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Old 03-09-2018, 11:45 PM   #1
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Best bus

I have been looking at buses for the last couple of months with the intent of converting one. I have a buddy who has experience of driving buses on the highway ( tour, ect ) He has advised me to stay away from any rear engine type of bus because of overheating and other mechanical problems plus working on. I have looked at a flat nose Blue bird last week with a front engine and though it was really loud even after warmed up The owner said that there was extra sound proving installation in the engine cover. Maybe so but the wrong kind ( Fiberglass wall /ceiling insulation) and little of it I think. The Cummins engine had only 80, 000 miles on it and was pretty smooth running, it just seemed loud setting there next to the driver.
My question is front engine or rear engine , flat nose or dog nose ? Any input and advice is welcome.
I drive a Chevy long bed dually Diesel, a 2500 extend cab chevy and a 4 winds 31 ft Class C RV. But I want a schoolie.
Kentuk

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Old 03-10-2018, 04:29 AM   #2
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Originally Posted by kentuk View Post
I have been looking at buses for the last couple of months with the intent of converting one. I have a buddy who has experience of driving buses on the highway ( tour, ect ) He has advised me to stay away from any rear engine type of bus because of overheating and other mechanical problems plus working on. I have looked at a flat nose Blue bird last week with a front engine and though it was really loud even after warmed up The owner said that there was extra sound proving installation in the engine cover. Maybe so but the wrong kind ( Fiberglass wall /ceiling insulation) and little of it I think. The Cummins engine had only 80, 000 miles on it and was pretty smooth running, it just seemed loud setting there next to the driver.
My question is front engine or rear engine , flat nose or dog nose ? Any input and advice is welcome.
I drive a Chevy long bed dually Diesel, a 2500 extend cab chevy and a 4 winds 31 ft Class C RV. But I want a schoolie.
Kentuk
Personally I favor RE...I have no personal experience though...it's just "out back" when operating...thus no noise or heat in the driver's area...though a CE may be easier to service...I think it's mostly personal choice though

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Old 03-10-2018, 06:56 AM   #3
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any front engine will be loud, they are not made for comfort. i was looking at dog nose buses until i drove a rear engine model. most rear engine models are made to transport kids from school to school for activities or games. they have the big motors, transmission with lockup, highway gears, high ceiling, belly storage and air conditioning. as far as them overheating, any bus will overheat if a part breaks, the cooling system will keep a engine just as cool as a front engine model. as far as working on them if you have to remove the head or block yes its harder, most times they just unhook the engine and tranny and just roll the whole thing out the back. mechanical engines pre 1997 are much easier to work on no matter where they are.
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Old 03-10-2018, 06:58 AM   #4
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It's a personal choice, there is no wrong or right answer.

The dog nose buses look like they would be easier to work on, but harder to drive. plus in a conversion you lose that five foot or so in unable length.

The FE are louder, and hotter and generally harder to work on, and have a long drive shaft but they allow you to have the back door which serves as a toy hauler or a garage.

The RE are quiet, cool, easier to work on, give you the most inside usable space, have no drive shaft so you can add a basement but you lose your garage and back door.

Everyone will have an opinion... I picked a RE because of the heat and noise while traveling. I don't need a garage or toy hauler and I wanted a basement for battery banks, tanks and general storage.

Everyone has to weight their options and pick what works for them. There is no "Best Bus"

The same statement goes for length, shorty, mid size, long.. they have have their pros and cons... Think about what you want to do with your bus and then narrow it down.

James
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Old 03-10-2018, 07:30 AM   #5
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Originally Posted by kentuk View Post
...advised me to stay away from any rear engine type of bus because of overheating and other mechanical problems plus working on.
I think "any" is much too strong. I've owned two side-radiator, diesel pushers and loved them - certainly no cooling issues. That said; I have heard that rear-engine rigs with a rear radiator (as opposed to side radiator) can be less than ideal to work on (since the radiator is in the way).

To what mechanical problems is he referring? I've never heard of any rear-engine rigs having any "engine location specific" mechanical problems. I suppose one possibility is the radiator fan drive system - I've never had problems with that.

As James said, not having a full length driveshaft can be a huge advantage!

The quiet afforded by the rear engine is a wonderful thing! At least when making longer drives.
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Old 03-10-2018, 10:57 PM   #6
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Very good build pictures. Shows just how much work is involved if you want something nice . This sir is a very nice house NO GETTO.
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Old 03-10-2018, 11:15 PM   #7
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Just think logically about the rear engine scenario, regardless of what some mechanic might say.

The best-specced, most expensive buses out there on the school market are fitted with rear engines.

Our district just bought three, and they were over $160 000 each.

We do not throw money away.
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Old 03-11-2018, 04:08 AM   #8
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If I bought another bus it would probably be a late model dog-nosed bus. About 30 foot long, but then again, I don't plan on full-timing in it.
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