Which is more valuable: a Rear Engine motor or a Cummins Engine?

[shelbyfricke]

Thank you all for all of your help and advice! We are currently looking at a couple of different buses. One bus is a pusher with a Cummins 5.9 with an Allison 3060 transmission, and the other is a puller with a Cummins 5.9 with an Allison 2000 transmission. Will the pusher give us more power climbing hills because it's in the back and has the better transmission? The rear engine is over 2,000 miles away, and the front engine is much closer. But, we wonder if the rear engine will have a bit more power, or not, based on what some have shared on here. Thank you! We have yet to find a Cummins 8.3 rear engine in our price range and with our length and height needs.

[shelbyfricke]

Thank you all for all of your help and advice! We are currently looking at a couple of different buses. One bus is a pusher with a Cummins 5.9 with an Allison 3060 transmission, and the other is a puller with a Cummins 5.9 with an Allison 2000 transmission. Will the pusher give us more power climbing hills because it's in the back and has the better transmission? The rear engine is over 2,000 miles away, and the front engine is much closer. But, we wonder if the rear engine will have a bit more power, or not, based on what some have shared on here. Thank you! We have yet to find a Cummins 8.3 rear engine in our price range and with our length and height needs.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by shelbyfricke

Thank you all for all of your help and advice! We are currently looking at a couple of different buses. One bus is a pusher with a Cummins 5.9 with an Allison 3060 transmission, and the other is a puller with a Cummins 5.9 with an Allison 2000 transmission. Will the pusher give us more power climbing hills because it's in the back and has the better transmission? The rear engine is over 2,000 miles away, and the front engine is much closer. But, we wonder if the rear engine will have a bit more power, or not, based on what some have shared on here. Thank you! We have yet to find a Cummins 8.3 rear engine in our price range and with our length and height needs.

I'd go for the RE.

[Booyah45828]

It depends on the power level of each engine. They typically are 215hp, but there are options. It also depends on the rear gearing. One with a higher ratio will accelerate faster then one with a lower ratio, but it will have a slower top speed.

I'm not really sure where you're at now, or how much money you currently have, but I'd take a good look over at this one here. https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f14/1...ale-30844.html

Do your due diligence and inspect it first. Members have been screwed by other members here, so I wouldn't take someone's word on it because of that. But this seems like a good platform.

[shelbyfricke]

Originally Posted by Booyah45828

It depends on the power level of each engine. They typically are 215hp, but there are options. It also depends on the rear gearing. One with a higher ratio will accelerate faster then one with a lower ratio, but it will have a slower top speed.

I'm not really sure where you're at now, or how much money you currently have, but I'd take a good look over at this one here. https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f14/1...ale-30844.html

Do your due diligence and inspect it first. Members have been screwed by other members here, so I wouldn't take someone's word on it because of that. But this seems like a good platform.

Thank you for your advice! And for sharing that other bus with us! Unfortunately, TC200's are too short for us. Yes, we definitely inspect buses before considering purchase! We have traveled quite a bit so far inspecting buses! =)

[shelbyfricke]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

I'd go for the RE.

Thank you! Strictly because of the transmission?

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by shelbyfricke

Thank you! Strictly because of the transmission?

easier to work on RE, and I do all my own maintenance. Also quieter.

[shelbyfricke]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

easier to work on RE, and I do all my own maintenance. Also quieter.

Yes, that's very true! Those are two of the reasons we were drawn to a rear engine in the first place.

[synestine]

Originally Posted by shelbyfricke

Thank you all for all of your help and advice! We are currently looking at a couple of different buses. One bus is a pusher with a Cummins 5.9 with an Allison 3060 transmission, and the other is a puller with a Cummins 5.9 with an Allison 2000 transmission. Will the pusher give us more power climbing hills because it's in the back and has the better transmission? The rear engine is over 2,000 miles away, and the front engine is much closer. But, we wonder if the rear engine will have a bit more power, or not, based on what some have shared on here. Thank you! We have yet to find a Cummins 8.3 rear engine in our price range and with our length and height needs.

I don't think you're going to find a bunch of engine power difference between a front- or rear-mounted engine of the same displacement. What will make the difference between engines of the same displacement is the transmission.


Honestly I prefer a pusher. Take this for what it is, but these are my reasons.

1) Pusher puts the massive heat and noise source of the engine 30+ feet behind you, rather than 6-12 inches from your right leg.
2) Pushers are easier to work on because there's more space in the rear engine bay than there is in the dog house.
3) The drive line on a front-engine bus is giant. Rear-engine buses are more likely to have pass-thru storage.

[mmoore6856]

Originally Posted by banman

With your husbands height of 6'2"
I would rethink the avoidance of a roof-raise -- Doing a 6" raise shouldn't be too tough -- this would open up more buses to look at...

yes if you do not insulate the roof good you will bake like in your easy bake oven so a roof raise s really nice. also adds cabinet space for more storage inside

[shelbyfricke]

Originally Posted by synestine

I don't think you're going to find a bunch of engine power difference between a front- or rear-mounted engine of the same displacement. What will make the difference between engines of the same displacement is the transmission.


Honestly I prefer a pusher. Take this for what it is, but these are my reasons.

1) Pusher puts the massive heat and noise source of the engine 30+ feet behind you, rather than 6-12 inches from your right leg.
2) Pushers are easier to work on because there's more space in the rear engine bay than there is in the dog house.
3) The drive line on a front-engine bus is giant. Rear-engine buses are more likely to have pass-thru storage.

It's sounding like the Rear Engine with the better transmission could definitely be worth the trip!! These are all great reminders! I knew about all of these benefits, but sometimes my brain gets muddied as we look at so many buses every day and try to decide where to compromise. Lol. So, I needed the reminders! =D Thank you for your help! =)

[shelbyfricke]

Originally Posted by mmoore6856

yes if you do not insulate the roof good you will bake like in your easy bake oven so a roof raise s really nice. also adds cabinet space for more storage inside

Very true! We converted and live full time in a camper van, so we live with the proof of that all the time! Haha. We insulated the sides decently, but not the ceiling, so we learned our lesson! It's always 10 degrees hotter in our van, or 20 degrees if we don't ventilate well and use the fans on a sunny day! It can get pretty miserable. We plan to insulate with spray foam for the bus!

[Sehnsucht]

Have you looked at this thread?
https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f14/1...-new-post.html

[shelbyfricke]

Originally Posted by Sehnsucht

Have you looked at this thread?
https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f14/1...-new-post.html

Thank you for sharing! Yes, someone else had already shared it with us. TC2000's are too short headroom-wise for us, unfortunately, and we're not interested in doing a roof raise. Otherwise, this would be great!

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by shelbyfricke

Thank you for sharing! Yes, someone else had already shared it with us. TC2000's are too short for us, unfortunately, and we're not interested in doing a roof raise. Otherwise, this would be great!

40 feet is too short? Did you actually look at the pics or read the listing?
Its got the maximum headroom for a Bluebird. at least 6'6" or more.

Up for sale is a partially converted, 40ft long, 1996 Bluebird TC2000 school bus

If its been well cared for thats a DREAM bus for many folks.

[Sehnsucht]

Believe me, as soon as my stimulus check comes in I might be making a trip to purchase it myself!

[shelbyfricke]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

40 feet is too short? Did you actually look at the pics or read the listing?
Its got the maximum headroom for a Bluebird. at least 6'6" or more.


If its been well cared for thats a DREAM bus for many folks.

I meant headroom. Yes, we read the entire ad. And my husband found it on Craigslist and is calling him. We had never seen a TC2000 that was tall enough before, and he did not list the ceiling height. I saw your comment on the other thread and responded to it. It's good to know that 40 foot TC2000's have a taller ceiling! So, I asked the seller about the height. 40 feet is actually longer than we want for length in a bus. Yes, we see that it could be a dream bus. We are picky about headroom, because we are not going to do a roof raise. But, I asked the seller just in case this one happens to be 6'5", even though we would prefer a 36 foot bus.

Also, from our experience, the tallest Blue Bird bus is the All American and we have noticed that it usually only maxes out at 6'4". Very interesting that they made taller buses! I'm curious to hear what the seller says when he measures the ceiling.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by shelbyfricke

I meant headroom. Yes, we read the entire ad. And my husband found it on Craigslist and is calling him. We had never seen a TC2000 that was tall enough before, and he did not list the ceiling height. I saw your comment on the other thread and responded to it. It's good to know that 40 foot TC2000's have a taller ceiling! So, I asked the seller about the height. 40 feet is actually longer than we want for length in a bus. Yes, we see that it could be a dream bus. We are picky about headroom, because we are not going to do a roof raise. But, I asked the seller just in case this one happens to be 6'5", even though we would prefer a 36 foot bus.

Also, from our experience, the tallest Blue Bird bus is the All American and we have noticed that it usually only maxes out at 6'4". Very interesting that they made taller buses! I'm curious to hear what the seller says when he measures the ceiling.

Why 36' specifically?
you really wouldn't notice another 4 feet after about 15 minutes behind the wheel. I'd imagine the ceiling is 6'6" to 6'8" depending on if it has plywood floors and other factors.
Its most definitely a high headroom model. The pics show the widow line.

I don't know this bus or the seller but if I were shopping for a full size bus I'd be honed in on this one.

All Americans came in standard or high headroom. The buyer specs out what they want and the buses get built to those specs. Don't go bus shopping assuming model "x" has certain features. You'll likely end up sorely disappointed going at it like that. Shopping for a bus is NOTHING like shopping for a car.

[Sehnsucht]

If part of the reason you are gung ho on a 36-foot bus is because of the turning radius I would venture to say that a 40 foot front-engine flat nose bus is going to have a tighter turning radius than a 36-foot rear engine bus because the turning radius is a factor of the wheelbase and not the overall body length. You will get the most usable space out of a 40-footer but a little more maneuverability out of a front-engine flat nose bus.

[shelbyfricke]

Originally Posted by Sehnsucht

If part of the reason you are gung ho on a 36-foot bus is because of the turning radius I would venture to say that a 40 foot front-engine flat nose bus is going to have a tighter turning radius Dan a 36-foot rear engine bus because the turning radius is a factor of the wheelbase and not the overall body length. You will get the most usable space out of a 40-footer but a little more maneuverability out of a front-engine flat nose bus.

That is great to know! Thanks! It's just because we wanted the shortest bus possible for our living needs. And 36 feet fits our ideal floor plan perfectly, so we didn't want to go any bigger. Plus, a 36 foot bus fits perfectly in 2 standard parking spots without sticking out. We have been living in a camper van for a year and a half, so buses are huge to us! Haha. Just trying to go as least beastly as possible. But, thank you so much for sharing about the turn radius! Very helpful! =)