Thoughts or input on this bus/ specs??

[theavgs]

Hi all, I'm looking at a bus, located close to home (a big plus) but wanted to ask if anyone has an opinion on the bus specs:

1992 International 3700 Conventional School Bus, Blue Bird Body, International Navistar A170 (447CID) 7.3 Liter 170 Horsepower Diesel Engine, Allison 4-Speed Automatic Transmission, Hydraulic Brakes.

The owner does not know which Tranny it has.

Thanks for any input

[PNW_Steve]

Welcome,

You did not mention the size of the bus.

From the other info you provided I am going to guess that it has an Allison AT-545 transmission.

Given that it has a low hp engine and hydraulic brakes, it is a low spec bus and is unlikely to have an MD3060 or MT643 transmission.

Another question will be what rear end gears does it have?

You may well be looking at a bus with a top speed under 60mph that will struggle going up hills.

To get a better idea find out the size of the bus, the transmission and the rear gears.

If you found that it is a full size bus with an AT-545 and 5.38 or higher rear end I would run away 'cause you can probably outrun the bus....

[theavgs]

It is a 65 passenger bus. 11 or 12 window I think. Current owner has no info on tyranny or gears and said there is a governor set at 65MPH.

[PNW_Steve]

If you get the VIN# from the seller and call your local International dealer they should be able to give you transmission & rear gear details.

[PNW_Steve]

What are your plans for the bus?

If it is for the occasional local camping trip then I would not be as concerned. If you want to do significant travel then the drivetrain becomes more important.

My personal preference is for a bus with a big engine and overdrive transmission. I held out for a (relatively) low miles 40' bus with an 8.3 Cummins and an MD3060 transmission. I paid $3800 including auction fees. I have seen similar buses at auction sell for $2100-$6500.

Given that, for most of us, the cost of the bus itself is much less than we are going to spend on the conversion it makes sense to start with the best foundation we can.

To be fair, Brokedown traveled the country successfully in a T444e/AT545 equipped bus. Several others have as well. I just don't have the patience.

If someone had given me the option of a free T444/AT545 bus for free or spending $3800 on a bus with my prefered drivetrain I would stick with the 8.3/MD3060.

Just my $0.02

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

What are your plans for the bus?

If it is for the occasional local camping trip then I would not be as concerned. If you want to do significant travel then the drivetrain becomes more important.

My personal preference is for a bus with a big engine and overdrive transmission. I held out for a (relatively) low miles 40' bus with an 8.3 Cummins and an MD3060 transmission. I paid $3800 including auction fees. I have seen similar buses at auction sell for $2100-$6500.

Given that, for most of us, the cost of the bus itself is much less than we are going to spend on the conversion it makes sense to start with the best foundation we can.

To be fair, Brokedown traveled the country successfully in a T444e/AT545 equipped bus. Several others have as well. I just don't have the patience.

If someone had given me the option of a free T444/AT545 bus for free or spending $3800 on a bus with my prefered drivetrain I would stick with the 8.3/MD3060.

Just my $0.02

I'm with Steve on this one.

[brokedown]

Hey don't group me in on this one, that bus has the predecessor to the T444E. I'd be not excited about a T444E in a full length bus and REALLY not excited about the 7.3 IDI.

T444E was introduced in 1994 so the first buses with them will be late 1994 or 1995.

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by brokedown

Hey don't group me in on this one, that bus has the predecessor to the T444E. I'd be not excited about a T444E in a full length bus and REALLY not excited about the 7.3 IDI.

T444E was introduced in 1994 so the first buses with them will be late 1994 or 1995.

I missed the year.

11 window with a 7.3idi and AT545 would be a prime candidate for a stationary tiny home.....

[theavgs]

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

I missed the year.

11 window with a 7.3idi and AT545 would be a prime candidate for a stationary tiny home.....

Well, seeing as how we would like our tiny home to move on the highway, we decided to pass on this one. Thanks for all the good input.

And why is finding a manual transmission in a bus so difficult?? That would be our ideal if we could find one... anywhere.

[Ronnie]

wesellschoolbuses.com in Hudson Florida has some listed with 5 speed manuel trans.

[theavgs]

I did see those. Alas, I'm a CA boy... not sure I can justify the added expense to get that FL bus.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by theavgs

Well, seeing as how we would like our tiny home to move on the highway, we decided to pass on this one. Thanks for all the good input.

And why is finding a manual transmission in a bus so difficult?? That would be our ideal if we could find one... anywhere.

Not terribly hard to find. Most are 5 speeds with fairly wide ratios and no OD.

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by theavgs

Well, seeing as how we would like our tiny home to move on the highway, we decided to pass on this one. Thanks for all the good input.

And why is finding a manual transmission in a bus so difficult?? That would be our ideal if we could find one... anywhere.

I asked the same question of a school transportation manager and he told me that it was because they had too many Workman's Comp claims. Carpal tunnel issues.

[brokedown]

Manual transmissions are falling out of favor because it's another skill drivers would need to have for no realized benefit. An automatic can last forever in a typical neighborhood route bus. They went from being very common in the 80s to almost non-existent now.

[o1marc]

It's easy to tear up clutches/trannies if you don't know how to drive them. I'm sure maintenance costs are a factor in why schools don't usually have them. Plus everyone can drive an auto, so no extra training is needed.

[cadillackid]

wesellschoolbusses generally sells at MUCH inflated prices from standard market..



being in the SW it seemns decent busses with good auto transmission s come along in arizona fairly often..



decent mountain capable drivetrains show up in oregon, wash state. (stay away from fully coastal busses where it rains all the time)..



just make sure any bus from another stateyou want to title / reg in california isnt banned for some emission / EPA crap..
-Christopher

[theavgs]

Well, I think I found what I had been looking for... 1998 12 window bus with the DT466E and a Spicer 5-speed manual transmission. I have read great things online about the Spicer transmissions, although they seem hard to find now.

Besides the obvious running condition and maintenance type questions, any thoughts on this particular setup?

Thanks in advance.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by theavgs

Well, I think I found what I had been looking for... 1998 12 window bus with the DT466E and a Spicer 5-speed manual transmission. I have read great things online about the Spicer transmissions, although they seem hard to find now.

Besides the obvious running condition and maintenance type questions, any thoughts on this particular setup?

Thanks in advance.

Its a decent transmission but it doesn't have OD, fwiw.

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Its a decent transmission but it doesn't have OD, fwiw.

I wonder how easy it would be to slip a Spicer ESO66-7b in that one?

[slammer]

Interstate bus in wallisville Texas has s few