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Old 11-26-2019, 08:28 AM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Pensacola,Fl
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Gm 8.2

I’m looking at buying this 1990 GMC Blue Bird bus with a Detroit 8.2. I took a video of it running and my dad says it sounds great. It started right up. When I sent him pics of it he was lost as to why one side of the engine looked good and the other side was so rusty. He thought maybe it had had a fire. The girl that owns the bus has very little money and has only replaced back tires with used ones and had an oil change. In 2yrs that’s all she’s done to it even though she’s been driving the east coast in it. There’s some rust, not bad, although a back side panel needs some work. The whole bus needs gutted; she kept plywood on metal floor and just threw stuff in it like she was homeless. The front tires are cracked all around. It does have a hot water heater, 4 solar panels, inverter, and 4 extra panels not put on. All items were used when she put them in. She wants $7000, which is too much, but she’s desperate to sell. Thanks for any feedback.
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Old 11-26-2019, 08:41 AM   #2
Bus Crazy
 
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Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Wisconsin
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Year: 2001
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American
Engine: 8.3 Cummins ISC
Rated Cap: 75
WOAH, that's wayyyyy too much. The 8.2 Detroit is an obsolete powerplant and isn't even all that desirable. Besides it sounds like this particular bus has not been taken care of at all.

Hard pass in my opinion. You can get something substantially nicer for that kind of money, especially if you're willing to travel for it.
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Old 11-26-2019, 09:20 AM   #3
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An obsolete engine. They weren't very well loved when they weren't obsolete.
Based on the general gross looking condition in the pics I'd call that a hard PASS.

I'm pretty sure someone was asking about this bus a little while ago. Unless its another lady selling a bus with an 8.2 for 7 grand.
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Old 11-26-2019, 09:23 AM   #4
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Year: 2002
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Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
Yeah, the 8.2 "Fuel Pincher" is a very unexciting power plant. Low power, limited parts availability and not as long lived as many of the other options.

Good choices, but not the only ones, would be the Cummins 8.3 or, in a short bus, a 5.9. The Navistar DT-466 or DT-530. In a short bus the DT-360 would be a good candidate.

The Navistar T-444e is also a decent choice in a short to mid sized bus. It is a good motor but I very much prefer an I-6 over a V8.

As far as transmissions go, you will see most buses listed as having an "Allison" transmission. Well.... Allison has made about 42 dozen different transmissions. OK.... Maybe I am exaggerating a bit.

Probably the most common is also one of the least desirable. The AT-545. Preferred would be the MT-643 for a 4 speed or a 5/6 speed overdrive the 2000 series or MD-3060.
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Old 11-26-2019, 09:26 AM   #5
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Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
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Chassis: Freighliner FS65
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Or- my personal favorite of the available short bus engines... The 3126.
I need to do a ride along type video. This bus is SMOOTH and QUIET.
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Old 11-26-2019, 09:43 AM   #6
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Location: Moved to Zealand!
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Year: 2002
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Chassis: Freightliner FS-65
Engine: 7.2L Cat 3126 turbo diesel
Rated Cap: 71 passenger 30,000 gvwr
Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
Or- my personal favorite of the available short bus engines... The 3126.
I need to do a ride along type video. This bus is SMOOTH and QUIET.
Wait -- FS65 is a short bus? How long is your short bus?
And I wished my 3126 looked as clean as the OP's pix above. I'll get it there.

To the OP. My bus is rusty and mechanically neglected --
1) It was FREE (and that might still be too much!!!
2) I'm an acft mechanic AND I like a challange/basket case...

You can get so much more bus if you have time to look.
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Old 11-26-2019, 09:45 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
Or- my personal favorite of the available short bus engines... The 3126.
I need to do a ride along type video. This bus is SMOOTH and QUIET.
Sorry CB.

I forgot about the 3126. I looked at CAT's when I was bus shopping. I didn't get a good vibe from folks here and when I was considering buying a CAT. Then I checked out service options. I found three (now 4) shops in the county that will work on Cummins and none that work on CAT or Mercedes. Also, one of them works on Navistar.

Since then I have looked at them in more detail. They do have some known issues that can be remedied. Google "bulletproof your 3126". I would buy one, now that I have learned a little more about them, if I were traveling full time. Running the Interstates CAT shops are common.

Just to be clear..... I really do NOT like cats but CAT's are OK. Well at least until one of them pees on me....
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Old 11-26-2019, 09:47 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by banman View Post
Wait -- FS65 is a short bus? How long is your short bus?
And I wished my 3126 looked as clean as the OP's pix above. I'll get it there.

To the OP. My bus is rusty and mechanically neglected --
1) It was FREE (and that might still be too much!!!
2) I'm an acft mechanic AND I like a challange/basket case...

You can get so much more bus if you have time to look.
Mines a 5 window Thomas on a FS65 chassis. Its a bit over 20' long and a bit over 10 foot 6 high.
My 3126 looks nearly new. Cleanest bus engine I've had.



I only paid $1625 for this bus.
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Old 11-26-2019, 09:55 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
Mines a 5 window Thomas on a FS65 chassis. Its a bit over 20' long and a bit over 10 foot 6 high.
My 3126 looks nearly new. Cleanest bus engine I've
I only paid $1625 for this bus.
Hey CB,

Have I got a deal for you!

Not many investments that will give you a 50% yield.... I'll give you $2500

A 5 window with the 3126 and a 2000 series transmission would be a sweet ride.
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Old 11-26-2019, 10:01 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PNW_Steve View Post
Hey CB,

Have I got a deal for you!

Not many investments that will give you a 50% yield.... I'll give you $2500

A 5 window with the 3126 and a 2000 series transmission would be a sweet ride.
lol would be a hell of a deal eh? If I were to ever sell this bus I'd aim for the sky with my price. In all my "busing" this one is the BEST!
With only 5 windows of bus and 3.42 I'm not seeing much need for OD. If I were to swap I'd likely go with a 643. But yeah- a 2000 would be REALLY cool. I've still got a filter kit, magnet, filter support mod, and 5 gallons of Transynd so maybe I'll have another 2000 again someday.
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Old 11-26-2019, 10:18 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
lol would be a hell of a deal eh? If I were to ever sell this bus I'd aim for the sky with my price. In all my "busing" this one is the BEST!
With only 5 windows of bus and 3.42 I'm not seeing much need for OD. If I were to swap I'd likely go with a 643. But yeah- a 2000 would be REALLY cool. I've still got a filter kit, magnet, filter support mod, and 5 gallons of Transynd so maybe I'll have another 2000 again someday.
I am a bit of a maverick. I shake my head at some of the "I need taller gears" discussions.

In my hands, budget permitting, it would get rear gears around 4.11 and an Allison 1000/2000.

My truck has a six speed overdrive transmission, 3.73 rear gears and LP 22.5's. It is geared way too tall. 1st gear AND reverse are too tall. I rarely get to use the overdrive (6th) and backing up trailers is a pain in the butt. I have to slip the clutch to back slowly at idle.

Just my $0.02
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Old 11-26-2019, 10:28 AM   #12
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Join Date: Sep 2014
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Year: 1999
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Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
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OUr subaru had ridiculously tall gearing and wide ratios. We HATED it. First was way too tall and man it sure sucked.
With my lil bus the torque of the 7.2 does well enough motivating it that I don't feel like the 3.42 rear is too tall. Takes off from a stop just as well as any bus I've owned. Well- other than the high hp IC I had.
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Old 11-26-2019, 04:06 PM   #13
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Location: Moved to Zealand!
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Year: 2002
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Chassis: Freightliner FS-65
Engine: 7.2L Cat 3126 turbo diesel
Rated Cap: 71 passenger 30,000 gvwr
Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
Mines a 5 window Thomas on a FS65 chassis. Its a bit over 20' long and a bit over 10 foot 6 high.
My 3126 looks nearly new. Cleanest bus engine I've had.


I only paid $1625 for this bus.
I'm guessing with all the negative feedback the OP has given up on the $7000 bus unless the owner will settle for ~$700.00 instead...

So I'll indulge the FS65/3126 talk...

I'm guessing that's an air compressor on yours-- my brakes are hydraulic...
Mines 3 years longer and only 178k miles on it -- where did the shine go?!

Makes me wonder how easy it would be to move the axle forward and chop the rear end... I'll have to look and see if my frame is pre-drilled for axle location at either station.
I have an allison 2000 5sp. It seems nice so far.
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Old 11-26-2019, 04:12 PM   #14
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Year: 1999
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Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
They all end up looking like that eventually. Mine has well under 100k miles and was very well cared for. Yeah that's an air compressor.
whats your hp rating? mines 190. I plan to have it bumped to the 210 rating. I'll bet with that 2000 yours cruises pretty nicely.
Heres my highway rpm's-
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Old 11-26-2019, 05:35 PM   #15
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Location: Moved to Zealand!
Posts: 1,517
Year: 2002
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Chassis: Freightliner FS-65
Engine: 7.2L Cat 3126 turbo diesel
Rated Cap: 71 passenger 30,000 gvwr
Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
They all end up looking like that eventually. Mine has well under 100k miles and was very well cared for. Yeah that's an air compressor.
whats your hp rating? mines 190. I plan to have it bumped to the 210 rating. I'll bet with that 2000 yours cruises pretty nicely.
Heres my highway rpm's-
I'm jealous of the hobbs meter!

I've only had it up to 55 once and the rps were ~1700 but I don't know if that was 4th or 5th...

Oh, it's HP207 or 215...
After the engines passed muster I'll see about having it bumped up a bit...

I've still got some brake work to do before I get really frisky on the hwy.
That and I still need to get insurance...
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Old 11-26-2019, 06:50 PM   #16
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Location: Dawsonville, Ga.
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Year: 1999
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Engine: DT466/3060
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I have bought 4 buses now. One had an 8.2. It's the one that went to the scrapyard.
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Old 11-26-2019, 09:06 PM   #17
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Yep, not buying it. I have threads on other forums and pages, all negative comments. I knew the bus wasnt worth $7000, and never intended to pay that. I’ve since found out the person was possibly homeless and was given the bus to live in with her child; not factual just information given to me. I think she’s just hoping to get some money to find a more suitable place for her and her child.
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