1988 Ford B600

[cofrari]

Picked up my "new" 1988 Ford B600 in Verbena, AL last night. Will start (and hopefully succeed in) driving the bus back to Connecticut starting on Friday morning. I feel like this will be craziest thing I've attempted in the past 10 years!



Pretty sure it is an AT545 transmission. It maxed out at about 55 on flat roads yesterday. So deciding on taking a non-interstate ride home for 30 hours. It's filthy with Alabama clay, but no apparent rust anywhere on it. New tires and new belts. Had an oil change done on it.

[s2mikon]

Make sure it has fresh belts. Those engines like to throw belts when they get stiff. I have a 89 F800 had it happen.

[cofrari]

Thanks for the heads up! I did get a mechanic to put brand new belts on it in addition to a new fuel filter and oil change and filter. Hopefully I'm good!


Apparently the belts are hard to find, so I need to find some extra when and where I can.

[s2mikon]

Everything is hard to find. Mine is good on fuel always starts when cold but will sure stink when cold and first started. Keep it around 2200-2300 and it will be happy.

[cofrari]

The bus successfully went 1200 miles from Alabama to Connecticut over the past 4-days. Bus seemed to be comfortable at about 50 MPH, and about 40 MPH up steep hills. But I did get 12 MPG, which was better than I was anticipating.


My issues are:


- Gas gauge doesn't work from the start

- Odometer stopped working about half-way through the first day
- Power Steering stopped working on Day 3
- Front right turn signal light fell off at some point (Day 2 I think)



Otherwise, it was successful which seems pretty good for a 33-year old bus!

[s2mikon]

Those Brazilian Ford diesel engines had some qc issues in the beginning and if it made it out of warranty they would run almost forever. Mine is the 7.8 210 hp with the 6 speed fuller direct 6th and top speed is about 65. I never run it over 55. I can always count on 10 mpg with an hour or 2 of PTO time. Pulls good up hills and has been reliable. Had to use it one time to pull my Bluebird home, total weight about 50K. Started on flat ground in 2nd gear. It does have a pair.