Who has a 427 gas in thier bus??

crazycal · 10-04-2007, 08:00 PM

It has been a while since I've been here. Glad to see some of the old gang still here. I am getting ready to bring my gas powered 40' Bluebird from WV to Cali. The bus has a 427 gas with a mt643 and a 6.83 rearend. Who has anything close to this. I would like to know what kind of mileage I should expect at different rpms. What would the rpm be at 65 mph? I am afraid that I will pay more for fuel than I paid for the bus. Any tips would be welcomed.

the_experience03 · 10-04-2007, 08:37 PM

6.83 ratio, 1:1 transmission ratio, and 42 inch tall tires (11.00R22.5)=3552 RPM's at 65 mph, 3278 at 60 mph, and 3005 at 55 mph. That might well be in the sweet spot in terms of power on that engine, but probably not for mileage. Who knows though. Hopefully someone will speak up.

crazycal · 10-05-2007, 10:44 AM

Where would my rpm's be if I put a pair of 24.5's for the trip home?

the_experience03 · 10-05-2007, 08:23 PM

You would be spinning about 94% as many RPMs with 11.00R24.5's so....

65=3338.88
60=3081.32
55=2824.7

pete c · 10-07-2007, 07:29 PM

I think the price of gas just went up a dime on news of your impending trip.

Good luck and try to keep your foot out of it.

the_experience03 · 10-07-2007, 07:30 PM

That's just to make up for it dropping to $2.73 here.

sportyrick · 10-08-2007, 02:14 PM

just got back from a trip to and from Fayetteville AR from Columbia Mo and seems the bus likes 3400 RPM the best @ 60 MPH. Haven't done mileage yet. Have your read my information on better performance? Try a gallon of Lucas and see what you think. If you increase your tire diameter you will loose power on the hills, nothing is free, everything is a compromise. Yes I have a 427, 640 allison and 6:83 gears with 40" tall tires. sportyrick

crazycal · 10-08-2007, 02:36 PM

I did see your post about performance. I will give it a try. Thanks.

hoser · 10-08-2007, 04:54 PM

I have a 87 with a 366 gas engine at 3500 rpm on a 5500 mile trip I averaged 6mpg

I would NOT expect to get better, if you do thats cool!

crazycal · 10-08-2007, 07:29 PM

Google says 2600 miles divided by 5 x $2.75 = ooch!

hoser · 10-08-2007, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazycal

Google says 2600 miles divided by 5 x $2.75 = ooch!

I dont know about others but the gas cost really does not bother me, I use my bus for a toy hauler I could go spend 60,000 to 100,000 bux and get 10 mpg... I went bus because it cheap, SAFE, reliable....

hoser · 10-09-2007, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigTex

I already sent you my info, but I paid $870 for the bus and $1,500 in gas to get it home

Salt Lake City Utah to Houston Texas

Nice score, I was lucky mine was 30 miles from me and I got it for $810.00 off evilbay.. Lots of rust, even with the rust I am happy and it serves its purpose really well.

crazycal · 10-09-2007, 06:13 PM

Hey Hoser,

Did your do any performance mods to your bus? Any luck?

hoser · 10-09-2007, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazycal

Hey Hoser,

Did your do any performance mods to your bus? Any luck?

Nope no mods, after a lot of research I came to the conclusion I am best to leave it stock and maintain reliability, I have taken it on a few trips and through a bunch of mountains, its slow but steady, the hardest grade so far is the climb out of Laramie WY I crested the hill (highest point on rt 80) doing about 35 mph then asked myself why reduce reliability o crest it at 60 mph, I did pass 3-4 semis on the way up heh

Its no power house but I am in no hurry, I think if I get power hungry I will just go buy a diesel pickup with 600 ft lbs torque then buy one of them diesel dummy boxes so I can have 750 ft lbs torque

I would some day like to try adding a EFI for better air/fuel control at higher elevations.

crazycal · 10-09-2007, 07:44 PM

Is there a picture of the engine from inside under the engine cover. I would like to know how much room there is to work on the bus. If not, maybe someone can post one please.

crazycal · 10-10-2007, 05:01 PM

Wow, that looks like fun. Thanks for the picture.

the_experience03 · 10-11-2007, 01:40 AM

I *think* I see a cylinder head, but I can't be positive.

crazycal · 10-11-2007, 09:45 AM

You got better eyes than I do. I see a bowl of passgetti.

Jarlaxle · 10-14-2007, 10:52 AM

Dang...I had never seen or even heard of a flat-nose with a gas engine until a minute ago.

But hey, that's nowhere near as bad as some class C motorhomes. A Ford E-450 with a V-10 calls for 10 hours labor to change...the spark plugs.

lapeer20m · 10-14-2007, 11:07 AM

i couldn't even change the headlight in an E450 ford van type ambulance at work. Had to send it off to the mechanic. You have to remove the battery tray and who knows what else just to get to the headlight. Can't immagine having to do actual engine work to the thing.

You may also like: