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Old 12-23-2014, 09:56 PM   #1
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Hey from New Hampshire...

Hi Folks... My name is Rick and my wife is Debby... we're about to buy the bus pictured here for 3k. Here are the specs:

2001 International, 36 pass. Mileage 103250. Has T444E diesel 7.3L engine with automatic trans. Hydraulic brakes.

It looks very clean... just want to make sure it's not a "bad" model ... whatever that means. Researched the T444E, most think it's a decent engine if treated right. We'll check for rust (it's in Pennsylvania); but if any fellow, "skool-kids," knows of reason to avoid this model, we would love to hear from you. We're driving down on Friday to pick it up unless someone here convinces us otherwise.

Great forum... can't believe we're going to start from scratch (I'm 63... Deb is... younger than that). We plan on touring northern Vermont, NH and Maine looking for a spot to build a tiny house. Winter? Just call us Rick & Debby Snowbirds... look forward to hearing from folks here.
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Old 12-23-2014, 10:14 PM   #2
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Looks like a cool bus. t444e is very similar to the 7.3l diesel put in millions of pickups, ambulances and tractors all over. And 103k miles is nothing for it. Lookup videos on how to buy a 7.3l for basic things to check on the engine. Maybe have a mechanic check it out too. If everything checks out I'd say go for it, sweet find.
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Old 12-23-2014, 10:16 PM   #3
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Thanks a lot... I'll do that; I practically live on YouTube anyway.
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Old 12-23-2014, 11:30 PM   #4
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Year: 1988
Coachwork: Ward
Chassis: International
Engine: Navistar 5.9 Diesel
Rated Cap: A butt-load...
Wow I'm jealous ;)
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Old 12-24-2014, 09:10 AM   #5
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Kool bus, you can do this. I'm 69 and it's been good for keeping me in shape.
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Old 12-24-2014, 10:46 AM   #6
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welcome and if you head south give a shout
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Old 12-24-2014, 11:11 PM   #7
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Well this is awkward ....was actually about to contact the seller after Christmas (http://reading.craigslist.org/rvs/4808966901.html) and perhaps start my plunge into bus conversion.

I guess you beat me too it. I'm not 100% ready to commit yet anyway (still looking for a place to park it.)
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Old 12-27-2014, 09:09 AM   #8
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Wasn't the right bus... too much oil leaking. Oh well...
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Old 12-27-2014, 10:00 AM   #9
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Its a good thing to not get attached to one bus, stay objective and keep looking. The right one will come along.
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Old 12-27-2014, 10:58 AM   #10
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Year: 1997
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Chassis: B3800 Short bus
Engine: T444E
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Quote:
Originally Posted by radair0502 View Post
Wasn't the right bus... too much oil leaking. Oh well...

In my opinion, if you're fairly mechanical it shouldn't be a deal breaker. The 7.3l PowerStroke/T444e are known for puking oil out around the turbo. It's often either the o-rings between the turbo pedestal and the head, or the Exhaust Back Pressure Valve (EBPV) is getting sloppy. I was able to fix the problem by doing an EBPV delete. I could have fixed the EBPV, but realistically I didn't need that system and wanted to end the oil leak forever. I spent about $4 and put two hours of my time in to get it done. No more leaks!
If it's leaking from anywhere other than around the turbo then it could be a bigger issue.
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Old 12-27-2014, 11:00 AM   #11
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Location: Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
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Year: 1997
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: B3800 Short bus
Engine: T444E
Rated Cap: 36
Just curious: Does anyone know what that grill is for to the right of the battery box in the first picture?
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Old 12-27-2014, 11:32 AM   #12
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Year: 1991
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Engine: 3116 Cat 250hp
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Probably condenser for rear air conditioner.
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Old 12-28-2014, 08:58 PM   #13
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Location: Smoky Mountains of Tennessee
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Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas/International
Engine: t444e Navistar
Just bought a '99, with 112k for $1700. Only had to replace a fuel injector, so far... I am new to Skoolie.net and I am just starting the conversion.
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Old 12-29-2014, 04:21 AM   #14
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Location: Eustis FLORIDA
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Year: 1999
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Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
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Quote:
Originally Posted by poppysbibleskooli View Post
Just bought a '99, with 112k for $1700. Only had to replace a fuel injector, so far... I am new to Skoolie.net and I am just starting the conversion.
That's a good price. Post some pictures!
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