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Old 01-08-2019, 04:24 PM   #1
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Cat 350?

Hi! Sooooo, if I’m looking at a bus with a CAT350 Allison transmission, what does that mean for a family looking to cruise the states for about a year, all over, including whatever mountain passes come our way? It is a 1994 MCI - 45ft. �� is this a desirable or less desirable drivetrain? Notorious for any issues? Easy or hard to find someone to work on? Parts readily avaialabke or no? Thanks!!

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Old 01-08-2019, 04:45 PM   #2
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While I know nothing about that motor, Allison makes most of the trannys in buses. They have many models, some desirable, some not. If you plan on traveling mountain ranges I would recommend staying away from the Allison 545.
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Old 01-08-2019, 04:47 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by CarreAnn View Post
Hi! Sooooo, if I’m looking at a bus with a CAT350 Allison transmission, what does that mean for a family looking to cruise the states for about a year, all over, including whatever mountain passes come our way? It is a 1994 MCI - 45ft. �� is this a desirable or less desirable drivetrain? Notorious for any issues? Easy or hard to find someone to work on? Parts readily avaialabke or no? Thanks!!
Coach buses have much more robust, more powerful engines than school buses. You won't find weaklings like the allison 545 in a coach.
1994 would be a good year for a big cat engine.
Those buses are real cruisers out on the interstate, especially compared to most school buses.
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Old 01-08-2019, 05:05 PM   #4
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I don't know of any CAT that is called a "350" by CAT.

I have heard truckers and RVers refer to their engine based on the manufacturer and HP.

I ran an 8v71 for years. They were available in a range of HP from the factory. One of the most common was the 318HP version. I hear the 8v71 referred to as "Detroit 318" even though it may not be the 318HP version.....

That is my best guess.

Likely transmission behind that may be an HT-740 or HT-750. They are 4/5 speeds with a lockup converter. I have run the HT-740 and liked it fine. I have not driven the HT-750.

I did find the following:

"The HT740 is a 4 spd, the HT750DR is the same transmission with an extra deep 1st added (2nd through 5th are the same as 1-4 on the HT740)"
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Old 01-08-2019, 05:17 PM   #5
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So, can anyone tell me where to have this person locate the true drivetrain in this bus? He is selling for a friend and does t seem to know too much. The bathroom in it also looks to be the original bus bathroom ��
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Old 01-08-2019, 05:19 PM   #6
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If you can get the VIN you should be able to run it tell you exactly what came in it.
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Old 01-08-2019, 05:20 PM   #7
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So, can anyone tell me where to have this person locate the true drivetrain in this bus? He is selling for a friend and does t seem to know too much. The bathroom in it also looks to be the original bus bathroom ��
There should be a data plate/sticker on the engine that gives model, horse power etc.

If you cannot find that take some pictures and post here.

Another possibility, you may be able to call MCI with the VIN# and ask them.
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Old 01-08-2019, 05:26 PM   #8
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So, can anyone tell me where to have this person locate the true drivetrain in this bus? He is selling for a friend and does t seem to know too much. The bathroom in it also looks to be the original bus bathroom ��
Ask him/her for clear pics of the engine and transmission.
Post em here.
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Old 01-08-2019, 05:43 PM   #9
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I would think it is a 350hp Cat, if anything in a vehicle that size. Not sure what model of CAT though.

Parts availablity not an issue in Canada, The US might differ but Cat has mobile repair trucks on the road in most places.


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Old 01-08-2019, 07:02 PM   #10
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Ya...no way to tell what model Cat from the "350" reference as there is technically no such engine. It's basically a nickname that could be applied to a number of actual models. And the actual model and year can be critical, especially on Cats. They had some really great engines in some years and some absolute crap to be avoided at all costs in others.


So get a serial number, VIN, find a spec/build plate, contact the maker, whatever it takes to verify exactly what they have there. Same for the trans.


This is a very common problem for many Skoolie buyers since many of the sellers are actually RE-sellers (flippers) and have no idea whatsoever what it is that they have to sell.

Caveat Emptor...big time.


Best of luck pardner!
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Old 01-08-2019, 07:25 PM   #11
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It could be a 3176. I think some MCI's had those.
Most MCI's of that era had series 60 Detroits I believe.
Get pics!
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Old 01-08-2019, 08:33 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CarreAnn View Post
So, can anyone tell me where to have this person locate the true drivetrain in this bus? He is selling for a friend and does t seem to know too much. The bathroom in it also looks to be the original bus bathroom ��

If and when you get all the info on this bus together, take that info into a CAT dealer and then report back your findings.

Likely is an original bathroom, check the tanks out good, could get messy no?
Never park one of these with the rear end being uphill. They are known to overflow right down the aisle but never out the door. Nasty to clean.



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Old 01-08-2019, 08:34 PM   #13
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It may have a chemical toilet.
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Old 01-08-2019, 10:17 PM   #14
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CAT 350 would be a 3406 cat with 350 hp, that was how they were referred to for years back in the 80's and 90's before all the new smaller displacement engines came out
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Old 01-09-2019, 06:03 AM   #15
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those big CAT engines are a true joy to drive, they have some serious torque and generally run really smooth and quiet.. many of those you could crank up to 400 HP too... in a converted coach you'll haul ass in the hills.. they typically weigh much less than their GVWR.. coaches were not only built and powered to be full of people but full of heavy luggage as well..

-Christopher
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Old 01-09-2019, 06:11 AM   #16
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Seems to be a lot of those bigger CATS used in high end motorhomes and has been for years. You can't beat them for durability, CAT built every road in North America with their equipment from dozers, trucks, drilling rigs, compressors, paving machines, rollers etc.

They have a reputation, to me the best. They showed the others how it is done.


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Old 01-09-2019, 06:18 AM   #17
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CAT 350 would be a 3406 cat with 350 hp, that was how they were referred to for years back in the 80's and 90's before all the new smaller displacement engines came out
According to wiki the 3176 was an option.
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Old 01-09-2019, 06:30 AM   #18
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According to wiki the 3176 was an option.



of course theres a lot easier ways to get 350HP out of a a bus.. I could put together a ford 7.3 in a day to make that.. heck 500HP is pretty straight forward.. and a 7.3 is a drop in to any Navistar 3800.. we'd just have to get fancy with the electronics so we could ditch the DLC computers and replace with the ford computers.. and of course build the engine.. 500 ponies does take mechanical changes to a 7.3



getting 400 out of a stock 466E has been done more than once..

-Christopher
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Old 01-09-2019, 06:49 AM   #19
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of course theres a lot easier ways to get 350HP out of a a bus.. I could put together a ford 7.3 in a day to make that.. heck 500HP is pretty straight forward.. and a 7.3 is a drop in to any Navistar 3800.. we'd just have to get fancy with the electronics so we could ditch the DLC computers and replace with the ford computers.. and of course build the engine.. 500 ponies does take mechanical changes to a 7.3



getting 400 out of a stock 466E has been done more than once..

-Christopher
3176 is different than a 3126. displacement is just one difference. The 3176 is something like 10.3 liters.
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Old 01-09-2019, 07:19 AM   #20
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I understand but the object isnt how much metal you can stuff in a frame but how much power you make.. and all im saying is that its a lot easier to build power than it is to stuff metal



-Christopher
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