My wife's new bus.

[dudermont]

My wife has wanted a bus for a long time and found this so....I now have a project.
Seems like it should be fun.

 

[milkmanchip]

That looks like a vintage 1975, I like the RV/? windows

 

[cowlitzcoach]

That looks like a Blue Bird commercial bus that was never a school bus. Number one clue are the transit slider windows.

If it has the 366 big block gas V-8 you will have a pretty nice power package.

If it has the 350 small block gas V-8 you are going to be seriously short of power to do much of anything over 45 MPH except for downhill.

All things considered it appears to be a pretty nice find.

Good luck and happy trails to you!

 

[dudermont]

It has the 366 big block and it went better then I expected considering it was rarely started for the last 10 years.

I was wondering about the windows. They look original but I couldn't find any pictures of other buses like this on with them.

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[dudermont]

Oh and it's a 1978

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[cowlitzcoach]

It has the 366 big block and it went better then I expected considering it was rarely started for the last 10 years.

I was wondering about the windows. They look original but I couldn't find any pictures of other buses like this on with them.

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The windows are standard non-school bus spec windows. You would see those types of windows on buses ordered by the GSA or the Army or Air Force.

Those windows are also similar to what was used by the Wanderlodge of that vintage.

 

[cadillackid]

THIS! may have been the first style Bus I ever drove.. a family friend got a Job at Bluebird in Ohio to try and break the schools and cities of the Wayne / Superior / Carpenter "loyalty" in ohio.. he brought one just like this only longer to my grandma's house where we were having a family gathering.. she lived on a Circular street in a very quiet newer neighborhood.. I sat up in the seat.. all of 11 maybe? i reached the pedals and got to make a few laps around that street.. the bus had the same windows and that neat front end..

super cool bus..
-Christopher

 

[Tootalltechie]

Looks like mine except for the windows.
I didn't known they kept the '72 medium duty chevrolet front tin going to '78, cool. Are you lucky enough to get tubeless wheels?

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[dudermont]

Looks like mine except for the windows.
I didn't known they kept the '72 medium duty chevrolet front tin going to '78, cool. Are you lucky enough to get tubeless wheels?

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No it has tubes, but am I right in thinking you can bolt on some 22.5“ rims? I believe they have the same bolt pattern.
If anyone has some info on that it, would be great.

Also it's good to see an active forum. Thanks for joining in.



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[Tootalltechie]

I have bought new tubeless rims.

"Wheels Now" was just one company that listed wheels when I was searching.
The following info is the wheel spec.

Rim Size:**22.50 X 6.75
Bolt Pattern:**10 Hole on 222.25 mm Bolt Circle,
158.75 mm bore
Mounting Type:**Hub Piloted Dual
Offset:**5.93"
Material:**Steel
Number of Hand Holes:**5
Recommended Valve:**TR500
Approx. Wt. (lbs):**71
Capacity:**4675 lbs. at 110 PSI

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[dudermont]

I have bought new tubeless rims.

"Wheels Now" was just one company that listed wheels when I was searching.
The following info is the wheel spec.

Rim Size:**22.50 X 6.75
Bolt Pattern:**10 Hole on 222.25 mm Bolt Circle,
158.75 mm bore
Mounting Type:**Hub Piloted Dual
Offset:**5.93"
Material:**Steel
Number of Hand Holes:**5
Recommended Valve:**TR500
Approx. Wt. (lbs):**71
Capacity:**4675 lbs. at 110 PSI

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Wow, thanks!

That's exactly what I was trying to find but was having a hard time.

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[cowlitzcoach]

Are you sure those are tube type tires and wheels? The picture looks an awful lot like tubeless to me.

Finding replacement wheels for that size wheel with that 10-lug pattern might be a bit difficult and expensive. That is not a standard 10-lug Budd wheel pattern. That is the obsolete GM light/medium duty 10-lug pattern. Some of the lighter chassis actually only used five of the 10 lugs on the front axle.

If the tire size is 19.5 or 22.5 it is a tubeless.

If the tire size is 18 or 20 it is a tube type.

 

[dudermont]

Unfortunately they say tube tires and the size is 20

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[milkmanchip]

I would propose, go to the oldest not necessarily the cleanest truck tire shop in town and talk to the oldest guy there he'll tell you exactly what that bus needs and can probably tell you how to get them used, cheap

 

[Tootalltechie]

"Accuride part number 28160" from my research is the only manufacturer of tubeless wheels that fit my hubs(drum brakes) If you find them new or used they are all Accuride wheels. I had to buy new because no one in my area had them new or used.

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[Alan N]

I would propose, go to the oldest not necessarily the cleanest truck tire shop in town and talk to the oldest guy there he'll tell you exactly what that bus needs and can probably tell you how to get them used, cheap

Excellent advice!

 

[dudermont]

I would propose, go to the oldest not necessarily the cleanest truck tire shop in town and talk to the oldest guy there he'll tell you exactly what that bus needs and can probably tell you how to get them used, cheap

I had to replace the master cylinder for the brakes and my father in law basically went with this idea. We went to this brake and clutch place that has been around forever. The parts person couldn't find a part number or listing so they called over the old guy that rebuilds them there. We described kind of what it looked like and he found us one that was a newer design but bolted right in.

Sometimes you just have to talk to the right people. (Like on this forum)



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