Just won a Bus at auction! What to do Now?

clothesmaker · 08-11-2018, 05:32 PM

Good Day everyone, So yes I won a bus. It a
5 speed (Stick)1988 International 1753 53 Passenger School Bus, 7.3L V8 DIESEL DT466 IDI ( just learned what all that means)

So super excited and yes I geeked the freak out over it being a stick. but here is the kicker it is on the other side of the country in northern Cali surrounded by forest fires and in a school district that offer me the world to look over the bus and check fluids and charge batteries etc.. until the auction was over and I won the bus. than a complete flip... Now all they want for me to do is get a tow truck to remove the bus from there property and "root little piggy or die", (My mother- in- law quote) love her.

This is the 1st I'm telling the universe I have this bus and I am in a tailspin on getting some sort of insurance and permit to drive it back to my home State (NYS).

The adventure has begun. Still very excited mixed with a tad bit of WTH have I gotten myself into, but can't wait to start the renovation mixed with a bit of restoration.

The biggest thing is WHAT AM I GOING TO NAME MY NEW BEST BUDDY!!!
Hope to get enough together to meet this new strange thing in my life by the end of next week.

look forward to any and all advice.

Thanks

Raul aka Clothemaker

o1marc · 08-11-2018, 05:54 PM

They want you to tow your bus off their lot, is it not running? It'll take about $1500 in fuel to get it home. If naming it is the most important thing, you have your priorities messed up.

brokedown · 08-11-2018, 06:13 PM

It can't be a 7.3 while also being a DT466, the 466 is 7.6L... Sounds like you have the 7.3 IDI.

clothesmaker · 08-11-2018, 06:14 PM

Yeah I figured it would take about that amount to drive it back.
It need new batteries at the very least or a charge. will not know til I get out there?

Yes Naming may have been for entertainment value. You seemed amused by it? LOL

clothesmaker · 08-11-2018, 06:25 PM

Everything I read about DT466. There is a 7.3 DT466 IDI, (which is in my new bus) The turbo was adding in 1993 and the name change to 7.3L DT466.

But you may have more knowledge on this topic.

brokedown · 08-11-2018, 06:41 PM

Yeah, the listing is wrong. The DT466 is 466 cubic inches, hence the name. it's a big 7.6L inline 6. The 7.3 is 444 cubic inches, it's a V8.

brokedown · 08-11-2018, 06:42 PM

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intern...ester_IDI#7.3L <-- probably what you have

clothesmaker · 08-11-2018, 07:40 PM

Thanks for making that clear for you me.

HappyInTN · 08-11-2018, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clothesmaker

Good Day everyone, So yes I won a bus. It a
5 speed (Stick)1988 International 1753 53 Passenger School Bus, 7.3L V8 DIESEL DT466 IDI ( just learned what all that means)

So super excited and yes I geeked the freak out over it being a stick. but here is the kicker it is on the other side of the country in northern Cali surrounded by forest fires and in a school district that offer me the world to look over the bus and check fluids and charge batteries etc.. until the auction was over and I won the bus. than a complete flip... Now all they want for me to do is get a tow truck to remove the bus from there property and "root little piggy or die", (My mother- in- law quote) love her.

This is the 1st I'm telling the universe I have this bus and I am in a tailspin on getting some sort of insurance and permit to drive it back to my home State (NYS).

The adventure has begun. Still very excited mixed with a tad bit of WTH have I gotten myself into, but can't wait to start the renovation mixed with a bit of restoration.

The biggest thing is WHAT AM I GOING TO NAME MY NEW BEST BUDDY!!!
Hope to get enough together to meet this new strange thing in my life by the end of next week.

look forward to any and all advice.

Thanks

Raul aka Clothemaker

Congrats! We are only a few months into our own build. Linked below is our YouTube channel. Our struggles and solutions to issue may help you along as you start your own build. Good luck!

fadderall · 08-12-2018, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clothesmaker

Yeah I figured it would take about that amount to drive it back.
It need new batteries at the very least or a charge. will not know til I get out there?

Yes Naming may have been for entertainment value. You seemed amused by it? LOL

Im with you, I think naming is the most important. All them mechanical and money issues are cut and dried. There is a problem (something broken/x amount of funds needed) and clear steps to fix (get wrench / save x dollars), but that name needs to be plucked from the ether and forever attached to your project. Then again, Im not the average bear so take it with a grain of salt.
BTW I am sure you have seen this couple if you have been researching skoolies, but here is a video of them driving from LA to New York in their bus. The New York connection made me think of it. https://youtu.be/FW-OkDBMfsg

Pizote · 08-29-2018, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clothesmaker

Good Day everyone, So yes I won a bus. It a
5 speed (Stick)1988 International 1753 53 Passenger School Bus, 7.3L V8 DIESEL DT466 IDI ( just learned what all that means)

So super excited and yes I geeked the freak out over it being a stick. but here is the kicker it is on the other side of the country in northern Cali surrounded by forest fires and in a school district that offer me the world to look over the bus and check fluids and charge batteries etc.. until the auction was over and I won the bus. than a complete flip... Now all they want for me to do is get a tow truck to remove the bus from there property and "root little piggy or die", (My mother- in- law quote) love her.

What county is it in? PM me - Might be fun to drive it out for you.

Mr4btTahoe · 08-29-2018, 05:06 PM

If it's an IDI... it'll be fairly easy to get running unless the engine is just shot. Fairly cheap to work on as well... but will be slow in a full size bus. The DT466 is a medium duty direct injected straight 6... The 7.3 IDI is a medium duty v8.. indirect injected non-turbo (in most cases).

So you bought a bus... sight unseen.. 3k miles away...

Do you have a link to the auction? Any details on engine (mileage/hours), transmission, drive line, tires, etc..etc..etc..?

Are you planning on flying out and driving it back or..?

RevyRev · 08-29-2018, 10:09 PM

This is why I love this community!

RevyRev · 08-29-2018, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pizote

What county is it in? PM me - Might be fun to drive it out for you.

THIS is why I love this community! Awesome!

39henney · 08-29-2018, 11:58 PM

Where in California is it. I live in northern Ca and could possibly help get it out of the schools lot to save on towing.

MrBoogie · 08-30-2018, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clothesmaker

Good Day everyone, So yes I won a bus. It a
5 speed (Stick)1988 International 1753 53 Passenger School Bus, 7.3L V8 DIESEL DT466 IDI ( just learned what all that means)

So super excited and yes I geeked the freak out over it being a stick. but here is the kicker it is on the other side of the country in northern Cali surrounded by forest fires and in a school district that offer me the world to look over the bus and check fluids and charge batteries etc.. until the auction was over and I won the bus. than a complete flip... Now all they want for me to do is get a tow truck to remove the bus from there property and "root little piggy or die", (My mother- in- law quote) love her.

This is the 1st I'm telling the universe I have this bus and I am in a tailspin on getting some sort of insurance and permit to drive it back to my home State (NYS).

The adventure has begun. Still very excited mixed with a tad bit of WTH have I gotten myself into, but can't wait to start the renovation mixed with a bit of restoration.

The biggest thing is WHAT AM I GOING TO NAME MY NEW BEST BUDDY!!!
Hope to get enough together to meet this new strange thing in my life by the end of next week.

look forward to any and all advice.

Thanks

Raul aka Clothemaker

As far as insurance we used Progressive we also have Good Sam Club for roadside assistance as long as it's a conversion If they are giving you the standard week for removal you probably need to talk to a towing co out there & see if they have a storage lot they can tow it to so you have time to go get it. If it's not running you have your work cut out for you. Make sure you get all the details from the towing co & storage lot all pricing with no hidden fees.

mhurlene · 08-30-2018, 08:24 PM

I love your 'Root little piggy" quote - can't wait for my daughter to read it! (She has raised a few of those critters, but she is too kind-hearted for that.

Wish you all the best with your new best buddy, and, yes, names are HUGELY important!!