So I'm thinking of buying an old bus...

[revoltindevelopments]

It is a 1971 International 66 passenger with a 5 speed stick and a 345. The owner says the engine had a complete rebuild a couple thousand miles ago. Stated problems: needs muffler and cleaned.

Any thoughts or advice? Are there problems that are likely due to the age or model? 'm really new to this.

 

[bansil]

the bus part is just a shell, kind of like a turtle...if it has holes they need to be filled so that is the story on rust

the IH345 is a good engine, cheap to rebuild it was in 10000's of trucks, you won't be fast; no real need tho'
clutch and tranny same as any IH truck

take your time where your going and it will get there, manual tranny helps alot

brake lines need to be checked for rust as well as rest of brakes the wheel cylinders and pads

others will chime in

and WELCOME!!!

 

[Das Mel]

and WELCOME!!!

*Runs it through the Bansil-Translator:
DO IT DO IT DO IT!!!

 

[Malkieri-SKO]

and WELCOME!!!

*Runs it through the Bansil-Translator:
DO IT DO IT DO IT!!!

Pfffft that's a loose translation at best..... Properly translated would be:
Woop....woop.... DO IT, and post some pics!!

 

[revoltindevelopments]

I'm debating between that one and a '95 Ford with a 5.9 diesel and airbrakes. The '71 is$1600 and the '95 is $2500. Gas v. Diesel, newer v. EMP proof, veggie v. woodgas

Those are pretty much the factors.

*edit: the '95 got sold to someone

 

[Redbear]

*edit: the '95 got sold to someone

"Here's yer sign."

Welcome!
If you have the mechanical smarts to put a woodgas system on a gasser (without gassing yourself ), then you probably also have the smarts to drop a used EMP-proof DT366 or DT466 in front of that stick shift. I'm just sayin . . . .

 

[bansil]

:mrgreen:

 

[ol trunt]

RUN!!!! Don't let either of those busses catch you---RUN! Just kidding

 

[revoltindevelopments]

So how hard would it be to swap out the gasser for a diesel? Assuming assistance from someone who has swapped engines before.

 

[opus-SKO]

Remember, anything you put into a bus, doesnt add value to it, it just takes more out of your pocket. Skip it and buy something mid-90's for $3k and be happy and done.

 

[bapos]

I have to agree with what has been said above. If I had mine to do over again I would probably get a mid 90s bus versus the 1983 I have. Not a super bad thing but parts are some what of an issue so as they age they become less and less. Depending on how much you will be driving it newer usually means better mpg. So keep that in mind.

 

[JakeC-SKO]

Remember, anything you put into a bus, doesnt add value to it, it just takes more out of your pocket. Skip it and buy something mid-90's for $3k and be happy and done.

Excellent advice. There are enough buses out there. No need to add an engine swap to what is already a massive project.

To each their own, but I wouldn't even consider a gas-engined bus. There really is no comparison. I enjoy being able to get up a mountain faster than I can walk, and the reliability of a diesel is also on a whole nother level. My bus is a 91 with a dt466 (super reliable and lotsa power) with a MT643 (lockup overdrive). It only has 150k on it and they were selling it for $1800. Being EMP proof is a fun bonus, lol...

 

[syke]

If you are up for a bit of "extra" adventure, go with the older bus. If you want to keep it to the "normal" size adventure then go the mid 90's diesel option. At this level diesel makes all the difference in the world. Imo. Good luck.

 

[gusbus-SKO]

I'd bet on a diesel getting nearly twice the mpg as that old 345. I had
a buddy one time that had an old travelall with that 345 in it and it got
about 5 maybe 6 mpg on a good day.
I will say this; they were as dependable a motor as was ever made.
Hundreds of them in old grain trucks, all over farm country, still running
strong.

gus

 

[revoltindevelopments]

I wound up with a 1998 Bluebird with a 6.0 GMC gasser. Because I could afford it. I am going to go ahead with small scale woodgas experiments before trying it on th e bus.

I am going to buy this book:
http://www.driveonwood.com/

 

[bansil]

any pics?

 

[Skunky Bus]

I wound up with a 1998 Bluebird with a 6.0 GMC gasser. Because I could afford it. I am going to go ahead with small scale woodgas experiments before trying it on th e bus.

I am going to buy this book:
http://www.driveonwood.com/

Hmmm. Wonder if, since paper is mostly wood pulp, one can drive on junk mail!

 

[Redbear]

Re: I am going to go ahead with . . . woodgas experiments

Just remember that a woodgas generator produces carbon monoxide to run the engine on. There is a big difference between having the generator in the back of an open pickup truck bed like in the author's photo, and inside an enclosed bus. Or are you proposing to hang the generator on the front grille like the tractor shown in the 1989 FEMA brochure?

 

[ol trunt]

Very interesting read! Thanks