Where do I find info about my engine specs? Slow bus here.

[EastCoastCB]

If that oil analysis is correct and no repairs were made, you'll likely need much more than what you have budgeted to get the bus up to snuff.

[jazty]

I say just cross your fingers and drive 'til she dies! Then you can worry about replacement engines. Just keep up on fluids and watch those gauges. If anything feels funny, pull over and investigate thoroughly.

I expected catastrophic failure at some point during our recent trip. My only hope was that it would occur in a warmer climate. Luckily, we had no major problems, but you might as well plan for them just in case!

EDIT: Oh, I just realized you're talking about coolant in the oil. How much is entering? Can you see the level rising on the dipstick? If the oil is being diluted then that is certainly an issue. Spun bearings is no fun...
If it seems minor you may just need to accelerate oil changes bad advice all around, I'm sure...

[crazycal]

Originally Posted by jazty

I say just cross your fingers and drive 'til she dies! Then you can worry about replacement engines. Spun bearings is no fun...
If it seems minor you may just need to accelerate oil changes bad advice all around, I'm sure...

Drive it until she dies is definitely bad advice. You can multiply the damage and the cost of repairs.

[nat_ster]

How many miles you plan on driving this bus per year?

Most builds take years. My bus will not move under it's own power till the summer of 2016. Convert the shell into a home, and worry about the engine later. Just don't be starting and running it for no reason till you figure out a plan on how to fix it.

The DT 466 can be completely rebuilt in the frame of the bus at a later time.

Nat

[cowlitzcoach]

If your bus has spoke wheels you are limited to the size rim you can use.

If your bus currently has 20" or 22.5" wheels, that is all that will fit.

On those wheels you can mount many different sizes of tires going from little donut tires to as big a 315's (I doubt 315's would fit inside your fenders). The most common sizes are 10R22.5, 11R22.5, and 12R22.5. The 12R is considerably taller than the 10R and would be an effective OD.

The only thing you would need to determine is if the taller tire will have enough clearance to make turns or if the spacer between the duals is wide enough so that the inner side walls of the duals don't rub.

[onenationundergoat]

This was gonna be a quick build of about a month to be on the road. We're currently diagnosing the problem; gonna do a coolant pressure check and go from there. If I'm lucky it's the oil cooler. Less lucky if it's a gasket. Even less lucky if it's a head. Option 1: buy a kit and fix the engine. My dad's a mechanic, but hasn't worked on diesels. We'll figure it out. Option 2: Keep the good tires, part out anything that's good, salvage the metal for cash, buy a different bus.

It's probably safe to say that my on-the-road eta has been extended by at least a month, but that will be ok.

[onenationundergoat]

Originally Posted by nat_ster

How many miles you plan on driving this bus per year?

Nat

Last year we went 25k in four months, so I'd expect at least 35k this year.

[nevrenufhp]

Originally Posted by onenationundergoat

This was gonna be a quick build of about a month to be on the road. We're currently diagnosing the problem; gonna do a coolant pressure check and go from there. If I'm lucky it's the oil cooler. Less lucky if it's a gasket. Even less lucky if it's a head. Option 1: buy a kit and fix the engine. My dad's a mechanic, but hasn't worked on diesels. We'll figure it out. Option 2: Keep the good tires, part out anything that's good, salvage the metal for cash, buy a different bus.

It's probably safe to say that my on-the-road eta has been extended by at least a month, but that will be ok.

Best to pull the oil pan when you do the coolant check, or at least on the second try(if the first time isnt successful). Leaky liner seals are easy to spot that way.
Your option 1 is good, because a full overhaul kit is around $1800 from IH, or around 1100 online(agkits). Big $$$$ savings by doing it yourself. A 360 is a fabulous engine, just a little under powered for a loaded bus.

[crazycal]

Don't trash the bus, especially that 360. They only made them for a few years.

[charles_m]

Keep the bus and the 360! It really is a small wonder
If you did an inframe, you'd have basically a new engine--one less BIG thing to worry about.
Rock on!

[Kubla]

you still need to find out the axle ratio, you can call a big international dealer with the serial number and he will tell you what axle ratio it left the factory with, my dealer actually printed out the chassis build sheet for me on my 97 with all that cool info since you will need to know which rear axle you have to buy a differential with a different ratio

[cowlitzcoach]

You have the 170 HP version of the DT360.

You have 6.14 gears which are going to give you a top speed of around 50 MPH.

And you have the Allison AT545 transmission.

[charles_m]

My 466 only make 180 hp
The 6.14 is a bummer though

[onenationundergoat]

If I switch it out for a 4. something would my engine be fine for that? Or even anything midway if there is such a thing?

[nat_ster]

Originally Posted by onenationundergoat

If I switch it out for a 4. something would my engine be fine for that? Or even anything midway if there is such a thing?

I'm not sure what your asking.

Mine has 4.44 gears. Was that the question?

Nat

[onenationundergoat]

Would my bus have a hard time with the 4.4 gears? I was asking if there's a 5 ratio or only a 4.4 and mine.

[crazycal]

Is NC flat like Kansas?

[onenationundergoat]

Well there's the Appalachian Mountains... so no. Then there's the foothills, where I live. It's relatively flat but not Kansas flat. Then there's the coast, which is definitely flat.

Originally Posted by crazycal

Is NC flat like Kansas?

[crazycal]

Originally Posted by onenationundergoat

Well there's the Appalachian Mountains... so no. Then there's the foothills, where I live. It's relatively flat but not Kansas flat. Then there's the coast, which is definitely flat.

I was trying to be funny and not doing a good job. The taller your gears are(lower number, more highway), the more powerful your engine needs to be to keep your bus moving at highway speeds, especially when you hit the hills. If your bus had a 10 speed like some of the older buses, you could keep your rpms in that sweetspot and not lug your engine everytime you hit a hill.

Simplistic answer from the simpleminded.

[EastCoastCB]

My 195hp DT466 does fine with the 4.44's. They would be an improvement for sure in my opinion. You could eke out a few more hp from the engine too to help in the steep stuff.
You definitely want higher gearing for road trips man.