Diesel or Gas - revisited

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Diesel or Gas - revisited

Home > Discussion Forum > Bus Conversions - School

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All Messages in Thread	Author	Date
Diesel or Gas - revisited	Mark L.	11-20-00
Well, from responses to my previous post, I am pretty much sold on the idea of keeping my bus running on a gasoline V-8 for now. Unfortunately, while preparing for my T'giving trip to Pittsburgh, the engine pretty much gave it up. (Not unexpectedly, though.) Probably a cracked head, but needless to say, Lansing may have no mosquitos next year - oil consumption is 5 qt/30 miles! Anyway, as you may recall, the bus is a 1972 Blue Bird with a Ford 391. Would there be wisdom in upgrading to a modern, fuel-injected Ford 460 crate engine, in spite of trying to install the air compressor on the thing, and adapt it to the transmission? Does the 460 even have the same bolt pattern as a 391? Any comments are appreciated. Obvioulsy, the most straightforward fix would be to get a rebuilt 391 and put it in, since it is a pretty sturdy and reliable engine. Thanks in advance, happy highways to you. Mark Webberville, Michigan USA
Re: Diesel or Gas - revisited	John sununu	11-20-00
What Im thinking is if your gonna spend money on a new car motor for it thats gonna die after 100,000 miles you would be better off geting a rebuilt or slightly used cat 3208 just like the modern versions of your blue bird. a truck tranny will only set you back about $1k at the wrecker. and if you do it, change your rear end gear so the engine RPM is at its max torque output at 70mph. you can have a shop calculate the ring gear youll need for the best performance. U can put a 855cid cummins in that thing and it wont make a difference in performance unless you calculate the rpm so its putting out peak torque at 70mph. if you do your motor home will take off like a rocket from a red light!
Re: Diesel or Gas - revisited	Mark O.	11-23-00
You have a great looking motorhome! As to gas or diesel, I agree with FF again. The 391/429 truck engines were rock solid performers. Even in severe service, those engines did well in excess of 100K miles. In a motorhome, given basic care and maintenance, I doubt you could wear it out. You will not get the fuel consumption a diesel gets and you might slow down on the hills sooner than a diesel if you keep the 391. On the other hand, you will be able to hear a conversation at road speed. Even though BB installed DD 8.2L, Cat 3208, and Cummins 555 in forward control buses, the noise is considerable. If you choose to repower, it won't be a simple bolt in conversion. You will need to fabricate a lot of stuff to make it work. A 460 would be a poor choice. It is not a truck engine and won't stand up to the severe service you will put it to. A 534 would be a poor choice as well. It has a lot of power but it is extremely thirsty--3 MPG in school buses was considered great, less than 2 MPG was not unusual. I would fix the 391 if it was up to me. Good luck and happy trails. Mark O.
Re: Gas - revisited	FAST FRED	11-22-00
You could check with JASPER for a rebuilt 391 or 427 -429 the one that is a real truck engine. IN a BB like yours a good rebuild will coat less than throwing out the engine tranny , drive train and rear axle, just to hear diesel noises 100% of the time. The foward engined BB were never considered sucessfull , as the noise bounces off the road into the driving area. BB couldnt solve it without going to a rear rngine , dont think you will either. Most MH go 500 mi a year on adverage , so a rebuilt truck engine is at least 20+ years of cheap driving , with the radio on, that you can hear. FAST FRED
Re: Gas - revisited +typo fixed	FAST FRED	11-22-00
You could check with JASPER for a rebuilt 391 or 427 -429 the one that is a real truck engine. IN a BB like yours a good rebuild will coat less than throwing out the engine tranny , drive train and rear axle, just to hear diesel noises 100% of the time. The foward engined BB were never considered sucessfull , as the noise bounces off the road into the driving area. BB couldnt solve it without going to a rear rngine , dont think you will either. Most MH go 5000 mi a year on adverage , so a rebuilt truck engine is at least 20+ years of cheap driving , with the radio on, that you can hear. FAST FRED
Re: Diesel or Gas - revisited	John	11-22-00
Congrats. Very nice looking older coach. On the gas or diesel thing, just crunch the numbers according to how many miles a year you plan to drive.
Re: Diesel or Gas - revisited	Wrench	11-22-00
John sununu: Have you ever seen a 855CID cummins???? He is going to take the whole living room area to install it!!!!!!!!! and he will be deaf the first time he fire it up!!!!!!!!! just my penny Wrench What Im thinking is if your gonna spend money on a new car motor for it thats gonna die after 100,000 miles you would be better off geting a rebuilt or slightly used cat 3208 just like the modern versions of your blue bird. a truck tranny will only set you back about $1k at the wrecker. and if you do it, change your rear end gear so the engine RPM is at its max torque output at 70mph. you can have a shop calculate the ring gear youll need for the best performance. U can put a 855cid cummins in that thing and it wont make a difference in performance unless you calculate the rpm so its putting out peak torque at 70mph. if you do your motor home will take off like a rocket from a red light!
Re: Diesel or Gas - revisited	John sununu	11-22-00
I wasnt saying to install a 855cid cummins in his blue bird, read it again.