Comments on the Cummins 8.3?

opus · 06-01-2010, 03:14 PM

I have a shot at one. Is there a reason why I would not want this engine?

crazycal · 06-01-2010, 04:11 PM

Horrible engine. Where did you say it was located.

I have one in a 1989 BB. 250 HP. Awesome engine. That would be my first choice for a school bus with a DT466 second.

opus · 06-01-2010, 04:36 PM

Ummm...its in Istanbul. ;)

1994, BB, RE, 150k, $5200 I think is the price.

crazycal · 06-01-2010, 07:43 PM

I don't think that's totally out of line if it's not rusted to hell. That motor is probably worth at least a few thousand alone.

opus · 06-01-2010, 07:46 PM

Montana, shouldnt be any rust at all. Going to look at it tomorrow I do believe.

crazycal · 06-01-2010, 07:56 PM

I got 10.5 MPG from AZ to CA. Bus weighs 23000 pounds. I say that's not too bad.

Elliot Naess · 06-02-2010, 01:01 AM

Don't even stop to pee. Just run up there and buy it.

opus · 06-02-2010, 04:29 PM

1993, 165k miles, 8500 hrs and a bit rougher than I would like.

crazycal · 06-02-2010, 04:32 PM

Hammer them on the price. Those motors are far and few between. It's gotta be in pretty bad shape to pass.

opus · 06-02-2010, 04:50 PM

Oil pressure was great until idle, it was in the red. It has no belly storage which is a must for us. There are quite a few 8.3's around here.

The body on it had been abused. It had been sitting for a least a year. MT doesnt take care of buses like most other states. This particular one came from a city route. They have a activities bus coming in in a week or so. They believe its the same thing but its just coming out of service. Should have coach style windows as well.

crazycal · 06-02-2010, 05:03 PM

Good luck. If you can't score an 8.3 Cummins, an Intl DT466 is a great motor also. Try to get one with mechanical injection and a MT643 trans.

opus · 06-02-2010, 05:07 PM

Pushers around here dont have the DT's. They will have the 8.3. I'll find one, just going to have to have patience I guess.
I wont have anything unless its the 466 or the 8.3, no question there.

crazycal · 06-02-2010, 05:17 PM

First Student, the old Laidlaw I think, must have a deal with International around here because all their pushers are Intl's and I bet they don't have a Cummins in them.

Elliot Naess · 06-02-2010, 07:28 PM

First Student bought Laidlaw a couple of years ago.

There should be no risk of getting the small tranny with a 466 or an 8.3. These engines have more power than the AT545 is rated for.

More and better pushers with 8.3... wondermuss!

opus · 06-03-2010, 04:38 PM

To me, 8500 equates to about 500k miles. Would that be correct, taking an average of 50 - 60 mph?

crazycal · 06-03-2010, 06:11 PM

I think it means a lot of idle time. I couldn't tell you if that is harder on an engine than freeway driving.

Elliot Naess · 06-03-2010, 07:15 PM

The average speed of a school bus is extremely low. I would not be surprised if a school bus came up with a single-digit lifetime average speed.

Even driving 18-wheelers cross country, I often had averages around only 45 mph.

So the numbers on that bus can perfectly well be correct.

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