title/vehicle-titled-out-state#:~:text=If a motor vehicle or,be issued by the department.

However, a credit may be allowed for a like tax paid in another state, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, against the amount of Florida sales or use tax and local discretionary sales surtax.

I think this answers it:

https://floridarevenue.com/taxes/tips/documents/TIP-122235_TIP_19A01-01_FINAL_RLL.pdf

Motor Vehicles Purchased in Another State and Brought into Florida Florida’s use tax rate of 6% generally applies to motor vehicles purchased in another state, District of Columbia, or U.S. territory and subsequently titled, registered, or licensed in Florida. Florida law allows a credit to be given to reduce the tax due when a like tax has been lawfully imposed and paid in another state, District of Columbia, or U.S. territory. Credit against Florida use tax and any discretionary sales surtax is given for a like tax paid in another state, 2 whether the tax has been paid to that state, or to a county or city (local taxes) within that state. If the amount paid is equal to or greater than the amount imposed by Florida, no additional tax is due. If the amount paid is less than the amount due as imposed by Florida, only the difference between the two tax rates is due.

2012 F550 Super Duty.

It's closest to C class so will post it here. Although it's a bit of a Super-C if you will.

Where do I get a spare tire? It did not come with one. The size is 225-70-19.5

The tires (at least front) are Roadone. Is that a good brand or something cheap and if so, what's the best I can upgrade to? I really don't want my front tire to fail.

What kind of jack do I need to jack it up? I have a bottle jack rated for trucks but not sure it will lift this one. What's the rating I am looking for, how many tons?

what is the rear differential ratio?

My mirrors rattle badly, especially the right one.  There is rattle coming from the right door (the push bottom door), in the area above, maybe from the motor, or something is loose there. The wheel is not vibrating, neither is the dash or the chair.

What size is the current gas tank? 35 or 40 gallons?

Who makes an extended 50 gallon tank? There appears to be lots of room mount a second tank. I would like that switch where it switches from one tank to another. While at it, I would like a much larger aftermarket gas gauge, what they have is just ridiculous, a tiny thing the size of the half dollar.