Help with decisions decisions....

[Flawed_RV]

I'm considering purchasing this:

Ad says:
"1990 bluebird 28 Passenger - It has a 8.2 Detroit with Allison transmission, handicapped lift and nearly new rubber. It is titled as a motor home. Runs and drives great. "

VIN is: 1GDM6P1F9LV513732

He says it runs good, and the coolant checks out. No rust or discoloring or bubbles in it. I'm waiting on tire codes to determine their age. The pics are vague, at best. My VIN check says "class 7" - wouldn't that make this a big bus?? Bigger than 30'??

Run now, or keep on checking this one out?? He's three hours away, so I'm trying to avoid a useless trip.

I'm looking to buy my first bus for conversion, so here I am, asking the OG's.

Thanks for your time.......

[Booyah45828]

My thoughts.

An 8.2 detroit isn't the most desirable out there. That engine isn't the most reliable and has been discontinued for many years so parts may be hard to find.

Class 7 simply means it's 26k-33k gvw. That comes from axle capacity, not bus length. Although your longer busses would typically have a higher gvw, shorter busses can also have a high gvw. Most of your full size busses will be a class 7.

Unless you're lucky, you're going to make a lot of useless trips before you find the right one for you. It's part of the hunt. If it looks good and the price is right, I wouldn't be afraid of it.

[PNW_Steve]

I agree with Booyah.

It's not a really "bad" engine nor is it very desirable.

If your goal is to build a cheap "metal tent" and can get that bus really cheap, then I would consider it.

If you are going to build something nice then I would hold out for a better drivetrain.

It took me over a year of hunting and I found the specific drive train that I wanted in a rust-free bus with 180k miles.

I paid about $3400 for mine and had to travel around 600 miles (r/t) to pick it up.

Good luck with your quest.