92 Bluebird, want to put in 290 cummins

RV and bus conversion info since 1996.

Share Your Feedback

PRINT PAGE

RV Classifieds

		1987 GMC RTS - $10,500
		1978 Eagle 05 - $25,000
		2007 Bounder 38V - $149,900
		1964 Flxible Flxliner - $50,000
		1989 Winnebago Spectrum 2000 - $39,500
		VIEW ALL
		Search RV Classifieds
		Classifieds Policies
		Benefits for Dealers
		Sell Your RV
		Dealer Signup

Useful Links

RV Community

		Discussion Groups
		RV Articles
		RV FAQs
		RV Classified Ads
		Virtual RV Park
		Shop at our Store
		RV Lifestyle Books
		Rate Your RV
		AllThingsRV.com
		MyRVGuide.com
		RVMechanic.com
		Advertise With Us

BECOME A MEMBER

RV Resources

		Best Rate RV Loans
		e RV Loans
		Visit Rio Rancho, NM for Winter
		RV Dealers
		RV Manufacturers
		RV Rentals
		RV Glossary
		RV Types
		RV Ratings

92 Bluebird, want to put in 290 cummins

Home > Discussion Forum > Bus Conversions - School

email Robert

reply to message

post new message

search forums

hidden layer

ATTENTION: All Postings that advertise items for sale will be deleted from the Discussion Forum. You may post sale items for free in the Classifieds section. Sign up now.

All Messages in Thread	Author	Date
92 Bluebird, want to put in 290 cummins	Robert	4-26-05
I have a 1992 Ford Bluebird school bus, it has a 5.9 cummins with just over 70k miles on it. After a recent trip of about 800 miles, I have decited to try to get some information about putting in a 290 or 350 cummins motor out of old road truck. I was wondering if first of all will it fit?? I know that the latter of the cummins motors is much larger that the 5.9, but it seems to me that there is a whole lot of room under the hood. (tilt) If anyone has any information I sure would like the help..
Re: 92 Bluebird, want to put in 290 cummins	Phil Feinstein	4-27-05
Do some research on the F700 and F900 series trucks (what your bus is based on) and look into Navistar straigt trucks as well (used to be international harvester, but uses Ford parts and vice-versa) Get out your tape measure and look at how much room there is between the firewall and the radiator support. see how much room there is between the frame rails and from the top of the motor mounts to the hood (when it's closed) The research will tell you what motors were available for your vehicle and the measurements will tell you what you can ultimately fit under your hood. Always take into consideration anything the goes into the engine compartment (Brake master and booster, steering shaft, heater core, etc.) because you will have to plumb around them. Hope that helps!
Re: 92 Bluebird, want to put in 290 cummins	Mike Beckham	4-28-05
Hello Robert. I will give you my 2 cents worth on this subject. I am a factory trained Cummins mechanic with 14 years experience, but have left the mechanic side of it to drive 18 wheelers, due to a back injury. Many things come into play in a swap like this.These are the questions you need to answer before trying to do the swap. 1.) What do I hope to gain? ( more power, better mileage etc.) 2.) Will you present tranny and bellhousing bolt to the Cummins 290? ( probably not.) 3.)I am sure there is a huge weight difference between your 5.9 and the 290 Cummins,and factor in a differnt bellhousing and clutch, and maybe a big truck tranny, that weighs a 1000lbs by itself. you could easily add 2000lbs. to the front of your bus. 4.) A "skoolie" usually has a very low geared rear axle (5:13 to 6:17 is common). A 18 wheeler rear axle is anywhere from 2:90 to 4:10. The 290 Cummins is governed to 2100 RPM, with a 5:13 rear axle you would have (maybe) a 60 mph bus. IMHO a better choice would be a diesel from a medium sized truck like a ford 8000 dump truck, or as Phil suggested a DT466 International engine.The key is to get the whole truck as a donor if possible to use the tranny and maybe the rearend. The 290 swap can be done, but it would really be a challenge.I don't want to discourage you, but having done some wild swaps, you need to know what to look for. Good Luck, Mike.
Re: 92 Bluebird, want to put in 290 cummins	wrench	4-30-05
The best you could fit in there would be a 8.3 cummins,(as long you got a 700 frame). There is pleny of them with the ford(new holland) engine. the 6.6L is rated at 170/180, the 7.8 at 210/240, the weight is around 1200 lbs, that would be more possible. wrench