2000 Thomas

[skytz]

Recently had the bus checked out by mechanic. Imagine my surprise when I was informed the engine wasn't a Cummins 8.3L but a Catepillar 3126(?). It looked good, but he brought to my attention that the oil pan sits about a foot from the ground. Is that normal? Is there anything I can do about that?

 

[Robin97396]

You want to do something about it being a 3126 or you want to lower the oilpan?

I'm confused about that big of a diesel in a mini-skoolie regardless of who made it.

 

[mmoore6856]

if its a cat the engine should be yellow get a second opinion if it aint as anybody can claim to be a mechanic

 

[mmoore6856]

somewhere on the engine should be a tag

 

[mmoore6856]

You want to do something about it being a 3126 or you want to lower the oilpan?

I'm confused about that big of a diesel in a mini-skoolie regardless of who made it.

does it have a blade on front???

 

[skytz]

Sorry for the confusion. The seller was the one who told me it was a cummins. The mechanic who checked it out works for the school district fleet maintenance. He was the one who told me it was a Cat, not the other. He said if it drove from Md to Fl panhandle with only a small hiccup, it's a good engine. My concern about what he told me, was about the oil pan. He showed me where it was located and I saw it was only about 1ft, give or take, from the ground. Is that normal? Is there anywhere to increase the ground coverage?

 

[mmoore6856]

load pics of it

 

[skytz]

Of the whole bus, or just underneath

 

[mmoore6856]

the motor and oil pan did this bus come from San Diego or mexico??

 

[skytz]

Not sure, thought it came from the same place it was manufactured from. One thing forgot to mention, the engine was replaced by Jasper. Don't know if that's a brand or who did it.

 

[mmoore6856]

Pics please

 

[Twigg-SKO]

Not sure, thought it came from the same place it was manufactured from. One thing forgot to mention, the engine was replaced by Jasper. Don't know if that's a brand or who did it.

Jasper are an engine re-manufacturer. Their products are well regarded.

So whatever you have in there, it's been rebuilt.

 

[skytz]

Will do. Hopefully sometime today. Do you want the whole bus or just the undercarriage.

 

[skytz]

Thanks for that info about Jasper. It helps. I'm slowly (and I mean slowly) starting to strip the inside. Of course managed to take out 10 screws, not including those that just spin and the stripped ones, before the cordless died. Progress.

 

[skytz]

These are the pictures I took of the bus. Maybe it is normal but I don't myself so I have to ask, otherwise what's the use in converting a bus I can't go off the blacktop with. And no, I don't plan on going four-wheeling with it. Even I know it has its limitations. I just want to know to what point.

 

[EastCoastCB]

You can get down hardpacked dirt roads and gravel, but that's a low bus. Best suited for flat, hard surfaces.

 

[cadillackid]

low-ride wheel chair bus.. just like my redbyrd.. my axle in front is lower than your pan.. ive driven it mainly on road but never had nay issue driving it into peopls'e yards or a little sand.. it makes it down ECCB's driveways no issue and nbothing scrapes..

you arent going to want ot take a school bus on much soft ground anyway.. they get stuck easily.. esp front engine busses.. im not sure what type of terrain you plan to drive on but all busses i;d hesitate to drive off road unless designed for the task (like some of the class C 4x4's we have seen here)..

I have a Jasper reman engine in my DEV bus.. it runs like a champ.. was put in 14 years ago by previous owner..
-Christopher

 

[skytz]

So there's no possibility of going off onto hardpacked dirt roads? I know that'll be potholes because I grew up in such areas. What is the chance on putting on tires meant for the regular buses.

 

[Twigg-SKO]

So there's no possibility of going off onto hardpacked dirt roads? I know that'll be potholes because I grew up in such areas. What is the chance on putting on tires meant for the regular buses.

There is a whole range of tires suitable for buses.

Some are Drive tires, some Steer tires. Some are designed for all positions. Many are optimized for regular road surfaces, some do better than street tires on rough roads, or in snow.

Most street tires will be just fine on graded gravel roads (dirt roads), except maybe if it has been raining hard when there might be a lot of mud.

Talk to your local bus barn, or a commercial tire dealer. Tell them where you intend to drive and consider their recommendations.

You can save money with recaps on the drive wheels, but not on the steer wheels. Given Skoolie highway speeds, recaps should be fine.

 

[skytz]

There is a whole range of tires suitable for buses.

Some are Drive tires, some Steer tires. Some are designed for all positions. Many are optimized for regular road surfaces, some do better than street tires on rough roads, or in snow.

Most street tires will be just fine on graded gravel roads (dirt roads), except maybe if it has been raining hard when there might be a lot of mud.

Talk to your local bus barn, or a commercial tire dealer. Tell them where you intend to drive and consider their recommendations.

You can save money with recaps on the drive wheels, but not on the steer wheels. Given Skoolie highway speeds, recaps should be fine.

Thanks will check it out. Was told tires are ok, but will have to replace them eventually.