for sale 1999 Blue Bird 40' transit RE 8.3L

[family wagon]

For sale: 1999 Blue Bird.

• Transit style/type D/flat-nose
• 14 window, 40 foot length
• Interior height 73 inches
• luggage bay
• 100 gallon (I think) center-mounted fuel tank
• Cummins 8.3L ISC diesel rear engine
• MD3060 transmission
• 4.78 axle ratio
• Top speed at least 65 MPH
• Air suspension driver seat
• Cruise control
• High idle controls
• Locks on all doors

Located in Salt Lake City UT metro area. Asking $4800.

Notes: I haven't been able to make the high idle work -- it wouldn't surprise me if the engine computer disables high idle when temperatures are warm as they are now. The locks on the emergency exits operate from the interior only. The main door has a key cylinder on the outside but the cover over the keyway is jammed. Based on comparison to my other bus with 5.38 axle ratio which reaches 72 MPH, I estimate this one will probably reach mid to high 70's. I ran out of speed limit and road so couldn't push it to its max.

[dan-fox]

I'm interested! This one pretty much checks all my boxes.



What's the backstory? Did you buy this to flip it inside the community? Selling for a friend? Do you have the title and is it in your name? Where'd you buy it, or who sold it? Straight out of service? Do you have the service documentation?



Also, could I ask for date codes on the steer tires? I can see that it'll need 4 drive tires right off the bat.

[family wagon]

By the way: odometer shows 277k. I knew I had to forget something in the first post.

I have a habit of fixing things. I picked up this bus from a local school district last summer and this spring repaired the engine: complete set of new head bolts, head gasket, and one push rod. I was stunned when I discovered the ISC engine has 26 head bolts. Holy cow! But I digress. Anyway, it starts quick and runs nicely. I do have the title but haven't transferred it to my name since I had no intent to register it. (I'm not sure whether Utah will charge me sales tax and registration fees in connection with issuing a new title.)

The steers are dated 3410 and 1811.

[family wagon]

Looks like I need to improve the deal a bit. How about a better set of drive tires?

Edit: I should clarify. I'll get 'em put on the bus; buyer doesn't have to deal with that.

[PNW_Steve]

Nice looking bus!!

Do you have the service history?

[family wagon]

I submitted a request this morning for the service information from the district's transportation department. I'd never talked to this department before; the bus was sold through the surplus property department which gave me only the key and the title.

Didn't get a call back this afternoon, but I did discover that I actually know the person I spoke with, so I'm optimistic it'll work out.

[family wagon]

It took 'em a couple days, but I have received a copy of the maintenance log for this bus.

Anybody want to PM an offer? I'm afraid that if I keep this bus any longer I'm liable to do a roof raise on this one too, but I really need to get paint on my other bus before starting something like that! I might be persuaded to pull out seats or the interior sheet metal though.

[PNW_Steve]

Any indication in the service records of an in-frame?

[family wagon]

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

Any indication in the service records of an in-frame?

That's an in-frame engine rebuild, for those not familiar with the medium-duty engine lingo. These are designed to be rebuilable without having to remove the engine block from the vehicle.

They mention "replace cam shaft, tappet, etc" at 221k miles in 2012, but no mention of anything more extensive (pistons, rings, bearings, liners, etc). It's probably substantially original.

[Polarweasel]

I can't read any switch labels in the pictures... Does this have either a driveline retarder or an engine brake?

[tororider]

Body looks good. Any rust inside the wheel wells or on the frame?

[family wagon]

No, this bus does not have a retarder or engine brake.

I haven't spent any time under the bus checking for rust. I'll try to get out and do that tonight.

[wedge07]

Would like to buy. Please PM me at your earliest convenience.

[brokedown]

I recommend you multiply the price by 2 and post this on the Facebook skoolie groups. People seem to have deep pockets there.

[family wagon]

brokedown, maybe you're right -- I could have tried that, but I'd have had to sell my soul, or at least whatever's left of privacy, to Facebook first by creating an account with them. Not worth it!

Thanks for everybody's interest. This bus has been sold.