Advice on Purchasing this Bus

[McJYB]

Hello, I received wonderful help last time I posted about a bus that I was looking to buy. Unfortunately, that seller has no longer been responding to me and I suspect that the bus has been sold. I found another one here within my price range that looks to be interesting and I would love some input.

Year: 1985

Miles: 33,438

VIN: 1FDMB60H6JVAO3621

Asking $3,000

I want to figure out what engine and transmission is in this thing but I am not sure how.

I am a bit cautious that it is a Ford because I’ve read a lot about Fords having issues. However, this doesn’t look like your typical Ford bus so I am not really sure.

See attached photos for more information. I appreciate the help this community gives!

[cadillackid]

the **BIG** thing about fords is does it have Lucas girling hydraulic brakes? if so then do your homework.. parts are harder to come by for those and more expensive than for other braking systems.. that almosat looks like it may be..


the real telltale is if it has the yellow dash mounted airbrake-style park brake and spring cans on the rear, at least thats how I understand the LG brakes work they dont use a standard johnson bar on a drum for parking brake..



bus does look like it has factory Air conditioning.. thats a nice plus

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

my 86 ford has the 8.2N/A and the 545.
if i knew then what i know now i would have stayed away from both.

[PorchDog]

From my limited research-- the engine would be a 370 or 429 V8 gasoline engine. That Ziebart sticker is worrisome... butttt--- that is a sharp looking rig, and to have factory AC is a rarity-- at least in our part of the country back at that time...

[Kentucky Dreaming]

Originally Posted by PorchDog

From my limited research-- the engine would be a 370 or 429 V8 gasoline engine. That Ziebart sticker is worrisome... butttt--- that is a sharp looking rig, and to have factory AC is a rarity-- at least in our part of the country back at that time...

Definitely a gas engine. If my ancient eyes didn't completely fail me, The Ziebart rustproofing was done when the rig was brand new, according to the date.. Good looking bus and a decent price. What tranny does it have?

[McJYB]

Are you saying that the other brake option isn’t much of an issue?

I don’t know if I exactly understand what you mean with your description. Are you describing the problematic brake system or another one that would be more desireable?

[McJYB]

Originally Posted by Kentucky Dreaming

Definitely a gas engine. If my ancient eyes didn't completely fail me, The Ziebart rustproofing was done when the rig was brand new, according to the date.. Good looking bus and a decent price. What tranny does it have?

Not sure what transmission it has. Was hoping to get some help with that.

[Kentucky Dreaming]

I looked it up on the NHTSA site. It shows that the incomplete body was a 1988 Ford B600, which matches the VIN plate in your photos. It is a 370 cubic inch ford engine with 2 barrel carb. Transmission and rear end gear are not listed. It was built here in the great state of Kentucky at the Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville.

https://vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov/decoder/Decoder

Maybe other smarter folks than this simple uneducated hillbilly can me more help.

[Kentucky Dreaming]

Looking back at your first post, I see in the photos that the original carburetor has been replaced with an Edelbrock. Can't tell if 2 or 4 barrel. Can't remember them making a 2 barrel. It may have been hot-rodded a bit.
Can you ask the seller about tranny and brakes?

I haven't ridden a school bus since 1980. Back then our county ran Fords & Internationals. I never got stranded in either. Back then they were all gassers with manual trannys. This one is a few years newer.

[cadillackid]

carb looks almost like a 4 barrel.. not sitting up real high and manifold doesnt look "shiny".. so its either eddie mnade a 2 barrel or its on a low rise adapter plate..



the 370 was pretty gutless.. our schools bought some ford superiors and ford carpenters brand new in 1980.. the bus drivers all complained about how they wanted their internationals back.



in fact thats how I got to ride my first S-series (we called those the new busses with the hood hump).. because the driver who had a 79 wayne S-series retired and mny bus driver gladly gave her new ford carpenter (the bus in this thread is a carpenter).. to the new driver incoming and took the IH wayne which she loved..


so braking systems - these busses were offered with a hydrovac system (it woud have a booster on the firewall like a regular car).. hydrovac was available on gas engines (I dint think it came on diesels)..



or they offered the Lucas girling (this looks like it very well might be the LG)... the issue with the LG system is parts are difficult to get, it is a PITA to get it all adjusted right.. when it works its a reallty good braking system, it does a good job.. when looking for parts, dorman makes aftermarket parts for part of this system, however those in my vintage bus groups have stated more than once that the dorman parts either often dont fit right or fail early on.. ive not personally worked on the LG more than just replacing a line and got lucky it all worked right.. I have shyed away from buying ford short busses for the reason.. but do your own research on this bus.. if it were me this would be one i would noit want to buy sight unseen, id want a look-see-drive trip to make my decision..


the 3rd brake system offered was standard air brake system which was as reliable as any other.. I think ford used Haldex which was very similar to Bendix that IH used..

[Mekanic]

With the extra hyd pump (do I see another on the pass side?)
I think it does have the LG brakes .

Air brakes are the best for parts availability.

[Rucker]

If you have a strong mechanical background, it might be the right deal.

As others have said, older vehicles, even with very low mileage (and who's to trust the odometer reading, quite questionable IMO) things break, and finding help with troubleshooting and parts is a greater challenge the older the bus gets.

Nearly 40 years old-urgh.

Those wheels have special rims. On older vehicles I would worry about major suspension repairs such as king pins, bearings...

The math for such a purchase is Market value minus purchase price minus cost of drive train and suspension repairs for roadworthiness.

But if you have limited tools and knowledge of repair, such vehicles are simply too risky and will severely impact your on-the-road enjoyment, and likely, your wallet.

Having said all that, three grand is pretty tempting, eh?

[Ronnie]

Neat bus, I tend to get into old buses. Restomoding one now. However I have a much newer Thomas safe t liner for my long distance traveling bus. Modern reliability and readily available parts, as well as common size and type of tires. All this makes it easier to repair on the road. Old buses can become a real problem to repair far from home, parts and tires are harder to get. The rims on this bus many shops will not touch, so carry a spare. Do you feel like you are mechanically savvy? If so and you want something differant it would sure be a neat one to have. Otherwise run the other way.