Well, We found a bus! (Ton of pics warning!)

bullitt4514 · 11-13-2016, 08:54 PM

1988 Bluebird All American with an 8.2T 230HP Detroit diesel.

Paid $200 for it

no rust!!!!

91k miles. It had been sitting for at least a year, and fired up on the first crank

Will have a bit of work to do.
Will have to flush all fluids, replace tires, and pull all the seats.
Someone had broken some of the rear lights and the paint job doesn't matter because we will be repainting anyways.
Here are some pics and video:

Has a separate engine to drive the compressors for the A/C on the bus, it currently cranks and will not start.

Has a spare.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HN54b...ature=youtu.be

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_M58...ature=youtu.be

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cvoW...ature=youtu.be

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksjBP...ature=youtu.be

cowlitzcoach · 11-13-2016, 11:52 PM

It would appear as if you have gotten a really good bus for very little $$$.

One problem the Blue Bird All American FE's had was frame cracking between the motor mounts and front spring hangers. It was particularly bad on buses that had higher HP engines.

The torque applied from a stop with a full load really cranks on the frame. If you are going through a curb cut at the same time it can break the frame. I have seen some really nice buses scrapped because the frame broke. For an operator, even a public school, it is hard to justify the expense of pulling the engine, transmission, and front end all in order to get to where the frame was broken and repair what was broken.

bullitt4514 · 11-14-2016, 12:02 AM

Thanks for the info! We will check that

Carytowncat · 11-14-2016, 12:39 AM

$200?! That's like... $1 per ft!

Congrats! Saving money always feels nice. Where are you located?

bullitt4514 · 11-14-2016, 01:17 AM

We are in NW Arizona

milkmania · 11-14-2016, 06:34 AM

Dang, they saw you coming!!!
I bet Administration never thought they'd unload that thing.
I'll give you your money back, but only if you throw in that 500 gal propane tank full of propane!
And I'll come and pick it all up.

Just kidding! Great find, wish I'd found something like it

cadillackid · 11-14-2016, 07:11 AM

what a kickin lookin bus!!! be careful with that A/C if you keep it.. that was an R-12 system, dont just shoot R-134A into it or you'll ruin the compressors..

those systems are really good when converted as the air distributiuon to the seats its great. just convert it properly..
-Christopher

milkmania · 11-14-2016, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carytowncat

$200?! That's like... $1 per ft!

Congrats! Saving money always feels nice. Where are you located?

my fuzzy math says $200 for a 40' is .50 cents a foot

the damned spare tire is worth what he paid for the bus!

Brad_SwiftFur · 11-14-2016, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkmania

my fuzzy math says $200 for a 40' is .50 cents a foot

the damned spare tire is worth what he paid for the bus!

No - $200 / 40' = $5 per foot. Still a bargain.

jazty · 11-14-2016, 09:09 AM

I have a 20 dollar bill in my pocket. Could I buy 4 feet? USPS shipping, please

Nice looking bus! I especially love the faux-mahogany dash cluster. Swanky.
Where is that spare stored? I can't make it out from the photo..

Tango · 11-14-2016, 09:18 AM

What!? $200 buck...and they didn't throw in new tires!?

Gotta be the deal of the century...congrats.

SimpleLivingFam · 11-14-2016, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkmania

Dang, they saw you coming!!!
I bet Administration never thought they'd unload that thing.
I'll give you your money back, but only if you throw in that 500 gal propane tank full of propane!
And I'll come and pick

Just kidding! Great find, wish I'd found something like it

Lol The guy had a bet going with his boss that he would never sell the bus. He was like whatever you offer I will take it. It was originally listed for 1k...so we offered 200.

AkA Mrs. Bullitt4514

SimpleLivingFam · 11-14-2016, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazty

I have a 20 dollar bill in my pocket. Could I buy 4 feet? USPS shipping, please

Nice looking bus! I especially love the faux-mahogany dash cluster. Swanky.
Where is that spare stored? I can't make it out from the photo..

Spare is in the rear under bus. Has a lever that you crank to release it.

bullitt4514 · 11-14-2016, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cadillackid

what a kickin lookin bus!!! be careful with that A/C if you keep it.. that was an R-12 system, dont just shoot R-134A into it or you'll ruin the compressors..

those systems are really good when converted as the air distributiuon to the seats its great. just convert it properly..
-Christopher

I a not sure if we will keep it. It might not have any refrigerant eft in it from the time it has been sitting. The small diesel motor that drives it cranks but is not starting. I need to contact the company, and see if I can get any documentation for it.

If we don't keep it, that platform makes a perfect spot for the generator

TAOLIK · 11-14-2016, 07:49 PM

Less mileage than my bus, more square footage than my bus, 1/10th the cost of my bus, it even has underbelly storage.. This will take atleast two beers to aid my coping.

AlleyCat67 · 11-14-2016, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bullitt4514

I a not sure if we will keep it. It might not have any refrigerant eft in it from the time it has been sitting. The small diesel motor that drives it cranks but is not starting. I need to contact the company, and see if I can get any documentation for it.

If we don't keep it, that platform makes a perfect spot for the generator

Well if it doesn't have any R12 left in it just pull the compressor and put one in its place that can use the R134a (after pressure testing the system for leaks), charge it up and once you get the engine running you're good to go.

milkmania · 11-14-2016, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad_SwiftFur

No - $200 / 40' = $5 per foot. Still a bargain.

Ok, ok.... It was early! Or late! I don't remember

milkmania · 11-14-2016, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bullitt4514

I a not sure if we will keep it. It might not have any refrigerant eft in it from the time it has been sitting. The small diesel motor that drives it cranks but is not starting. I need to contact the company, and see if I can get any documentation for it.

If we don't keep it, that platform makes a perfect spot for the generator

Is it a Mitsubishi L3e?
That's what is in mine, running 2 AC compressors for 2 AC units, left/right of bus... One good, one locked up... Whole system low on R12... Pulled the AC units & compressors, but kept the Mitsubishi intact... It's got a glow plug button I have to hit before it'll start.
https://www.google.com/search?q=mits...UTF-8&hl=en-US

milkmania · 11-14-2016, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlleyCat67

Well if it doesn't have any R12 left in it just pull the compressor and put one in its place that can use the R134a (after pressure testing the system for leaks), charge it up and once you get the engine running you're good to go.

He's got different ductwork than I had... My ductwork took up a ton of headroom on each side

bullitt4514 · 11-14-2016, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkmania

Is it a Mitsubishi L3e?
That's what is in mine, running 2 AC compressors for 2 AC units, left/right of bus... One good, one locked up... Whole system low on R12... Pulled the AC units & compressors, but kept the Mitsubishi intact... It's got a glow plug button I have to hit before it'll start.
https://www.google.com/search?q=mits...UTF-8&hl=en-US

The images resemble it. I need to pull the radiator out of the way so I can have a better look. It has a preheat button, not sure if it actually is working though.

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