Opinions on the 8.2 deisel

[bdavis441]

I've found some 1990 MVP's with the 8.2 for a pretty good price. This is a rear engine flat front. I've heard good and bad about the 8.2. I know Jarlaxle seems to hate it while Greg Archembault seems to like them. The seller I talked to said they will run 75mph and get decent mileage (12-13). They have several available, some with reman engines. I have heard comments about them not lasting. But it seems that all of them with reman engines have had the engines installed with 100K+ on the bus. When people say they don't last, does that mean they only go 100K? versus 200 or 300K? If so, then that's fine with me, If I have 80-100K life left, great! So, does anyone think a 1990 mvp with a reman 8.2 and automatic that will run 75 mph and get 12mpg for $2000 sound like a mistake? Thanks for the input.
Brad

[paul iossi]

put me in coach , sounds like a sweet deal, any front engine buss available with that driveline? Where are you located? I'd jump all over a deal like that if it was front engine, dognose or flatfront.

[nyrockingchairs]

I just picked up a 1988 front-engine bus with that engine. I have only had it a month and the bus has 128K miles on it. I drove it back from Akron to Buffalo (220 miles or so) and averaged 10 mpg. The engine has a sticker with a rating of 2900 RPM max which puts me at a 65 MPH max with my AT545 tranny.

Other than that I have only driven on a couple of short trips, to the inspector and back, etc. The engine starts right up every time, smokes a little on cold starts if it is below 50 F out there, but that is to be expected.

I am in the process of converting to run on WVO, which I have been told that since these 8.2L's do not have an injector pump makes them excellent candidates for WVO.

I too was a little leary after reading about people who hated them and people who loved them, though I have no complaints so far other than changing the oil but that has more to do with the layout of the bus and the way the engine is mounted than the actual engine itself. This engine is actually pretty frugal on oil, only takes 3.5 gallons.

[bdavis441]

65mph and 10mpg sounds more realistic, but still very acceptable to me. I'll just have to take a close first-hand look and make an educated decision. This forum has given me some things to look for, which will be helpful. There are a lot of knoweledgeable people here, keep the input coming. Thanks everyone.

[trx]

I've had my 8.2 for a few years and so far I haven't had a problem. Always starts, only some of the usual white smoke when cold. I've probably put on around 9000 miles on the engine. Mine has just over 200k miles on it but it was rebuilt at around 60k miles. I'm not sure why it was rebuilt with such low miles. On some trips it's dragging around 30k lbs. Not too fast with that much weight but still gets up to speed. Mine tops out at about 63mph but seems to like running at 60mph. It seems for every 5,000lbs. of weight I add I add I loose about 1 mpg. I got around 11 mpg once empty (probably around 19k lbs.) and get 7.5 mpg when around 30k lbs. Those are not exact weights but guesstimates based off the one time I did weigh the bus.

Chad

[JonCBrand]

I have the 8.2L NA in my bus and must say it is quite dependable, it always starts and runs smooth. I have only a few complaints. Some days it will cruise at 60mph other days it decides 35mph is the top speed until I stop and shut it down for a few minutes they it goes to 62 again.
I feel that it is lacking on power but thats my opinion. I think the turbo ones would be much better.
Other than that it is quite dependable, My odometer is stuck at 68k so im not sure of the exact mileage.