rebuild cost???

krs2fer · May 22, 2009, 08:55:18 PM

I'm looking into buying a MCI 8 with a 8V71 with Allison 740. The engine is tired and needs to be rebuilt or replaced.
Can anybody give me a rough estimate on how much it costs to rebuild the 8V71?

This engine has no turbo on it, could one be put on it with out costing an arm and a leg?

Thanks in advance,
krs2fer

JackConrad · May 23, 2009, 04:58:06 AM

Nimco sells used 8V71s for $3000. If you purchase an engine, it needs to be right hand rotation. I have heard parts will run about $2500. Do you plan to do the rebuild or pay someone to do it? Jack

luvrbus · May 23, 2009, 06:35:37 AM

Krs, the 2500 dollars Jack mention is for a in frame kit all you get are new liners,pistons,rod bearing and gaskets.
You are better off to buy a low mileage engine with a complete rebuild the 71 series can cost 18,000 dollars and more for a out of frame rebuild at a Detroit Dealer.Take outs are available for 3 to 6 grand good luck

WEC4104 · May 23, 2009, 06:56:50 AM

Since this is a bus you are considering for purchase, presumably there is not a lot of history known (or at least that can be trusted). That introduces more variables, and these spread the range on a potential rebuild cost.

You can start out by estimating the cost of the rebuild parts kit and the labor to install it. That is the number you are hoping for. But then there are the addition items that you may find need attention of have to be replaced. What if you get it apart and find the crank shaft is in real bad condition? What if a head is found to have a problem? Are you going to throw in a fresh set of injectors? Water pump? Belts, hoses? etc. etc.

More often than not, the owner elects to (or is forced to), tack on additonal work to the basic rebuild. I subscribed to the "Do it once, do it right." philosophy, so my rebuild (6-71) came in over budget, but also came with extra peace of mind.

lostagain · May 23, 2009, 07:10:29 AM

The 4-71 I just did cost me:

Pistons, rods, liners, crank and rod bearings, gasket kit, etc: $1500.00.

Head rebuild plus 4 injectors: $1000.00.

Then there are lots of miscellaneous bits and pieces either new or from the junk yard that add up.

I probably have $5000.00 in it, plus hundreds of hours of my time. (I am slow...)

But I know what I have now, plus the good feeling of doing myself.

Double that, at least, for having a shop do it for you.

JC

luvrbus · May 23, 2009, 07:24:39 AM

Yep JC he can double that for the other 4 cylinders kits , head and injectors.
These babies are not cheap to work on Jack's 2500 will buy you aftermarket parts Detroit quoted me $485.00 per cylinder kit for a 8v92 good luck

larryh · May 23, 2009, 07:53:15 AM

JC

The receipt the church had for Detroit Diesel to rebuild the 8V71 in my bus to original specs was 9285.00 this did not include remove and reinstall the engine so they paid almost a thousand more for that no receipt was given to me for that it now has 68,154 miles on it.

Larry

PS; I paid 3200.00 for the complete bus

krs2fer · May 23, 2009, 01:03:13 PM

All I can say is thanks for you help and wow, to the price.
It's a nice looking converted bus but I can't do any of the work myself due to bad health, maybe I'll just keep looking.
Thanks again for all of the information and prices..

Krs2fer

Lin · May 23, 2009, 02:13:53 PM

There are lots of buses for sale, so maybe it is best to find one that is ready to go with all or most of the features that you want. Even then, there will be unexpected expensive expenses.

gyrocrasher · May 23, 2009, 07:20:41 PM

Quote from: larryh on May 23, 2009, 07:53:15 AM
JC
Larry

PS; I paid 3200.00 for the complete bus

Had to rub it in, didn't you?

Just kidding. Sounds like a bargain! Mitch

krs2fer · May 24, 2009, 06:57:07 PM

I liked the one I found and if I could have the engine rebuilt or replaced at a price I could afford, I'd buy it.. but I think I'll keep looking for now anyway..

I need to find a bus that's already been converted, my health just won't let me do as much as I once did.