Possible bus find. Advice please.

[Patrick46]

1986 means you've got Fuel Injection in there!!! = better fuel mileage!!

Here's another HUGE fan of a 350/400 engine trans combo! One of the best, most reliable set-ups you can find.

Looks like you've found your new home!!

 

[cognitive dissonance]

If you are single, you had me at new tires

So I could give you new Michelins on Valentine's Day? Hmmm... 

Batteries are a crap shoot. For anyone who will be on the road, I'd suggest a national retailer like Wally. Sam's or Costco.  I belong to Sam's and Costco but I buy batteries at Costco. I like their 36 month outright replacement policy on batteries.  I believe that is voided for RV's and commercial vehicles, but what they don't know won't hurt you. I have no qualms about pushing warranty issues on batteries because the quality is so poor.

BTW, that same national retailer you choose is the place to buy your tires. That way, you'll always be fairly close to a place that will honor your the road hazard warranty.  I believe they all have free lifetime balancing and flat repairs on tires they sold and mounted..  I know Costco does, and they have been very generous with me on road hazard coverage when I needed it. Wherever you find yourself, they will also have pretty good gasoline prices and a lot of healthy food items at great prices.

I believe 87 was the first year for fuel injection on GM vehicles.  Yours will likely have a carburetor, unless it was an 87 model that was titled in late 86.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

On the subject of tires, I agree with Cognitive Dissonance that you want Light Truck tires in Load Range E.  Michellin and BF Goodrich are both good brands, although not the only ones.

I don't know exactly what your plans are, but if you plan to go off pavement - boondocking on BLM and National Forest land, driving on unpaved National Forest roads, attending the Rubber Tramp Rendevous every year, etc., I would NOT put regular highway tires on the drive wheels.  They will be fine for the front wheels since you aren't 4X4, in fact they will provide better steering
on the highway than off road-tires would.  But street tires on the drive wheels will almost certainly leave you stuck someplace.

On the back end, I would be looking at off-road tires.  They will provide FAR superior traction than any street tires can.  For some reviews, and some ideas on what to look for, try starting with this article from Overland Journal:

http://expeditionportal.com/where-the-rubber-meets-the-road/

Finally, don't forget you need SEVEN tires and wheels, not six.  You will certainly need to replace the spare, too.  If the bus doesn't have a spare, make sure you have him throw an extra rim into the deal.  The spare can be a street tire, matching the two front ones.

Regards
John

 

[SaltySeaWitch]

29Chico: I will definitely check that. Thanks!

Cognitive: New tires beats roses any day imo! I guess I need to get a Costco membership. We have one in Knoxville, I just try to avoid shopping and especially try to avoid going to Knoxville.

Patrick: I think it has a carb.

OP: It has a spare tire. Looks brand new but of course it isnt.

I will post pics Saturday when I go out there. It was rainy and muddy when I was there. It looks rough lol. I have my work cut out for me. I am excited though.

 

[SaltySeaWitch]

Cognitive Dissonance: It's titled as a van so unless I change it to RV it should be fine.

 

[BradKW]

The one thing that I always swear I'm gonna do "next time" is hand wash the vehicle before purchase. I can look over a car 10 times, yet the moment I wash it for the first time, I find all the little details I never saw before. While its usually just minor imperfections, sometimes its rust with underlying implications.

And while (except for once) these aren't issues that would have changed my mind about the purchase, there's just something that kinda sucks about those little discoveries so quickly after buying it...

 

[SaltySeaWitch]

That would be interesting Brad. "I'm here to look at the van for sale. Mind if I wash it?" LOL. I would let you but expect some odd reactions. It would be a good thing to do though. It's too cold for me to wash anything. Not happening. A wet rag is a good idea though. Wipe some spots off here and there to check. Couldn't hurt.

 

[rvpopeye]

I lived in Heiskell at Raccoon Valley before and it did get pretty cold in Feb. !

 

[eDJ_]

I've read all through this discussion can see a lot of work, money, and time in such a project.   

As an alternate to undertaking on this Bus,   would it be worth your time to do some searching
for School Systems who are wanting to dispose of older units by the end of this school year.  They may
be more expensive but usable as is.   Simply removing the interior, and building.  Then painting the exterior
white. 

The advantage ?   You can still live in it while fixing the interior and save just the same.  Paying off the cost
while working a second job may be more practical for you.

You would need to find some Bus drivers and ask them for some time to talk to you about their Bus over a cup of coffee.  Then try to learn about the mechanics who maintain them and get introduced to them.  This could get you some inside track info through that network.   You may be able to learn which of the Bus "makes" are the best and the ones to avoid. 

Back in 2003 a fraternal lodge I belong to purchased a Bus like this one for $1500.  It had the wheel chair access too.

One of the members was telling me that out where he lived there was one sitting for sale for $750.
(just like it)   We agreed not to say anything as it would just make bad blood within the lodge. 

But the one for $750 had been driven on a 120 mile a day route on 4 lane highway throughout it's
service life.  (used to take special needs kids to school)  It was in need of a new alternator which would have cost less than $75 dollars and an hour to replace.  I thought seriously about buying it and then found the
high top E350 I now own. 

The point is that I've owned a few "do it yourself kits" in the past and have learned the lessons of pushing boulders up hill.  

See if you can meet some Bus drivers and find out what you can from them about upcoming auctions, sales,
and what they can tell you in general.   It may make your quest more successful and put you on the road sooner with far less hassle.   Then you could focus on what you would be best suited to do,  fixing up the interior the way you want it.   And you would probably have the same amount of money in it without the blood, sweat, and tears of fixing it up, from the ground up,   to be road worthy.

Remember this is just my opinion based on my experience.

 

[Gigi]

On a side note....but not off topic because it's about my bus!!  I totally panicked standing there in the rain looking at my new possible bus home. Am I really doing this?? kept going through my head lol. I feel better now that I posted here and once again you all are always here to help me. And besides, my house is still going to be here if I don't like it and it's paid for. I'm okay, (breathe Dana lol). I am both excited and terrified of this new adventure but at least I am not alone because of all of you.

It's so nice to know that I'm not alone in these feelings!!!  I'm currently looking for a van and as I get closer, I feel pure joy and sheer terror at the same time!  I come here and read or watch youtube videos and I'm it gives me peace that I'm doing the right thing for me Good luck on your find----I hope it turns out to be a safe and happy home on the road for you!   Will be watching for updates and pics!  :heart:

Gigi

 

[SaltySeaWitch]

As an alternate to undertaking on this Bus,   would it be worth your time to do some searching
for School Systems who are wanting to dispose of older units by the end of this school year.  They may
be more expensive but usable as is.   Simply removing the interior, and building.  Then painting the exterior
white. 

Hi eDJ

The school systems in TN (and in many areas) auction their buses off or bus companies buy them up.  I have found lots of buses that are nicer looking but they are all far away, have transmission problems, need glo plugs, and still cost more than this one. With the added expense of going to get one in another state, and missing work, it adds up to much, much more than the price. Plus, I would need someone mechanic wise to take off work and go with me to check out any buses far away and I can't ask that. I am happy with the one I found and do not want a wheel chair access door. One more thing to remove and worry about leaks. I also just don't like the look of them.

The work that needs done to this one is going to be pretty much what I would need to any bus or van that age. And I wanted an older bus for the type of engine and the lower price that is my budget. I can drop a new motor down the road in this one and still be saving money. Schools usually have newer buses with a 6.0 which is not a good motor. And I wanted the smallest bus possible. Even the one you pictured is bigger than mine. It is also literally 5 minutes from my work. All mechanic work is being done free for me. The bus I am buying could easily sell for $1500 to $2000 here as is, and still be a find. The seats have already been removed which helps me a lot. I work 6 days a week and will have do the build out mostly on my own. If I buy one for more money and still have to paint it, why not paint this one? I would never be able to afford the paint and interior build if I pay more for the bus. I just do not have it. I am also rewiring my house and doing lots of work to it so I am stretched to the limit financially. I have still have to repair my house bus or no bus.

I feel like this is the right bus for me. It will be awesome when I get it fixed up and painted. And I can live in it while fixing house and fixing it. Right in my driveway with free utilities and wifi since my son is moving into my house

 

[Cammalu]

Congratulations on finding your special bus!!!! The build begins!

 

[cognitive dissonance]

You impress me, Salty!  You're exactly right that ANY older vehicle will need the same kind of work. As long as the engine and drive line are ok and the frame and body aren't rusting away, then the cheaper you start out the better off you'll be.

I'm trying to stay away from electronics wherever I can. I'm really no fan of the newer engines and transmissions that depend on them.  For that reason alone, I'd be happy to get my hands on the one you're looking at.

 

[GotSmart]

I dont like the color...

It sounds like a good deal, and easy to work on.  

Eyes wide open for rust, but a bus is a great platform to build on.

 

[SaltySeaWitch]

I don't like the color either GotSmart. It's home painted white and dirt color right now lol. I'm still deciding on color. Something Celtic or gypsy like maybe. Suggestions?

I told my 5 year old grandson it's a magic bus that will lead us to treasure. I plan to take him to Diamond Crater State Park to look for diamonds in it. A treasure hunt! There is a little Anne Bonny in my blood I'm sure. She is a famous female pirate for those who don't know who she is. If only I could sail..... ;-)

Well thanks Cognitive! Just making what I have work for me. I love older vehicles. I will take the old muscle cars and stuff over a brand new car any day.

 

[rvpopeye]

So , did you buy it yet ???
Gypsy theme... :idea: ...hmmmmmmmm yeah.


I was a pirate once . Best job I ever had , and I've had some doozies!
They hired me cause "I could play the part so welllll , all I had to do was , act naturally"
I have a bunch of books about pirates on my kindle software that I love to read.

Every time I go through Arkansas I try to go to the diamond fields.
So far , I haven't been there yet !
(Last time , one of my axles broke !)
From that experience I have to say that the rural folks in AR are very friendly and will go way out to help ya ! (Carlisle)
Now , the in cities .....not so much . (Texarkana)

 

[Konaexpress]

Not to change subjects but Salty makes sense about an older engine vs a newer one with electronics.

If one was looking for a van/truck/bus, what years should one be looking for? Brand might help too.

Congrats to you Salty on the bus, sounds like fun! Love to see what you do with it. Always loved the looks of the the little short buses. Little tanks going down the road.....

John

 

[SaltySeaWitch]

Not to change subjects but Salty makes sense about an older engine vs a newer one with electronics.

If one was looking for a van/truck/bus, what years should one be looking for? Brand might help too.

Congrats to you Salty on the bus, sounds like fun! Love to see what you do with it. Always loved the looks of the the little short buses. Little tanks going down the road.....

John

Thanks John! 70's and 80's imo but HDR and the others know a lot more about them than me. Try doing a thread asking about older model vans. I'm sure you will get lots of input.

RVPopeye, the bus is mine I just havent gone to get it yet. Business in a small town in TN is yes, I want it. I'll be there x day. I'll go get it Saturday if he has it cleaned out for me.

 

[GotSmart]

I don't like the color either GotSmart. It's home painted white and dirt color right now lol. I'm still deciding on color. Something Celtic or gypsy like maybe. Suggestions?

I told my 5 year old grandson it's a magic bus that will lead us to treasure. I plan to take him to Diamond Crater State Park to look for diamonds in it. A treasure hunt! There is a little Anne Bonny in my blood I'm sure. She is a famous female pirate for those who don't know who she is. If only I could sail..... ;-)

Well thanks Cognitive! Just making what I have work for me. I love older vehicles. I will take the old muscle cars and stuff over a brand new car any day.

Tartain?

I am color blind, so in that department I stand aside. 

 

[eDJ_]

SSW wrote,

The bus I am buying could easily sell for $1500 to $2000 here as is, and still be a find.

This is what I was concerned with.   If you are sure you could recover your cost on this project if you needed to do so.

If you can first get it running to where it is in operating condition and drive it around some to limber it up in order to determine the MPG it gets,  then you may have a better perspective of what you have to work with.  If you are pleased with it as it is, then you may consider inspecting the Timing Chain on the front of the engine.  This may offer you a better idea as to the real mileage on the motor.  If it looks good in your mechanic's opinion then you can spend a few bucks for a timing case gasket and seal and replace the old gasket and seal as that will pay off for the time and effort spent.

If the timing chain is normal there will be a little bit of play in it.  Like this photo shows.

But if the engine has high mileage on it the wear may be excessive as in this photo.

It is best to replace the timing chain and both gears as a set.  Then the new gasket kit should include a
new seal so oil won't leak at the front of the motor.  

You won't want to operate an engine with an excessively warn timing chain.  Nor go on a long road trip
with an engine in that condition.


If you can once get this rig running and operational to evaluate it as to whether you want to go on the road with it,  then you can park it in the drive way and work on the interior while living in it.  Then do the other maintenance jobs as you can afford to pursue them with peace of mind.

So all the best SSW !