81-89 International parts availability...

[Fox Slider]

Wondering how available most every part is. Or what are the hard to get parts if any.

Where to get them?

I saw that a lot of parts from 90-04 or somn like that are swappable.

Preciate any input.

[cadillackid]

On the conventional chassis many parts are similar but of course not all. Some systems are very standard like air brakes.. I have a 1978 and have found every brake valve, chamber etc that I’ve needed.. suspension and steering parts are pretty available I replaced the 1978 steering box and rear end with ease..

But some parts are tougher if they were more specific to a year or model .. ie someone looking for a 6.9 IDI radiator bottle .. that engine was a few years and prob not as popular as the turbo DT engines were.. but a 345 gasser was used in the scout so there’s a huge aftermarket following for 345 related parts. Of course some engines had a long life. The DT466 was in the 81-89 but was virtually unchanged until 94, so many are still around you can easily get parts for dt466. Transmissions were used even in more than one manufacturer so you can get rebuild kits for most manual and auto trans that were offered.

Now bus body parts are a completely different story. Superior Wayne and carpenter are all gone kaput completely. Ward / amtran were absorbed by international however anything other than an IC (the newest) brings blank stares at the parts counter. Thomas and bluebird are still around and are even helpful in helping people find parts and documents for their busses. In the 91-89 years ward was the name. I believe IH had their finger on them then but they still seemed separate as well.parts for the old ward bodies are hard to get.

Some parts are generic like heater motors, they are easily retrofittable. Except superior who used all counterclockwise blower wheels of a Wierd size

[Fox Slider]

Preciate that!

Just found a 86 1753, idi 6.9. Fb post 1 hour old, im like i know nobody beat me yet. lol BUT he said its a 3 spd manual. I was pretty excited for a second. lol. damn.

i mean, if 3 spd aint that bad i can do it. I figured its not as good as 5.

[cadillackid]

Never heard of a 3 speed.. I’m guessing it’s 4 speed with a granny gear for 1..

6.9 IDI isn’t going to get you anywhere very fast. It’s a non turbo V8 diesel. If the bus is a short shorty prob be fine but full size bus and a mild conversion prob be ok but a heavy conversion with lots of tanks and mods nah I wouldn’t want that motor

[Brad_SwiftFur]

I picked up a non-turbo 7.3 full length bus for a fellow forum member. Top speed was 55 on flat ground, 60 downhill, and 40-45 uphill, depending how steep the hill was - and mind you, that was unladen. From GA, that was a long ride back to Michigan for him.

[Fox Slider]

cadillac, right! ok good to know. it didnt show up on wikipedia. Ya its a 6 window shorty. Bout 1500 miles away too.

brad, good info. guess it all depends on gearing. But even if its a 4 speed, im kinda hesitant on it.

i did just read the 83,84, early 85 6.9 blocks were a thinner casting and more prone to cracking by the block heater. Making 86-87 the ideal block + had 7.3 rockers and revised glow plug design.

Edit: btw its literally a 3 speed manual, so he says. lol. Might be a mountain rig? (north carolina) id like that, but its too much sacrifice for interstate for me.

[Fox Slider]

I got an 87 i want 20 miles from me. But guy doesnt get on FB (i dont blame him) and wont respond. arrrgg. (motor/trans still undetermined)

[Brad_SwiftFur]

Originally Posted by Fox Slider

brad, good info. guess it all depends on gearing. But even if its a 4 speed, im kinda hesitant on it.

It wasn't just the gearing. The non-turbo engine just didn't have enough oomph to maintain highway speeds up even modest up-grades. Which is fine for puttering around neighborhoods picking up and dropping off kids, not so much for something intended to be a highway cruiser.

[Fox Slider]

Oh ok. Ya, i'll have to accept mad slowness on hills or grades. Long as i can go 60 flat that would be great.

[cadillackid]

be wary of north carolina busses many of them were geared to only go 45.. seen more than one NC bus with 7.17 rear gears..

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

6.50 rear gear in my 86 NC bus.
49mph tops with the 8.2 at 175 hp
even with a governor spring change.
and NC loved the 545 tranny back then.
i wouldnt expect any NC bus from that era ever running 60 even for an activity bus.

[Fox Slider]

Cool, good to know.