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Message |
Johnny (63.159.197.38)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 07, 2002 - 10:07 pm: | |
1978 GMC chassis Conventional skoolie, Bluebird body, former YMCA bus, I think.
Engine: blown-up 366/2bbl Rat.
Trans: 7-speed Spicer, with 2-speed rear end/splitter--seems to work properly. Clutch done last year.
360,000 miles.
Body 98% perfect--front bumper bent, a few dings & scrapes, emergency door hinges feel loose & have sagged (door has to be lifted to close properly).
No warning lights or stop sign (never had them--was never used for school, currently owned by a church).
Right windshield has 24" crack from stone.
Tires have about 50% tread, rears are Bandag retreads (I don't mind). All 6 are radials.
Interior in OK shape--drivers' seat is torn, steering wheel cracked, horn doesn't work. Other than that, not bad.
GVWR 25,000lbs, hydraulic brakes.
Problems: Windshield, emer. door, horn, engine, & what appears to be a bad Bendix on the starter (needs a hard whack sometimes). Also paint (currently psychadelic lime green).
Price: "Best offer"
Anyone? |
Scott Whitney (24.205.239.4)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 08, 2002 - 12:20 am: | |
I would not buy a bus that does not run. I think you are saying that the engine is blown? Not as in supercharged but as in toast . . . If so, don't mess with it.
You can get school busses a dime a dozed as they retire straight from the district. Well maintained, running, ready for conversion.
A bus that runs and costs $1000-2000 is a much better deal than a bus that doesn't run that costs a dollar. (In my opinion)
It is a buyer's market now and deals are everywhere - shells, partially converted and complete conversions.
Check out the bus section on eBay to see what I mean.
Scott |
Johnny (67.241.166.111)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 08, 2002 - 1:47 am: | |
I should've been clearer: It RUNS (in fact I drove it), but it needs an engine--5psi of oil pressure at hot idle with straight 40W oil, & smokes (blue-gray) like a bonfire after about 3 minutes of idling.
A blown engine is, to me, not a big deal. I'd probably dump any gasser for a larger one (in this case a 454, or even a RamJet 502 EFI crate engine) anyway, & a 366 is worthless, running or not. I'd also consider a 500ci Cadillac.
I think I can get this under a grand. I forgot to post it, but the ENTIRE brake system (master, booster, all hard lines, hoses, shoes, hardware) was replaced last year--everything except the drums, which were turned. He said he could get the reciepts tomorrow. (He didn't have a key to the file cabinet.) |
Don KS/TX (205.187.92.59)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 08, 2002 - 5:01 am: | |
I think if you shop around you will find this is no real deal. Like Scott said, they are a dime a dozen, really good ones really cheap. |
Johnny (63.159.217.251)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 14, 2002 - 11:36 am: | |
OK--been off-line for a while, but:
I don't see the problem here. A blown engine, to me, is a non-problem. I'd swap out a 366 (or a 370 Ford, or a 304/345 IH) in a heartbeat, anyway. I can get a fresh 454 for <$1000 easily (probably around $6-700) that will bolt right in. |
FAST FRED (209.26.87.92)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 14, 2002 - 3:12 pm: | |
The engine is the easy part ,
The big Question is the body condition, as that is where it gets expensive.
To me, The 454 Rat is NOT a heavy duty truck engine , I would install anything that came out of a truck , but Not a pickup.
GM has many REAL truck engines waiting to go back to work at your friendly wreckers.
Go for it!
FAST FRED |
Johnny (63.159.193.157)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 16, 2002 - 12:48 pm: | |
I replied before, but AGAIN it didn't post......
What's wrong with a 454? The 366 is the same basic engine. I'm also considering a 500 Cadillac. What do you suggest?
The body is pretty good--I posted condition above. |
DaveD (216.18.113.69)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 16, 2002 - 9:59 pm: | |
A 454 is a great engine; lots of power, reliable, reasonable fuel economy. I had one in a30' Winnebago Chieftan (GVWR about 16,000 lbs) and it had no trouble handling traffic or hills.
DaveD |
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