Need Information Motor Rebuild

[dragoscountess]

 I am interested in a 1962 GM PD4106 8v71, it will probably need to be rebuilt. I was told $15,000 to $18,000.
another diesel garage said it would cost more. I live in Hudson FL. Advice and information will be greatly appreciated.
I saw her last year, she is a doll baby and I love her.

[luvrbus]

If you do it right those prices are not out of line but if you slap a band aid on it like a in-frame kit that price is a little steep

[Geoff]

On a bus that old that "needs an overhaul", you better look at the block and see if it has the big oval air box covers or the small rectangular ones.  The ones with the big oval covers crack at the bottom half of the cylinder bores and are not rebuildable.  Personally, I would go for a 6V92TA/ V730 transplant.  There still are some around, but anyway you look at it it going to be a major investment.

--Geoff

[HB of CJ]

Can you do it all yourself?  Facilities, time, money, tools, knowledge, help, etc.?  Like already said, your mighty mill may or may not be a viable candidate for a major rebuild.

Then you have all the related items that may need attention.  Clutch, transmission, rear axle, accessory systems, radiator ... the related list can become endless.  Just the mill?

Then what?  What about ALL the other stuff that may need attention?  Welcome to the glories of owning a piece of transportation history.  A very expensive hobby indeed. 

But ... having said all this doom and gloom, doing it yourself may be very "cheap" fun therapy indeed.  Plus one may learn totally obsolete rebuilding engineering skills.   

A crisp strong 8V71N sounds soossss cool! 

[Scott Crosby]

A $5,000 bus with a $20,000 engine is still pretty much a $5,000 bus

The Last two out of frame rebuilds on 8v'71's I know of were $24,000 and $28,000.  Inframe at a shop I'd expect $20k ish.  Non running gm buses are 1k-4k usually and they almost never sell to get rescued.   I looked at a non running 4104 this week for 1k and it's not worth it except for parts.

[luvrbus]

The last out of frame I know of on a 8v71 was $32,000.00 done by a dealer,you take the engine to a dealer they run around 15 to 18k.
A shop here using aftermarket parts they are about 12k for a in frame with rebuilt heads he does alright the kit cost him $1500.00 and the heads are 400 each exchange injectors are $50.00 ea exchange and the blower cost $400.00 exchange if needed all the rest is labor.I agree with Scott soaking 20K in $5000.00 bus makes no sense to me either but it happens every day    

[muldoonman]

The last out of frame I know of on a 8v71 was $32,000.00 done by a dealer,you take the engine to a dealer they run around 15 to 18k.
A shop here using aftermarket parts they are about 12k for a in frame with rebuilt heads he does alright the kit cost him $1500.00 and the heads are 400 each exchange injectors are $50.00 ea exchange and the blower cost $400.00 exchange if needed all the rest is labor.I agree with Scott soaking 20K in $5000.00 bus makes no sense to me either but it happens every day    

Harsh reality but could see where it's true. If I still own mine when it dies it would make a good hunting cabin for somebody.

[luvrbus]

Harsh reality but could see where it's true. If I still own mine when it dies it would make a good hunting cabin for somebody.

LOL yours is not a $5000.00 bus Glen,I will pay you $5000.00 for it then you don't need to worry 

[windtrader]

My understanding these old DD 2 strokes are running buses in many other countries. If so, is there much experience in buying a rebuilt long block and having it shipped here? May be an incorrect stereotype but it seems poorer countries may keep more of these old mills on the road.

[akroyaleagle]

My understanding these old DD 2 strokes are running buses in many other countries. If so, is there much experience in buying a rebuilt long block and having it shipped here? May be an incorrect stereotype but it seems poorer countries may keep more of these old mills on the road.

2 stroke Detroits are still popular in parts of Canada. Reliabilt in Saskatoon still does them I think. You should have no problem locating one in BC or Alberta. Also still folks that know how to work on them.

[eagle19952]

My understanding these old DD 2 strokes are running buses in many other countries. If so, is there much experience in buying a rebuilt long block and having it shipped here? Maybe an incorrect stereotype but it seems poorer countries may keep more of these old mills on the road.

if you buy the right one the first time in, you will have zero engine troubles. my 1978 Eagle has well over 120K miles since I have owned it and that much more before I owned it...I have bought an alternator and belts.
grease oil and filters. tires.
AC updates and repairs.
a new inverter.
a spare inverter.
batteries.
a new microwave.
diesel.
and
I have spent more than 7 days in a dozen national parks without hook ups.
and our coach is all electric.
I carry charcoal.
not much else.
I do all my own work.
except for AC.
and tires.

[luvrbus]

My understanding these old DD 2 strokes are running buses in many other countries. If so, is there much experience in buying a rebuilt long block and having it shipped here? May be an incorrect stereotype but it seems poorer countries may keep more of these old mills on the road.

You can buy rebuilt 2 strokes from DD dealers here in the US that is not a problem,then you have lot of independent re-builders like American in Mo that sell the engines.
The 8v92 military rebuilt or new engines are everywhere I just purchased 2 and 1 has a 740 transmission attached.
The military didn't use many 6v92 engine and about all the military 8v71 are gone now The series 60 and other 4 stroke engine are more durable you can run a 2 stroke for 3 to 400,000 miles after a rebuild and the newer 4 strokes will last from 700,000 to over a million miles  

[windtrader]

The reason for considering alternative sources is based on the numbers thrown around here in the past few posts. It just seems with some careful sourcing one doesn't have to pay $28k, $24, or even $18K for a long block rebuild. The lesson that a major mill overhead is really costly has sunk in big time.

if you buy the right one the first time in, you will have zero engine troubles.

@eagle - What is your formula for success? What approach did you take to find the gem in the rough? No cheating by saying you got your bus right after the poor sod just put in a factory rebuild. The vast majority of these old buses have old motors with varying degrees of service. How can you know the work done on the last rebuild for example is guaranteed to last?

[windtrader]

The reason for considering alternative sources is based on the numbers thrown around here in the past few posts. It just seems with some careful sourcing one doesn't have to pay $28k, $24, or even $18K for a long block rebuild. The lesson that a major mill overhead is really costly has sunk in big time.

@eagle - What is your formula for success? What approach did you take to find the gem in the rough? No cheating by saying you got your bus right after the poor sod just put in a factory rebuild. The vast majority of these old buses have old motors with varying degrees of service. How can you know the work done on the last rebuild for example is guaranteed to last?

@luvurbus "The 8v92 military rebuilt or new engines are everywhere I just purchased 2 and 1 has a 740 transmission attached." If I may ask what sort of costs are these?

[eagle19952]

@eagle -
What is your formula for success?
Buy a bus that is being used regularly from someone you know....even if it is cyber knowledge..a track record if you will.
What approach did you take to find the gem in the rough?
I calculated the cost and compared it to my projected use....ex: is 5000$ a year worth it to me? will the coach last 10 years? does it cost more than 50K$?
Am I spending $$'s that I can afford to walk away from?
I spent 40 years working on diesel construction equipment, some years for DD dealer.
There is some luck involved.