[mechanic17]

Here's what I ended up with, for those interested. 1992 International 4000 ambulance body with a all-mechanical DTA360/Allison 545. Same combo as in a lot of Bluebird schoolbuses. Bought in Miami, rust free 110,000 miles.

Only got a disappointing 10 mpg on the 1500 mile ride home, but they were trouble-free. Runs great! Never saw temps over 180 for water or tranny. Oh, has 4-wheel disc brakes too!

I'm doing the PMs on it now. So far found 6 filters to change: two oil, two fuel, one coolant, one external tranny. The air has life left yet, and I'll get to the in-pan tranny filter when I can afford the 4 gallons of fluid.

Anyone think it's worthwhile to go synthetic oil and/or tranny with this beast? (I used Delo 15w/40 already). I'm new to diesel so any advice appreciated.

[vin63]

Originally Posted by mechanic17

Here's what I ended up with, for those interested. 1992 International 4000 ambulance body with a all-mechanical DTA360/Allison 545. Same combo as in a lot of Bluebird schoolbuses. Bought in Miami, rust free 110,000 miles.

Only got a disappointing 10 mpg on the 1500 mile ride home, but they were trouble-free. Runs great! Never saw temps over 180 for water or tranny. Oh, has 4-wheel disc brakes too!

I'm doing the PMs on it now. So far found 6 filters to change: two oil, two fuel, one coolant, one external tranny. The air has life left yet, and I'll get to the in-pan tranny filter when I can afford the 4 gallons of fluid.

Anyone think it's worthwhile to go synthetic oil and/or tranny with this beast? (I used Delo 15w/40 already). I'm new to diesel so any advice appreciated.

That's pretty cool! Congrats! That fuel mileage has a lot to do with the weight. I use Baldwin filters for my diesels, and I'm an oil-is-oil person, so the Delo is a fine choice, but I do use a TES 395-rated fluid in my Allisons.

[455Grandville]

Originally Posted by mechanic17

Here's what I ended up with, for those interested. 1992 International 4000 ambulance body with a all-mechanical DTA360/Allison 545. Same combo as in a lot of Bluebird schoolbuses. Bought in Miami, rust free 110,000 miles.

Only got a disappointing 10 mpg on the 1500 mile ride home, but they were trouble-free. Runs great! Never saw temps over 180 for water or tranny. Oh, has 4-wheel disc brakes too!

I'm doing the PMs on it now. So far found 6 filters to change: two oil, two fuel, one coolant, one external tranny. The air has life left yet, and I'll get to the in-pan tranny filter when I can afford the 4 gallons of fluid.

Anyone think it's worthwhile to go synthetic oil and/or tranny with this beast? (I used Delo 15w/40 already). I'm new to diesel so any advice appreciated.

The 7.3s in those chassis usually do much better then the Dt466s , I would have thought the Dt360 would have done a little better, but it's a good little engine that should go many miles.