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Old 10-03-2016, 01:10 AM   #1
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Talking Interesting Opportunity: Abandoned International

Hey Folks!

I've come across an interesting opportunity: an abandoned International that I have the option to run away with if I so choose. But first I need to assess whether the platform is worth investing in.

I would really appreciate some advice towards what I should be looking for when I get to inspect it in person 2 weeks from now. I'm a mechanical engineer with reasonable experience with cars and gas engines, so I have a decent eye for engines and chassis health, but I know that there is a massive knowledge base I'm missing when it comes to skoolies! (You could say I know that I don't know...) So any tips for things I could miss would be great! Also, I would love some help narrowing down the model, year and engine so I can do more refined research beforehand.

So far all the information I have is:

A single picture: http://i.imgur.com/suvd28A.jpg
That it was lived in for 3+ years
That it is currently not running, but was running less than 1 year ago, around when it was abandoned in place.

Thanks for you help!
Chex

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Old 10-03-2016, 06:02 AM   #2
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Welcome to the site

good luck!
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Old 10-03-2016, 06:16 AM   #3
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put a fuel additive in it and 2 new batteries and give the key a turn, a year is not that long. good luck nice looking bus
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Old 10-03-2016, 06:17 AM   #4
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
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Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
welcome!.. it doesnt look like a bad bus... but someone just abandonuing it makes me winder if something major like the engine or transmission nuked...

how will you get a title to it so it can be registered?

I say go for it though... it cant hurt to looks at it and even take a crack at getting it going.. !!

-Christopher
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Old 10-03-2016, 09:28 AM   #5
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Location: Eustis FLORIDA
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Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
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Quote:
Originally Posted by superdave View Post
put a fuel additive in it and 2 new batteries and give the key a turn, a year is not that long. good luck nice looking bus
+1

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Old 10-03-2016, 11:38 AM   #6
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Year: 1991
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: AARE
Engine: 3116 Cat 250hp
Rated Cap: Just the two of us.
Looks to be an International 3900 produced 1990-2010

Quote:
3900



IC FE300 (Discontinued)


Introduced as the replacement for the long-running International Harvester 1853FC forward-control chassis, the 3900 was first produced in 1990. Along with its IHC predecessor, many body manufacturers sourced the 3900 as the replacement for the discontinued General Motors S7 and Asia-Smith Motors forward-control chassis. By the mid-1990s, Navistar subsidiary AmTran became the sole user of the 3900. In 2010, production of front-engine bus chassis was discontinued.
All 3900 chassis were powered by variations of the DT engine family.
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Old 10-03-2016, 03:16 PM   #7
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Year: 2005
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I used to have one that was similar to that one... It was Ward coachwork on an International chassis, powered by DT466 engine and Allison MT643 transmission. I think I still have the title to it kicking around here somewhere, even though I no longer have the bus itself.

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Old 10-03-2016, 04:25 PM   #8
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Location: Eustis FLORIDA
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Year: 1999
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Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15

Nice for a free bus these days. Looks like a later model.
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Old 10-03-2016, 05:29 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by superdave View Post
put a fuel additive in it and 2 new batteries and give the key a turn, a year is not that long. good luck nice looking bus
What sort of amperage do I need to crank the engine? I was considering trying to jump it with two car batteries, but only if the engine looks to be in decent condition. Fresh fuel and additive sounds like a good plan as well. I might even drain the tank.

Quote:
Originally Posted by cadillackid View Post
welcome!.. it doesnt look like a bad bus... but someone just abandonuing it makes me winder if something major like the engine or transmission nuked...

how will you get a title to it so it can be registered?
-Christopher
Yeah, it's possible it's a major problem and I have to walk away, but it's just as likely to be a dead battery. As for the title, it's going to be difficult if I can't track down the previous owner. Re-titling abandoned vehicles is messy legally, but so far I think it's possible.
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Old 10-03-2016, 05:39 PM   #10
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
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Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
not sure in your state.. I know in Ohio its just a lot of waiting.. first is a letter goes out to the last 2 known addresses of the original owner.. 30 days apart... if the owner doesnt respond in 60 days.. then they you can file for mechanics lien on it.. and theres more letters and 30 days... if its on your own property its then pretty much yours.. if itso n someone else's property they have to release it.. and more waiting...

I know a towing company that does it for towed cars.. esp since he has official money into it for unpaid towing chares.. if say a shopping mall or the city calls and has him tow a car away to his lot... my scenerio above is if the towing bill hasnt been paid in I think its 45 days... or if the towing bill exceeds the Book value of the car.. then he can file for the mechanics lien and title... he says its usually 4-6 months to get a title in hand..
-Christopher
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