Need advice on engines

[witchywoman]

So I have found 2 possible buses that speak to me. Only problem is they don’t have the DT466 or T444E engines that everyone raves about on here.

One has a CAT C7 and the other has a VT365. I haven’t been able to find much about these other than googling the factory info. Does anyone have a Skoolie with either of these? Pros? Cons? How many miles have you really got out of them?

Thanks!

[Dead pirate]

Depends on the year. That cat sounds ok. I'm not familiar enough with the other to comment. I have the dt466e. I held out until i found it. $2500 on an amtran frame. 40'

[witchywoman]

Thanks. There is a 2005 International with the VT365 at 107728 miles and a 2004 Thomas with the CAT C7 at 184687. They have minimal rust visible which is good but like I said, I haven’t seen much about those 2 engines on here. They are 30ft buses too. I gave no space for anything bigger. Ha!

[CHEESE_WAGON]

VT365 is basically the same engine Ford markets as the 6.0L PowerJoke. Not sure if the Navistar version has the same problems, but I wouldn't want to find out the hard way.

[TJones]

The C7 is a much better engine than the vt 365. From what I have read the VT365 had the same problems as the Ford 6.0. The c7 having larger displacement and a 6 cylinder will likely be rated for more HP and torque as well as have better longevity.

Ted

[Ronnie]

The C7 can have problems with the fuel injection system , a known weak point. There is a dealer offered filter kit for it, that filters the oil (lubricating oil not fuel) before the injection pump.

Otherwise it seems to be a good engine.

The other engine I would pass on myself, as already stated it is related to the 6.0 powerstroke engine which has had lots of trouble. Unless you are a good mechanic and know what to do to "bulletproof" one it is not going to be worth paying someone to do it.

[Johnny Mullet]

I would take the CAT over the VT365 any day.

[ewo1]

Originally Posted by Johnny Mullet

I would take the CAT over the VT365 any day.

I second this! CAT over VT365 for sure!

But my personal preference is the DT466. While wet sleeve motors do come with their unique characteristics, What I really like about this motor over the CAT is the fact that you can perform an in-frame rebuild right in your own driveway whereas with the cat you gotta pull out the motor...and pay big bucks for parts!

[witchywoman]

Thanks for the info. Probably saved me lots of heartache and money.

[EastCoastCB]

Cat > VT365.

[witchywoman]

Let me ask this then. Is 272,000 too high on a 1998 International Thomas with a DT644E? I had been staring at that bus for a month before becoming paranoid and looking at the others. She is a 30 foot.

[PNW_Steve]

LOL ��

Now I know what it takes to get folks here, other than CB, to embrace CAT engines.

Just compare the CAT to a 6.0.......

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by witchywoman

Let me ask this then. Is 272,000 too high on a 1998 International Thomas with a DT644E? I had been staring at that bus for a month before becoming paranoid and looking at the others. She is a 30 foot.

Its slightly on the higher side. Find out the hours for a more complete picture of its history.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

LOL ��

Now I know what it takes to get folks here, other than CB, to embrace CAT engines.

Just compare the CAT to a 6.0.......

the c7 isn't my first choice ever. But its probably the best of that tier of medium duty engines. The motorhome crowd seems to like them other than having to take their bedroom apart to change the water pump belt!

[BamaBus]

Originally Posted by witchywoman

Let me ask this then. Is 272,000 too high on a 1998 International Thomas with a DT644E? I had been staring at that bus for a month before becoming paranoid and looking at the others. She is a 30 foot.

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Its slightly on the higher side. Find out the hours for a more complete picture of its history.

Mileage itself is not enough to decide on a bus. If it is a handicap bus with the lift, then it probably is going to have a lot more hours on the meter from idling than a bus just for running routes. I have such a bus and while the miles are low it has more wear on the other items under the hood due to the idle hours. I have the hood off and am in the process of replacing the radiator, water pump, fan clutch, hoses, and thermostat. So, it all depends. Other things to consider is the transmission. The fluid in this Allison 545 is borderline and I am draining it in hopes of saving the transmission, but you didn’t ask about it.

[witchywoman]

It is a handicap with a lift and has 11652 hours in the photos.

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

the c7 isn't my first choice ever. But its probably the best of that tier of medium duty engines. The motorhome crowd seems to like them other than having to take their bedroom apart to change the water pump belt!

Yeah, I would definitely lean towards the 3126 if given a choice but I would buy a C7 bus under the right circumstances. I live in a pretty rural area and CAT service is a bit far away.

Op: in "normal" areas this is not an issue. Where I live is just backwards. No McDonald's, Walmart or Home Depot and no CAT or Mercedes service.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by witchywoman

It is a handicap with a lift and has 11652 hours in the photos.

Find out any service history you can. That's not the worst amount of hours I've heard of. I had a 92 with 250k and 17k hours that ran great but those old mechanical engines were great.
Had a 2003 with 8500 and 180k that needed tons of work. If you hunt long enough you can get one with low miles/hours. My bus has 64k miles and 3900 hours. Paid $1600 on Public Surplus.
Most are going to have over 200k and 10k+ hours.