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Old 02-05-2016, 11:32 AM   #1
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Question What engine and transmission do I use?

Hello, Skoolies

I own a 2003 All American Blue Bird and I love it so far. I bought it for only a few hundred dollars, but it needs a bit of work. In this project, I have three major phases: get it to run, gut it, build in it. I'm almost done getting to to run and almost done gutting it, too! The biggest part to get my bus driving again is a transmission. There, currently, is no transmission in the bus and I'm not sure what transmission I can use. From what I can tell, my bus is from the A3 series. It is also rear engine.

I've been told it's either an Allision MT643 or an Allison545. I was also told it has a DT466E engine.. but both of these suggestions are from Reddit. I'm hoping to get more of a solid answer from the Skoolie forums.

Thank you.

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Old 02-05-2016, 12:20 PM   #2
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These might help you out:

Service Manual for Blue Bird All American

What is the basis of the engine guess? Do you have pictures of it that you could share?
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Old 02-05-2016, 12:31 PM   #3
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These might help you out:

Service Manual for Blue Bird All American

What is the basis of the engine guess? Do you have pictures of it that you could share?
I've been looking at the manual and haven't found too much information yet. Nothing that tells me when I need. My bus doesn't have a transmission at all, haha. I'm heading over to my bus now and I'll take a picture of the engine.
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Old 02-05-2016, 12:58 PM   #4
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An Blue Bird All American is the Cadillac of buses. Cummins engine and probably a MD3060 but maybe a MT643.
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Old 02-05-2016, 01:36 PM   #5
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An Blue Bird All American is the Cadillac of buses. Cummins engine and probably a MD3060 but maybe a MT643.
The engine says ISC Cummins on it. Not sure what kind, though.

I need to buy a transmission kind of soon, would you put betting money on the MT643 or the MD3060?

Edit: did some more research, I believe the engine I have is the Cummins 8.3
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Old 02-05-2016, 02:15 PM   #6
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You can always take the VIN and contact the mfr and ask for the build sheet. No guarantees if they'll pay any attention to you, but some do and t's the Rosetta Stone for your bus; it says make and model of each little tidbit that went into it.
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Old 02-05-2016, 03:56 PM   #7
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Very sweet engine, but you need to know for sure what the bolt pattern is on the bellhousing or adapter. Probably an SAE3 but could be a two. It will go a lot smoother if you don't have to get/make an adapter to mount the tranny.

Check online for SAE transmission bolt patterns or have a mechanic check it before you invest to see what will fit and what will be involved. Some adapters are cheap, others outrageous and some trannies will bolt right up.

Good luck with it.
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Old 02-05-2016, 08:37 PM   #8
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Id bet my arse it had an MD3060--does it still have the shift selector in the dash?

If it does and its a push button one, then you know it was an electronic trans and most likely a 3060.

All the all americans I know of after the mid 90s came with the MD3060s

Thats probably the best engine and trans combo available in a school bus!
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Old 02-05-2016, 10:46 PM   #9
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Id bet my arse it had an MD3060--does it still have the shift selector in the dash?

If it does and its a push button one, then you know it was an electronic trans and most likely a 3060.

All the all americans I know of after the mid 90s came with the MD3060s

Thats probably the best engine and trans combo available in a school bus!
Awesome! Thanks! Yeah, it has a the push button reverse/drive selection thing. Awesome!!
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Old 02-05-2016, 11:38 PM   #10
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Let me know if you find any deals on 3060's.
I'm thinking of upgrading.
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Old 02-05-2016, 11:46 PM   #11
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Let me know if you find any deals on 3060's.
I'm thinking of upgrading.
I will!

It's hard finding one for a good price. I see a few for under 1k, some have some problems with being stuck in a gear sometimes.. that kind of thing. Then, of course, shipping (or driving 20 hours to pick it up). Oof, this is going to hurt my wallet.
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