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Old 07-03-2017, 08:13 PM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Southeastern MA
Posts: 10
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Blue Bird Micro Bird
Chassis: Ford E-450
Engine: 7.3 PowerStroke
Rated Cap: 10P+2WC (5 Window)
Hey Look, Sean's Got A Shorty!

Hello everybody!

Like the title says, I just won an auction earlier today for a 2003 Ford E-450/Blue Bird Micro Bird 5 Window with the 7.3L PowerStroke Diesel and about 194,796 miles on the clock.

It was originally owned by the Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District down on Cape Cod in Massachusetts (about an hour-and-a-half from me).

The only known issues with the bus so far is a noticeable rust spot on the driver-side fender (see pic) and that it's been sitting for a short while.

Well, time to find somebody who'll insure "Shorty McShortBus" - wish me luck (I'll definitely need it [emoji23])!




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Old 07-03-2017, 10:34 PM   #2
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Neat bus! The 7.3 is in most respects a higher tuned DT444E, it's a well regarded motor and much better than the one that replaced it!
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Old 07-03-2017, 10:54 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brokedown View Post
Neat bus! The 7.3 is in most respects a higher tuned DT444E, it's a well regarded motor and much better than the one that replaced it!
Having looked into the 7.3/T444 engine, the base engine is essentially the same but the 444 often has higher power ratings than the Ford counterparts. The E-series vans have very limited space in the engine compartment and to fit the 7.3, the turbo system had to go simply to make room. The F-series trucks kept the turbo and power boost that came with it. There are *MANY* aftermarket F-series parts that can boost power; most won't fit the E-series for the same reason many never had turbos in the first place (they *could* attach to the engine, but lack room in the engine bay).

The IH chassis had room for larger radiators and charge-air coolers, so they could be turned up on HP (not always, depending on options specified). This is why the HP setting on the electronic engines is supposedly only dealer-settable, they are supposed to ensure you've upgraded the cooling system to handle the boosted HP.
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Old 07-03-2017, 10:54 PM   #4
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Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Southeastern MA
Posts: 10
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Blue Bird Micro Bird
Chassis: Ford E-450
Engine: 7.3 PowerStroke
Rated Cap: 10P+2WC (5 Window)
Quote:
Originally Posted by brokedown View Post
Neat bus! The 7.3 is in most respects a higher tuned DT444E, it's a well regarded motor and much better than the one that replaced it!


So true! I've been looking for a 7.3 for quite a while now - sure I'll be paying an extra, say, 30-40 cents for fuel now, but it's worth it, seeing that 7.3s are virtually "immortal" (when taken good care of, anyway). [emoji41][emoji106]


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Old 07-03-2017, 11:33 PM   #5
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Looks fantastic!

"Shorty McShortBus" nearly made me shoot soda out of my nose.
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Old 07-03-2017, 11:35 PM   #6
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Join Date: Oct 2015
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Originally Posted by davehearn View Post
Looks fantastic!



"Shorty McShortBus" nearly made me shoot soda out of my nose.

Gotta admit, It's got a nice ring to it - then again, I couldn't think of anything else to name the darn thing [emoji23]


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Old 07-04-2017, 04:40 AM   #7
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Originally Posted by BayStateOfMind View Post
Gotta admit, It's got a nice ring to it - then again, I couldn't think of anything else to name the darn thing [emoji23]


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I tried calling my shorty "shorty mcshortface" but its kinda long.
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Old 07-04-2017, 06:33 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brad_SwiftFur View Post
Having looked into the 7.3/T444 engine, the base engine is essentially the same but the 444 often has higher power ratings than the Ford counterparts. The E-series vans have very limited space in the engine compartment and to fit the 7.3, the turbo system had to go simply to make room. The F-series trucks kept the turbo and power boost that came with it. There are *MANY* aftermarket F-series parts that can boost power; most won't fit the E-series for the same reason many never had turbos in the first place (they *could* attach to the engine, but lack room in the engine bay).

The IH chassis had room for larger radiators and charge-air coolers, so they could be turned up on HP (not always, depending on options specified). This is why the HP setting on the electronic engines is supposedly only dealer-settable, they are supposed to ensure you've upgraded the cooling system to handle the boosted HP.
Huh?? All powerstrokes have turbo's. Even Vans/buses. The turbo is a slight different tune (exhaust side vane pitch) between the trucks and buses (I've had both on mine.) The main difference is vans don't have intercoolers.
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Old 07-04-2017, 08:22 AM   #9
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Quote:
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Huh?? All powerstrokes have turbo's.
All powerstrokes are turbo, but not all 7.3 are powerstrokes! Prior to 1995, the 7.3 was a completely different engine, the 7.3 IDI. The 7.3 IDI replaced the 6.9 in 1987 and didn't get a turbo option until 1993.

So in 1995, they replaced the 7.3 turbo with the 7.3 turbo. Clear as mud!

There are *tons* of the non-turbo 7.3 IDI running around in old u-hauls and box trucks.
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Old 07-04-2017, 09:31 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brokedown View Post
All powerstrokes are turbo, but not all 7.3 are powerstrokes! Prior to 1995, the 7.3 was a completely different engine, the 7.3 IDI. The 7.3 IDI replaced the 6.9 in 1987 and didn't get a turbo option until 1993.

So in 1995, they replaced the 7.3 turbo with the 7.3 turbo. Clear as mud!

There are *tons* of the non-turbo 7.3 IDI running around in old u-hauls and box trucks.
Pretty simple, right? So my information was slightly flawed, but the lack of an intercooler on the vans still necessitated a reduction in power to keep 'em cool. And likewise, installing larger intercoolers and radiators in the IH chassis allowed them to bump up the HP.

As memory serves me, I've seen plenty of non-turbo IH 444's up for sale (and I've seen photos to verify it). Probably fine in a shorty, I'm betting underpowered in a full length bus.
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Old 07-05-2017, 06:08 PM   #11
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Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Southeastern MA
Posts: 10
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Blue Bird Micro Bird
Chassis: Ford E-450
Engine: 7.3 PowerStroke
Rated Cap: 10P+2WC (5 Window)
Hi again! Here's Update #1:

I'm currently working out the kinks insurance-wise. Here in MA you got to have a policy in place to be able to register (if I remember correctly). I've been sending emails and making calls left and right today; Fingers crossed "Shorty" gets approved sooner rather than later! [emoji16]🤞


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Old 07-05-2017, 06:22 PM   #12
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ive never seen a T-444E as a non turbo.. I never saw any navistar books that listed a 444E as a non turbo.. interesting.. I have seen a 7.3 IDI non turbo before..
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Old 07-06-2017, 11:17 PM   #13
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Southeastern MA
Posts: 10
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Blue Bird Micro Bird
Chassis: Ford E-450
Engine: 7.3 PowerStroke
Rated Cap: 10P+2WC (5 Window)
Update 2:

Finding the right insurance for "Shorty" has been a real challenge this past week.

Not to mention, the school district I'm getting it from wants me to pick it up before this weekend! [emoji21]

Man, I REALLY got to get things all sorted out......and fast! [emoji50]

Can you tell this is going to be a "fun" experience? [emoji16]


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Old 07-07-2017, 10:31 AM   #14
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For the move...your regular auto policy should cover "other vehicles".
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Old 07-07-2017, 10:37 AM   #15
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For the move...your regular auto policy should cover "other vehicles".
I found out the hard way that my ins company didn't. USAA promptly set their legal team upon the situation and I had to pay out of pocket for a fender bender. It cost me like five grand.
I won't even mess with moving one till I actually have a vehicle specific policy now.
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