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Old 09-09-2016, 09:03 PM   #1
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New Short Bus 1994 Ford Econoline E350

Hey everyone,

So I'm newbie and have a couple of questions.

I just purchased a 1994 Ford Econoline E350 CUTAWAY, 7.3L V8 OHV 16V DIESEL.


I'm going to pick it up on the West Coast and hope to drive it back to the East Coast. (Never driven a Diesel or a BUS)

The seller of the bus stays it starts, runs, doesn't smoke, has thread on the tires.
I plan on getting a local diesel mechanic to do an oil change, check the battery(s), and top off fluids. Anything else you recommend me doing?

The bus was recently retired like a year ago and has been sitting. The attendants say they move the buses around all the time. The seller has no information on the bus nor any service records but guarantees that it starts/runs. I did a VIN search, and it came back as (info unavailable) on each service category.

Thanks everyone,

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Old 09-11-2016, 10:58 PM   #2
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Change the fuel filter.
Not to judge your endeavor, but there ARE buses on this coast too. And the cost of a plane ticket plus lots of diesel fuel - could get you far along on your conversion.
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my bus build https://www.skoolie.net/gallery/Skoolies/Sped
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Old 09-11-2016, 11:17 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by sdwarf36 View Post
Change the fuel filter.
Not to judge your endeavor, but there ARE buses on this coast too. And the cost of a plane ticket plus lots of diesel fuel - could get you far along on your conversion.
Thanks for the advice about the filter.

Maybe I didn't search enough on the East Coast. But I bought it relatively cheap.

But yes the gas will be expensive. The adventure will be worth it, never driven west of Kansas. So I'm excited.

I'm a medical student so I'm planning to convert it into a mobile clinic until residency starts.
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Old 09-12-2016, 07:19 AM   #4
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I for one think its a FANTASTIC idea to buy a bus far away and drive it home!!.. for one if it breaks down you already know what you are into....

if you totally bklow up the engine and have to abandon, at least you didnt lose the complete cost and time int oa conversion only to blow up the bus..

once you get your bus home,
you will also know if you even enjoy driving a bus or not,
other things to take care of before you embark on its next adventure,
driving is an excellent place to brainstorm.. so now you have an idea about your bus and you can look at it right as you drive and take notes on your smartphone!! great way to begin a conversion,
you WILL meet cool people along the way.. people WILL stop and say Hi at gas stations ,rest areas, etc and say hi to you and comment on your bus!!(its a lot of fun really)..

yeah fly out sand drive it home!!!

-Christopher
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Old 09-12-2016, 07:32 AM   #5
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I agree with that for sure, Chris.
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Old 09-13-2016, 09:18 PM   #6
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Do it. Keep us up to date on the adventure.

May I suggest you take along a copy of Travels with Charley: In Search of America by John Steinbeck to read on the way back?
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Old 09-21-2016, 07:34 PM   #7
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I made the cross country trip safely (Oregon to Ohio) in 4 days. 1860 miles

Money spent:
Gas: 450
2 new batteries: 225
Tensor/Idle Pulley and Belt Replacement (parts and labor) 240

The bus had been sitting for 6 years! Ran like a champ. It's a 7.3 IDI (non powerstroke engine)
Going 75 mpg: Fuel was 10 mpg
Going 60 mpg: Fuel was 10 mpg

<a href="http://imgur.com/GIm4MrM"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/GIm4MrM.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>
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Old 09-21-2016, 07:40 PM   #8
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Old 09-21-2016, 07:43 PM   #9
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Trip from Oregon to Ohio (so far) in 3.5 days

Bus had been sitting for 6 years!!!

Replaced both batteries, and changed the Belt and Pulley.

After 450 bucks in gas, and seeing some incredible sites. I recommend this for anyone and everyone. Cheers!
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Old 09-21-2016, 08:02 PM   #10
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nice scenery!!.. here I thought I travelled a long way to get a bus 1100 miles away!! you got yours 3000!.. where in ohio you takin it?
-Christopher
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Old 09-26-2016, 11:35 PM   #11
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I'm a medical student so I'm planning to convert it into a mobile clinic until residency starts.
Congratulations and best wishes! If you come back east on the northern route, swing through Eugene OR on a Sunday to see a mobile clinic in action.
<http://occupy-medical.org/>
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