What engine should I look for?

[Chris & Beverly]

We are going to get a conversion this year and I'm not sure what engine I should look for. This is our first bus. We plan on touring extensively and living in it at some point.
I am definitely NOT A MECHANIC.
What IYHO is the best engine? v71, V92 or a 60?

[Zephod]

We are going to get a conversion this year and I'm not sure what engine I should look for. This is our first bus. We plan on touring extensively and living in it at some point.
I am definitely NOT A MECHANIC.
What IYHO is the best engine? v71, V92 or a 60?

Any engine that goes vroom is a good engine. Honestly you're worrying over the small stuff. I have a dt466. One of my mechanic friends says good engine. Another says not a bad engine but hard to work on. With the mikes we will put on them, it's not worth stressing.

My work bus does 140 miles daily. That's about 28,000 miles a year. By the time that bus is retired in 25 years it will have 700,000 miles on it.


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[Dave5Cs]

The newest you can afford and if they say its been rebuilt get proof in writing. Check date codes on tires also...Good Luck

[TomC]

The 2 stroke Detroits-71 and 92 series-are getting harder and harder to find anyone to work on them. Highly recommend you fine a bus with a 4 stroke engine like the Detroit Series 50 or 60, Cummins or Cat engine. You'll get better fuel mileage also. Good Luck, TomC

[Oonrahnjay]

The newest you can afford and if they say its been rebuilt get proof in writing. Check date codes on tires also...Good Luck   

     Can't agree more with Dave.  *Far* more important than the kind of engine is the maintenance that an engine has had and the care and expertise put into its most recent rebuild (and you have to expect to get an engine that's been rebuilt (or had major repairs/overhaul) sometime in its life.  Also, note TomC's comment of availability of support for older engines.  When you're buying an engine, you're buying the shape that it's in now and you're buying the need for maintenance, support, and repairs you'll need in the future.

[Utahclaimjumper]

  As a NON MECHANIC,,why would you even consider a BUS???  There are so many late model motorhomes with all the amenities and ready to go with modern day engines, transmissions,suspensions,brakes,and parts and support facilities that are available all over the country...Make your life a lot easier and stay modern,, the very question you asked is the reason for my response.>>>Dan

[luvrbus]

 2 strokes mechanics are really not that hard to find,good ones are sometimes though depending on what area you are in.
The advantage the 2 strokes had for years was the price for a overhaul and you could rebuild one and install it and kick the throttle wide open without any break in period,  those days are gone parts are expensive it is nothing now to spend 20 to 30+k on rebuilding one.
Then you always have the heating problem if not careful and chasing that friggin 40w engine oil.
I love my 2 strokes next to the 3406-425 hp CAT the 8v92TA was the best engine made in their day IMO but find you a conversion with a series 60 -12.7 non EGR engine and you won't regret it.
Cummins builds a good engine now it the old days we would spell Cummins Com-a-part,the IH 466 without a EGR is a good engine the EGR models are nightmare,and some CAT engines have problems to ,but the series 60 without the EGR have a proven track record     

[Utahclaimjumper]

                                     GO SLOWLY YOUNG MAN,,,,,,,,,VERY SLOWLY!!

[PP]

When you're serious about a specific bus, get an experienced eye to check it out for you.

[kyle4501]

Your budget will influence how picky you can be about engine choice.

If you focus your search on the high quality, factory built motorhomes (Newell, Foretravel, Liberty, Marathon, etc) You will be way ahead. They are usually better engineered. Also, they usually have enjoyed better maintenance. If the drive train is in good shape, it will last a long long time

[daddysgirl]

Welcome to the brave world of Bus Nuts!

I'll echo what has been said this far...save one point. The space of the engine compartment in the bus you buy will matter.
Personally, I just love my DD 8V71. I have plenty of room in the MC8 to even add a turbo. If you are not a mechanic, you will be, soon. I believe it's easier to fix a mechanical engine. I despise diagnostic tools for engines with computers.
But the first consideration is finding a bus with good bones (read NO RUST), solid suspension etc. However, before you can do that...you need to figure out what type of bus you prefer. MCI, Eagle, Prevost (a BUS not a motor home). If you start there, in a few years you'll be a pro...and you'll still be asking questions.
The people here are 100% dependable.

[Zephod]

Welcome to the brave world of Bus Nuts!

I'll echo what has been said this far...save one point. The space of the engine compartment in the bus you buy will matter.
Personally, I just love my DD 8V71. I have plenty of room in the MC8 to even add a turbo. If you are not a mechanic, you will be, soon. I believe it's easier to fix a mechanical engine. I despise diagnostic tools for engines with computers.
But the first consideration is finding a bus with good bones (read NO RUST), solid suspension etc. However, before you can do that...you need to figure out what type of bus you prefer. MCI, Eagle, Prevost (a BUS not a motor home). If you start there, in a few years you'll be a pro...and you'll still be asking questions.
The people here are 100% dependable.

I've had some odd technical advice so don't trust intimate technical advice too much. General conversions yes - most people here that claim to have converted a bus have at least had a friend that converted one.

I've converted a 1984 Carpenter 3800. There are a few things still to be done. I need to install a main breaker box fir the 120v plugin. I need to replace the entire right wiper mechanism and switch. I need to redo the reversing horn. I'm working today on paneling over two rear windows, using plywood.  I need to buy a 20 ton jack to jack the bus up to check the kingpins.

Other than that, it's completed.

There is no AC. There is a solar powered extraction fan. My experience of that is that I would never willingly throw money away on solar crap again. Instead, I'd put a 100ah deep cycle battery under the bus with connections to the extraction fans and some onboard USB sockets for charging mini pads, tablets and phones. I'd put a switch in that allows me to charge the battery off the alternator when the bus is running and possibly off 120v when available.

At some future point, I might install a water inlet so I can tap into onsite water rather than carrying jerry cans. At some point I might add an instant water heater rather than boiling water in a kettle over a camping stove then mixing it with cold and using a battery powered shower pump. I might also replace my composting toilet (bucket) with something fancier with a nasty emptying process.

At some future point I might change my mirror system.

Right now, I'm happy.

By the way, my engine is a mechanical dt466. My bus will keep on going before, during and after EMP!


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[kyle4501]

BTW, mine has an all mechanical 8V92 with an allison 4 spd automatic. So far, extremely happy with it. I average between 6 & 7 mpg. Coach weighs 36000 lbs. 30 years old, ~160k miles, fires right up. Will easily start in the mid 30'sF without preheat or starter fluid - so it will out last me.

But, like others have said - how you plan on using it & what your needs are will also need to be considered.

[Chris & Beverly]

Thank you all. Info on the engines seems to back up what I've been reading. I know it makes sense to pick the bus and then make sure it has a good motor. I want to do my best to avoid breaking down on the side (or middle) of the road. I know that anything can break but I would like to minimize the odds.
In terms of brands the MCI's are newer with better parts availability but they are boring to look at. The Eagles and Scenic Cruisers are beautiful but parts and wear are a bigger issue. Prevost have the reputation of being solid but they may be a little too fancy for us.
I have been notified by the Boss that I get to pick the mechanics but the rest of it is her domain and I don't get a vote.
Thanks again. I will take all the advice I can get.

[Cary and Don]

Don't even look at a bus if it doesn't have the engine/transmission in it isn't what you want. You will never change them to something else. If you are planning on going into elevation a lot, I would recommend staying away from the 71 engine. They are slow in the mountains. As in hoping you will make it to the top if it's steep and long. We have one. They do run forever, but we find ourselves picking our routes sometimes. It flies on the flats.

Don and Cary