Opinions on mid engine Crown

[Coalforge]

Looking for opinions on the Crown buses with the engine forward of the rear axles. This is a 6_71 that lays over sideways and twin rear axles. Thanks

[Elliot Naess]

A lot of people seem to consider that bus the Bugatti Royale of school
buses. Except there are many more of the Crowns! I see them still
hauling kids in Southern California.

That bus may give you the most interior floor space of any skoolie -- the
engine does not take up any space and with two drive axles it is probably
40 feet long. What is the passenger capacity (kids)... 97 or so?

I had one such get away from me for $500. I see others for sale for
$16.000. Condition, of course, is everything.

Some people report overheating from lack of airflow to the side-mounted
radiator. That's probably fixable. I don't care for the Detroit two stroke
engines, but some folks love them. Many of those buses had 10 speed
stick shift transmissions, and some of us will kill for those.

Others, who actually own such wonderful beasts, will be reporting in soon.

[frank-id]

Crown buses are tough and were over built. These fine old buses have proven their ruggedness over and over. The engines are a bit difficult to work on but the design has not been improved. These buses are of the old mentality of a long valuable service life. The only real method of evaluating a Crown is to own a Crown and drive a couple thousand miles. I own too many buses, including GMC, Thomas and some Crowns. The mechanics and the design are very solid and long lasting. Not all mechanics can or will work on the engines. Just about every time my Crown and I go for a ride, folks are always asking, what kind of bus is that? Presently, Crown buses are selling at a very low cost. A new buyer must be aware, as not every Crown has new or low time power train componets. I recently had to salvage a couple Crowns as the rust was very destructive and the buses could not be saved. I have now taken about 6 Crown buses apart for parts and the construction workmanship is always outstanding. There are no hammer adjustments to any body fitment. The Crown powerplants are very excellant great engines with the DD 6 71 and the Cummins small cam. I'm partial to Cummins. I shall change my Crown to an Allison Automatic as soon as I can find the necessary parts. Crown buses are the best. Frank

[the_experience03]

You better upload a sound clip of that 671 roaring on a cold morning if you buy it. There really is no comparison to that two stroke sound, kind of like an old radial aviation engine or that classic V-8 rumble.

[Coalforge]

One of the advantages of the 6-71 to me is that I have had a number of them in boats over the years and am comfortable working on them. Also, I have a lot of parts and the special wrenches and such.

[busone]

I just happened to have an mp3 file of a 671 screaming away. I think it was recorded inside a bus so you can hear other noise as well as the engine.

http://www.skoolie.net/gallery2/v/Skooli ... 1.mp3.html

http://www.skoolie.net/gallery2/d/13894- ... 40dad03369