New Guy from Indiana

[OryxnCrake]

Hey all! Just started researching for our big project. Right now I might have a bead on this guy... A 1990 Chevy, 454 gas dude. VIN says it's a B6P402. $2500.00 still need to find out milage. A church owns it. Thoughts? I'm aware a Diesel, T444, or 466 would likely be better, but the price is attractive.

[Carytowncat]

I got the 366 Big block and it rolls 65mph no problem, i bet that 454 is superb!
Love a motor with a carburetor, alternator, and distributor. Not difficult to tune up
ps. It is uncommon to see the 454 in a bus...

[OryxnCrake]

Hey! Thanks for the quick reply! It's a shorter bus, maybe a 33 passenger. I like the idea of starting with something smaller for our first Skoolie. Just a bare essentials Spartan kind of ride.

[cadillackid]

I had a 6 row bluebird (86) with a 454 in it and an AT545 automatic.. that bus flew!!

even moreso after I put in an RV cam, a 4 barrell carb and a better intake...
-Christopher

[OryxnCrake]

Feeling a little better about it now. Thanks guys.

[somewhereinusa]

Where in Indiana?

[OryxnCrake]

Terre Haute.

[Tango]

The 454 is a pretty good motor but I really have to wonder what kind of MPG and lifespan it will get it in a bus (from a "diesel guy").

[cadillackid]

when I had my 454 with it stock and the 2 barrel i got about 3 MPG average in a short bus...

after I put in the 4 barrell I went up to about 4 MPG... (a properly adjusted 4 bbl will get better MPG than a 2 bbl.. as tyou run the front 2 lean but let the secondaries come in a little earlier than would in a performance application)..

after RV cam, true dual exhaust, flowmaster 50s and 4 bbl and ignition upgrade / bosch platinum plugs id get 4.5 or so.. that was driving 65 on the highway... that bus had what i believe is an AT545... acts just like the trans in my current bus.. I never payed attention to the trans since it worked..

when I drove my bus spirited and got loud i got something like 2 MPG or so lolol...
im not sure what my TQ / HP readings were for sure but i know it was alot of fun to kick it to the floor and sounded good too..

-Christopher

P.S. that bus was more fun to drive than my current bus but on long trips my current bus rides so much better and gets much better MPG's..

[OryxnCrake]

Holy gas guzzles Batman! I could live with 8-9. But 3?! Wow.

[cadillackid]

Originally Posted by OryxnCrake

Holy gas guzzles Batman! I could live with 8-9. But 3?! Wow.

gonna be tough to get 8-9 in a gasoline bus unless you are geared perfect to match the perfect cruise RPM of your engine...

I spent alot of time dialing mine in .. it was also a sort of classic rod projectfor me... though I started my business in 2010 I didnt do a lot with that bus afterwords and the fire occured in 2015 so theres things I dont remember as far as all the parts I put into it..

im sure i spent more ofthetime with my foot in it harder than I shouldve just because.. well a mildly built big block with duals and a 4 barrell just sounds coolwhen you are spirited..

dial your bus in.. set the timing perfect.. new plugs wires, cap, even got to HEI if it isnt already.. if its TBI you can really dial that in with new EPROMS..



now my diesel bus im getting dialed in real good now and am able to drive close to 12 MPG in it..

-Christopher