Bus info appreciated

[trmech3]

Hello all, new to the site.  Looking to eventually purchase a conversion.  Have so many questions, I have worked on heavy trucks for 35 years, but very few buses.  Some Detriot 6-71 inframes in the 80s (mechanical engines), but other then that, have very limited knowledge on buses.  Looking in the range of late 70s to 80s bus classifieds.  Wandering if most of those era buses would have wedge or spring brakes, how hard are parts to come by?  Any particular brand and years to stay away from?  All info very much appreciated.

[luvrbus]

Most of the older buses have DD-3 brakes but you will find spring brakes on Eagles,the transit buses some will have wedge brakes and you can find roto chambers on buses take your choice  and good luck

[richard5933]

Some older buses will have plain air brakes (no spring brakes) with a hand-operated drive-line brake for the e-brake and parking brake. Some will have DD3, as mentioned already. Some will have spring brakes.

Generally speaking, if you stick to the more popular models and avoid orphan and more rare buses most parts are still available.  That said, each brand/model has a few items which are made of unobtanium and which require workarounds.

[luvrbus]

Buses  made in the 70's and 80's won't have ICC brakes with a handle those left in the early 60's ,the dual air system came along in the early 70's

[richard5933]

Buses  made in the 70's and 80's won't have ICC brakes with a handle those left in the early 60's ,the dual air system came along in the early 70's

True - but there was mention made of DD 671 engines, those were in buses with the hand brake.

[Nova Eona]

Many older buses have been retrofitted with newer brake systems as well, so you're going to have to rely on info from the seller and a visual inspection to know for sure what you're dealing with.

[dtcerrato]

Our 53 as far as brakes go is mostly oem, no spring or DD3 brakes - just the original parking drive shaft brake. Parts are still available except for the old brake application valve which like some bus nuts have said was worked around and retrofitted with newer unit. ie: early "D" series to later "E" series Bendix Westinghouse brake application valve. If it was safe in 1953 with 47 passengers it's still safe now if well maintained. FWIW. It's major route these days is Florida  Alaska Florida. Any old bus restored & maintained is usually better & more dependable than most commercial RVs out there IMHO. 
Have  fun shopping & good luck on your ventures for you're in the right place!

[trmech3]

Thank you to all of you, very helpful and I feel more comfortable about the bake systems.  I had forgotten about the Roto chambers.  Main concern was that wedge brakes was going to be the only option, I was never a fan of them.

[buswarrior]

No wedge brakes on any GM, MCí or Prevost highway coaches of the modern, post 50's age.

Old fire trucks, school buses and obscure stuff, well, all bets are off...

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior