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Old 02-07-2021, 10:11 PM   #1
Bus Nut
 
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Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 261
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DT466 / MD3060
Looking to purchase - 1991 International DT466

Skoolie Fam!
Newbie here - hope I'm posting this in a semi-appropriate place

My wife and I are looking at a 1991 International 48pass with a DT466 engine (dog nose) + already gutted.
Seller says it has been parked for 2 years. They're going to send me video of the bus / engine running.

My hesitations, and questions for you- bus has 310k miles on it. What do you all think of the DT466 @ 310k miles? Are there any issues that could arise from being parked for 2 years?
Also - we would have to drive the bus approx. 9hours to get it home

Overall the bus looks beautiful so far; already gutted, blue DT466 engine, auto Allison trans, the EXACT length we are are looking for. . . it is also the first bus we have found in our specs. Too good to be true, too soon?

We would be so grateful for any input. I really appreciate the infinite wisdom of skoolie.net crew - y'all have really been an invaluable resource already

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Old 02-07-2021, 10:28 PM   #2
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Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: NM USA KD6WJG
Posts: 1,324
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE 40 FEET
Engine: Cummins 8.3
Miles vs hours. 310k miles at 50mph or 310k miles at 10mph? Was it a route bus or activity bus. No body knows. Those are rebuildable engines. It may have already been rebuilt. 10000 miles per year. Again anybody's guess. All mechanical so you will be ready for the nuclear apocalypse. Where is this parked now? Do you know the age of the tires? 9 hours flat land driving or over mountain passes? Tell us more and we can offer more advise. Personally I think that the DT 466 was one of the best medium duty diesels built. Reliable and economical to repair. What Allison?
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Old 02-07-2021, 10:36 PM   #3
Bus Nut
 
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Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 261
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DT466 / MD3060
Thank you for the quick reply @s2mikon - getting more info from the owner tomorrow. Currently don't know the hours or exact transmission model. Asking for that info, as well as pictures of the oil, coolant, and trans fluid while he's at the yard - even a video-call if possible so i can get a virtual walk through.

Bus is currently in Bay Area, CA - driving it back to Las Vegas so it will be fairly flat the whole way - we'll go south past LA then head East into Vegas.

We're calling some friends and family in the area tomorrow morning as well to see if they can meet the seller to get some more info and eyes-on for us.
We're also looking at some diesel mechanics in the area that we might be able to pay to do a "house call" to check the bus to see if it is road-ready.

Again, appreciate the info and quick reply!
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Old 02-07-2021, 10:39 PM   #4
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Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: NM USA KD6WJG
Posts: 1,324
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE 40 FEET
Engine: Cummins 8.3
Why don't you take the 58 to barstow to the 15? Will cut some miles.
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Old 02-07-2021, 10:47 PM   #5
Bus Nut
 
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Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 261
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DT466 / MD3060
That's bat country! - we'll go whatever is fastest, i just did a quick glance at google maps ;)
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Old 02-07-2021, 10:57 PM   #6
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Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: NM USA KD6WJG
Posts: 1,324
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE 40 FEET
Engine: Cummins 8.3
You have 1 hill going up Tehachapi on 58 and 1 hill on I-15 called baker grade. Baker is a long one. If you go into LA you have to go over I-5 ridge route, One on the 210, and Cajone pass on I-15 and then baker grade on I-15. The less hill climbing in a new to you bus the better. They don't go real fast anyway so every mile you cut off is a minute saved. I used to drive this all the time long ago. In a truck. I avoid hills if possible.
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Old 02-07-2021, 11:01 PM   #7
Bus Crazy
 
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Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: NM USA KD6WJG
Posts: 1,324
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE 40 FEET
Engine: Cummins 8.3
And you could take I-80 east to Reno and then south to Vegas via us 95. Only 1 steep hill, and a much prettier drive.
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Old 02-07-2021, 11:06 PM   #8
Bus Crazy
 
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Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: NM USA KD6WJG
Posts: 1,324
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE 40 FEET
Engine: Cummins 8.3
ISAF2009 on this forum is in the bay area and has a repair shop. He sounds knowledgeable to me. You might send him a PM.
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Old 02-08-2021, 03:38 AM   #9
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Year: 1974
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Quote:
Originally Posted by s2mikon View Post
ISAF2009... He sounds knowledgeable to me.
Well, that's an understatement...
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Old 02-09-2021, 08:47 PM   #10
Bus Nut
 
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Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 261
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DT466 / MD3060
Thanks for the tip, I will definitely give them a shout right now!
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