How do we all feel about the T444E?

[1olfart]

Thanks both, Chris and Brad. When I get a chance to personally check things out, I like to look, feel, and smell all the fluids. Smell can tell me a lot. I will get to call, and maybe get my hands on the records, for the last 9yrs. Prior to that the bus was owned by a university, and I feel comfortable in thinking that it had been serviced properly.

Onward thru MY fog.....

 

[Phil&Melat]

Looks like about a 35 footer? Looks like a nice bus in the pic.
You looking to drive it cross country, live in it, or just have a rad RV?
If you're gonna spend a ton of time on the interstate, then go for big engine.

It will be our "tiny" house for the upcoming years.
We will use it for travelling also but we will take our time. All I wanted it's to buy a bus with no repairs needed, I will have enough to do with the conversion.

 

[Carytowncat]

As a friend recently reminded me if something breaks it can be replaced.
The best thing i have learned in all these years of repairs is that repairs take time.
I enjoy the repair sooo much more when i have another vehicle to drive to get parts. lol and also like the recent bad brake line repair i just did; the lines i ordered turned out to be incorrect, ok... found a local place that made lines... they made 'em incorrect. lol ok... so now i am three days into a simple hose repair. Then the rain came and i was delighted to have the sense to not try and force the repair, let it rain and waited for a dry day to finish. All in all replaced all the brake hoses and never lost myself to frustration. worh the wait.

 

[cadillackid]

I agree with cary on repairs... since the bus for me isnt a home or anything more than really a toy.. though I use it for work and for play with friends.. when something needs worked on i can shut it down for days if need-be..

even a breakdown on the road for me isnt the end of the world... sure hotels get pricey.. but since i can work from anywhere i have internet I can just hole up and wait for parts...

im not sure how I would fair if the bus was my main means of getting around and also my home too... I think id end up stressing alot more about it than I do..

I dare say though that unless its a craxy urgent matter that its worth the time to learn about and make a proper repair rather than the fastest repair... after all the only thing worse than a breakdown repair is having to make the same repair again in a few months or a year because it wasnt done properly..

I also have a different view of such things because I am a pretty fast learner and in general decent with mechanical and electrical stuff... and the fact im a Bus geek more than anything.. so the busses for me need to be a source of positive energy.... when it isnt, I have the luxury of putting it away for awhile until im ready..
-Christopher

 

[Kickstand1]

T444E Dipstick....Where is located? The fill oil cap is very visible...so is the tranny dipstick...But NOT finding the engine oil dipstick....what am I missing????

 

[cadillackid]

Oil dipstick is on the passenger side right near the computer. It almost fits in sideways . And it’s really easy to overfill.
Christopher

 

[Kickstand1]

Thanks...I will look again...I thought maybe the dipstick and tube was broken off....

 

[BlackHeart-SKO]

Int'l ic

Has anyone had some experience with one of these? Has a T444E and an Allison 545. I would like to get a small bus (really looking for a TC1000} with tall enough gears to do close to highway speeds and have a tranny that locks up incase I end up taking it over a pass.
I'd be planning on a regional band tour bus. Thanks!

https://www.publicsurplus.com/sms/auction/view?auc=2495761

 

[joslynd94]

Looking at a similar bus, how many miles is too many for this Diesel engine? The one we are looking at is just above 200k. 2002 is the year.
We have yet to check it out or bring it to a mechanic. Appears to be in great shape other than the mileage. Is it even worth checking out?

 

[Brad_SwiftFur]

I have an '01 showing 212K miles, 10K+ hours and as far as I can tell, it still has a lot of life left in it. These are good engines with excellent reputations, and a *LOT* of parts availability since it shares many with the very popular Ford 7.3 (which is essentially the same engine with only a few small differences).

 

[cadillackid]

im about 205k on mine.. i have no reason to believe its going to die anytime soon.. im used to puttiong about 25k miles on it a year.. (2020 not included with covid ).. ive had few issues with the engine itself..

 

[Dog Rescuer]

I loved my t444E. 297k miles on it when I got it and I added about 40K. I did have the 210HP turbo diesel - and it had great pick up / but struggled on long mountain drives. However, it never let me down!
I wonder where it is now?

 

[EastCoastCB]

I loved my t444E. 297k miles on it when I got it and I added about 40K. I did have the 210HP turbo diesel - and it had great pick up / but struggled on long mountain drives. However, it never let me down!
I wonder where it is now?

With 330k you did real good letting it go, IMO. You don't see many of those with much more mileage on em in school bus duty. I've seen a few in FL with 400k but they're beat.

 

[tradertim54@gmail]

The 7.3L Powerstroke has a B50 life of 350,000 miles, or only 50% had major mechanical issues before 350,000 miles. ... Also, the 7.3L made peak power at a low speed: 2700 to 2800 RPMs, compared to 3200 to 3600 RPMs for the GM Diesel but on par with the Cummins engines.
The B50 is a common reference in diesel engines. If this engine is in a small bus/van and is well maintained, and not abused, 500k miles can be expected, and is common.

 

[cadillackid]

The 7.3L Powerstroke has a B50 life of 350,000 miles, or only 50% had major mechanical issues before 350,000 miles. ... Also, the 7.3L made peak power at a low speed: 2700 to 2800 RPMs, compared to 3200 to 3600 RPMs for the GM Diesel but on par with the Cummins engines.
The B50 is a common reference in diesel engines. If this engine is in a small bus/van and is well maintained, and not abused, 500k miles can be expected, and is common.

the T444E is rated max HP at 2300 or 2400 RPM depending on variant. and a redline RPM of 2600 in IH applications.. ford spun them faster in the pickup trucks..