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Whats the Brain Trust Think?

PostPosted: Wed Jun 12, 2019 8:41 pm
by Binder Mike
https://albuquerque.craigslist.org/cto/ ... 08266.html

Is this a good deal? Seems like it to me. While not a classic for the money it seems like a great platform for an RV conversion. I am not well versed in what diesel engines are good and what ones are not or even have that much knowledge on larger trucks so I welcome any input on this bus.

Re: Whats the Brain Trust Think?

PostPosted: Wed Jun 12, 2019 9:04 pm
by cornbinder89
I wouldn't want a 7.3 if it had the inline 360 or 466 it would be more desirable.

Re: Whats the Brain Trust Think?

PostPosted: Wed Jun 12, 2019 9:08 pm
by nikkinutshop
I would buy it. I am not a school bus guy, but this one ticks all of my boxes. The IDI 7.3 is not going to take any acceleration contests, but it will run for decades, if you look after the basic maintenance. Don't dick around with the engine. The high compression of 22.6/1 does not turbo well and adding fuel will make the engine smoke and spoil the fuel economy. The later airfilter lids with the deep center is a better design for better controlled air-flow into the engine. I have the BANKS replacement. It looks good and does little else.
I installed an idi 6.9 in an R120 and drove that engine another 20 years and 225,000 miles. This may not be the most powerful Diesel for the displacement, but it sure sounds good.
There is little doubt that the IHC in-line six cylinder Diesels are a better choice. It is not uncommon to see an IHC "6" run over a million miles.

Re: Whats the Brain Trust Think?

PostPosted: Wed Jun 12, 2019 9:24 pm
by nikkinutshop
Brain Trust. LOL. I don't think I fall into that description, in a good way. I let my brain off-leash way too often. By the time I regain control, I have lots of "splaining" to do.

Re: Whats the Brain Trust Think?

PostPosted: Wed Jun 12, 2019 10:47 pm
by lbesq
I had no real problems with my 97 1 ton 7.3. It had 183,000 when I let it go after I got my 06 GMC 6.6. This 7.3 pulled 18,000 lbs all over the west, we put 100,000 miles on it in one year. It did not have the Allison transmission. They will pull all day long, as was said, Maintenance is key to long life and good running. Just my experience with the 97.

Re: Whats the Brain Trust Think?

PostPosted: Thu Jun 13, 2019 4:36 am
by Binder Mike
What are the maintenance needs for that engine beyond oil and various filters? Do they have solid lifters and need valve clearance adjustments? Does mechanical fuel injection have any maintenance issues or complicated procedures?

Re: Whats the Brain Trust Think?

PostPosted: Thu Jun 13, 2019 7:07 am
by nikkinutshop
I don't remember the service interval numbers. 15/40 oil and Fleetguard filters just about take care of the maintenance. Fleetguard is a Cummins company.
I like Allison transmissions. They are a good long life transmission.

Re: Whats the Brain Trust Think?

PostPosted: Thu Jun 13, 2019 9:48 am
by lbesq
type in your search bar on favorite search engine: 7.3 maintenance It should bring up all sorts of information. On mine, every 6,000 mile oil change, fuel filter change was longer(depends on the fuel sources) My 7.3 had a factory turbo, did have to change it out at around 140,000, but keep in mind, it had HEAVY duty running 60,000 of those miles. When I got rid of it, it needed injectors(at least that is what the mechanic said, the replacement(rebuilt) turbo was acting up a bit. Mine was a standard transmission, at 40,000 miles I replaced the dual mass clutch with a single mass clutch, much better. If the buss this guy has, has been on the road at speed, I would take for a good test run, and see how it performs. They are not a quite motor like new ones. Wife wanted more comfort was also one of the reasons I got my 06 GMC. Just my thoughts. Would I own another one, Yes. They are old tech but good tech, by the way, I know where there is a 466

Re: Whats the Brain Trust Think?

PostPosted: Thu Jun 13, 2019 8:55 pm
by cornbinder89
Put many miles and long days in a 6.9 and 7.3 powered trucks all over 12K GVW at all times, some times way over 12K.
I wouldn't want another, fuel mileage wasn't much better than my 855 Cummins powered trucks at 80K and about the same as an L10 powered semi.
I Can't fault them in the reliability dept, they never left me stranded.
That same bus, powered by a DT360 or Dt466 would be a lot more desirable to me.
I drove a IDI 6.9 and a DI7.3, the other trucks (which I didn't drive) had the IDI7.3's

Re: Whats the Brain Trust Think?

PostPosted: Thu Jun 13, 2019 9:42 pm
by nikkinutshop
But, these engines sound so good.
I burned ATF, paint thinner mixed with ATF, rancid olive oil and Diesel mixed, home heating fuel and kerosene (jet fuel) I never used a "lubricity" additive. Clean filters with water resistance are a must. I used a Parker Racor spin-on.