Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 09-19-2019, 08:32 AM   #1
New Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 2
Reliable Engine?

Hi!
I'm new here and I'm finally ready to pull the trigger and make my first buy! I'm considering a 2006 Collins MFSAB(?) 4.8 liter Vortec V8 on a mini 9 passenger bus with 68,000 on it. Asking 9,000. Safety inspection completed . Are these reliable engines? Any input on whether or not this sounds like a good buy will be much appreciated!!

Bud19 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2019, 09:02 AM   #2
Bus Geek
 
brokedown's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Weeki Wachee, FL
Posts: 3,056
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC2000 FE
Engine: Cummins 5.9
Rated Cap: 72
My general rule is if you're looking for a reliable bus that will last you for years, you're not looking for one with a gas engine. There are some exceptions both directions.

With that said, I have no first hand experience with that engine. I also haven't really seen it in use outside of light duty pickups and SUVs. Personally I would avoid it.
__________________
Keep up with us and our build!
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter
brokedown is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2019, 09:22 AM   #3
Bus Geek
 
EastCoastCB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,762
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
Quote:
Originally Posted by brokedown View Post
My general rule is if you're looking for a reliable bus that will last you for years, you're not looking for one with a gas engine. There are some exceptions both directions.

With that said, I have no first hand experience with that engine. I also haven't really seen it in use outside of light duty pickups and SUVs. Personally I would avoid it.
In a van chassis a good late model gas engine is about as good as it gets. The 4.8 won't win any races but I've pulled huge loads with them. I'd hold out for a 6.0 at that kinda asking price.
EastCoastCB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2019, 09:23 AM   #4
Bus Geek
 
EastCoastCB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,762
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bud19 View Post
Hi!
I'm new here and I'm finally ready to pull the trigger and make my first buy! I'm considering a 2006 Collins MFSAB(?) 4.8 liter Vortec V8 on a mini 9 passenger bus with 68,000 on it. Asking 9,000. Safety inspection completed . Are these reliable engines? Any input on whether or not this sounds like a good buy will be much appreciated!!
Sounds like full retail price for a used van with a little more interior room.
EastCoastCB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2019, 10:18 AM   #5
New Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 2
Ok thanks for all the input! I'm going to keep looking.
Bud19 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2019, 04:49 PM   #6
Bus Nut
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 819
Year: 1993
Chassis: IH 3800
Engine: DT360
Rated Cap: 66
Price is high for a gasser but the engine in question is a solid performer. Seen countless engines of that generation with 250+k on the clock and no major failures.


That being said.. the price is steep. For that price, you could have a low mileage diesel bus.


Personally, I'd be looking for a shorty with a 7.3 powerstroke, 5.9 12v cummins, or 6.5 chevy (all van chassis). If its a legit short school bus.. a DT360 or DT466 would be a great find... but the same engines I listed above would do just as well.



Good luck on your search!
Mr4btTahoe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2019, 04:49 PM   #7
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 10
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr4btTahoe View Post
Personally, I'd be looking for a shorty with a 7.3 powerstroke, 5.9 12v cummins, or 6.5 chevy (all van chassis). If its a legit short school bus.. a DT360 or DT466 would be a great find... but the same engines I listed above would do just as well.
This. Picked up a 2003 7.3 turbo diesel (last year made before they gutted diesels due to emissions (like the Ford 6.0 POS)) 5 window shortie w/180k miles for $3000.

Flash forward 6 months and ~5k miles and I do not regret it. Plenty of power, bulletproof engine.
PagosaDosa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2019, 05:42 PM   #8
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Foot of the siskiyou mountains Oregon.
Posts: 222
Year: 1989
Coachwork: Thomas / international
Chassis: International
Engine: Dt 360/ spicer 5 speed
Rated Cap: 42
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr4btTahoe View Post
Price is high for a gasser but the engine in question is a solid performer. Seen countless engines of that generation with 250+k on the clock and no major failures.


That being said.. the price is steep. For that price, you could have a low mileage diesel bus.

Personally, I'd be looking for a shorty with a 7.3 powerstroke, 5.9 12v cummins, or 6.5 chevy (all van chassis). If its a legit short school bus.. a DT360 or DT466 would be a great find... but the same engines I listed above would do just as well.



Good luck on your search!
I have never seen a 5.9, or any Cummins engine, in a van/cutaway chassis. I honestly don't think they exist. Someone tell me otherwise
SolomonEagle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2019, 05:45 PM   #9
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Foot of the siskiyou mountains Oregon.
Posts: 222
Year: 1989
Coachwork: Thomas / international
Chassis: International
Engine: Dt 360/ spicer 5 speed
Rated Cap: 42
I'll
Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
In a van chassis a good late model gas engine is about as good as it gets. The 4.8 won't win any races but I've pulled huge loads with them. I'd hold out for a 6.0 at that kinda asking price.
Dang, the 4.8 must really be a pos if yr holding out for a 6.0. (I know many will disagree lol)I assume we're are talking gas engines here. I personally would take a 7.3l/t444 or go with a gas engine in a cutaway. 4.8 is a little small but Chevy engines have always been pretty durable. My ¢2;p
SolomonEagle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2019, 05:58 PM   #10
Bus Geek
 
EastCoastCB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,762
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
Quote:
Originally Posted by SolomonEagle View Post
I have never seen a 5.9, or any Cummins engine, in a van/cutaway chassis. I honestly don't think they exist. Someone tell me otherwise
Not in a van. But I think he meant look at shorties with the engines he listed regardless of chassis type.
EastCoastCB is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:29 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.