"Might" finally get my bus.

[Satanta]

It's a BlueBird that's been converted but I have plans for re-converting it.

Don't know anything bout the engine or tranny but it's driveable and bets about 6 to the gallon. What can I do to improve that especially since I'll have it loaded with my crap and towing the Jeep?

 

[vlad]

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=to+improve+fuel+mileage&btnG=Google+Searc

My 76 GMC 3/4 ton four speed manual 4x4 mpg improved when I installed Edelbrock 1405 carb, bought a calibration kit for that carb, and changed jets and rods to setting for 6000 feet elevation. At 400 feet in East Texas my usual mpg is 10 around town and 13 at 65 mph on the road.

 

[The Mountain]

If the engine isn't a turbodiesel, look into what it would take to put a turbo on it. Turbos pretty dramatically improve the efficiency of diesel engines. Also, look into whether there is a later-model transmission with an overdrive gear that could be swapped in. Depending on where you plan to drive it, you could also look into swapping the ring and pinion out for a taller (numerically lower) ratio, though if you head up into the mountains that could prove problematic. Alternatively, you could see if there is a two-speed rear end that could be swapped in, that would allow for a better highway cruise RPM. Even with all this, though, you probably won't be able to get it above 10mpg, and maybe only up to 8mpg.

 

[north runner]

You could add a sail
For what you're getting 6 sounds decent to me.

 

[Opus Dei]

Since you mention having to redo the bus, have you thought about a school bus? Most have diesel or propane engines with automatic transmissions. I see late 80s-early 90s buses for about $4K regularly.

 

[Satanta]

It's gas not diesel. If it WERE diesel I'd run it on cooking oil from Mickey D's when I could.

I thought the BlueBirds WERE old school buses?

I plan to go anywhere from Florida to Alasja in it. I mainly want it because I did the homeless thing already so having it even if not licing in it is a prep.

 

[Opus Dei]

A lot of Bluebirds were private buses-charter coaches or motor homes. That's why I mentioned something like a Ford or Chevrolet truck chassis school bus. It probably is fairly old to have a gas engine. IIRC, Saddam Hussein had some Bluebird Wanderlodges done up very elegantly.