While I know most Blue Bird All-American FEs and REs since the early 1970s were diesel-powered, I wonder if, out of the gas-powered crop, were any of those using the 477 or 534 SD V-8s (since these two were also used in the Wanderlodge RV)? Both of these were dropped after 1981, being replaced by a single new gas engine in the form of Chevrolet's 427 tall-deck engine for 1982.

~Ben

 

I seem to remember seeing Wanderlodge RV's with Ford Super Duty V-8's in them. I know a lot of gas engine Wanderlodges were repowered with diesels, commonly Cat 3208's in the 80's.

 

Yes, Joe...

In the '60s and '70s one could get all kinds of gas engines in an AAFE, and you are indeed correct that after diesels became more widely popular only the Chevrolet 427 V-8 remained as the AAFE gas engine in the 1980s...
Chevrolet 427 V-8: 1968 to 1988 (moved to TC2000FE from 1989 to 1995)
Chevrolet 454 V-8: 1979 to 1980 (extremely rare for AAFE)
Dodge 413 V-8: 1961 to 1977
Ford Super Duty 401 V-8: 1958 to 1975
Ford Super Duty 477 V-8: 1958 to 1980
Ford Super Duty 534 V-8: 1958 to 1980 (277 hp was very rare for a working man's gas engine!)
GMC 401 V-6: 1961 to 1974
GMC 478 V-6: 1961 to 1974

There were even a few unbelievably rare midships produced in 1969 and 1970, all with the GMC 401 V-6.

~Ben

 

Joe,

I wonder if Blue Bird used the special "475" version of the 477 V-8 in any 1975-79 All-American FEs, to better compete with the Chevy 427?

~Ben