Ready to buy

[Cilina]

My husband and I have been planning a school bus coversion for a couple years now. A school bus from my district may have come available. It's a 455 Detroit Thomas 5 speed diesel. It has a turbo and is a 1986 dog nose. What's a good price ? And any cons to this engine or body style?

 

[PNW_Steve]

Welcome Cilina,

I would double check what engine it has in it.

I am a Detroit Diesel fan and have never heard of a "Detroit 455".

If you look about this site you will find MANY discussions of the merits of different body styles. The short version is:

Conventional (dognose): Easiest to service. Least living space for given bus length

Front engine (FE): Hardest to service. Most living space for given bus length. Can be noisy & hot in the drivers space.

Rear engine (RE): In between Conventional and FE as far as living space for given length and ease of service. Engine is far from the driver. Little or no noise & heat issues.

I love my RE.

Value of a bus depends significantly on condition & mileage. Tell us more about the bus?

 

[Evertiro]

I suspect the engine is actually a Detroit DD15. It's a 455HP diesel that I've heard people mislabel as a "Detroit 455" before. Though, I know more about truck engines than bus engines at this point.

 

[Cilina]

It was just retired last year. I work for the district and have known the head of maintenance for 23 years. They are asking 2500

 

[EastCoastCB]

I suspect the engine is actually a Detroit DD15. It's a 455HP diesel that I've heard people mislabel as a "Detroit 455" before. Though, I know more about truck engines than bus engines at this point.

I'd SO love to have 455hp of detroit under my bus' hood!

 

[milkmanchip]

That is so funny East Coast CB I was thinking that very thing when I read it that would be absolutely the cat's meow just as long as I got some long legs to use all that horsepower that would be awesome.

 

[EastCoastCB]

That is so funny East Coast CB I was thinking that very thing when I read it that would be absolutely the cat's meow just as long as I got some long legs to use all that horsepower that would be awesome.

Speaking of cat's meow-
One day I'm determined to stuff a Cat 3406 in my shorty. Its listed as one of the available engines from the factory, oddly enough.
I never recommend Cats in buses, but the 3406 would be the one I'd have to make an exception for.

OP- find out for sure what engine is in this bus. Sounds like something awesome, possibly!

 

[milkmanchip]

I'm going with DT466 that's what I think she's got

 

[EastCoastCB]

I'm going with DT466 that's what I think she's got

I love my DT466.

 

[Cilina]

Just went and checked it out. He was w

 

[milkmanchip]

Oh Cilina you're leaving us hanging...... The suspense is killing me... I'm just having some fun with you, your sentence got cut off in mid thought.

 

[Cilina]

Just took a look at it. He was wrong, it's a DT466 with 200,000 miles. Right now it's missing the battery and fan. But said he would get it running to take us for a test drive asking 2500.I also thought since it is a California school bus it would be smog ready but it's not. Not sure what kind of hassle smogging it will be. We will be converting it into our home. Any advice would be appreciated

 

[Rusty-SKO]

If it's a RV, still needs smog check? Ouch.

 

[Cilina]

You're funny not great cell service in these mountains

 

[milkmanchip]

Rusty I think that comment was for me, from my earlier comment...