Hi, looking for help decoding the data plate on my 71 (I think) B700 school bus I just bought.

It's much harder to find accurate info on these trucks than smaller trucks I'm accustomed to. Thanks.

 

B70 = B700 School Bus (gas).

C = 330 2V Medium Duty FT engine.

V = Kentucky Truck Assembly Plant.

L90757 = 1971.

242" Wheelbase.

G = Chrome Yellow.

B705 = B700 School Bus (gas), 24,000 lbs. GVWR

7 = School Bus body.

M = Clark model 285V 5 Speed Direct.

55M:

55 = Rockwell model H170 Single Speed Rear Axle / 7.17-1 / 17,500 lbs. Rear Axle Capacity.

M = Ford 7,000 lbs. Capacity Front Axle with Power Steering.

24,000 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.

164 net HP @ 3,800 RPM

210509:

21 = Atlanta GA Ford District Sales Office, where the original selling dealer ordered the bus from.

0509 = Domestic Special Order number, bus ordered special by the original purchaser, not "bought off the lot."

 

Greetings, this was very helpful, but we need more information, please. What source did you use to decode the tag? We have a 1972 Ford Blue Bird School Bus and would like to decode the following information found on the tag on the firewall:

B70EVP52273
260 G B704 7 M 54M
23000 182 3800 240630

Any help is much appreciated. Thank you.

 

Welcome to FTE!

This information can be found in the Master Parts Catalog for the '64 to '72 trucks. This is a demo/partial copy:

https://www.forelpublishing.com/demo/demo10014.pdf

On line, looks like complete catalog:

https://www.fordification.com/mpc/

Partial demo shop manuals are also on line--search by year, model and "shop manual"

https://www.forelpublishing.com/demo/Demo20072.pdf

B70 = B700 gas

E = 361 2V FT gas V8

V = Kentucky Truck Plant

P52273 = 1972 numerical series, June 1972 production

260 = 260 inch wheelbase

G = Chrome Yellow

B704 = B700, 23,000 lbs GVWR, Hydraulic brakes, 14" x 2 1/2" front

7 = Cowl, less windshield (body type--school bus body made by Blue Bird, added after Ford built the chassis)

M = Clark model 285V five speed direct transmission

54M
54 = Rockwell model H170 Single Speed Rear Axle / 6.83-1 ratio / 17,500 lbs. Rear Axle Capacity.
M = Ford 7,000 lb capacity front axle, with power steering

23000 = 23,000 lbs GVWR

182 3800 = 182 Certified Net HP @ 3800 RPM

240630
24 = Jacksonville District Sales Office
0630 = Special Order Number

Much of the bus is the same as the F series trucks.

Brake drums are not available new, unless you have Dayton style wheels where it is said an air brake drum can be narrowed for the hydraulic brake size. No one has disputed this or confirmed it.....YMMV

Check the location of the fuel tank. There was an accident with a Ford gas bus where the front spring was close to the tank, causing the tank to rupture in the collision. While a pita, a fuel tank relocation might be considered if you find that setup.

I'll leave you on this old thread as I think it looks better to park the busses together--unless you want your own thread where you can add on to it with questions etc, without being confused with the previous post. Your choice.

 

Thank you very much for your time and assistance with decoding our VIN. It is extremely helpful. Also appreciated the additional information.

We can leave the thread here, it seems logical.

Regards.