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Guchwale
Active Member
USA
33 Posts |
 Posted - 11/23/2004 : 7:28:06 PM
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All right, I now know the 6's and 7.3 diesels are not as good as the DT360 or DT466.
Well I found a bus I like and drove today - everything works and it has an engine nobody has yet mentioned on the forum.
It is a Bluebird on a Chevy chassis with a Chevy 8.? turbo charged diesel. I don't know anyhting about this engine and need to know how it will be in the mountains.
I really like the bus and it is local - a big bonus. My wife even agreed I could buy it so long as the people on this forum didn't have bad things to say about the engine.
Sorry I don't have more info. but it seems everyone talks IHC but I have heard very little about the Chevy's.
Any info. will help.
Thanks |
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JC Theriault
Top Member
Canada
1326 Posts |
Posted - 11/23/2004 : 8:08:11 PM
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That would probably be a Detroit 8.2 which some will say ***** but I drove many Fords and Chevs equipped with these engines and other than going through more oil than most other engines I loved how much pep they had, even the non-turbo version.
They aren't bad with an automatic but are excellent when coupled to a 5 speed standard. It might be a little louder than some other diesels but that can be solved with soundproofing in the cowl area.
As for mountain use I'm not certain but someone else on here probably has some advice.
Good Luck.
JC |
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Guchwale
Active Member
USA
33 Posts |
Posted - 11/23/2004 : 8:52:19 PM
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Thanks for the info. It does have a governor at 3000 RPM on the nose. Even shifting the automatic into a lower gear I couldn't get over 3000 RPM no matter which gear. Counting the shifts I believe it is a four speed automatic transmission.
How does the Detroit 8.2 rate in reliability and power to the DT's?
Would you own one?
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Bus11
Senior Member
United States
170 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2004 : 09:15:54 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Guchwale
Would you own one?
Yep! 
We have one in our fleet, a 88 w/ 5spd stick. It's been a very good bus for us, nary a problem except for a turbo replacement 8-9 yrs. ago. Of course it does "seep" a bit of oil, and smokes some....
It's had the same driver since new (never hurts), and he doesn't want to let it go.  I'm waiting for it to be retired, so I can repower my old Wayne, but it may be awhile!  Ours is geared a bit low - about 62mph @3000rpm, but it will climb the passes around here w/ the 6B5.9Ts and keep the 466s in sight.
Since it already meets 3 of the most important criteria -
(You like it, it's for sale, AND your wife will let you buy it!  ) - why not take it up to say - Estes and see how it does. 
Hope this helps -
Marshall |
Wandering around the mountains in a 95 Thomas/Ford -
Wishing for a C2 !! |
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Guchwale
Active Member
USA
33 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2004 : 10:47:10 AM
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Thanks for your input.
It was a very clean bus for only $1650. I went back this morning to buy it and it was already sold for cash at 7:30 AM. What luck, it had been there since August!
Still looking for a good ski club vehicle in Colorado - any suggestions are welcome. |
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Bus11
Senior Member
United States
170 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2004 : 3:51:51 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Guchwale
Thanks for your input.
It was a very clean bus for only $1650. I went back this morning to buy it and it was already sold for cash at 7:30 AM. What luck, it had been there since August!
Still looking for a good ski club vehicle in Colorado - any suggestions are welcome.
ARrrrrgggggggggggggg......   
That's a shame, sounds like it was a pretty good buy. Out of curiosity - where did you find this one? I'm still hunting
Keep looking -
Marshall
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Wandering around the mountains in a 95 Thomas/Ford -
Wishing for a C2 !! |
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Guchwale
Active Member
USA
33 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2004 : 11:37:19 PM
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There is a guy in Denver who deals in buses. He only had two available when I was there early this week. He sold the one I wanted and now has a mid-80's Ford with a 6.6L diesel. Not sure but I guess this engine isn't great for mountains with a 60 passanger conventional.
I don't have his number on me now but look under the traderonline ads for buses and search by zip code. That will call up his ads and anyone else with a bus for sale in your area.
Good luck! |
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John M. Keigher
Advanced Member
USA
441 Posts |
Posted - 11/25/2004 : 06:20:33 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Guchwale
There is a guy in Denver who deals in buses. He only had two available when I was there early this week. He sold the one I wanted and now has a mid-80's Ford with a 6.6L diesel. Not sure but I guess this engine isn't great for mountains with a 60 passanger conventional.
I don't have his number on me now but look under the traderonline ads for buses and search by zip code. That will call up his ads and anyone else with a bus for sale in your area.
Good luck!
Have you looked at www.used-bus.com? |
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Topic |
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Any opinions on a 1986 Chevy diesel conventional?
