8.3 Cummins & Allison 3000. Questions.

[ArmyChap]

I'm looking at a BlueBird RE with an 8.3L Cummins and an Allison 3000. Since I'm not much mechanically inclined, I thought I'd poll the collective wisdom of the forums:

1. From what I can tell on the forums, the 8.3 Cummins is a solid engine. The one I'm looking at has 190k miles on it. What issues can I expect?

2. Is this a good combination with the Allison transmission? How can I know the number of gears and the ratios? (I've asked for pics of the data plates, but haven't received them yet).

3. It's a UT bus, from the Salt Lake area... anyone got experience with UT buses? Please advise on potential for rust!

[Tango]

Not that familiar with the 3000, but the rest of the package sounds good. That Cummins should easily be good for a half-million miles but that depends on it's history and maintenance. The best engine poorly maintained can turn into a boat anchor.

Is there any way you can get it's service records? Most school districts keep a very thorough mechanical history on each unit.

And as for Utah, my 1946 Chevy Shorty spent it's whole life there and was in surprisingly good shape. Mostly minor rust with a couple of exceptions that I attribute to the way it was built.

[nat_ster]

The Allison 3000 is the same family as the MD3060. It may even be the 3060.

They are all great transmissions. There is no bad 3000 series Allison.

Nat

[opus]

Ask to take an engine oil sample before you buy it.

[family wagon]

It's.. probably a good package? We do salt our roads here, though not so much as the "rust belt" salts theirs. Send me a PM if you want me to go look at it for you (I'm assuming it's still in the Salt Lake area, not only "from" the area).