looking for a 8v71 detroit diesel engine for '61 PD4106

[matzeinusa]

Looking for a donor engine!
Brought my coach to the shop and got the bad news that the heads are toast/cracked and someone put the wrong freeze plugs in years ago.
If anyone has a good engine/rebuilt engine [in or close to Northern California or anywhere in the USA], please let me know.

In case I can't find one, I probably have to bring the bus to the scrapyard. I am trying to avoid it though.
There will be parts on sale if that happens.

Thanks!
Matt

[luvrbus]

Wrong freeze plugs years ago explain please ,you should find one from a later model transit bus in Oregon or Washington you probably won"t find one in CA ,Mac paid a 1000 bucks for one in Portland with a V730 transmission you will need to use your cradle though   

[buswarrior]

Yeah, better get your radar running on this shop, what is this freeze plug comment?

If there's made up bullshit at this point, your pain is far from over...

Go carefully...

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[chessie4905]

freeze plugs push out and heads crack if frozen. Overheat it bad enough and plugs could also fail if rusty. Your best bet is to just part it out and start over, unless it is,a real nice conversion and/or youve already sunk a lot of money into it.

[matzeinusa]

They just mentioned that the plugs are not stainless steal and that's why the are corroded on the inside and outside and you can't reach them on the forward side of the engine. Have to pull the engine.
But there is coolant leaking into one cylinder = cracked head. Also pressure is pushing out the coolant out of the reservoir.
And one of the cylinders ceased up and the engine doesn't start when it's hot...

[luvrbus]

They don't have stainless freeze plugs in Detroit's high level of PH balance rusts the freeze plugs out from corrosion from wrong anti freeze or no maintaince your engine is not original for the year model so it has been changed over to the newer style 8v71     

[Dave5Cs]

Hey Matt what shop up north said this? You can PM me if you don't want to say.
Dave

[RJ]

Matt -

Where in NoCA are you located? Might help if you'd upgrade your profile to include a signature line similar to mine and others that lists your coach and your home base city/state.

Second, you can't just use any old 8V71, it's got to be one out of a GMC coach, as they're left hand rotation compared to a truck engine. A transit with a V-drive automatic will also have a LH engine (except for the few transits out there with a Series 50 four cylinder.) A truck engine will give you four speeds in reverse!

Has your '06 been added to the historical Survivor's List that fellow busnut Jon Ulse began compiling a few years ago?  All he needs is the VIN (PD4106-XXXX), your home city/state, and whether the coach is seated, converted, or scrapped.  Post that info here and it will get migrated over to the list.

Sorry about your misfortune, but with a little patience, something will turn up.

FWIW & HTH. . .

[matzeinusa]

Hi RJ,
We are in the capital of California and I did sent my info to that list your mentioned.
The coach is fully converted to an RV, although I just ripped everything above the luggage compartments out and was planning to redo it, front to back.
But that is only going to happen if I can find another engine without breaking the bank.
Matt

[luvrbus]

Matt not to confuses you but the engine does not have to be from  GM only, about all transit buses used the v drive.I am looking for one for you, 1 from a 4106 would be the easiest for you but the 6v92 should be easy to find then you watch out for those from the transit buses some of the later models used right turning 6v92's.Are the freeze plugs and cracked head the only issues with the engine ?
   

[matzeinusa]

no. at least one of the cylinders/pistons in the lower bank ceases up. Since the pressure is pump out the coolant, the top bank doesn't get much coolant and so don't know if there is more damage on the top one..

[buswarrior]

There is an entire cradle with engine and transmission out of an rts for sale on FB

Scott Robinson? maybe is the name?

The bus was totaled in a movie shoot, and he is parting the drivetrain in one piece. Video of it running before destruction.

6v92t ddec3 and a mechanical 730 is what it said.

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[chessie4905]

8V-71 out of a 4905 available here in central Pa. 1979 or 80 model. Too bad its so far away.

[chessie4905]

Seriously though, if you gutted it to redo it, better to just move on with another good running shell. There are too many out there at fire sale prices.

[lvmci]

There is an 8V71 block sitting in the G&R Coach lot outside in Las Vegas, I was told it was prepared to be sold, when something happened to the buyer. Years ago, call Gilbert G&R (702) 575-5939