Is it the bus worth?

[lissi]

Heeeeey!
I am really new in the skoolie community and I found a great bus today. The engine is in great conditions and sounds like a baby. But I had a look in the motorroom and I found rust at some spots.. I took pictures and wonder if the bus will survive those rust spots or if it’s possible to get new parts.
It is a sweet deal and it’s driving good. I am just concerned about this.
Chevrolet 1988 bluebird
Thank you!

[CHEESE_WAGON]

Those pics honestly look like the exhaust manifold, which isn't going to hurt anything, it looks like typical manifold rust. Not a big deal because the manifold is thick cast iron and doesn't affect structural integrity anyway. Exhaust being rusted is a foregone conclusion, it is designed to be replaceable.

You need some shots of the flooring from underneath the bus and frame rails front to rear -- THAT will tell the tale... You also need to keep in mind that a 34-year-old bus is going to have some rust unless it spent all its life in TX, AZ or something like that.

Where is this bus currently, and where was it used when in service?

[lissi]

Originally Posted by CHEESE_WAGON

Those pics honestly look like the exhaust manifold, which isn't going to hurt anything, it looks like typical manifold rust. Not a big deal because the manifold is thick cast iron and doesn't affect structural integrity anyway. Exhaust being rusted is a foregone conclusion, it is designed to be replaceable.

You need some shots of the flooring from underneath the bus and frame rails front to rear -- THAT will tell the tale... You also need to keep in mind that a 34-year-old bus is going to have some rust unless it spent all its life in TX, AZ or something like that.

Where is this bus currently, and where was it used when in service?

Thanks a lot for your reply!
Alright, I will definitely get those pics. I had a look underneath tho and it didn’t look bad at all. It is in brooks right now and the school used it for 30 years till they had to get rid of it (because it’s the longest time they can legally drive children’s in busses) as I know.. so yea.. they just got rid of it because of the age.

[WARGEAR]

It’s where???

From your pictures it’s a gasoline Chevy truck engine, probably a 366/427. The exhaust manifolds rust, and can sometimes crack but they’re replaceable and still available.

[peteg59]

That rust is typical on any engine over the years. Nothing to really worry about.

Where you want to look is around the rear wheel wells underneath.
Also look at the floors while you're under there.

If there is rot through the floors you might want to keep looking, (unless you have deep pockets, or a strong desire to save that particular bus).