Loadstar 1600 bus Loadstars Truck Talk
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9:07 pm
New Guy
February 4, 2012
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I am negotiating the purchase of a 68' Loadstar 1600 school bus. It has been converted to a motor home. However, somebody forgot to remove the cover on the radiator and 'blew up' a Perkins 6-354. It has a 5sp trans with 2sp axle. Alot of work had been done to the engine before selling it to the negligent owner.Dad &son removed the head then lost interest. The bus has been sitting unloved for about 15 years.So,how do I determine the feasibility of repairing it? Or install something newer, different, larger, better? My plan is to get it mechanically sound, then sell it, hopefully make a few bucks. Hah, I should know better by now.
PDF 10:45 pm
Golden Anniversary
December 9, 2009
Offline
welcome!
where are you?
everything on a diesel is expensive. here is a page with some perkins parts on ebay.
if it was me, i'd probably try to repower it with something more common like a 7.3L IH or a DT-466 or DT-360. my preference would be for a gas burner like a 392, but it's likely geared for the low revving diesel engine…lots of cats and cummins out there too, but i'd keep it IH if it was me…
here is an article on the perkins 6-354 which before this post i had never heard of. i love to learn here!
john
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"in the words of Socrates, "i drank what?!"
12:25 am
Pile of Parts
January 4, 2010
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The Perkins 354 six cylinder diesel was a good engine. They were used in combines and some Massey tractors. I had a Massey 550 combine with this engine and it was very dependable and economical. There are likely lots of them in the wrecking yards now but not necessarily cheap. Still probably cheaper and easier than repairing one that is broken.
12:37 am
Golden Anniversary
September 10, 2010
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Good marine engine,not so good truck engine.New parts can be pricey.May cost more to rebuild it than the bus is worth.
9:06 am
Rusty Driver
December 20, 2010
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Dwise,
I would also agree that you can probably buy a complete running engine cheaper than you can repair your Perkins. Of course, if you do change to a different engine, some adapting will be necessary.
Yours is the first IH I've heard of with a Perkins. Dodge installed a few of them in 3/4 and 1 ton trucks in the '60s. On the farm, we had a 750 Massey combine with a 354 turbo engine rated at 120 hp.
http://www.sweptline.com/hist/…..rucks.html
Dean
9:15 am
Freshly Restored
December 10, 2009
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I know of a Loadstar wrecker back in the early 70's that had a Perkins diesel in it. Late 60's model. He seemed to specialize in old school buses, seeing how he always had 4 or 5 in the yard. Probably kept them as spares
9:23 am
Golden Anniversary
December 16, 2009
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The Perkins was an option in the Loadstar line. You don't see many, but there again you don't see many 308 powered loadstars either.
1:50 pm
Golden Anniversary
December 9, 2009
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i know where there's a 308 powered A-160…block is blown out, but he has a spare 308 in an R…both scrap price…
would you guys agree that the bus is likely geared for the diesel? would he have to regear to run a 392 or 345?
john
-
"in the words of Socrates, "i drank what?!"
3:43 pm
New Guy
February 4, 2012
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Thanks for all the response. Putting a V8 gaser would be my preference due to cost.The bus is a 'dog nose' so I could forsee mods to bring the trans forward. My metal man is very talented at that. Cheaper than a diesel.Another idea is to buy a complete running truck and swap out. If I was smart and or lucky I could get the right gearing,front disc brakes,AC unit, tires,etc. This could save a lot of running around.I live near San Diego , the bus is in the high desert so I have all of So Ca, as far as Vegas or Phoenix if need be.
12:51 am
Golden Anniversary
September 10, 2010
Offline
In the long run it would still be easier and probably less costly to rebuild the Perkins. Installing a used engine of any kind can be an iffy proposition,you don't truly know what condition it's in.Then theres all the parts that would need fabricating because they just aren't made anymore.
Personally, I wouldn't pay more than scrap value for it and if I was looking for a school bus motor home,I'd build one,you can get mid 90's with diesels and automatics for $2500. Just do a search and see.
8:45 pm
New Guy
February 4, 2012
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A mid 90's bus? Absolutely no character!
11:18 pm
Golden Anniversary
December 9, 2009
Offline
-
"in the words of Socrates, "i drank what?!"
2:27 pm
Golden Anniversary
September 10, 2010
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I was only using the newer bus as an example. Used school buses have never had much value,they have a rather limited use.
Saw a neat one on that Flying Alaska show on Discovery channel… Someone shortened the bus body,moving the rear sheet metal forward and mounting a flatbed body behind it. Pretty functional for up there,pick up people and freight off the planes at the same time.
3:56 pm
Golden Anniversary
December 9, 2009
Offline
-
"in the words of Socrates, "i drank what?!"
5:57 pm
Freshly Restored
December 10, 2009
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suprjohn said:
Scott, i was actually thinking of that route for a tractor hauler…
john
SJ–be careful what you ask for in the way of a project. That is a LOT of work. Check this out.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum…..?t=1004576
Don't think he ever finished or if he did 'life' got in the way and hasn't been heard from in quite some time.
9:04 pm
New Guy
February 4, 2012
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Lots of interesting feed back.Thanks to all.It is my understanding that the 7.3 liter used in Fords (excuse the profanity) is an IH engine. If so, then a used 7.3 should be easier to find, and cheaper than dealing with the Perkins.Even with modifications.
I've been looking for about six months at used converted buses on Clist and Ebay. They sell faster than I expected.
I can buy exterior 'character' and build interior function with character.
9:13 pm
Golden Anniversary
December 9, 2009
Offline
wow Dan! that's quite a project! sounds like the divorce might have derailed it…too bad…
7.3L are plentiful, if not cheap…i thought about putting one in my loadstar, but i think i'll stick with the 304…
john
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"in the words of Socrates, "i drank what?!"
7:51 am
Golden Anniversary
December 16, 2009
Offline
There are differances between the Ford 7.3 and the 444 used in IHC. Mainly in the electronics used to control them but it effects torque and hp. The castings are the same as far as I know. Not sure about the cam and other internals. Ford used it as a light truck engine, while IHC only made medium trucks and up at the time the 444 was made.
1:40 pm
Golden Anniversary
September 10, 2010
Offline
Don't see why you think it would be cheaper to replace the Perkins with another engine? It would cost under 2K for the parts from what I had found to do an in chassis OH on it. Finding a completely trimmed used engine in good condition is likely to be close to that. Then there's the incidentals list (which won't be short) of all the other things that will be needed or have to be fabricated.
At least with the Perkins having been OH'd you'd know what you have. Plus it would keep the bus unique since that engine wasn't all that common especially in a school bus.
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