2001 International/Bluebird Short Bus

[robbieinc]

Picked up my second bus project yesterday. Virtually rust free, I think I got a pretty good deal. 253xxx miles DT466E with an AT545 (I'm not super stoked about).

Things I noticed off the bat:
Seems to have a very strict governor set at 55 MPH / 2500 RPM.
The front end seems to bounce around a lot driving over bumps in the road.

I'm very interested in swapping for an MT643 at some point, it doesn't seem to be too big of a job.

[yellowxj]

I think i'd like one of those for my next project. But i need to tow 2 jeeps somehow.

Jeep, bus, repeat.

[Versatile]

Originally Posted by robbieinc

Picked up my second bus project yesterday. Virtually rust free, I think I got a pretty good deal. 253xxx miles DT466E with an AT545 (I'm not super stoked about).

Things I noticed off the bat:
Seems to have a very strict governor set at 55 MPH / 2500 RPM.
The front end seems to bounce around a lot driving over bumps in the road.

I'm very interested in swapping for an MT643 at some point, it doesn't seem to be too big of a job.

Front shocks about $45.00 each will stop the bouncing. At 253k you most likely need all the way around.

[Dog Rescuer]

[QUOTE=robbieinc;192548]Picked up my second bus project yesterday. Virtually rust free, I think I got a pretty good deal. 253xxx miles DT466E with an AT545 (I'm not super stoked about).

Nice looking bus - I just started on a similar project.



It has been fun so far!

- Roger

[CaptainHooligan]

Looking good. I would like a bus like this. Just one that does 70mph.

[cadillackid]

shocks are actually really easy to change on the front of a school bus.. at least they were on my DEV.. and they wont stop ALL the bouncing.. but defimnitely help!!. the DT-466 is a heavy engine.. the shocks def help with bump steer too..
-Christopher

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by CaptainHooligan

Looking good. I would like a bus like this. Just one that does 70mph.

I got a six window shorty like it in Aurora on Public Surplus for $1760 this year. LOVING it!

[cadillackid]

Originally Posted by CaptainHooligan

Looking good. I would like a bus like this. Just one that does 70mph.

ive got a 6 window verson similar.. though ive got a 444E instead of the DT-466... it Does go 70 MPH...

his will likely go 70 or a lot higher than it does if he disables the governor via the computer...

unless he is already tachin out the 466 to 2500+ RPM at 55.. then it might be RPM limited instead of speed limited..

-Christopher

[Dog Rescuer]

Mine has the T444E - I like the engine - does 70mph - and gets about 12-14mpg right now - but will likely change as I build the interior. Overall - great mid-size bus. I look forward to venturing through all the State Parks.
- Roger

Originally Posted by cadillackid

ive got a 6 window verson similar.. though ive got a 444E instead of the DT-466... it Does go 70 MPH...

his will likely go 70 or a lot higher than it does if he disables the governor via the computer...

unless he is already tachin out the 466 to 2500+ RPM at 55.. then it might be RPM limited instead of speed limited..

-Christopher

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Dog Rescuer

Mine has the T444E - I like the engine - does 70mph - and gets about 12-14mpg right now - but will likely change as I build the interior. Overall - great mid-size bus. I look forward to venturing through all the State Parks.
- Roger

I'd love to see your bus some time. How many rows is it??

[Dog Rescuer]

It had 8 seats and space for a few wheelchairs.

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

I'd love to see your bus some time. How many rows is it??

[EastCoastCB]

Cool. By "rows" - how many windows are on each side other than the drivers window? Looks about the size of mine. Mine is a 6 window.

[EastCoastCB]

BTW- this is Dixie. We rescued her this year!

[Dog Rescuer]

Ah - 8 windows (not including the drivers window) - the bus is 28' - which perfectly fits in my backyard!

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Cool. By "rows" - how many windows are on each side other than the drivers window? Looks about the size of mine. Mine is a 6 window.

[Dog Rescuer]

What a face on that dog! Love it!

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

BTW- this is Dixie. We rescued her this year!

[EastCoastCB]

She wandered over to a friends property. We think she was dumped or possibly just escaped from some redneck hunting dog breeding nightmare. We cleaned her up, took her to the vet we work with for the animals we rescue, and had her spayed.
She's the BEST dog ever!
And she can climb!


Sorry for the thread drift...


Your bus looks like its a 7 row, maybe 8. NICE size bus.
CadillacKid and myself both have VERY similar buses to yours. I'm in Apopka/Eustis and he's in St Pete or Ohio depending on what he's doing. We really should all get together some time!
We're really getting to know and understand the 444e in these things.

[robbieinc]

Originally Posted by Dog Rescuer

What a face on that dog! Love it!


Attachment 12940

Ahh you have the floor rails too!! So far they've been a huge pain to tear out.

[robbieinc]

Originally Posted by Versatile

Front shocks about $45.00 each will stop the bouncing. At 253k you most likely need all the way around.

I've been thinking about replacing these. Still trying to locate the part # on the shock... haha

[robbieinc]

A nice evening photo. haha I was surprised how much air this bus utilizes. Brakes, suspension, the door, even the stop sign and cattle guard ran on air.

[EastCoastCB]

Very cool.
Driving it regularly?