IH 3800 - plenty of seats to go around!

[gotnitro?]

My next project has plenty of seats for everyone to ride along, I'm building a replica of my late father in laws school bus he drove till retirement. 

The bus will be based on a mid 90s International 3800, 11 window conventional bus. It will accommodate 65 passengers, or 22 seats. I scoured the web for photos, knowing this would be a daunting task. 

This is a similar bus to my intended build 

The 1st challenge was locating a proper hood. Luckily a short message to Daniel, owner of Plaskit, provided a correct hood. Its a conversion hood for the S- series truck, and right era I needed. I couldn't believe I was this lucky..but knew a mountain laid ahead. 

I wanted a set of plans for this build. Theres was plenty available as downloads, so off to Staples for enlargements. A couple tries at matching the copies to the rear tire I brought along, and I was rewarded w suitable drawings. 

The frame being used is a stretched chassis from the Ford Short Hauler. I unfortunately can't recall who I purchased it from, and apologize!  The drawings showed a 12 window bus, so I removed one after a quick measurement. My wife's uncle worked for a bus garage, and was invaluable getting the info for this. The bus needed to have a  254 inch wheelbase, after removing the window it was perfect. 

[gotnitro?]

I stretched the frame an additional 4 1/2 inches , now its ready for a floor! 

A floor of 040 th sheet was laid down after notching the rear wheel openings. I used 2mm I beam for the floor supports, but need more.

A few seats were mocked up and  these didnt have any gum stuck underneath ! 

 

Jeff

 

[stitchdup]

Nice project. Seeing your side view I'm kinda taken aback by how much overhang there is at the back, hid must make turning in traffic a bit of a nightmare

[TarheelRick]

2 minutes ago, stitchdup said:

turning in traffic a bit of a nightmare

The real nightmare is backing that big butt up, it really doesn't swing that badly turning. Looking forward to this build. Will watch this build closely, I have been wanting to build one for some years now, maybe your build will be the motivation I need. I just this past week stopped driving a yellow bus and have relegated my driving to activity runs and sports. I drove in a neighboring county for four years and have driven in my home county for the past 10 1/2 years. Jeff for authenticity you will have to have gum, candy, and crackers crushed into the floor; maybe a spot of vomit since you are building an elementary bus. 

[Gary Chastain]

Wow, what a project, gonna be following this one. 

[Warren D]

Interesting build.  Do you know if the body was a Thomas or Bluebird?  I drove both back in the late 70's, I always like the Thomas built bodies.  They were more squared off, the Bluebirds had more rounded corners etc.  It was always easier to drive the square body Thomas.  The old Loadstar hoods with no power anything and a 4 speed manual turned pretty good.  The S hoods just started and I got to drive one of them with power steering and a 5 speed.  Didn't turn anywhere near as tight as the older ones.

[vincen47]

A very cool project that I’ll be following!

[Rockford]

What a fascinating project, that could keep you busy for years with all the detail you could add. 

[gotnitro?]

@TarheelRick- thanks! Glad you're following along with experience w the yellow bus! I nearly spit out my morning drink reading about the details I need to add

@stitchdup- thanks for following 

@Gary Chastain glad to have ya along! it's going to be a marathon I expect

@Warren D The bus he drove was a Thomas bodied bus. Thats the direction I'm going with this! Glad to have your experience along the way keeping me on track. 

@vincen47 thans for riding along! 

@Rockford thanks for your interest! I hope it wont take yrs to build lol, still a huge project from casting seats, and allll those windows

[leafsprings]

Great idea! Beyond my skills, but sure to learn a lot from this build.  At one time somebody offered a resin DT466, would be perfect for this IH.

[Warren D]

The Thomas bodies were just rectangular boxes.  I don't recall the slant of the rear-most pillar might be a later design mod.  The back of the one I drove was vertical.  Fuel filler (gas) was behind the door as seen in the photo, not as shown on your plans.

Edited January 8, 2023 by Warren D

[gotnitro?]

19 hours ago, leafsprings said:

Great idea! Beyond my skills, but sure to learn a lot from this build.  At one time somebody offered a resin DT466, would be perfect for this IH.

I'd love to find a dt466 for this! I have the Ford V8 assembled from the short hauler kit, w the auto transmission if I can't locate one.

@Warren D thanks ! I've been pouring over auction pages looking at profile photos.. 

I have the hood mocked up,, just sitting on blocks until I can fashion up the hinges. I found a clear photo of a hood open showing an angled frame rail. Ill Sawzall mine and attempt to hinge this. The cab being used will donate its cowl to the build, its a resin IH Daniel sent w the hood 

[DRIPTROIT 71]

Jeff I’m pretty sure that a T444E would be accurate for this if it is at least a 94 model. I think that there is somebody out there that casts a 7.3 Power Stroke that you might could use. I’m not sure of the differences between them, but I am pretty sure that they are basically the same engine. My brother is a school bus mechanic, I could ask him. 
Cool project by the way!! I’m am definitely tuned in!

[Oldmopars]

I love this project, I have been thinking about doing the same thing. I used to own a 1987 International S1800 School Bus, the long 38 footer. I drove it a lot and it drove just fine. Its amazing just how easy they are to drive. My Bus had the DT466. Great engine, way better than the T444E. I'm not sure there is one available in the aftermarket yet. It may have to be a project for me. 

I still have a 1990 Thomas 40 footer with a GMC Squarebody style nose in the yard. Its a driver also, but we just don't use it as it is just an empty shell, no seats. 

I have been wanting to do a model of it. Now with a 3D printer, many of those repetitive tasks will be easy. I can just print 22 seats, 44 windows, etc. 

Edited January 10, 2023 by Oldmopars

[TruckerAL]

16 hours ago, DRIPTROIT 71 said:

Jeff I’m pretty sure that a T444E would be accurate for this if it is at least a 94 model. I think that there is somebody out there that casts a 7.3 Power Stroke that you might could use. I’m not sure of the differences between them, but I am pretty sure that they are basically the same engine. My brother is a school bus mechanic, I could ask him. 
Cool project by the way!! I’m am definitely tuned in!

The dt466 and the 7.3 are identical engines! One is just labeled as a Powerstroke, and the other an International, but, both are the same engine. 

As for the casting, someone does make it. I have one in my stash actually. The name/caster "backyard resin"  sounds familiar to me?

[DRIPTROIT 71]

1 hour ago, TruckerAL said:

The dt466 and the 7.3 are identical engines! One is just labeled as a Powerstroke, and the other an International, but, both are the same engine. 

As for the casting, someone does make it. I have one in my stash actually. The name/caster "backyard resin"  sounds familiar to me?

The DT 466 is an inline 6 cylinder.

The 7.3L T444E is a V-8 (same as the Power Stroke)

Edited January 10, 2023 by DRIPTROIT 71

[DRIPTROIT 71]

Jeff, I just talked to my brother and he said that they have a mid 90s bus if you need any reference photos. He said that he thought it had a DT360 in it, but he would have to check.
He said that different states have different specs. He said that his experience in North Carolina has been; DT 360 in 93 models, DT 408 or possibly DT466 in 94-95 models, DT 466 in 96 models and DT 466E in 97 and newer. He said that he doesn’t remember seeing a T444E in anything older than a 2002 model. He also said that 24 valve Cummins were available in 2002-2003 models. This is all going off of memory so there is the possibility of being a year or so off. Also other options may have been available in your area.

[gotnitro?]

@DRIPTROIT 71 Thanks for asking Brian! I'm sure I'll need photos along the way, will send ya a pm 

I have the V8 from the Louisville hanging around the bench I might try modifying into the 7.3.  At least it has the auto transmission I need .

I robbed hinges off a long ago built DR, fitting them into the frame rails and hood tonite. The biggest challenge is getting everything lined up now, to avoid a crooked body later. 

Thanks everyone for suggestions its greatly appreciated 

[TruckerAL]

8 hours ago, DRIPTROIT 71 said:

The DT 466 is an inline 6 cylinder.

The 7.3L T444E is a V-8 (same as the Power Stroke)

Oops yep you're right, slip up on my end without thinking lol

Also great progress on this project so far gotnitro? !

[Chariots of Fire]

Jeff:  If you are interested, I might be able to find an extra DT 466.  Let me look around.

 

[gotnitro?]

3 hours ago, Chariots of Fire said:

Jeff:  If you are interested, I might be able to find an extra DT 466.  Let me look around.

 

Definitely!!! Thanks 

[mchook]

I'll be watching for sure, I've been driving these for just about 30 years now.

[gotnitro?]

13 hours ago, mchook said:

I'll be watching for sure, I've been driving these for just about 30 years now.

Great to have ya along ! If ya see me getting side tracked rein me back in lol

[gotnitro?]

Smallish update I've been plugging away making brackets for the hood hinges to attach to. I stole the concept from the DR kit if it looks familiar! 

While these cured, I hacked up the resin cab to begin cowling work. The top needs to be a flat panel instead of curved..but the squirrels will eagerly resolve that.

Jeff

[Repstock]

I like the project, but what is this "squirrels" reference everyone seems to be using?