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

[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
> >
>