Mechanic recommendation

[Mat7783]

Hi folks: looking at several buses and will need a mechanic to do an inspection. I live in Sanford FL, just north of Orlando. Anyone have a name of a good deisel mechanic in this area?

[Brad_SwiftFur]

Can't speak for Florida but if you need one north of Atlanta, I'm your man.

[PatrickBaptist]

I'm in north east TN. If you need an inspection within a reasonable distance of 37650 I'd be happy to help.
If it's a T444E 7.3 engine I've extremely knowledge in those, rebuilt a few even.
I work as a road side tech and salvage vehicles.

[Mat7783]

Thanks for the replies gentleman.looking for someone in central Florida to check over a couple of buses.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Mat7783

Thanks for the replies gentleman.looking for someone in central Florida to check over a couple of buses.

I'm no mechanic but I can look at a bus and give an educated opinion.

[cofrari]

We lived in Lake Mary, FL until 2015. I had to relocate to CT for work. We still have our house rented out in Lake Mary with plans to return in 8 years. Cool to see someone on here so close!


Our neighbor owns McRoberts on 1st Street in downtown Sanford. They were great with our cars. But I'm not sure if they do Diesel. But they could be worth a try. Totally honest and did good work.



I couldn't have had a bus at our house in Lake Mary because of the HOA restrictions. Being able to have a bus has been the greatest part of the temporary CT relocation. You're fortunate to have a property in Central Florida that doesn't have the HOA restrictions!

[Mat7783]

Hi Cofrari: CT is pretty cold right now. Going to be 35F tonight down here, so I can only imagine your temps��. Looking fir a international 3/4 bus with DT466:/ 2000 combo. Learning to be patient as Florida does not have a lot of these available and the dealers are marking up prices big time.i live across the street from the ST. John’s river so I don’t have an HOA and very large driveway space��

[Mat7783]

EastCoastCB: learning patience with finding a 3/4 international with DT466/2000 combo.dealers are marking up price big time and county auctions are scarce.��

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Mat7783

EastCoastCB: learning patience with finding a 3/4 international with DT466/2000 combo.dealers are marking up price big time and county auctions are scarce.��

Running buses sell for ten g's and up at Gideon's.
I get good buses for less than $2500 but I never shop in FL.

[Mat7783]

I have seen some buses in Alabama and North Carolina that look acceptable on the surface. How far north would you look for a bus, considering salt corrosion concerns in snowy climates?

[EastCoastCB]

KY, TN, AL, parts of VA.
TX, AZ, CA, NV, CO, WA, OR.

I've gotten good ones from CO, GA, KY.

[cadillackid]

thing to watch out in NC is for very slow busses... some of the busses are gear limited to 45 or 55 MPH which means makling physical changes to the bus t make it go any faster... do your diligence before bnidding and buying a NC bus

[Mat7783]

Do you have experience with cat 3126B’s. I am looking at an all American RE with MD3060 tranny and under 100k miles.

[Mako]

We live just on the other side of the lake. Just purchased our bus so if you find someone, keep me in mind. Always good to have experts close.

[Mat7783]

Lake Monroe? What bus did you get? Looking diligently for mine right now.

[Mako]

Originally Posted by Mat7783

Lake Monroe? What bus did you get? Looking diligently for mine right now.

yep. We live in Deltona. Bought our bus about a week ago. I posted a thread about it but not able to link it (not sure how). It's titled in here under I did it. I paid a pretty penny for it but in my opinion it was worth it. Checked off all the bells and whistles and exactly what I wanted. Wesellschoolbusses.com is where I got mine. They are about 30 minutes North of Tampa. Craigslist has a lot in the area as well. His prices are high but it's resell so you are paying for that, he has them local, and he has good quality busses. Mine came from Arizona and it drives like a champ. pm me if you want more info.

[Mat7783]

Hey Mako: I saw your post. Very nice bus. Looking at 2000 Thomas RE 12 window ( trying to stay under 35feet) tomorrow.. church bus with low mileage. Wish me luck.once I get mine, would like to meet up with you and hash out ideas.?

[EastCoastCB]

I'm always down to hash.

[Meathead]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

thing to watch out in NC is for very slow busses... some of the busses are gear limited to 45 or 55 MPH which means makling physical changes to the bus t make it go any faster... do your diligence before bnidding and buying a NC bus

Hmm. I have a VA bus like you speak of. (Thomas re 3126b 3060 11 window). I paid a guy in VA to change fluids and to up the governed speed. ( he joked that he raised it to 85) I’ve been thinking he ripped me off. I can do 65 mph with the pedal on the floor, but she likes 55mph at 2600rpms. She goes up hills w plenty of power and I can ride that bad ass transmission downhill. I guess I’m just going to have get used to interstates at 55-60 mph. I’m good.

I’m w ECCB, if y’all want to hash it out... [emoji51]. Dave

[Mako]

Originally Posted by Mat7783

Hey Mako: I saw your post. Very nice bus. Looking at 2000 Thomas RE 12 window ( trying to stay under 35feet) tomorrow.. church bus with low mileage. Wish me luck.once I get mine, would like to meet up with you and hash out ideas.?

Works for me. Good luck.