New to this whole thing

[Oldmopars]

Originally Posted by Lebowski265

What engines and tranny combos would you recommend? Ive seen a lot for people talking highly of the dt466. I think thats what it is. I haven't seen a ton about trannys though.

Yes the DT466 is very popular as well as the 8.3 Cumins. For a trans you want the MT643 or one of the newer 2000/3000 series.
There are other good engines, but these seem to be the best. Best to avoid the Cat. engines. Expensive and harder to get parts when needed. No dealer support network for them.

[Thomas1985]

Hope for the best. Prepare for the worst. If you get in a head on collision like some friends of mine did choose a front engine if you want to live.

-Thomas

[Scooternj]

Originally Posted by Oldmopars

Yes the DT466 is very popular as well as the 8.3 Cumins. For a trans you want the MT643 or one of the newer 2000/3000 series.
There are other good engines, but these seem to be the best. Best to avoid the Cat. engines. Expensive and harder to get parts when needed. No dealer support network for them.

T-444E isn't bad, parts availability is there as well (Its basically a Ford 7.3L Powerstroke). Definitely recommend an MT643 or newer Allison. If I could do it all over again, I'd have gotten a 466/MD3060 combo.

[Oldmopars]

Right, DT360, T444E, Cumins 5.9, all not bad. Just a step below the DT466 and 8.3.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Oldmopars

Right, DT360, T444E, Cumins 5.9, all not bad. Just a step below the DT466 and 8.3.

Yep. And a few buses even came with DT530's! Those would be the cream of the crop!

[Lebowski265]

If i would choose a midsize/short bus. Would it be acceptable for a slightly smaller engine or should I aim for the same size engine? My eye is currently stuck on a 2003 Thomas EF 8 rows with a CAT 3126, and a AD 2000 tranny. Its an activity by the looks of it. It has the cargo bays underneath. I know someone said CATs repairs can be pricy, but are their engines built to last?

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Lebowski265

If i would choose a midsize/short bus. Would it be acceptable for a slightly smaller engine or should I aim for the same size engine? My eye is currently stuck on a 2003 Thomas EF 8 rows with a CAT 3126, and a AD 2000 tranny. Its an activity by the looks of it. It has the cargo bays underneath. I know someone said CATs repairs can be pricy, but are their engines built to last?

A Cat isn't the END of the world. But it could be if it breaks and you don't have several thousand $$ lying around. Sounds like a good driving setup, though. Probably does 70+ if its an activity bus. Find out what rear axle ratio its got.

[AlleyCat67]

CAT makes a good engine, just expensive to repair when it breaks down and parts are hard to find because not a lot of shops can work on them. But as long as you don't push it beyond capacity or overheat it, and keep it well maintained there's no reason you shouldn't have success with it.

[Lebowski265]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

A Cat isn't the END of the world. But it could be if it breaks and you don't have several thousand $$ lying around. Sounds like a good driving setup, though. Probably does 70+ if its an activity bus. Find out what rear axle ratio its got.

I emailed the seller. Hopefully i get a timely response. Its a dealership for used school buses. He has about 8 of the same model i already listed. A few of them are listed with a top speed of only sixty one miles an hour. Then most of them aren't listed with a top speed so hopefully the one I'm looking at can do highway speeds.

[Lebowski265]

Bus Sales New Used, School Buses Commercial Church Bus Airport Shuttles Limo Buses Wheelchair Vans all on Sale!

This one also has my eye because of the price, flat nose, re, pretty low miles. The pictures in the link look pretty clean. I emailed the seller and they sent me some more pictures. It does look like it has a little rust but not much for being a 98 and in ny. If I could talk them down to the 3000-3200 price range do you guys think this would be a good deal?