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Detroit Diesel Repower Question

6112 Views 5 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  Birken Vogt, 
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Hi All.... I am new here.

I have a bus with a 8.2L V8 Detroit Diesel in it. I am have heard very mixed reviews of this engine. My diesel mechanic advised me that they are great engines until they go wrong, at which point I will be better of repowering.

I use the bus for my work. My company builds handcycles and we use it to haul the handcycles to shows, events bikes races and handcycle clinics. So it is super important that we have an economical and reliable engine. The bus is a 39 foot Bluebird All American.... We have torn our the seats and retrofitted it to suit our needs carrying handcycles, so I really want to keep it.

At the moment I am planning towards the repower. The current motor produces 205 horsepower, and it is underpowered. With the re-power I am looking to increase the amount of power substantially and I want a bullet proof engine that will outlast me.

Any advice about which engines I should and which I should not be looking at?

Thank you!

Graham

Intrepid Cycles - Handcycle Specialists
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Thanks for all the suggestions!

I think that a repower is inevitable. I will drive the 8.2 until it finally dies, but I want to have another engine and transmission waiting in the wings, so that when the inevitable end comes, I am not left holding the bag.

I like the idea of upgrading to a Series 60. I am pretty sure that I can modify the bus enough to make it fit. Does any body know whether there are any good automatic transmissions that can be run behind this type of engine?

A few more details. It is a front engined flat front bus. It used to be a prison transport vehicle. It got a new engine in 1996, and still has only 50k miles on the new engine, so it could be a whiles before it needs an upgrade, but I do want to start planning for it now.

Thanks for all of your time and input!

Graham
Intrepid Handcycles
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