I think I found a bus! (I hope)

[Buenaventura]

Hello,

I found a bus, and I'm trying not to get too excited until I see it in person.

I'm writing to ask for guidance on how to proceed, and what things to look out for.

It's a bit older than what I was looking for, a 1988 Ford 6.6l, 11 windows, but it's close by to me (rare), looks very clean in the pictures, and it only has 30K Miles according to the odometer.

Although it has been converted, I would still gut it and start over, as only the walls have been insulated and not the floor.

The other big plus is that it is already registered as an RV, which saves me a big headache in getting home and so on. That in itself is a big plus for me.

BUT -

The first thing is my skepticism at the low milage on such an old bus. Should this be a red flag?

And my next worry is the engine. This is the first time I look into this engine, which I think is the New Holland 6.6l. Before this, the smallest engine I looked at was a T444e. Will I be shooting myself in the foot if I get a big bus with such a small engine? My plan is to drive across North America for one year.

They are asking $4,500 for it OBO.

Any thoughts will be much appreciated.

 

[Mark_In_MA]

The engine and the mileage are red flags.

That engine is better suited to smaller trucks. It's going to work really hard to lug a full-size bus around. I wouldn't want to try a mountain pass with it.

You know the odometer was changed 30,000 miles ago, and that's it. There's no clue how many miles are on the engine, transmission, etc.

There's an unknown transmission under it.



It's older, its slow, has unknown miles, and needs to be gutted anyways.
I'd pass.

 

[o1marc]

Most buses I've seen have had the speedo replaced once if not more. I would guess you bus has 230K and being an 88 possibly even 330K miles. Bus is worth about $2500max.

 

[Buenaventura]

Thanks for confirming what I was hoping wouldn't be!

I asked the seller about the transmission and he had no idea.

I mainly got excited because of the RV status of the bus, which in Ontario makes life a lot easier.

I'll keep looking!

 

[magnakansas]

small engine big engine... big budget small budget

two engines are have the same base 6.6 and 7.8... there is a 7.8 for sale on ebay in michigan, $2500 US. or best offer..

offer $1500 for the bus and make a $1500 offer on the engine.


This is too much for many people. Depends on comfort level of doing some swappin work... the engine in michigan is set up for manual transmission but I would think the stuff from the back side of the 6.6 would bolt on to the 7.8

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-Newho...ESN-VZ023003-BCN-E5HN6015AE-FDT-/171787312541

william

 

[Buenaventura]

two engines are have the same base 6.6 and 7.8... there is a 7.8 for sale on ebay in michigan, $2500 US. or best offer..

offer $1500 for the bus and make a $1500 offer on the engine.


This is too much for many people. Depends on comfort level of doing some swappin work... the engine in michigan is set up for manual transmission but I would think the stuff from the back side of the 6.6 would bolt on to the 7.8

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-Newho...ESN-VZ023003-BCN-E5HN6015AE-FDT-/171787312541

william

Haven't thought of that, but it would be quite the undertaking for me. I would have to pay someone to at least do it with me.

 

[Buenaventura]

I found another one, but same kind of problem: small engine.

1992 International 7.3 IDI - 200k miles. And its a 40' bus.

Its "close" by so I will go see it, if anything, just to test drive it and start getting a better understanding of buses. This one is also registered as an RV.

Anything in particular I should look out for and ask when I see it?

 

[PNW_Steve]

I found another one, but same kind of problem: small engine.

1992 International 7.3 IDI - 200k miles. And its a 40' bus.

Its "close" by so I will go see it, if anything, just to test drive it and start getting a better understanding of buses. This one is also registered as an RV.

Anything in particular I should look out for and ask when I see it?

What transmission?

The most common transmission installed behind the 7.3 is the AT545. That combination in a 40' bus will be s l o w.....

If it happens to have am MT643/647 it would be a little bit better.

Best would be the MD3060.

Personally, I would be looking for an 8.3 or DT466/530 equipped bus.

Just my $0.02