1991 Int Blue bird long snout

[rex_1_mn]

Been reading on here for a long time.... About 10 Years off and on. Finally gonna start a conversion of my own.

I will be picking up my bus in about 2 weeks from a local school dist.

As the title says it is a 91 International with a dt360. The body has 190K on it. The motor was replaced at about 105K. I has a spicer 6 plus which is a six speed plus granny gear. It is a 13 window bus. 6'3'' int height. The body and undercarriage are extremely clean for a bus this old. I am getting all the service records since the new engine. The school is retiring the bus as it is time for a clutch. The clutch will get it home but I will be changing it almost immediatly. I also got the service guy to get rid of the 20'' tires with split rims and replace them with 22.5's for a few hundred more.

Sorry no pics yet....

Tony

 

[Tango-SKO]

Hey Rex --- sounds pretty sweet. How'za 'bout some pix?

 

[chev49]

its cheaper than scrap price...

 

[rex_1_mn]

My plans are to do a pretty full conversion. I want to skin the exterior and put in RV windows. Insulate and finish the whole interior roof, walls, and floor. The interior from back to front will be garage area, sleeping bunks both sides, bathroom and storage taking up both sides, kitchen taking up both sides, then living area. I think i measured 27' from the back wall to the back of the drivers seat. I think I can make this work with about 5 to 6 feet for each of the above listed items.


Tony

 

[thommassey]

Are you planning on raising the roof ? Insulating floor and ceiling, head room? Just wondering? I am using flor and ceiling insulation, but I am only 5'8" tall. Looks like you got a good deal on that one...

 

[rex_1_mn]

I dont plan too. I have gone back and forth and back and forth on weather to do the raise or not. I dont have an indoor shop nor a good welder right now. I think I will remove almost all the windows and skin over them. I will install some RV windows. I am thinking 1/2'' insulation on the floor. I will probably pull down the ceiling and re-insulate it with ridged foam.

This is all subject to change but as I am 6'1'' I cant afford to loose much height.

Tony

 

[madpsalmer]

Sounds like you have a great plan! It will be fun following you build.

Be sure to keep us up to date with pics when you can!

 

[rex_1_mn]

Finally got it home. Fun to learn the 7 speed with a clutch that is shot. Parked it behind the garage and took the ditch a little steep the second time. Have about 100 pounds of sod hanging from back bumper for the night.

Pics to follow.

Tony

 

[Tango-SKO]

Hey Rex --- I'm guessing your Bird probably has about a dozen feet hanging out behind the rear wheels (at least my Bird did) which makes for some interesting issues. I wound up with a wide roller under the rear frame right at the bumper that helped negotiate steep drives and such. The roller style seems to work much better than the type with separate small wheels, especially on soft turf. It can also provide an indication of just how low you can safely hang tanks, gensets, storage boxes and the like in that area. Just a thought.

 

[Crazy]

Hey Rex --- I'm guessing your Bird probably has about a dozen feet hanging out behind the rear wheels (at least my Bird did) which makes for some interesting issues. I wound up with a wide roller under the rear frame right at the bumper that helped negotiate steep drives and such. The roller style seems to work much better than the type with separate small wheels, especially on soft turf. It can also provide an indication of just how low you can safely hang tanks, gensets, storage boxes and the like in that area. Just a thought.

That's a great idea. I was wondering about something like this. Do you have pictures?

 

[rex_1_mn]

I HAVE RV PLATES...... Now I just need some insurance and im legal or close to it anyway. (need to get rid of stop arm and a few things) I thought this was going to be quite a lengthy process but all I did was go to the registration office with the title filled out one paper, paid 240 for all fees tax's and registration through feb 2014, told her it weighed 16K lbs and walked out with a fresh set of RV plates. Title will be here in a couple months.

 

[ol trunt]

Soooo, how much does it really weigh?--just kidding. Where are the pics? No pics=no bus around here! Welcome to the funny farm!

 

[Tango-SKO]

Hey Rex --- sorry, no pix. The old Bird is long gone. But if you check out some of the high-end "motorcoaches" you may see what I'm talking about. Did a quick Google for "skid wheels/rollers" and could not find anything like what I installed 20 years ago. It was all steel and a good 36" wide and about 5" in diameter. All I see now are about 2" x 2" (?). Maybe several smaller wheels would do the job. But I notice they now offer swiveling wheels as well.

 

[rex_1_mn]

And now I have GMAC Insurance. I cant believe how easy this has been. I havent even drilled a rivet yet and I am legal to drive it.

I know I know PICTURES right.

I'm building the suspense.

 

[Six Four]

come 'on lets see pics!!! lol

 

[rex_1_mn]

I will get pics. Wife has been home the last few weeks and I am trying to get my dads addition insulated before its too cold. It may already be to late.

Its a 65 passanger not a 59 as I first thought. New seat backs. 1 new rear tire and all the rest are servicable. It has the automatic louvers on the radiator for cold weather. Runs about 60 at 2400 RPM. Need a little more seat time and a new clutch. Parts are on order.

Tony

 

[rex_1_mn]

Looking through some paperwork i got with it today. Have the original international line setting ticket which tells me excactly what it options it was equipped with from the factory. I have a DTA 360 185 HP at 2700 RPM and either 445 or 485 ft lbs. I have a spicer n175 axle 4.78 ratio. 27500 lbs gross weight. Pretty cool sheet to have.

Also got the original transmission paperwork which explains how to shift as well as the international circuit diagram book which will come in very handy.

Cool stuff.

Tony

 

[rex_1_mn]

Heres a few pics of the old girl

From the front..... It says 444 on the hood but its a 360

 

[GreyEagle-SKO]

Nice bus, I like the long nose, keeps the engine between you and whatever plus moves the engine noise out front instead of inside the bus with you..... easier to work on too

 

[roach711]

From the pictures it looks like it's in great shape. I'd kill for your easy access to the engine. Well, kill might be a bit extreme, but I'd seriously consider some verbal abuse.