Question for John H. on his Wanderlodge's Extended Grill...

[Andy Coleman]

Hello John Heckman,

I was just going through the "Bird of the Week" photo archive on the
Wanderlodge Forum and came across the photo of your 73' FC-31.

I love the paint job!

Of course I noticed the interesting front grill on yours, and was
wondering what its purpose is... The "Bird of the Week" caption notes
that you converted your bird from a gaser to a diesel. Is that why
the grill is extended?

I'm asking you this for a reason. I recently stopped at a junk yard
in Ohio and purchase a stock extended grill off a 1985 front engine
3208 bluebird school bus. I hope to install the grill on my 83' FC-35
and in the extra space, install a few flat electric fans. I hope to
use the fans when traveling slow up hills (pulling my trailer), or
when parking the bus when the engine is hot in the summer.

As you may have read, I'm the guy who lost his head gasket in Reno, NV
last summer. I am now very scared of excess engine heat, and will do
whatever I can to keep my 3208 cooler.

Just wondering! Thanks for your time John.

By the way, can I ask what your paint job cost? Am considering giving
by bird a makeover in the next year or two.

Happy holidays to ya!

Andy Coleman
83' FC-35
250 HP 3208
Spring Lake Hts., NJ

[pattypape]

John H. Mike H. & Andy


There was a thread, last month about extending the front end and
grill to accomodate a larger engine, radiator and / or air cooler.

When traveling between Yellowstone and Cody, Wy. last September.
We saw and briefly talked to the owner of an 81FC. He said,
he was an airplane mechanic and he replaced the 3208 with a new
Cummins ISL 400 and a 6 speed Allison.
With a very nice job of extending the front nose and bumper of the
Bird to accomodate the longer six cylinder.

Bill 88 FC Michigan



--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Andy Coleman"
wrote:
>
> Hello John Heckman,
>
> I was just going through the "Bird of the Week" photo archive on the
> Wanderlodge Forum and came across the photo of your 73' FC-31.
>
> I love the paint job!
>
> Of course I noticed the interesting front grill on yours, and was
> wondering what its purpose is... The "Bird of the Week" caption
notes
> that you converted your bird from a gaser to a diesel. Is that why
> the grill is extended?
>
> I'm asking you this for a reason. I recently stopped at a junk yard
> in Ohio and purchase a stock extended grill off a 1985 front engine
> 3208 bluebird school bus. I hope to install the grill on my 83' FC-
35
> and in the extra space, install a few flat electric fans. I hope to
> use the fans when traveling slow up hills (pulling my trailer), or
> when parking the bus when the engine is hot in the summer.
>
> As you may have read, I'm the guy who lost his head gasket in Reno,
NV
> last summer. I am now very scared of excess engine heat, and will
do
> whatever I can to keep my 3208 cooler.
>
> Just wondering! Thanks for your time John.
>
> By the way, can I ask what your paint job cost? Am considering
giving
> by bird a makeover in the next year or two.
>
> Happy holidays to ya!
>
> Andy Coleman
> 83' FC-35
> 250 HP 3208
> Spring Lake Hts., NJ
>

[Mike Hohnstein]

Sounds very nice, hope he kept tabs on the front axle weight.
MH
----- Original Message -----
From: pattypape
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, January 02, 2008 8:03 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Question for John H. on his Wanderlodge's
Extended Grill...


John H. Mike H. & Andy

There was a thread, last month about extending the front end and
grill to accomodate a larger engine, radiator and / or air cooler.

When traveling between Yellowstone and Cody, Wy. last September.
We saw and briefly talked to the owner of an 81FC. He said,
he was an airplane mechanic and he replaced the 3208 with a new
Cummins ISL 400 and a 6 speed Allison.
With a very nice job of extending the front nose and bumper of the
Bird to accomodate the longer six cylinder.

Bill 88 FC Michigan

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Andy Coleman"
wrote:
>
> Hello John Heckman,
>
> I was just going through the "Bird of the Week" photo archive on the
> Wanderlodge Forum and came across the photo of your 73' FC-31.
>
> I love the paint job!
>
> Of course I noticed the interesting front grill on yours, and was
> wondering what its purpose is... The "Bird of the Week" caption
notes
> that you converted your bird from a gaser to a diesel. Is that why
> the grill is extended?
>
> I'm asking you this for a reason. I recently stopped at a junk yard
> in Ohio and purchase a stock extended grill off a 1985 front engine
> 3208 bluebird school bus. I hope to install the grill on my 83' FC-
35
> and in the extra space, install a few flat electric fans. I hope to
> use the fans when traveling slow up hills (pulling my trailer), or
> when parking the bus when the engine is hot in the summer.
>
> As you may have read, I'm the guy who lost his head gasket in Reno,
NV
> last summer. I am now very scared of excess engine heat, and will
do
> whatever I can to keep my 3208 cooler.
>
> Just wondering! Thanks for your time John.
>
> By the way, can I ask what your paint job cost? Am considering
giving
> by bird a makeover in the next year or two.
>
> Happy holidays to ya!
>
> Andy Coleman
> 83' FC-35
> 250 HP 3208
> Spring Lake Hts., NJ
>





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Andy Coleman]

Hello Bill,

Two bad that person is not on this list. I would love to ask him
questions about the ISL 400 and 6 speed Allison. Do you remember him
mentioning fuel economy and cruising speed?

As I have mentioned in past posts, I would like to one day swap my
3208 with a 6 cyl Cummins 8.3L ISC engine. I don't think it would be
too hard to do... I would start by buying a used Bluebird AA school
bus with an 8.3 and swap it over. It probably would not require any
front end modifications. The 8.3 cummins is not common in front
engine AA school buses, but they are out there if you search.

The 8.3 is rated 250 HP without an intercooler. Up to 350 HP with.

Mike - have you ever seen anybody try swapping an 8.3L into a Wanderlodge?

Andy


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "pattypape"
wrote:
>
> John H. Mike H. & Andy
>
>
> There was a thread, last month about extending the front end and
> grill to accomodate a larger engine, radiator and / or air cooler.
>
> When traveling between Yellowstone and Cody, Wy. last September.
> We saw and briefly talked to the owner of an 81FC. He said,
> he was an airplane mechanic and he replaced the 3208 with a new
> Cummins ISL 400 and a 6 speed Allison.
> With a very nice job of extending the front nose and bumper of the
> Bird to accomodate the longer six cylinder.
>
> Bill 88 FC Michigan
>
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Andy Coleman"
> wrote:
> >
> > Hello John Heckman,
> >
> > I was just going through the "Bird of the Week" photo archive on the
> > Wanderlodge Forum and came across the photo of your 73' FC-31.
> >
> > I love the paint job!
> >
> > Of course I noticed the interesting front grill on yours, and was
> > wondering what its purpose is... The "Bird of the Week" caption
> notes
> > that you converted your bird from a gaser to a diesel. Is that why
> > the grill is extended?
> >
> > I'm asking you this for a reason. I recently stopped at a junk yard
> > in Ohio and purchase a stock extended grill off a 1985 front engine
> > 3208 bluebird school bus. I hope to install the grill on my 83' FC-
> 35
> > and in the extra space, install a few flat electric fans. I hope to
> > use the fans when traveling slow up hills (pulling my trailer), or
> > when parking the bus when the engine is hot in the summer.
> >
> > As you may have read, I'm the guy who lost his head gasket in Reno,
> NV
> > last summer. I am now very scared of excess engine heat, and will
> do
> > whatever I can to keep my 3208 cooler.
> >
> > Just wondering! Thanks for your time John.
> >
> > By the way, can I ask what your paint job cost? Am considering
> giving
> > by bird a makeover in the next year or two.
> >
> > Happy holidays to ya!
> >
> > Andy Coleman
> > 83' FC-35
> > 250 HP 3208
> > Spring Lake Hts., NJ
> >
>

[Donald Watson]

Andy,

There was a '76 or '78 FC in San Diego with a 6CT8.3 and Allison 5 sp out of
a 1996 bus that was not completed, but looked close. I was very interested;
it was only the distance from my home to San Diego that deterred me. The
bus reportedly would be able to cruise at 70 with that drive train. The
swap was performed a few years ago by a mechanic near Phoenix where it was
listed in RV Trader. I don't know much about that Cummins, but it is a
sleeved engine. I have pictures of the engine taken from the front of the
bus if you are interested. I believe that the bus sold again in the Spring
or Summer of 2007.

Donn
'76 FC33
South Kingstown, RI


From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Andy Coleman
Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2008 5:31 PM
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Question for John H. on his Wanderlodge's
Extended Grill...

Hello Bill,

Two bad that person is not on this list. I would love to ask him
questions about the ISL 400 and 6 speed Allison. Do you remember him
mentioning fuel economy and cruising speed?

As I have mentioned in past posts, I would like to one day swap my
3208 with a 6 cyl Cummins 8.3L ISC engine. I don't think it would be
too hard to do... I would start by buying a used Bluebird AA school
bus with an 8.3 and swap it over. It probably would not require any
front end modifications. The 8.3 cummins is not common in front
engine AA school buses, but they are out there if you search.

The 8.3 is rated 250 HP without an intercooler. Up to 350 HP with.

Mike - have you ever seen anybody try swapping an 8.3L into a Wanderlodge?

Andy

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
, "pattypape"
wrote:
>
> John H. Mike H. & Andy
>
>
> There was a thread, last month about extending the front end and
> grill to accomodate a larger engine, radiator and / or air cooler.
>
> When traveling between Yellowstone and Cody, Wy. last September.
> We saw and briefly talked to the owner of an 81FC. He said,
> he was an airplane mechanic and he replaced the 3208 with a new
> Cummins ISL 400 and a 6 speed Allison.
> With a very nice job of extending the front nose and bumper of the
> Bird to accomodate the longer six cylinder.
>
> Bill 88 FC Michigan
>
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
, "Andy Coleman"
> wrote:
> >
> > Hello John Heckman,
> >
> > I was just going through the "Bird of the Week" photo archive on the
> > Wanderlodge Forum and came across the photo of your 73' FC-31.
> >
> > I love the paint job!
> >
> > Of course I noticed the interesting front grill on yours, and was
> > wondering what its purpose is... The "Bird of the Week" caption
> notes
> > that you converted your bird from a gaser to a diesel. Is that why
> > the grill is extended?
> >
> > I'm asking you this for a reason. I recently stopped at a junk yard
> > in Ohio and purchase a stock extended grill off a 1985 front engine
> > 3208 bluebird school bus. I hope to install the grill on my 83' FC-
> 35
> > and in the extra space, install a few flat electric fans. I hope to
> > use the fans when traveling slow up hills (pulling my trailer), or
> > when parking the bus when the engine is hot in the summer.
> >
> > As you may have read, I'm the guy who lost his head gasket in Reno,
> NV
> > last summer. I am now very scared of excess engine heat, and will
> do
> > whatever I can to keep my 3208 cooler.
> >
> > Just wondering! Thanks for your time John.
> >
> > By the way, can I ask what your paint job cost? Am considering
> giving
> > by bird a makeover in the next year or two.
> >
> > Happy holidays to ya!
> >
> > Andy Coleman
> > 83' FC-35
> > 250 HP 3208
> > Spring Lake Hts., NJ
> >
>



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Mike Hohnstein]

Yes.
MH
----- Original Message -----
From: Andy Coleman
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2008 4:30 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Question for John H. on his Wanderlodge's
Extended Grill...


Hello Bill,

Two bad that person is not on this list. I would love to ask him
questions about the ISL 400 and 6 speed Allison. Do you remember him
mentioning fuel economy and cruising speed?

As I have mentioned in past posts, I would like to one day swap my
3208 with a 6 cyl Cummins 8.3L ISC engine. I don't think it would be
too hard to do... I would start by buying a used Bluebird AA school
bus with an 8.3 and swap it over. It probably would not require any
front end modifications. The 8.3 cummins is not common in front
engine AA school buses, but they are out there if you search.

The 8.3 is rated 250 HP without an intercooler. Up to 350 HP with.

Mike - have you ever seen anybody try swapping an 8.3L into a Wanderlodge?

Andy

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "pattypape"
wrote:
>
> John H. Mike H. & Andy
>
>
> There was a thread, last month about extending the front end and
> grill to accomodate a larger engine, radiator and / or air cooler.
>
> When traveling between Yellowstone and Cody, Wy. last September.
> We saw and briefly talked to the owner of an 81FC. He said,
> he was an airplane mechanic and he replaced the 3208 with a new
> Cummins ISL 400 and a 6 speed Allison.
> With a very nice job of extending the front nose and bumper of the
> Bird to accomodate the longer six cylinder.
>
> Bill 88 FC Michigan
>
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Andy Coleman"
> wrote:
> >
> > Hello John Heckman,
> >
> > I was just going through the "Bird of the Week" photo archive on the
> > Wanderlodge Forum and came across the photo of your 73' FC-31.
> >
> > I love the paint job!
> >
> > Of course I noticed the interesting front grill on yours, and was
> > wondering what its purpose is... The "Bird of the Week" caption
> notes
> > that you converted your bird from a gaser to a diesel. Is that why
> > the grill is extended?
> >
> > I'm asking you this for a reason. I recently stopped at a junk yard
> > in Ohio and purchase a stock extended grill off a 1985 front engine
> > 3208 bluebird school bus. I hope to install the grill on my 83' FC-
> 35
> > and in the extra space, install a few flat electric fans. I hope to
> > use the fans when traveling slow up hills (pulling my trailer), or
> > when parking the bus when the engine is hot in the summer.
> >
> > As you may have read, I'm the guy who lost his head gasket in Reno,
> NV
> > last summer. I am now very scared of excess engine heat, and will
> do
> > whatever I can to keep my 3208 cooler.
> >
> > Just wondering! Thanks for your time John.
> >
> > By the way, can I ask what your paint job cost? Am considering
> giving
> > by bird a makeover in the next year or two.
> >
> > Happy holidays to ya!
> >
> > Andy Coleman
> > 83' FC-35
> > 250 HP 3208
> > Spring Lake Hts., NJ
> >
>





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]