What are your opinions about Ford's school bus chassis when fitted with the Caterpillar V-8 diesel engines?

Between 1968-74 there was the B6000 and B7000 chassis. Engines were the V150 (1140) and V175 (1145) for the B6000, while the B7000 used the V175 exclusively. A 4-speed stick shift was standard, with a 5-speed being optional. Until 1969, the Cat engines were an option alongside the Ford Dorset 363 diesel six. The B6000 was discontinued for 1972, leaving only the B7000.

For 1975, the B7000 would have a new Cat 3208 diesel engine (Ford calling it the "V636"), available in 175 or 210 hp and, for California delivery, 200 hp.

When Ford redesigned their F-series mediums for 1980 the B7000 disappeared from the lineup, but would return for 1983. Meanwhile, beginning in mid-1980 the gas-powered B600 and B700 would also have optional diesel power, by way of a Detroit Diesel (GM) 8.2L "Fuel Pincher" engine available with 130-165 hp (non-turbo) and 205 hp (turbo).

As before, for the 1983 B7000 the Cat 3208 (V636) was the exclusive engine choice, and again in 175 or 210 hp ratings (200 hp for California delivery). For the first time, the B7000 could be optioned with one of two Allison automatic transmissions (model AT545 for the 175 hp engine, and the MT643 for the 210 hp engine). Two years later, a turbocharged 3208T engine rated 225 hp became an option.

The B7000 and the Cat diesels were dropped after the 1990 model year.

~Ben

 

Not sure about the chassis but some general observations about the 3208 engine: it is a mechanical fuel system V8 engine for medium duty applications. As such, thousands of them were built for Ford and other manufacturers. They held up fairly well-better than the other engines you named-but have some limitations. It's a simple design: 2 valves per cylinder, pushrod activated. A mechanical injection pump with individual injectors on the pump and a nozzle at each cylinder. The first limitation: it has a parent bore block, meaning the piston rings rub directly on the engine bore. In other words, there aren't replaceable liners or sleeves. This saves cost and weight but limits the ability to rebuild the engine in the frame. Second, the main caps fit into the block in a V mount rather than bolting up vertically. This means that the bottom end can't be line bored or the caps no longer fit properly.


Bottom line: it's a low tech engine that will probably outlast the chassis. Keep it full of coolant and oil, don't run it out of fuel and it will do a good job for a long time.