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Old 05-10-2022, 10:42 AM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: Western NY
Posts: 24
Year: 2006
Chassis: International RE300
Engine: DT466E, Allison 5 speed
How high is high mileage?

Hey all!
Still looking for the bus of our dreams...
Looking into Crowns more and more, and wondering how concerned we should be with mileage?
For example: 300k+ mileage on a 90' RE crown?
From what we've researched Crowns can be million mile buses, and we would probably never get close to that mark even if we started at 300k.
The appeal of an all mechanical bus is making us lean in this direction but would like to hear opinions on what I would consider high mileage and if others in this group would have similar concerns.
Kindly,
Daniel

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Old 05-10-2022, 11:17 AM   #2
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Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Western MT
Posts: 671
Year: 1990
Chassis: Crown Supercoach
Engine: Detroit 6-71TA, 10 sp.
Rated Cap: 90 (40')
I have no doubt that Crown_Guy will be along shortly to answer your questions. Until then, I'll share my less-experienced opinion.

How many hours on the engine? 300k miles of regular school bus routes is a lot more stress than 300k of highway miles. If this was a fleet maintained California activity bus used for long distance trips, I wouldn't be too worried about 300k.

If you think you will keep your bus for many, many years and you have the funds or experience or mechanical aptitude to do your own engine overhaul someday, then go with a Crown and don't worry about 300k miles. All drivetrain parts on a Crown are repairable or replaceable and parts for a 1990 are still be readily available today. I'm guessing that RE has a 6V92, so it may be a bit tough to find a qualified 2-stroke mechanic for it, but it can be done.

Finding a Crown is the hard part. The rest is just money and time.
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Old 05-10-2022, 02:04 PM   #3
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: mid Mo.
Posts: 962
Year: 1976
Coachwork: bluebird
Chassis: F33695
Engine: 427 chevy converted to 466
Rated Cap: 84
Pulled a C7 Cat out of a 250,000 mile BB w 8000 hours, put a new head on it and installed it in my service truck, runs out great. (newer head and injectors, nothing in the lower end was done to it). It ran a bus route on gravel so if well maintained I wouldn't shy away from it.
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Old 05-10-2022, 08:11 PM   #4
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Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: SoCal
Posts: 404
Year: 1989
Coachwork: Crown Coach
Chassis: 40ft 3-axle 10spd O/D, Factory A/C
Engine: 300hp Cummins 855
Rated Cap: 91
I heard that. Yep. I could'a missed this.... Crown in the title always works.

Actually there are some more questions you should get answers to.

Crown was near it's end in 1990 and they were building the Crown II with the squared off front and rear caps body style. They also were still making the classic look Supercoach which is what most Crowns are. There was a variation of the Classic Supercoach made with rear engines which were usually only 8.3L Cummins. Don't think I've seen one of these with the DD 6V-92.

If it is a Crown II and has the square style front and rear caps then a very good chance it is the DD 6V-92 2-stroke. But I've seen them with CAT 3208's as well as the 8.3 Cummins. These are the basic questions you should be asking. Nail down the specifics of the bus as built and it's history and type of service it was used for. This will tell you a lot.

They both will likely have an Allison MT64X transmission, with a very few rare examples of Crown II's ordered with the 6V-92 having a higher horsepower option being mated to the totally bulletproof HT740. This drive-line combo is Exactly what is put into all the MCI, Prevost, etc. ultra long distance highway service charter and tour coaches. It doesn't get any better than this combo. These are Unicorns but are out there and I've known a few owners who will NEVER part with them, for good reason.

The mileage issue is almost always a moot point with a Crown since they are so over engineered with much heavier materials in every part of the vehicle they will easily approach million mile life. The things to watch are rust, corrosion due to ocean or road salt environments, even though they are mostly aluminum there is enough steel to corrode in places, overall maintenance performed over it's life and how well it was done. General idea of how it was driven and treated and the routes and activities it was used for can provide clues. Almost all Crowns I've seen will have 250-450K miles and it means nothing if the running gear and body are in decent enough condition to warrant being repaired. As Tejon7 said above most all the wearing components are readily available and can be used to restore the Crown to like new condition. All it takes is money, and the will and deep pockets to spend it. They really don't cost that much and many are surprised how reasonable it can be. With the added huge bonus that once you repair something on a Crown you'll likely never need to do it again for the rest of your life because you can't put enough miles on it as it was designed to provide in commercial service. The more you drive a Crown the better it likes it and the fewer problems you'll have.

The best test is to drive it if possible, and even better if a Crown experienced driver can road test it for you and give their evaluation of how it compares to other Crowns they've driven. An experienced Crown driver will know real fast how it fares compared to other Crowns. Anyone else driving a Crown for the first time will not have a clue and will most likely miss both good and bad warning signs. Caveat Emptor. They are a distinctive breed all their own with very unique driving characteristics. This can make it very difficult to offer an informed evaluation since it all will be new and unusual for anyone new to driving a Crown.

Feel free to contact me direct if you have question or need advice.
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