Willing to give some advice? Purchasing.

[david.dgeorge07]

Just got a little more info on bus #3. Trans type is MT643. That's good right?

[Robin97396]

Do you have a manual fuel shut off valve?

[david.dgeorge07]

Also the Genesis busses at the start of the thread - with the DT 466 motor - the guy told me that the transmission shifter shows both a D and a DD. I'm assuming an overdrive? Does anyone know what that might suggest about the model of the transmission?

[david.dgeorge07]

Originally Posted by Robin97396

Do you have a manual fuel shut off valve?

I don't know - which bus do you mean? Can you explain the importance?

[Robin97396]

You can't run a modern diesel engine without electricity because it has an electrically controlled fuel shut off valve. Got to have power for that solinoid to keep the fuel shut off valve open.

[david.dgeorge07]

Ok, I would love some feedback. I promise I have been doing a LOT of homework online, here and elsewhere and I trying not to have silly questions. I've physically looked at 5 busses now that were within driving distance. Boy what a story pictures don't tell! Anyway. My top contender is an

2000 International/AmTran 37.5' pusher
DT466
MD 3060.
148k miles.
Air ride
Air Brakes

Here are my main hangups: rear main is leaking oil, and tires are marginal. It is owned by a contractor that serves three school districts. They have volunteered to fix the oil leak. Asking price is less than $5k, which if they do fix the oil leak, I would want them to come down some for tires.

How much should I try to get them to come down for tires do you think?

Any advice appreciated.

[Tango]

On many diesels you can work around the fuel solenoid very easily. Just remove it and replace with a simple push/pull rod. That is what I did with my Cummins simply to eliminate one possible starting issue. Of course you do have to remember to turn it on.

[Robin97396]

I'm wanting to go with the manual fuel shut off too. It's more dependable.

That sounds like a nice bus. Replacement tires will likely cost you at least $1,500 for cheap tires to as much as $2,500 for good quality name brand tires. They should automatically repair the rear main leak, but for the money I'd press hard at getting some tires thrown in. But then I'm a cheap b**terd.

[david.dgeorge07]

That is very helpful. Thanks! One of the busses I drove yesterday had a manual fuel shutoff in the dash - it was a 1998 bluebird I think with a Cummins 5.9. Kind of gratifying to pull on the T handle to shut the thing down!

[cadillackid]

Originally Posted by Tango

On many diesels you can work around the fuel solenoid very easily. Just remove it and replace with a simple push/pull rod. That is what I did with my Cummins simply to eliminate one possible starting issue. Of course you do have to remember to turn it on.

some of the cummins you can have manual fuel shuit off.. the 24V I think requires power for the fuel pump?


the CAT 3126, C7, DT-466E (after about 1997), T-444E, VT-365 and all the MaxxForce engines use the computer far more than just for fuel shutoff and so they cant run without electricity..

Older DT360 / DT-466, CAT-3116. are mechanicals and can have T handle shut-offs..

adding a T-handle to a full electronic engine will attempt to run the fuel pump dry or dead head it which is possibly damaging..

-Christopher

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by david.dgeorge07

Ok, I would love some feedback. I promise I have been doing a LOT of homework online, here and elsewhere and I trying not to have silly questions. I've physically looked at 5 busses now that were within driving distance. Boy what a story pictures don't tell! Anyway. My top contender is an

2000 International/AmTran 37.5' pusher
DT466
MD 3060.
148k miles.
Air ride
Air Brakes

Here are my main hangups: rear main is leaking oil, and tires are marginal. It is owned by a contractor that serves three school districts. They have volunteered to fix the oil leak. Asking price is less than $5k, which if they do fix the oil leak, I would want them to come down some for tires.

How much should I try to get them to come down for tires do you think?

Any advice appreciated.

Sounds like a NICE bus. Offer em $4500 if they replace the rear main seal. Air ride, and the best engine tranny combo (imo). High headroom?

[cadillackid]

for that engine / trans combo itd be worth raising the roof..
-Christopher

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

for that engine / trans combo itd be worth raising the roof..
-Christopher

Yup. Hell I raised the roof for a 466/643!

I've never paid more than a couple grand for a bus, but if its rust free and nice I'd probably pay up to about the asking price. Nice RE's end up at dealers for 20 grand these days. At least in FL.

[cadillackid]

466 with a 643 isnt exactly a bad drivetrain.. i'd call that right up there at the top.. esp with 4.44 gears
-Christopher

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

466 with a 643 isnt exactly a bad drivetrain.. i'd call that right up there at the top.. esp with 4.44 gears
-Christopher

The fact that it was mechanical was what made me JUMP on it!
The air ride, auto slack adjusters, and storage compartments were just huge bonuses!

[cadillackid]

that same bus would probably be an 8k+ bus these days!
-Christropher

[david.dgeorge07]

The seller was responsive at first and then quit returning my calls over a week ago. I don't know what the deal is. I just put down earnest money on a Thomas Saf-T-Liner that's pretty similar. Has the CAT which I know has pros and cons, but is overall a MUCH cleaner and newer feeling bus. Rear layout and slightly shorter overall length is much nicer in the Thomas. And the Thomas has new tires.