Taking Delivery Tomorrow!

[mcsullinsberg]

Hey guys! Just signed my paperwork for my first bus a couple hours ago. We take delivery of it tomorrow. Its a 2001 Ford E450 Shuttle bus with a 7.3 Powerstroke. 273k on the odometer, and bone stock as it sits. I hope to start the teardown tomorrow, and keep yall updated on the process! I have a very specific layout in mind, just have to take the dimensions of the bus and see what can fit where. Wish me luck!

[TheHubbardBus]

Congratulations!

[ol trunt]

Congrats--let 'er rip!
Jack

[Abzem]

Good luck! I'm currently on a search for a E450 Shuttle gas powered (because I want a less noisy motor).
I look forward to seeing updates!
Any tips where to find a good deal?
Also, can I ask what you paid?

[RamRod4]

Originally Posted by Abzem

Good luck! I'm currently on a search for a E450 Shuttle gas powered (because I want a less noisy motor).
I look forward to seeing updates!
Any tips where to find a good deal?
Also, can I ask what you paid?

I wouldn't count out diesel. The notion that diesels are loud is not really correct. Especially when a gas powered bus is screaming its guts out at 4k rpm to make a climb. If you have other reasoning for gas over diesel like fuel costs or repair costs then thats understandable but otherwise I don't see many downsides to diesels. More torque, better mpg, more reliable.

[musigenesis]

Originally Posted by RamRod4

The notion that diesels are loud is not really correct.

My bus is not particularly loud at all. Even with my engine at 2400 RPMs and my driver side window open, I can have a normal conversation with someone sitting in the cab with me.

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

an inline motor is known to be better balanced , smoother and therefore generally quiieter than a V8.

[RamRod4]

Originally Posted by Jolly Roger bus 223

an inline motor is known to be better balanced , smoother and therefore generally quiieter than a V8.

On paper that may be true but there are a lot of other factors that come in to play. The inherent balancing difficulty with a V8 produces vibration more than sound. Any sound that may be produced from vibration can and is mitigated with motor mounts and other sound insulation matting (although poorly executed by some manufacturers). Exhaust length and routing also have a huge (maybe the largest) effect on noise levels in my opinion. Exhaust scavenging, firing order, and timing play a large role in the tone and noise level as well.

For buses, an apples to apples comparison would be a DT466 or a 5.9 cummins compared to a T444e/7.3 powerstroke. I’d be willing to bet you can tell me which is which based on exhaust note but I doubt you’d be able to say one is noticeably louder if they have factory exhaust systems.

[Abzem]

Originally Posted by RamRod4

I wouldn't count out diesel. The notion that diesels are loud is not really correct. Especially when a gas powered bus is screaming its guts out at 4k rpm to make a climb. If you have other reasoning for gas over diesel like fuel costs or repair costs then thats understandable but otherwise I don't see many downsides to diesels. More torque, better mpg, more reliable.

Is the E450 gas easier to repair/get parts in back road repair shops versus diesel?

[RamRod4]

Originally Posted by Abzem

Is the E450 gas easier to repair/get parts in back road repair shops versus diesel?

OP: sorry for going off topic on your thread!

Abzem: I would say they’re about the same. Parts stores will have parts for either in stock. Shops should be able to work on either. Since diesel and gas options were offered in so many pickups and vans, parts and service are easy to come by. It’s one of the reasons I’m happy with the 7.3 T444e in our full size rear engine bus. Other medium duty engines don’t have the same parts support at standard auto parts stores.

[Albatross]

Gas engines aren't quite as sensitive to maintenance needs as diesels are; maintenance is more important to a diesel, but it's not uncommon in the least to see a (properly maintained) diesel hit a million miles on the odometer--whereas gas engines are generally lucky to see 300K without a complete rebuild.

Diesels may vibrate a bit more, but that's completely mitigated if your motor mounts are kept in proper condition and replaced when worn out. As far as loudness goes, that's largely a function of your exhaust and muffler, and an OEM system for either will largely be relatively the same quietness inside the cab... Though the diesel may be a bit louder than a gas at idle, the gas is more likely to scream and roar going up a hill... So it's a bit of a trade-off. IMHO, the diesel engine with a generally lower tone is easier to converse over in all conditions than a gasser.

Diesel engines don't change quite as much as gas engines, and they're largely more similar to each other than gas engines are; so basically any truck L/MD or HD mechanic should be competent to work on them. Parts availability is generally good in most places because diesels are generally *required* for most medium-heavy duty work, so there's usually a quick supply anywhere you can go, including off-the-beaten path. I think the worst time I've had was parts coming at the end of the day after or the morning later--and that was honestly because of a store screw-up instead of availability. The parts are there, and available, and most places can have parts in your hand for motor and tranny stuff and sensors and whatnot the day after you place an order in most cases, if they're not on-hand already. You may have to drive a bit further to a NAPA or O'Reilly instead of using Autozone or Advanced, but most places have at least 2-3 major stores to choose from, and there's usually some kind of heavy-truck specialist or more even/especially out in the rural areas.

Considering the power and torque advantage, which usually translates to better economy and faster starts, I'd go for a diesel basically any day of the week for any vehicle I'd drive.

[cadillackid]

Originally Posted by Albatross

Gas engines aren't quite as sensitive to maintenance needs as diesels are; maintenance is more important to a diesel, but it's not uncommon in the least to see a (properly maintained) diesel hit a million miles on the odometer--whereas gas engines are generally lucky to see 300K without a complete rebuild.

Diesels may vibrate a bit more, but that's completely mitigated if your motor mounts are kept in proper condition and replaced when worn out. As far as loudness goes, that's largely a function of your exhaust and muffler, and an OEM system for either will largely be relatively the same quietness inside the cab... Though the diesel may be a bit louder than a gas at idle, the gas is more likely to scream and roar going up a hill... So it's a bit of a trade-off. IMHO, the diesel engine with a generally lower tone is easier to converse over in all conditions than a gasser.

Diesel engines don't change quite as much as gas engines, and they're largely more similar to each other than gas engines are; so basically any truck L/MD or HD mechanic should be competent to work on them. Parts availability is generally good in most places because diesels are generally *required* for most medium-heavy duty work, so there's usually a quick supply anywhere you can go, including off-the-beaten path. I think the worst time I've had was parts coming at the end of the day after or the morning later--and that was honestly because of a store screw-up instead of availability. The parts are there, and available, and most places can have parts in your hand for motor and tranny stuff and sensors and whatnot the day after you place an order in most cases, if they're not on-hand already. You may have to drive a bit further to a NAPA or O'Reilly instead of using Autozone or Advanced, but most places have at least 2-3 major stores to choose from, and there's usually some kind of heavy-truck specialist or more even/especially out in the rural areas.

Considering the power and torque advantage, which usually translates to better economy and faster starts, I'd go for a diesel basically any day of the week for any vehicle I'd drive.

for an older bus most definitely diesel, but if buying anything 2008 or newer then gas all the way.. the emission controls on gas engines are a known quantity and dont cause the near the issues that emission controls cause on diesels..



as for a 2001 with a 7.3, thats a no brainer to me.. the 7.3 proved itself to be overall a very good diesel engine.. yep its noisy but doing some dynamat or equivalent can very much reduce the noise..

[Abzem]

Amazing insight guys!
Any thoughts on the E450 Super Duty 6.8L gas in a 2006 Shuttle? That's the bus I'm currently negotiating on. Under 100k miles!

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

what year model?
that would be there V10 engine which was good but like anything i try to stay away from it for its first couple of years just to give them time to work the new stuff bugs out.
thats why i asked what year?

[Abzem]

Originally Posted by Jolly Roger bus 223

what year model?
that would be there V10 engine which was good but like anything i try to stay away from it for its first couple of years just to give them time to work the new stuff bugs out.
thats why i asked what year?

2006 Ford E450 Super Duty 6.8L