1988 International Shorty

[NWOleman]

So I am getting a 1988 International shorty. How hard is it to convert to a slant nose? I don't remember how to post pics? I think its gonna be a pretty sweet bus! DT466 with mt643 and just shy of 23 feet with 6'6" of headroom! Bus has 5 windows on passenger side.

[NWOleman]

/Users/kennyoleman/Desktop/IMG_0139.jpeg That didn't work?

[cadillackid]

whats a slant nose?

[NWOleman]

Just the newer version of these buses where the nose isn't totally square, but slopes down. I thought thats what they were called? I don't know if its even possible, also I'm not dead set on doing it. Is there anything about this year bus I should be worried about while I got you on the hook Cadillac? Also at 59mph this bus was about 2700 rpm, is that revving a 466 to high?

[cadillackid]

an 88 is an S series thats a classic.. a Keeper for sure.. 88 is a great year and a mechanical DT466 with an MT643 in a shorty is about the best drivetrain combo you can get.. only kicker really would be if its geared real low in the rear as many were , it wouldnt have great highway speed but otherwise its a solid combo..

[NWOleman]

any idea what reared this bus would have? In case I need to change the rear gears

[ewo1]

Originally Posted by NWOleman

any idea what reared this bus would have? In case I need to change the rear gears

On International busses, contact the service department and politely ask them if they can send you the Build Sheet" or "Line set" on the bus.

They will need the vin. number. This sheet will give you all the details on the parts used to build your bus, even the gear ratio too!

[Booyah45828]

My lineset ticket was taped to the grill support on the hood, near the fresh air source for the engine air filter.

Here's a better pic of it.

Yours might be there, I've seen others taped there as well, but IDK if it was a dealer/region/national thing. Also, after 30+ years, it might be missing or illegible.

[NWOleman]

Thanks guys! Really appreciate the help! Got the bus home yesterday and pulled half the seats out with the help of my boys. The wife is pretty happy with it and getting my aluminum wheels on it today!

[NWOleman]

Got the cut sheet. Pretty general. Says I have the J 175 s reared but doesn't list the gear set in it. Guess I'll crawl under it tonight and look for a tag.

[NWOleman]

Maybe CadillacKid knows? Is the third member from aSpicer J 175s the same as a third member from a Spicer J 190s? Seems like they would be different but I don't know.

[NWOleman]

If its ok I'll just post all the info I find for my bus here. So it looks like my bus has the Spicer J175 s axle. A spicer J 190 s axle has the same rear carrier but the axle shaft splines are different, 39 for the 190 and 36 for the 175.

[cadillackid]

you got it right the carrier is similar but different spline counts.. ultimately a different weight rating

[NWOleman]

So I am having a hard time finding this info...Spicer N 175 rear carrier vs Spicer J 175s? I think they are the same but I'm just not sure. The N 175 seems a lot more common. Anyone know the difference if there is one? Thanks

[NWOleman]

https://www.skoolie.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=73876&stc=1&d=16948174 99

[NWOleman]

I hate posting pics! Why is it so hard for me!!😔

[Booyah45828]

It's how you're posting them. Someone smarter then me can answer, but certain file types have pic orientation data that is lost when posting. Do a search here and you can find more info on it. I had that problem with a few .jpg pics that I was trying to post, and ended up converting them to .png IIRC, which then posted them with the correct orientation.

[nikitis]

@NWOleman


Follow this video on how to determine your gear ratio if it isn't listed anywhere. This is a car yes, but it's the same concept for a Bus. Just heavier.



It does require you lift the bus up in the air with a jack or two so be careful in doing so.

To safely do this, get 4, 4x4 blocks of wood and put them under both sides of the front tires to prevent rolling. This is mandatory because you'll need to put the bus in Neutral and it has potential to roll, so also ensure the ground is as flat and level as possible.



(I own 2x 6 ton jacks with keys), and a bottle jack to get it up on one side, use the bottle jack on one rear side, put 1 jack under it, release the bottle jack, and then do the other side, put the 2nd jack under it, release the bottle jack, You only need to barely get the two rear wheels up off of the ground.

Once you've accomplished this safely, follow the turning guide here, and count wheel revolutions and differential revolutions to obtain your gear ratio information.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUJkw9zaM2E