I've been watching this one for a while

[ziemy65]

can anyone give me any feed back on this bus as far as things I should look for, look out for etc. He had more pictures up before and has reposted it with a lower price. I know that it needs tires, and I know that it supposedly runs, but needs a carb cleaning and tune up before it will start right up because its been sitting for a bit. But yeah Im considering going and looking at it because its in my price range and in the years I'm looking for. All information is appreciated thanks!
School Bus RUNS! Low miles~!

[EastCoastCB]

Tires and tune up will be over two grand, at least.

[bansil]

Wow a big block chebby? That will get 4 miles to the gallon probably, just guessing maybe 6 miles

A new carb like an edlbrock will be about $200 probably easier to replace than rebuild quadrojet carb if equipped and will run better imo

[EastCoastCB]

I just don't like anything big with a gas engine. I drive a 1973 F750 once in a while to do errands and haul stuff. Its the neighbor's truck.
With the gas big block and manual trans I'm LUCKY to get more than about 3 mpg. My old gas Thomas got about 4-5.

[ziemy65]

oh wow I didn't realize the gas mileage would be that bad. Jeez! alright well not that one then lol. I would prefer a diesel anyways to hopefully eventually possibly go veggie with. thanks for the input!

[ziemy65]

I found one in pensacola, not a whole lot of info yet, he sent me some photos, said it needs an air hose and tires eventually. he doesn't know the mileage or if there's any mechanical issues but claims to have driven it and it seems to be fine. Im gonna try to post the photos he sent me and heres the link to his add. Blue 1990 GMC diesel school bus

[cowlitzcoach]

I would not only run away from that bus but I would run away really fast.

If it says it needs a carb cleaning then you need to take the "runs" statement with a grain of salt.

I can get you into a DT466 powered bus with an automatic for nearly the same $$$ and you would be $$$ ahead, even if you have to cross the country to get it.

[bansil]

Very informative ad

what engine?
trans?
brakes?
and body/make...interesting looking,

[Malkieri]

A bit of research makes it a Ward Patriot. Built off a modified GMC B chassis, and likely has one of the following 3 engines:
Detroit Diesel "Fuel Pincher" V8 8.2L
Caterpillar 3116 inline-6 6.6L
Caterpillar 3126 inline-6 7.2L
It does look like 1990 was the last year of the Detroit 8.2.

You would likely be the only 1 most places you take it. Could be a good thing as you may run into less Skoolie profiling in RV parks. There isn't a ton of info about them out there, but it looks cool to me.

[cowlitzcoach]

That is a Ward Patriot bus.

Most of those had GM chassis with the 8.2L non-turbo engine with an Allsion automatic transmission.

It isn't a bad bus but the engine is a bit of boat anchor. As long as it is running okay it isn't a bad engine. But GM stopped any parts support for that engine a long time ago so parts and pieces are beginning to get really few and far between.

Most of those engines were in the 170-210 HP range--not bad for routes but they start to really work at highway speed.

[bansil]

good info guys!

[ziemy65]

ahh i see, i like its look but would rather not run into impossible parts to find, although i do love a challenge =P but i have dealt with that before on my bug and it turns into a really sucky process real fast when a part is just nowhere to be found. Thanks for all the info! I will continue the look with all of that in mind =)

[ziemy65]

ah i found the older post that had more info on it.
Bus - Chevy Ward School bus 88k Miles Only

[crazycal]

It's a fo-fify. Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.

GASOLINE----Big Chevy Four-Fifty-Big-Block Engine.

[mokibrabrant]

To my knowledge Chevy didn't make a 450............The venerable 454..........of course and the 427............Interestingly they did make the 427TD "tall Deck" that was used in a lot of school bus applications................As to the OP and the topic that began this thread: All up to you. The claim one poster made regard 2000 grand for a carb and a tuneup is just way off the mark.........points, plugs, condenser, and maybe a new set of HT wires for less than a Hundred bucks................. All that aside I'd put consideration for that bus where the sun don't shine...............there's far better alternatives out there. As to the Detroit 8.2........I wouldn't put a penny into it. Drive it until the heads walk off into the belts.............and throughout ownership keep my eyes open for a drop in when it dies. Personally I'd keep my eyes open for a CAT turbo in the battle of the boat anchors............LOL............but the CAT in my opinion is a far Superior engine to that 8.2............and treated correctly.............will be a reliable engine just don't over-rev them..............turbo would give you 250HP.............and that CAT will come damn close to dropping right in there