Newbie with 1978 Thomas - Guide Me!

[Native]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Sounds like a much more capable machine.

Yes, it does. Especially if it has the higher head clearance.

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by Wallace87

Ok, so I made the decision to pass on this bus to a gentleman with a similar bus in Kingston, Idaho, which is near me. He needs the motor (at least) so I think that's fair for a bus in this condition. $900 from a free find (cost of 10 gallons of diesel and a $25 scrap yard battery), and a few hours.

Here's what I am looking at now:
2001 Blue Bird 84 pax
rear engine 3126 CAT, MD3060 tranny, 123K miles and auto chains
price asking $3,750.

what do ya'll think? Is this too expensive? It seems to have a lot of what would work for me. I am waiting to hear back from him on the interior height, but I'm guessing its around 6'5"?

Thanks for the continued input!

If it looks as good in person as it sounds in the ad I would jump on it.

Nice drive train, if you are a CAT fan and low miles.

[Wallace87]

OK, the seller finally got back to me and said its only 73" inside. Le sigh.

Onward! Here is the other one I'm looking at, not far from me:
https://spokane.craigslist.org/rvs/d...977429605.html
1995 Genesis DT466 turbo with 220K miles and auto chains, but interior height he says 6'5.5" and 35' (despite listing saying 30). I think that is about as tall as they come, no? He said 'allison transmission' but I guess he doesn't know more than that. Its a Front Engine with storage underneath (??).
Can any of you skoolie-heads tell me what tranny it would likely have or where he could easily check?

Here's the placard I guess it's the only one in the cab(?)

[o1marc]

At 73", or 6"1', you have a low roof. Seems actually lower than usual. Normally they are either 6'3" or tall roof at 6'6", give or take an inch for floor choice.

[Wallace87]

Originally Posted by o1marc

At 73", or 6"1', you have a low roof. Seems actually lower than usual. Normally they are either 6'3" or tall roof at 6'6", give or take an inch for floor choice.

https://kalispell.craigslist.org/cto...991422556.html

here is the tape he pulled on it:

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by o1marc

At 73", or 6"1', you have a low roof. Seems actually lower than usual. Normally they are either 6'3" or tall roof at 6'6", give or take an inch for floor choice.

IDk - both low headroom buses I've had were 73".
Both had no plywood floor so would be less headroom with ply.

[peteg59]

Tire chains scare me.
The fact it has them is a possible clue that the bus was equipped for, and probably used in, areas of the country where it snows.
The rust, hidden or visible, in particular is what would concern me.

But if you closely inspect the undercarriage and it looks good, and assuming most everything else is good mechanically, go for it.
Good luck...

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by peteg59

Tire chains scare me.
The fact it has them is a possible clue that the bus was equipped for, and probably used in, areas of the country where it snows.
The rust, hidden or visible, in particular is what would concern me.

But if you closely inspect the undercarriage and it looks good, and assuming most everything else is good mechanically, go for it.
Good luck...

Though they only work in a few inches of snow, I have found most buses equipped with auto chains come from areas that get a lot of snow and don't use salt on the roads. Thus most buses I've seen with auto chains are relatively rust free.

[Drew Bru]

Originally Posted by o1marc

Though they only work in a few inches of snow, I have found most buses equipped with auto chains come from areas that get a lot of snow and don't use salt on the roads. Thus most buses I've seen with auto chains are relatively rust free.

Yup, many of the buses that I've seen with auto chains are from the mountain west.

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by peteg59

Tire chains scare me.
The fact it has them is a possible clue that the bus was equipped for, and probably used in, areas of the country where it snows.
The rust, hidden or visible, in particular is what would concern me.

But if you closely inspect the undercarriage and it looks good, and assuming most everything else is good mechanically, go for it.
Good luck...

Snow is very common in MT. Rust, not so much so. It is not like "the rust belt".

IIRC: 01Marc bought a bus out of that area. Maybe he will chime in and share his experience.

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by Drew Bru

Yup, many of the buses that I've seen with auto chains are from the mountain west.

Mine came out of Western Oregon and was nearly rust free. Just a bit of surface rust on the back floor. It did come with auto chains.

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by Wallace87

https://kalispell.craigslist.org/cto...991422556.html

here is the tape he pulled on it:

3126 and MD-3060. Not a bad combination.

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

Snow is very common in MT. Rust, not so much so. It is not like "the rust belt".

IIRC: 01Marc bought a bus out of that area. Maybe he will chime in and share his experience.

Read my comment just after his (#2. While I bought it in Butte, my bus came form Mead County, Wash. While not rust free, it was very little compared to what I've seen in the right side of the country.