Quote:
Originally Posted by lwharma
Hello! I’m new here and have a question about this engine/transmission combo. We are looking for a school bus to convert that we can take across the country and live in full time (for a few years) with our 4 kids. We need something that can handle going up and down mountain passes. I have been looking for a bluebird 8.3l Cummins engine and Allison transmission. But I have stumbled upon a FREE 2002 international with a t444e deisel rear engine and an Allison transmission (545 or a MD3060, won’t know which one until tomorrow). 11 window length. Will this combination be good for our purpose? I don’t want something that will be just ok. With my 4 kids, safety is paramount. I want a strong bus going up and good control going back down. I don’t know yet what kind of brakes. I’m getting the full specs tomorrow. Oh, we will also be flat towing a Durango. Thanks for your help!
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while im a fan of the 444E, (I own one and drive it all over the country).. thats a pretty big bus and to be pulling a durango too, which is pretty heavy.. I dont think the 444E would fail, but its going to work really hard and for sure slow down in the mountains with that combination.. even with an MD3060.. you stand a SHOT if the 444E is the 230 HP variant.. (one of the valve covers will have a label on it.. generally Left side of engine (right side of bus in RE) will have a label with a cutout telling you which horsepower variant you have. take a rag with you so you can wipe off the dirt if needbe and read that label.
the T-444E is reliable but doesnt have a lot of low-end torque, like an inline 6 cylinder (DT-466 / CUmmins 8.3) has. the 230 HP variant was better and was used in some rear engine busses.. but many times i see the 190s or 210s in those RE busses and thats going to be a slow rig with a full conversion and a durango for a toad.
-Christopher
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