I got my bus!

[miles_3m]

Well, I knew what I wanted, and the wait paid off!

1991 Ward body International 3800 8 window
DT466 all mechanical engine, easy start no blow by or smoke
Allison MT643 transmission with less than a thousand miles on the rebuild.
Remanufactured Air Compressor, 6 months
New Batteries, 6 months
New Fan Clutch and Thermostat, 6 months

Crawled around under it and its a desert find with almost no rust. Any rust I see is just surface. All electric and mechanical was signed off in August but not used this school year because of a needed upgrade on wheelchair tie downs.

My time frame is 3 years so its going to go slow but I'm looking forward to this build!

 

[Timeline]

Looks like a really great starting point, congratulations!

 

[cadillackid]

thats an awesomely cool bus!!!

 

[shortbus4x4]

Dang, nice score. I haven't seen any mechanical school buses surplused from my school district customers in years. The last one was a 97 with the power train like yours, I bought it.

 

[miles_3m]

Dang, nice score. I haven't seen any mechanical school buses surplused from my school district customers in years. The last one was a 97 with the power train like yours, I bought it.

Yep, I've seen a few late 90's within my search radius, but they are mostly listed with issues.

 

[shortbus4x4]

Yep, I've seen a few late 90's within my search radius, but they are mostly listed with issues.

I'm the mobile mechanic for the International dealer in Spokane WA and do lots of work for school districts in eastern WA and north Idaho and the mechanical buses are long gone from the schools. WA buses are all depreciated out after 13 years so most schools get rid of them at that point, ID is about the same. That bus you got is making me drool, one of the best powertrains out there.

 

[cadillackid]

I'm the mobile mechanic for the International dealer in Spokane WA and do lots of work for school districts in eastern WA and north Idaho and the mechanical buses are long gone from the schools. WA buses are all depreciated out after 13 years so most schools get rid of them at that point, ID is about the same. That bus you got is making me drool, one of the best powertrains out there.

some mechanical units still pop up in kentucky.. they have no set rule on aging and they have areas othe state that see very little if any road salt each year.. so theres still a few mechanicals running as spare units that do get sold each year.. typically high spec engines too for the hilly terrain.



there was just recently a couple ward senators sold with DT466 and MT643 and 4.44 (highway) gearing..



columbus ohio just a couple years ago got rid of a bunch of shorties with DT360s and DT466's depending on year..



Love my little DT360... ive had that bus 8 years and never done anything to the engine other than regular maintenance items.. did blow the AT545 a number of years back and swapped in a MT643 which has been perfect..

 

[miles_3m]

Yeah, I stuck to areas I knew and school districts that traveled roads I knew. Northern AZ and NM gets a good chunk of snow each year but generally get cinders instead of salt.

Being close enough to go see it and talk to the people at the bus barn was also huge. It had more info than most listings but I got 10x as much in person.

 

[Keith.garvin]

Great, Congratulations!!!

 

[EastCoastCB]

Amazing bus congrats.
I had a 40' 1992 Ward. The mechanical DT was amazing.
Enjoy.

 

[Peterjk]

Congrats! Our build took 3 years as well. Best thing I ever did.

Cheers!

 

[Diverdude0075]

Nice find!

 

[Gorzie]

That is a nice looking bus, congratulations.