School District Director looking for expert advice!

[milkmania]

Build it, with plans for someone to buy it. gain knowledge from the experience.
In Oklahoma's vocational schools locally... they pretty much have 1 big rule.
They cannot work on commercial vehicles, period.

They'll do anything you want to your personal vehicles, and their personal vehicles... but commercial vehicles is a big no no.
Here, it's known as Career Tech, and it even covers into our prison system.
recently, I had the prison pull the center mounted engine (351W Ford) and Borg/Warner transmission, put it on a workbench, split the two units, replace the front seal on the transmission, replace it, wash, wax, and detail the boat.... $13.00 out the door! (price of seal)

They've got a carpentry shop that will build all my cabinetry for price of materials only.
same with their welding shop. (but, I can't take the bus into the prison yard, because it's a nightmare to clear out a vehicle to pass through security checkpoint!) So, they'll build my cabinets and i'll trailer them out and install them myself.

They rebuild 10 to 15 transmissions a week, also.

sorry to get off track, but I'm a huge advocate for on-hands training!

[kidharris]

Originally Posted by Bean

Hi all -

I am the Director of a small school district. We have a 96 Transit style 53 seater school bus with a newer engine which became out of compliance with California's new emission requirements.
ab

Do the "new emission requirements" apply to all vehicles or just school buses? Can the bus be repurposed or titled to use for another use without the conversion expenses. How about using it for a storage container, book mobile, nurses station, mobile office (for fundraisers or public fairs for example) building maintenance department work truck, etc? Sell it out of state? I realize that you are forced to sell by auction, but the auction house that you are using appears to be inept. Find another auction, maybe Ebay? DIY auction it at a fundraiser (WITH PLENTY OF FREE PUBLICITY) without converting it? Get the funds to convert it at a public fundraiser? - that way you will see how much public support there is for the idea.



I think the project ideas are great, but school buses can be converted to a lot of different uses beside RVs and mini homes. Personally, if it is in good mechanical condition I would try to find a low cost, school district, rolling use for it. Have a student contest to come up with ideas. Publicly, but politely, remind the state lawmakers and voters that their ill conceived laws have real world repercussions.


I applaud your effort, I wish that there were more people like you working in govt jobs.

[Rovobay]

I love the idea. I want to do my senior year again at this school. I'm 39, is that a problem? document the build. crowd fund the things you need, utilize social media to gain support, supplies donated from local businesses. local news media could cover it. very neat idea. if you run into issues with the emission stuff, just remove the engine and someone can tow their new home and reinstall the engine. I bet you will be fine. best of luck.

[Kubla]

Is the bus front or rear engine and which engine is in it and which transmission ?

[kidharris]

Originally Posted by Rovobay

just remove the engine and someone can tow their new home and reinstall the engine.

Why would you need to remove the engine to tow it?

[scoolbus1]

www.schoolbusadventures.com

[Rovobay]

Originally Posted by kidharris

Why would you need to remove the engine to tow it?

remove it to avoid any legal complications with EPA regs and school bus laws... if needed. once complete the new owner can put it back. just thinking of possible options.

[dan-fox]

Originally Posted by Rovobay

remove it to avoid any legal complications with EPA regs and school bus laws... if needed. once complete the new owner can put it back. just thinking of possible options.

Homebuilt or "experimental" aircraft are often sold like this; as "two separate bundles of aircraft parts" to try to make it harder on the ambulance chasers.

[DWJoyce]

Since when are CA public school buses non-exempt? All CA public vehicles are exempt from smog laws.

[cadillackid]

Originally Posted by DWJoyce

Since when are CA public school buses non-exempt? All CA public vehicles are exempt from smog laws.

Just google California crowns being drilled and crushed flat .. all because of EPA regs in California