What is Your Opinion

Further-ing88 · December 08, 2015, 10:42:29 AM

Im looking into a 2001 International school bus with 101,000 miles and a T444E Engine - 444 cu in (7.3L)
Turbocharger engine. What is your opinion on this particular bus model and engine?

Thanks!

Iceni John · December 08, 2015, 11:46:36 AM

Not a bad engine, but the DT466 family is regarded as being the best medium-duty engine - see if you can find a bus with the 466 in it instead. One of our E350 buses at work with the Ford Powerstroke version of the 444 went clunk one day due to excessive wear on the camshaft, so that required a new engine; otherwise our other Powerstroke buses and 444E boxtrucks have been reliable, so far.

Is the bus a pusher or a front-engine?

John

Further-ing88 · December 08, 2015, 01:46:46 PM

Thanks for the response John.

Do you think its worth 4-5K in good condition? Im going to check it out Sunday.
Im going to transform it into my living quarters...not run it long at first but eventually do cross-country with her.

Flatnose...would that make a difference? Engine in the back.

Also is this a lot of milage for a bus?

RJ · December 08, 2015, 02:48:39 PM

NAME?? -

May I ask "Why a school bus?"

Please elaborate on your reason(s) for choosing that particular platform.

Curious, mainly.

FWIW & HTH. . .

PS: Engine in the rear is commonly called a "pusher." Engine up front is either a FC (forward control - flat front) or "dog nose" 'cause that's what they look like.

oltrunt · December 08, 2015, 03:07:31 PM

Hi. First off, 100K is nothing for a properly serviced bus. That said, and I probably should be more diplomatic, but, 4 to 5 K for a school bus is way too much money IMH -- especially with the drive line you spoke of. I have both a skoolie and an MCI9 coach so I kind of keep up on both.. If you can get all the service records along with the kind of service the school bus was in and it all makes sense to you then go ahead. As I've said to others, If you plan to strap a canoe to the top and head for Colorado for a little water sport then a used school bus is what you should acquire. On the other hand, if you plan on cruising from Seattle to Florida for the winter then a coach would be a better bet. Hope this helps. Jack

lvmci · December 08, 2015, 03:12:40 PM

Hi Further, school bus has a harsher ride than an intercity bus, if you have electronics on board, driving may be an issue, lvmci...

kyle4501 · December 08, 2015, 03:41:26 PM

My opinion is that a school buses may attract the kind of attention that brings more trouble.
Not because they are bad vehicles, but because of the actions of an inconsiderate few before you that have left a bad impression . . .

Any vehicle you get for this purpose will cost the same - Every thing you can spare & then some.

So choose wisely.

don't get the first thing you see. Look around & be patient, you never know when an amazing deal will show up.
I have have seen some nice BlueBird Wanderlodges sell in that price range, all that was needed was some maintenance. And make no mistake, they ALL need maintenance!

eagle19952 · December 08, 2015, 03:43:10 PM

two things you really need to come to terms with...

gearing high or low... max road speed.

insurance... can you get any, or the amount and type you want ?

ps imo, a bluebird is a glorified school bus...most ride like a brick/metal wheeled roller skate

TomC · December 08, 2015, 03:48:23 PM

444 is your basic pickup truck engine used by Ford for years. In a harsh setting like school buses, I wouldn't expect much more than 50,000mi more out of that engine before overhaul is needed.
DT466 much better-300,000mi engine. Look for a normal highway bus-you'll be much more happy than a schoolie. Good Luck, TomC

kyle4501 · December 08, 2015, 03:51:17 PM

Air suspension is definitely a HUGE improvement over the old leaf spring suspension.

eagle19952 · December 08, 2015, 04:23:28 PM

Quote from: kyle4501 on December 08, 2015, 03:51:17 PM
Air suspension is definitely a HUGE improvement over the old leaf spring suspension.

that may be...but i don't see those air sprung wanderlodges in his price range..

scanzel · December 08, 2015, 11:41:21 PM

There is a 1986 Prevost with an automatic on Ebay in Ohio for $10,000 or looking for offers. Needs converting but they ride nice. Doesn't say what engine with the auto 8V71 or 8V92. It has aluminum wheels too. I am thinking of making an offer just to get the automatic to converted my standard over, get the aluminum wheels some other parts and scrap the rest for cash back.

Oonrahnjay · December 09, 2015, 01:52:56 AM

Quote from: eagle19952 on December 08, 2015, 03:43:10 PMtwo things you really need to come to terms with...

gearing high or low... max road speed.

insurance... can you get any, or the amount and type you want ?

ps imo, a bluebird is a glorified school bus...most ride like a brick/metal wheeled roller skate

Don brings up some very good points and there's a further follow-on. I've heard some people say "Oh, I don't want a 'Greyhound type' bus, I want a school bus since they're easier on fuel". But that's a mis-conception. In general, they're not more fuel efficient unless you're willing to travel at low/school bus speeds. Note Don's statement above "gearing high or low... max road speed." If you have a preference for a school bus based on "it's just what I want", that's fine (I'm making a very unusual choice myself) but there are a number of factors -- the largest being 'you get what you pay for' -- that make it so that a school bus isn't "a simpler, easier, cheaper way to go".

opus · December 09, 2015, 09:00:34 AM

Interesting comments.....

luvrbus · December 09, 2015, 09:34:34 AM

I think that bus will have air suspension the IH school buses around here do.Some of the schoolies the owners have fanatic ideas for the interiors not the run of the mill conversions.
I have seen some converted that were beautiful on the inside there is 1 here the guy has slick sided the bus it's hard to tell from 1 of new super C truck RV's a very nice rig