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Old 04-21-2019, 01:42 PM   #1
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identification of bus model

can anyone identify the model of this bus for me? - the ad gives very little information about it other than 'Ford 7.3 automatic transmission run good' - - - he hasn't replied to my email yet
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Old 04-21-2019, 02:42 PM   #2
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I think that's an early to mid 80's ford?
The 7.3 can be built to handle that double axle?
But what was that particular 7.3 specked to do from the organisation that ordered that bus?
I would think that 7.3 would be powered to at least 250 hp and a turbo with a double axle?
Built for a city route to haul heavy people verses you wanting hauling doggies and sleds.
If it meets your requirements in the area you live in?
I wouldn't be a fibreglass fan especiallydriving in the snow with all I enjoy my dogs/money makers My sled in the back?
A school bus body wise is bullet proofed to haul kids. Just gotta worry about the powertrain?
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Old 04-21-2019, 02:55 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jolly Roger bus 223 View Post
I think that's an early to mid 80's ford?
The 7.3 can be built to handle that double axle?
But what was that particular 7.3 specked to do from the organisation that ordered that bus?
I would think that 7.3 would be powered to at least 250 hp and a turbo with a double axle?
Built for a city route to haul heavy people verses you wanting hauling doggies and sleds.
If it meets your requirements in the area you live in?
I wouldn't be a fibreglass fan especiallydriving in the snow with all I enjoy my dogs/money makers My sled in the back?
A school bus body wise is bullet proofed to haul kids. Just gotta worry about the powertrain?

If it is mid '80s it will have the IDI engine which is a very different motor than the later T444E or Powerstroke.

I don't think the IDI 7.3 was ever offered in a 250hp version.

I have never seen on rated for over 190 hp for the turbo version. If it is normally aspirated I think that the max factory hp was closer to 175 hp.
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Old 04-21-2019, 03:06 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jolly Roger bus 223 View Post
I think that's an early to mid 80's ford?
The 7.3 can be built to handle that double axle?
But what was that particular 7.3 specked to do from the organisation that ordered that bus?
I would think that 7.3 would be powered to at least 250 hp and a turbo with a double axle?
Built for a city route to haul heavy people verses you wanting hauling doggies and sleds.
If it meets your requirements in the area you live in?
I wouldn't be a fibreglass fan especiallydriving in the snow with all I enjoy my dogs/money makers My sled in the back?
A school bus body wise is bullet proofed to haul kids. Just gotta worry about the powertrain?

it's a 91, so non turbo - I'd like to identify the model so I can find out if the bogey wheels can be lifted when the going gets tough - I like the idea of the short wheel base for tight or slippery conditions, but if the bogeys can't be lifted, it's not going to work for me - the bogeys would make it legal to carry the kind of weight I might carry from time to time
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Old 04-21-2019, 03:10 PM   #5
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That bus, with a non-turbo 7.3 IDI, is going to require a lot of patience when traveling. It won't be going anywhere fast.

They are a very reliable and economical engine but NOT a powerhouse by any stretch.
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Old 04-21-2019, 03:12 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PNW_Steve View Post
If it is mid '80s it will have the IDI engine which is a very different motor than the later T444E or Powerstroke.

I don't think the IDI 7.3 was ever offered in a 250hp version.

I have never seen on rated for over 190 hp for the turbo version. If it is normally aspirated I think that the max factory hp was closer to 175 hp.
it's a 91, so non turbo - and only 300 +++ ft lbs of torque, if I remember correctly - pretty wimpy really
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Old 04-21-2019, 03:26 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sleddgracer View Post
it's a 91, so non turbo - and only 300 +++ ft lbs of torque, if I remember correctly - pretty wimpy really
I drove a truck with one. It was slooooow but it had almost 400k miles on it and still ran good.
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Old 04-21-2019, 03:28 PM   #8
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International/Navistar 7.3L IDI V-8 diesel
Valvetrain: 2 valves per cylinder, standard OHV, standard camshaft in block
Peak Horsepower: 185 hp @ 3,000 rpm (naturally aspirated) 190 hp @ 3,000 rpm (turbocharged)
Peak Torque: 338 lb-ft @ 1,400 rpm (naturally aspirated) 388 lb-ft @ 1,400 rpm (turbocharged)
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Old 04-21-2019, 05:39 PM   #9
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I had a dually with the 6.9L IDI. (Funny enough it a crew cab with full bed, and so clocked in at 22' -- only 3 feet shorter than the bus I now have!) The truck with nothing in it was 6400 lbs. Loaded with about a ton of weight in the back, and towing another ton behind it, I got about 14mpg. Empty and no trailer I got about 14mpg. On the hills in western Virginia, it felt like I was doing 14mph loaded (in reality 30-40 on the steeper parts of the interstate, probably). Driving I-68 in West Virginia, we probably did get close to 14mph on at least one of the big hills.

The 7.3L IDI is to my knowledge just a larger-bored 6.9L. Plenty reliable as stated, but a true dog unless you're on the flatlands. I was never in a hurry when driving it, so it was fine for me. To be honest I wish I never sold it...

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Old 04-21-2019, 07:08 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by farok View Post
I had a dually with the 6.9L IDI. (Funny enough it a crew cab with full bed, and so clocked in at 22' -- only 3 feet shorter than the bus I now have!) The truck with nothing in it was 6400 lbs. Loaded with about a ton of weight in the back, and towing another ton behind it, I got about 14mpg. Empty and no trailer I got about 14mpg. On the hills in western Virginia, it felt like I was doing 14mph loaded (in reality 30-40 on the steeper parts of the interstate, probably). Driving I-68 in West Virginia, we probably did get close to 14mph on at least one of the big hills.

The 7.3L IDI is to my knowledge just a larger-bored 6.9L. Plenty reliable as stated, but a true dog unless you're on the flatlands. I was never in a hurry when driving it, so it was fine for me. To be honest I wish I never sold it...

Chris
I like the looks of the bus and the price is right, I think, but I hate being the one holding up traffic
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Old 04-21-2019, 09:57 PM   #11
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If I was looking at something that size, I'd look for a regular full-size bus. Even with the tag axle, that's a lot of weight for an E-series frame.
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Old 04-21-2019, 10:09 PM   #12
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If I was looking at something that size, I'd look for a regular full-size bus. Even with the tag axle, that's a lot of weight for an E-series frame.
do you know if that's a E350, E450, or E550?
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Old 04-22-2019, 05:19 AM   #13
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I like the looks of the bus and the price is right, I think, but I hate being the one holding up traffic
That's inevitable with any bus.
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Old 04-22-2019, 09:07 AM   #14
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That's inevitable with any bus.
true enough, but I don't want to be the one holding up the Volkswagen vans on the hills - lol
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