| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
MongoKen
Senior Member
USA
147 Posts |
 Posted - 02/24/2005 : 11:04:40 AM
|
Does anyone on this forum have any experience restoring an older 70's International (345 Gas/Manual)bus? Specifically, I'm looking for tips on the procedure for attempting to start an engine that has been dormant for nearly 15 years.(It's been nearly 20 years since I've heard the "roar" of the international gas engine  ) I have an opportunity to get a 73 International (Superior)for free and was wondering what I would be up against. My intentions would be to fix it up and keep it original. The body appears to be in good condition. As a matter of fact, there is a local junk yard that purchased 5 of the exact same bus (from the local school auction), so parts for the chassis and body are readily available.
Please share any experiences/suggestions you may have.
Thanks! |
|
|
raytobe
Advanced Member
USA
293 Posts |
Posted - 02/24/2005 : 7:53:10 PM
|
| If they are the busses I am thinking about ( with the wing type double hood)I will suggest you be very careful about them (hoods) coming down on your fingers-- that hurts--. I also remember a lot of adjustments being made on the accelerator pump arm on the carb. A lot of times it will get loose and you'll get crappy throttle response, take a pair of channel locks and bend the arm a little to remove the slack-- IF you ever get it started after 15 years. Ignition wires like to go bad as well. I worked on a LOT of these buses and if anything else comes to mind I'll post again. But the usual recommendations for starting an old unused engine will of course apply. I also remember replacing a BUNCH of front and rear front leaf spring mounting pins, as well as brake boosters and too many clutches to remember. |
 |
|
|
thomas86_a
Top Member
USA
4413 Posts |
Posted - 02/24/2005 : 8:40:07 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by MongoKen
Does anyone on this forum have any experience restoring an older 70's International (345 Gas/Manual)bus? Specifically, I'm looking for tips on the procedure for attempting to start an engine that has been dormant for nearly 15 years.(It's been nearly 20 years since I've heard the "roar" of the international gas engine ) I have an opportunity to get a 73 International (Superior)for free and was wondering what I would be up against. My intentions would be to fix it up and keep it original. The body appears to be in good condition. As a matter of fact, there is a local junk yard that purchased 5 of the exact same bus (from the local school auction), so parts for the chassis and body are readily available.
Please share any experiences/suggestions you may have.
Thanks!
If you decide to take this bus I wish you luck with it, there is nothing more soothing to listen to than the roar of an International 345 engine, I loved those suckers! I drove a 73, 82, and 86 ICH with this engine (86 body, chassis was older). |
If you have an International, you NEED customer service. |
|
|
|
bbird66
Top Member
USA
881 Posts |
Posted - 02/25/2005 : 05:30:01 AM
|
Oh yea!! the gull wing hood! cut my teeth on one of those! had one for 7 years...good memories! Sure would like to see a pic of it, before and after. I know the fenders were a great sourse for rust and you had to really keep that WHOLE STEEL hood clean.
Seemed like you had to drive em like you were mad at em...great bus. Love to have one now.. |
Were gonna miss you "Brent"..Good luck in "Heidi land"
"I know you miss the Wainwrights Bobby, but they were weak and stupid people...and that's why we have wolves and other large predators" .. The Far Side
"On a two hour delay when will my child be picked up??"
|
Edited by - bbird66 on 02/25/2005 05:31:12 AM |
|
|
|
wagonmaster
Top Member
USA
2298 Posts |
Posted - 02/25/2005 : 06:12:41 AM
|
Ken,
I sent you an email on this. Advise if I can help.
Joe |
Joe
Land of the Free, because of the Brave! |
|
|
|
Cody
Top Member
United States
1630 Posts |
Posted - 02/25/2005 : 11:19:52 AM
|
quote:
Originally posted by wagonmaster
Ken,
I sent you an email on this. Advise if I can help.
Joe
Hope ya didnt use the e-mail in the SBF profile, they never work |
|
|
|
MongoKen
Senior Member
USA
147 Posts |
Posted - 02/25/2005 : 12:52:10 PM
|
Hi Joe -
Thank you for sending the email...unfortunately it does not seem to work. Would you mind resending it to kenneth.w.baksys@saic.com?
Thanks
Ken
|
"Superior Buses..A Legend of the Past" |
|
|
|
Thomas Ford 85-16
Top Member
USA
4177 Posts |
Posted - 02/25/2005 : 3:56:05 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by raytobe
But the usual recommendations for starting an old unused engine will of course apply.
Out of curiosity, what are some of these recommendations? I can imagine that lubrication is a major issue... |
|
|
|
kd4jfd
Top Member
USA
1168 Posts |
Posted - 02/25/2005 : 4:22:02 PM
|
| Check all the gaskets, etc. They may have dry rotted and/or deteriorated. |
539 - Repair work in progress! |
|
|
|
raytobe
Advanced Member
USA
293 Posts |
Posted - 02/25/2005 : 10:32:24 PM
|
| one thing I would do before starting is to remove the distributor and take a 1/4 (or 5/16, or 3/8 I can't remember which one fits) deep well 1/4 inch drive socket (twelve point) on a long extension and run it down into the dist hole onto the oil pump shaft (careful not to drop it in) and use a cordless drill to spin the oil pump shaft-- best to spin it both ways-- this will prime the oil galleys and help reduce a lot of friction you'll encounter on startup. If it were me I would even change the oil (using ten weight) and filter before I spun it up. If I got it running I would warm it up and change the oil (using proper weight) and filter again. I would also check those spark plugs and the rotor (notorious for shorting out) before I tried to start it, and make sure the coil is firing by using non conductive plastic or wood to hold the coil to dist wire about an 1/4 inch from a ground point on the engine at the dist end and turning the engine over to see if you have a spark. But these are all suggestions that any mechanic knows by rote. |
|
|
|
raytobe
Advanced Member
USA
293 Posts |
Posted - 02/26/2005 : 4:50:21 PM
|
| just an footnote to my post above-- I got to thinking and the oil pump shaft may be slotted, I can't remember for sure. If it is you can use an old large long slotted screwdriver with the handle cut off. Clamp it into the cordless drill and use that to spin the oil pump. |
|
|
|
ModMech
Top Member
USA
948 Posts |
Posted - 02/27/2005 : 5:29:01 PM
|
| Watch the exhaust lobe for the #7 cylinder (third back D/S anyway) they like to go flat. |
If you want customer service, you NEED an International! |
|
|
|
jimbcole
New Member
USA
4 Posts |
Posted - 02/28/2005 : 2:03:09 PM
|
| You may want to remove the spark plugs before spinning the engine over and spray some lubricant in the cylinders in case the piston rings have adhered to the cylinder walls. |
|
|
|
MongoKen
Senior Member
USA
147 Posts |
Posted - 02/28/2005 : 4:12:45 PM
|
Thanks to everyone who replied. I appreciate all the advice.
For those that are interested in a pic of the bus, below is a link. Enjoy!!
 |
"Superior Buses..A Legend of the Past" |
|
|
|
IC-RE
Top Member
USA
4117 Posts |
Posted - 02/28/2005 : 4:30:11 PM
|
| I like it, Take it!!! |
 bus 1980, a 2008 IC RE 300 for Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax, Virginia. |
|
|
|
Busdude3
Top Member
USA
1178 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2005 : 2:17:36 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by MongoKen
Does anyone on this forum have any experience restoring an older 70's International (345 Gas/Manual)bus? Specifically, I'm looking for tips on the procedure for attempting to start an engine that has been dormant for nearly 15 years.(It's been nearly 20 years since I've heard the "roar" of the international gas engine ) I have an opportunity to get a 73 International (Superior)for free and was wondering what I would be up against. My intentions would be to fix it up and keep it original. The body appears to be in good condition. As a matter of fact, there is a local junk yard that purchased 5 of the exact same bus (from the local school auction), so parts for the chassis and body are readily available.
Please share any experiences/suggestions you may have.
Thanks!
I bow down to you for keeping it original! Thank you! |
|
|
|
CISDbusman
Advanced Member
306 Posts |
Posted - 04/01/2005 : 10:12:31 AM
|
If ya want to convert it to fuel injection or just want a cheap mod for the distributor to run Ford Duraspark stuff in it, then read up about the conversion/s at www.justinternationals.org
I love my injected 304 in my scout It will run upside down now Looking for a good 392 for a buildup for it one day!!
Wish ya luck with your bus!! |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
73 International/Superior Engine Revival!!
