It's a bus... Now What?

[srdragonusa]

Check out the Bus Projects section, You will see some wonderful transformations there.

-Paul

I started watching Youtube videos and would show my wife some of them. She thought I was nuts but after a while she was the one that suggested we buy a bus and do our own conversion.

True story...

-Paul

[Geoff]

I think I found it. Serial #A160, Fleet#8115, 1980 Series 03, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority.  Delivered 1980. T8W-603 40', 96" wide, 6V71, Series 03

So it probably doesn't have a turbo, but could. And it is 71 cu inches per cly, IF it is stock.

[TDSApp]

I think I found it. Serial #A160, Fleet#8115, 1980 Series 03, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority.  Delivered 1980. T8W-603 40', 96" wide, 6V71, Series 03

So it probably doesn't have a turbo, but could. And it is 71 cu inches per cly, IF it is stock.

And just how did you find this all from just #8115.   




Since you're so good at that... The wheel that is leaning on the door...  What kind of car did it come off of?  :-)


Tim

[chessie4905]

225x60x15. 1987 Pontiac Grand Am. 15x7. Missing center cap.

[Runcutter]

I knew I'd seen that paint scheme before, but the cities all run together after a few decades.  Using the clue that the bus is in Oklahoma, the blue and green stripes put it in Oklahoma City.  Normally a square back RTS is a series 4 or later, but the squaring looks like an afterthought.  The original slope-back RTS's (series 01, 02, 03) had A/C problems, so many were retrofitted with a square back -- I think pioneered by San Antonio.

I bought a fleet of RTS's in 1982-83, and they were Series 04, with 6V92TA engines.  Many systems numbered their buses based on the year purchased.  I'm not saying OKC did, but looking at their website -- history section, they have a picture of a bus numbered 0307, which could easily be a 2003 Gillig or New Flyer (they all look alike these days).  So, with those clues, my thought is that it's a former Oklahoma City RTS, 40 footer, most likely a 1981 Series 3, as suggested.  Likely, then, to be an 8V71, normally aspirated (Tim said he doesn't think it has a turbo, just the Roots blower).

Two pieces of good news with that --  if my guesses are right.  It's likely that there are still mechanics, probably retired from what is now called "Metro Transit", familiar with the bus.  Second, it's before computerization, multiplexing, etc.

Tim, I'm in Carrollton, just south of you.  I have an RTS 04 Maintenance Manual, from the fleet I purchased in 1982-83.  Of course, some changes with each series, but they were still built by GMC in Pontiac, before GMC sold the RTS manufacturing rights to Roswell NM.  Not for sale or borrowing, but you're welcome to look at it here.

Arthur 

[TDSApp]

I knew I'd seen that paint scheme before, but the cities all run together after a few decades.  Using the clue that the bus is in Oklahoma, the blue and green stripes put it in Oklahoma City.  Normally a square back RTS is a series 4 or later, but the squaring looks like an afterthought.  The original slope-back RTS's (series 01, 02, 03) had A/C problems, so many were retrofitted with a square back -- I think pioneered by San Antonio.

I bought a fleet of RTS's in 1982-83, and they were Series 04, with 6V92TA engines.  Many systems numbered their buses based on the year purchased.  I'm not saying OKC did, but looking at their website -- history section, they have a picture of a bus numbered 0307, which could easily be a 2003 Gillig or New Flyer (they all look alike these days).  So, with those clues, my thought is that it's a former Oklahoma City RTS, 40 footer, most likely a 1981 Series 3, as suggested.  Likely, then, to be an 8V71, normally aspirated (Tim said he doesn't think it has a turbo, just the Roots blower).

Two pieces of good news with that --  if my guesses are right.  It's likely that there are still mechanics, probably retired from what is now called "Metro Transit", familiar with the bus.  Second, it's before computerization, multiplexing, etc.

Tim, I'm in Carrollton, just south of you.  I have an RTS 04 Maintenance Manual, from the fleet I purchased in 1982-83.  Of course, some changes with each series, but they were still built by GMC in Pontiac, before GMC sold the RTS manufacturing rights to Roswell NM.  Not for sale or borrowing, but you're welcome to look at it here.

Arthur 

I think that Geoff is closer at this point.  I recall dad saying that the bus was from the New England area and that they had changed out the rear end gear before driving it down. He got it from a guy he used to live next door to who had bought a few buses and had drove up to buy a couple and bring them back.

225x60x15. 1987 Pontiac Grand Am. 15x7. Missing center cap.

Nope...  It's from a 1974 Formula Firebird.    

Tim

[Geoff]

I have a book on the history of the RTS from the Transbus (you could call it the RTS I) to the demise of the bus when Millennium took over.  The back of the book has all the production information so it only took me a couple of minutes to find your fleet number.

[luvrbus]

!980 model it probably is a 8v71 N/A we just scrapped one out