Overheating- 97 bluebird 7.3 mid length

[DaBus]

I recently purchased this bus. The owner said that this year the radiator size was reduced to add an intercooler. The bus over heats when towing/under load . Seems to run fine empty. The owner also said he was going to add an additional radiator with electric fans. What are your thoughts???

[nat_ster]

Common issue.

You need to swap out the "Split" rad and intercooler, for two full size units out of another bus.

You can also mount your rear heaters under the bus to help dump heat and aid in the cooling process. This cost you nothing, uses parts you already have, and just takes time.

Nat

[DaBus]

How would the two full size units fit? Would a custom thicker rad work in the same stock space work?

[DaBus]

Or how about making intercooler top mount with a hood scoop and swap in a full size rad.

[crazycal]

Check your fan clutch also. The temp will always rise under a load but comes down when the fan kicks in.

[nat_ster]

Your bus has the split system due to the lower GVW of the bus.

The front ends are the same no matter what the factory GVW was.

So yes, the parts from a higher GVW bus or truck of the same model would be a direct bolt in.

Parts from other buses can easily be modified to fit.

I'm currently installing a rad from a front engine bus in a rear engine bus.

Just be creative, and pull out the camera, angle grinder and the welder.

And don't forget the pics no matter what you do.

Nat

[DaBus]

At this point I'm thinking to keep the rear heater unit in place. Might be handy here in NC. Although it is a good idea. Maybe teeing off the heater and adding a second radiator in line. I'm still not following you with the parts from a size. Where is the intercooler located in a full size to where they wouldn't share the same front end space?

[nat_ster]

Larger GVW vehicles with the same hood / nose as yours, stack the full size intercooler in front of the full size rad like 99% of diesel vehicles.

Your bus has a half size rad sitting beside a half size intercooler.

Nat

[DaBus]

Got it. I was thinking the intercooler might not have room sit in front. Thanks. Problem solved.

[opus]

Originally Posted by nat_ster

And don't forget the pics no matter what you do.

Nat

Yeah, we dont care how you do it or if it works...we just want pictures!

[crazycal]

Originally Posted by opus

Yeah, we dont care how you do it or if it works...we just want pictures!

Damn straight.

[DaBus]

How do I post pics. It looks like they have to be hosted?

[crazycal]

Originally Posted by DaBus

I recently purchased this bus. The owner said that this year the radiator size was reduced to add an intercooler. The bus over heats when towing/under load . Seems to run fine empty. The owner also said he was going to add an additional radiator with electric fans. What are your thoughts???

Before you change things to correct a problem, you need to figure out why. In my case, I had a 9000# Excursion on a 2500# trailer behind my bus. Another member had a overheating problem that might be traced to a faulty fan clutch. Before you change parts, always figure out why the problem was there. Otherwise you will be doing what a stupid mechanic does(while charging you), chasing the problem by throwing parts at the problem.

[nat_ster]

Host pics on a host site like photobucket.

Don't upload them to this site.

Nat

[DaBus]

Where's good link for fan clutches. I had trucker tell me about the clutches on the 7.3 being too high temp. He said I should get a cooler one. Where??

[DaBus]

Here she is "DaBus" as she was named by her previous owner. I think I'm going stick with it.

[DaBus]

[opus]

Nice! Now, if you get another bus you can call it "DaOtherBus"

[DaBus]

She came with rooftop ac, onan 5500, wood floors and nifty flip folding bench beds.

[crazycal]

Here is a thread on another forum about overheating that I thought was interesting.

99 4700 444E Heating issue - TheDieselGarage.com