Gas vs Diesel

[mc11237]

Didn't ever expect to come across a gas bus in my search. Of course everyone knows Diesels are stronger, longer lasting high torque engines. Should I even consider getting what the person is listing as a 8.3L GMC Gas bus? Also, my main intent is to pull a 10k pound trailer cross country. No info yet on trans. Thanks

 

[Booyah45828]

I've never heard of that size. Do you have a link for the listing?

Here is a wikipedia article of the gas engines offered by gmc many years ago.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GMC_V6_engine

 

[mc11237]

I've never heard of that size. Do you have a link for the listing?

Here is a wikipedia article of the gas engines offered by gmc many years ago.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GMC_V6_engine

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/138309877496836/

 

[Booyah45828]

I'd say they fat fingered it and meant to say the 8.1 liter gas engine. Those were available in that year and model, but with no pictures taken under the hood, it's anybody's guess.

If it is an 8.1, they're pretty good and reliable. But in a full sized bus I really wouldn't consider a gas engine unless I was planning on parking and never driving it. And the fact that they're asking $5500 for it would steer me away for sure.

 

[WIbluebird]

I'd say they fat fingered it and meant to say the 8.1 liter gas engine. Those were available in that year and model, but with no pictures taken under the hood, it's anybody's guess.

If it is an 8.1, they're pretty good and reliable. But in a full sized bus I really wouldn't consider a gas engine unless I was planning on parking and never driving it. And the fact that they're asking $5500 for it would steer me away for sure.

Yeah, $5500 for a stripped out gas bus with some OSB chucked on the floor doesn't really make any sense. Maybe it would be worth it at like $2500 ish but for 5500 you could do a lot better.

 

[Booyah45828]

I mean, I don't know with it even at 2500 if I'd be a buyer. The only way I'd buy it was if my plan was to park it permanent, or use it once every few years.

If you're planning on stuffing it full of stuff, pulling a trailer, and moving across country, then I might consider it as a last resort. Or if you were in the bitter cold of Canada and needed a gas engine for starting purposes.

But I wouldn't consider it for any long term traveling arrangement.

And I definitely wouldn't consider it for 5500 bucks. There has to be better options available.

 

[mc11237]

Wow awesome, thank you all. I wasn't too high on it but was skeptical the ad was even correct. I'm not close to it but was going to be so I thought what was there to lose and wanted to do my research before hand. They did drop the public asking price to $4k on another listing I found else where. Maybe they would go even lower in person (not sure it'll make me want it more though.) After hearing a couple responses about good for parking it only I know now it is not for for me!!! I may still look because if they got that wrong maybe its not even gas, lol.

 

[JackE]

They definitely have a typo there. The possibility is that it is a 8.3 and a diesel, not gas. I would see if you can get them to send you a few pics of the engine bay. If it is the 8.1 gasser, they are a pretty strong engine when properly paired to the correct drivetrain. My uncle drives around a 31' Class A with that engine. He loves it. The drawback to the 8.1 is it wasn't made for very many years and repairs can be a little pricy. If you are interested in cheap, my local school district has a couple gasser FE's, probably in the 35-40 ft range for $495. Both say non-running, but who knows why.