UPDATE: Unusual Engine Conversion Photos Wanted (also "normal" conversions)

[rv_safetyman]

I have agreed to write an engine conversion article for Bus Conversion Magazine based on a seminar that Sonnie Gray and I presented at a couple of Jack Conrad's rallies and one BusN USA rally.  This is not a how to do presentation/article, rather a "what to think about" article with information about some of the system fabrication concepts.

As we prepared the first seminar, I began collecting photos of some unusual bus engine conversions.  Over the years, I have collected some fun photos.  I have posted a few of them at:  http://rvsafetysystems.com/Engine%20Conversion.htm now:  http://rvsafetysystems.com/engineconversion.htm .  I hope to add some more of my collection over the next few days.

However, I would love to add to this collection.  If you have a couple of photos of unique (and normal ) conversions, send them to me along with a brief description.  I will add them to the website for all to enjoy.

Send them to:  jim at rvsafetysystems dot com

Thanks, Jim

UPDATE 10/10/09:  I have updated the engine conversion web page.  See post on page 3 of this thread

Jim

[poppi]

Jim,

   Nice pics!

   Looks like both the Cummings examples are not running the standard squirrel cage fans.
   The big cam looks like large electric motors....Is that correct?

   Thanks
Skip

[harpold700 3]

That mc7 of Dave Hennigars with the Cummins looks like its right at home in there. Do you have any more photos or details on fitment on this swap?

[rv_safetyman]

Skip, I don't have as much information as I would like on some of the conversions.  I have at least one MCI photo where they used a huge 12V motor to drive the fans.  

Your conversion looks interesting.  Send me a couple of photos if you get a chance.

Jim

[Utahclaimjumper]

George Lawry had a  turbo Cummins 903 in his 4106, that coach is still banging around, I spotted it at Quartszite this year.>>>Dan

[Utahclaimjumper]

Speaking of that bus brings to mind the fact that if you buy a bus from anyone on the boards you never get to "own" it, it will allways be "so and sos" old bus, same with aircraft from your home airport, it will allways be someone elses old 182 and so forth.>>>Dan

[Brian Diehl]

Jim, Is my ISM/Eaton Autoshift unusual enough for your purposes?  If so, I could send you a bunch of pictures.  Let me know.

[luvrbus]

Who is the guy that has a Eagle with the pancake Cummins engine laying on it's side now that one is unusual to say the least      good luck

[rv_safetyman]

Wow, let me try to catch up. 

The Hennigar photo is the only one I have. 

Skip, got the photos, thanks.

I toured George Lawry's old coach with him in Quartzsite, but did not think to take pictures of the engine.  I will write to him to see if he has pictures.

Brian, I had planned to list your site and my project pages as reference sites.  If it is OK with you, I will just grab a couple of photos from your site and make a link to it on my engine conversion page.  Your site is great!!!!

Clifford, if you have any thoughts on how to find that Eagle, let me know.

All:  I sort of set the stage for this thread incorrectly.  I would love to focus on "unique" conversions, but any conversion is welcome.  In addition, if you have your conversion documented on a website or a photo site such as PhotoBucket, let me know and I will put a link to it. 

This could be a lot of fun!!!

Jim

[TomC]

Couple of cautions- while the 12v fans may work since they look like the old fans from the A/C of the bus, over and over 12v electric cooling fans don't work well (maybe passable in 4 stroke engines, but not with 2 strokers and their large heat rejection).
Also, engines that should not be used for buses- Caterpillar 3208 (not powerful enough and not a very good engine either), Caterpillar 3116, 3126 (not powerful enough), 3196 (had an aluminum spacer plate between cast iron block and cast iron head [one of Caterpillars not so better ideas]); Caterpillar 3408 (large and heavy); any of Cummins V-6 or V-8's (not made anymore and were problematic); Cummins ISB (not powerful enough); any Detroit 2 stroke engine (if you have one-use it, but don't repower with it since they are obsolete engines), International powerstroke (not powerful enough), GM V-8 from a pickup (not powerful enough).  Also, in my opinion, the Detroit Series 60, Cummins NTC, N14, ISX, Caterpillar 3406, C15 are all too large and heavy for bus use (I realize they are used and loved, but it will be a harder conversion). 
Engines I would suggest for an engine swap are Cummins ISC (330hp and 1000lb/ft), ISL (425hp and 1250lb/ft), ISM (500hp and 1550lb/ft); Mercedes-Benz 4000 series (450hp and 1650lb/ft); Caterpillar C10, C11, C12, C13 (470hp and 1650lb/ft); Volvo 13 liter (485hp and 1650lb/ft); International 570 (365hp and 1250lb/ft).  All have more torque than the standard 8V-71 and will get much better fuel mileage.  Good Luck, TomC

[poppi]

Tom,

   You left out 3306 cat......... (before all the fancy electronic

    Though if you could find one (a little tall)   1693 

     Then there is L10 to M11 a lot of those still floating around

  Skip

[rv_safetyman]

Thanks for the continued input.  I have written George Lowry to see if he has any photos.

There was a neat Scenicruiser with Series 60 in Quartzsite this year (see photo).  Does anyone have the owner's contact information?

[Brian Diehl]

Jim, a link from your site to mine would be great.  Also, if you want any pictures I don't have up on the site let me know and I can send you a few.  I also have full sizes of all the pictures on the site in case you need a higher resolution photo.

[rv_safetyman]

Thanks Brain.  I will get with you if I need more detailed photos. 

A good friend contacted me off line and gave me the names of the owners of a couple of the buses.  The Scenicruiser is owned by David Freedman and George Lowry's bus is now owned by Rex Holcomb.

Jim

[JackConrad]

Jim,
   Pat McNeal, the beautiful stretched red Scenicruiser at the Bussin' rallies now has a series 60 in it.  Jack