Skoolie Questions

[Vorj]

Hello everyone !

Apologises in advance is this is in the section. I've been looking at skoolie life for awhile and have a bus/truck in mind however I'm having troubles finding details about it.

The listing reads " 1965 Dodge short bus " what I'm mainly wanting to know is what kind of engine it has. I've shown more mechanically minded people here and they tell me it's a Chrysler 318 LA 5.2L however on googling, it seems different.

Fyi: I'm in australia, so some things you see may or may not be backwards!

I appreciate any help or input on this one, as literature or anything else helpful is scarce.

 

[ewo1]

I hope you find this helpful…

https://www.ebay.com/itm/223480940635

Dodge Trucks 1965 - Dodge Builds Tough School Bus Chassis

6 page all new reprint; digitally restored from the original source and printed on high quality 8.5" x 11", 32#, 97 bright acid free paper in Color, assembled into an individual item that is folded and stapled, or heat bonded with an adhesive fabric binding.


CONTENTS INCLUDE:

Dodge Trucks 1965 - Dodge Builds Tough School Bus Chassis
7/64 - 81-305-3051
Chrysler Motors Corp
Dodge Div
General Information
Dodge School Bus Engines
Bodies by these Builders are available on Dodge Chassis
Illustration of Chassis with Captions

 

[nikitis]

That's a cool looking bus. That engine bay could really use a steam cleaning though. I can't make anything out about it cause it's so dirty.

 

[Vorj]

Thanks guys, i know she needs alot of TLC. I've got one of those books coming Ewo1, however i imagen its going to be a month before i see what it can tell me.

I was hoping someone here may know something about it just from a visual or shape of the engine.. but perhaps thats just my lack of experience showing !

 

[nikitis]

Some of us here may be able to tell you some things about it as you go along, but a bus that age is going to make you the new subject matter expert on that model since you own it and can make assessments on it.

For that to happen, we'll need specific questions from you as you go along, with good detailed pictures to help us understand what it is we're looking at.

 

[s2mikon]

Your engine is either a B block or a RB block. The front distributor is the clue. The high mounted water pump I think a 361 or a 413. I don't know what was exported to you guys. That block series ranged from 350-440 cu in over the years. Some displacements were made in both B and RB configurations. RB meant raised block. They had a 1 inch higher deck and rods.

 

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

look for casting numbers on the block and casting numbers and firing order on the intake manifold

 

[Vorj]

s2mikon that was a big help. Looking more into it.. it seems that small block chev's have the distributor at the back, where-as big blocks are at the front.

318 is a small block (i think), so it's now completely ruled out.

Mentioning the 440 made me think.. the last 3 digits on the VIN (which is fairly damaged) are 409.

Lastly, looking at online booklet things of this when it first came out.. it states that it comes with either a 318 " premium " or a 361-2 " 178 HP " straight off the bat.

If anyone is good with classic vins.. 47690 466 80A 409

Thanks again all !