New Member

[Gordie Allen]

Welcome to the asylum jonboy! I've been rebuilding my 1956 4104 for the past three years. It's been functional and on the road for 1 1/2. We have a 671, with four valve heads. In that time we've driven from Michigan to California the last two winters (2400 miles each way). It cruises at 65 mph on grades less than 1% pulling an HHR behind. The only grade I avoid is I-70, west of Denver - too long and steep a pull. Yes I'd like more power and an automatic would be nice, but I don't use the clutch other than from a dead stop, so it's not that big a deal. It's the best looking bus ever made (IMHO), solid and reliable. The only thing I would do differently is buy a later model - say after production #3000. Just my two cents. You can check out the entire rebuild at http://this-old-bus.blogspot.com/.

[gg04]

We built this 04 in 2000. It's our 4th bus. Replaced the original 671 with a 671ta ddec. Left the original 4spd,only use clutch to take.off . Engine is set at 325hp&700+tq. Can run with any other bus. Plus has averaged just under 11mpg for the last 80000 miles. Just buy something you like..... rdw

[lostagain]

Welcome here Jonboy,

an automatic is preferable for several reasons, even if you enjoy shifting gears. A manual would be a hard sell when you want to get rid of it, because most people prefer an auto. The start ability of an auto is far superior to a manual. Most of that vintage buses have the Spicer 4 speed, with a high first gear, which makes it hard to start up a hill and/or pulling a trailer without slipping and burning the clutch. An automatic will most likely be the Allison HT740, which is very reliable.

Be very careful looking at a church or sports team bus. In most cases, they were maintained by volunteers with tight budgets, run into the ground, then put up for sale when they couldn't keep up any more. Look everywhere,  ask for maintenance records, have a good mechanic inspect it for you if you don't feel you are competent enough. Where are you at? Maybe one of us can help.

Good luck,

JC

[luvrbus]

Buy what you like they all their have pit falls,me with the price of conversions today I would buy a late model factory conversion, they are going to be low miles parts and service from Prevost and MCI are just a phone call away.

You pay 15 grand for a older bus at 50,100,500 and 1000 bucks a pop replacing things you are going to be about the same price in the older as bus as you could buy a decent factory coach with all the goodies like a diesel generators inverters but we all do it different do you want a 35,40 or 45 ft coach ?

[bigred]

You know why she is telling you to leave her out of it don't you Jonboy??? It is so every time something screws up ,she can say "this is your d---- problem!! I didn't have any thing to do with it""LOL

[jonboy]

Welcome here Jonboy,

an automatic is preferable for several reasons, even if you enjoy shifting gears. A manual would be a hard sell when you want to get rid of it, because most people prefer an auto. The start ability of an auto is far superior to a manual. Most of that vintage buses have the Spicer 4 speed, with a high first gear, which makes it hard to start up a hill and/or pulling a trailer without slipping and burning the clutch. An automatic will most likely be the Allison HT740, which is very reliable.

Be very careful looking at a church or sports team bus. In most cases, they were maintained by volunteers with tight budgets, run into the ground, then put up for sale when they couldn't keep up any more. Look everywhere,  ask for maintenance records, have a good mechanic inspect it for you if you don't feel you are competent enough. Where are you at? Maybe one of us can help.

Good luck,

JC
I live in Prescott Valley AZ hay thanks for all the information I appreciate all your help. I was a Detroit mechanic for several years and like the 6-71 as so easy to work on. The Bus I'm looking at is a PD-4104 with the 6-71, it is two valve head and no Jake Brake. Looking for the 4 valve head is very pricey would run around $25,000 but would be a  great up grade. The automatic would be awesome as then would not have teach her how to double clutch, I only use the clutch to start then shift on the fly. Jonboy