83 FC - Is my engine 225 or 250 horse?

[Jeff Miller]

When I was getting build sheets, Bennie was the guy. He is still
there, but he was unsuccessful last time I wanted one. Bennie is over
in Coachworks, the records are in the bus company, not sure if they
all exist anymore.

Best of luck,

- Jeff Miller
in Holland, MI


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Andy Coleman"
wrote:
>
> Thank you Jeff for the great info!
>
> If I were to call the BB factory and provide them with all the
numbers
> on my service parts sheet, might they be able to provide me with a
> build sheet containing all the info on my bus? Including engine
type
> and factory options?
>
> It would sure be nice to know what my bus was like out of the
factory!
>
> Andy
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Jeff Miller"
> wrote:
> >
> > All MY-83 Wanderlodge FCs had the 3208Ta (Ta = Turbo, automatic
> > transmission) engine. Most all of them were 225hp, the last dozen
were
> > reputedly 250hp. Externally the engines are identical, all of the
BB
> > turbo engines have the larger oil cooler which indicates the
turbo
> > engine with piston oil-cooling sprays and roller lifters etc.,
the only
> > way I know to tell is finding the ID plate on one of the valve
covers
> > (which one depends on whether it is original or replacement). The
valve-
> > covers originally also said "Intercity" on them. 4.89:1 gears
were
> > standard and equipped on over 95% of the '83-'86 FCs, the
optional
> > 4.63:1 gears nicer but very rare.
> >
> > The model year on the production line in those years started
around
> > August '82 and ran through around July of '83 before changing to
> > the '84. I have had one of the first '83s, one of the last, and a
> > couple in-between. The last-late one I had was originally a
250hp, also
> > had the '84 inside window trim (no aluminum trim), the air-cruise-
> > control, and other '84 items I can't remember currently.
> >
> > If your '83 was built June or before, I doubt it originally had
the
> > 250hp engine (tag above the center of the windshield). A July
coach,
> > possibly. This might be a moot point as so many FCs have had
engines
> > replaced, and most of those replacements were upgraded to the
250hp
> > engine. Also, if someone knowledgable like Buddy Gregg, salesman
at
> > that time for Harvey Mitchell Cadillac (love this trivia) knew it
was
> > possible, he might have ordered the 250hp for a special customer
ahead
> > of production.
> >
> > To further confuse the issue, BlueBird is a manufacturer, they
can
> > technically title an '83FC as a 2007 if they still have the
chassis
> > incomplete / un-titled. Some coaches were not complete during the
model
> > year the chassis was built, an example being some of the 96" wide
PTs
> > sold in '89, so they were titled as the model year when the coach
was
> > completed. Late Lxi coaches were also built on chassis which were
built
> > earlier. I don't know if there are examples of 31' or 33' coaches
that
> > crossed model years, but it could happen, especially in the case
of the
> > WLII which had significant differences in chassis equipment.
> >
> > Some indicators of a late '83 coach were the deadbolt on the
door
> > being a couple of inches above the rub-rail, the 4-bolt mirror
mounts,
> > and the rectangular turn-signals on the sides replacing the
earlier
> > beehive-style ones.
> >
> > As Mike H. has said though, what matters more than whether it is
a 225
> > or 250, is the arrangement number. If you need parts such as
injector
> > nozzles, Cat won't be able to help you much without both the
> > arrangement and serial number. Other items such as the rocker-
cover
> > gaskets, PCV, filters, etc., are common to all of the '83-'86 FCs
and
> > you should be able to get that information here.
> >
> > - Jeff Miller
> > in Holland, MI
> >
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "olson_phil"
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > I have not checked mine out yet to tell which engine it might
be. I
> > > know it came from the factory with a 225hp, but was told it was
> > > replaced with a rebuilt 250hp, but don't have any documentation
on
> > > it. Getting it out of storage tonight for the summer so now I
will
> > > have it at the house to play with and try to figure these
things
> > > out. Just ordered a new back up camera system from rvcams.com,
so
> > > that will be this weekends project.
> > >
> > > Phil Olson
> > > Appleton, WI
> > > 83FC35SB
> >
>