Re: Found a BBGMC v6 401 in TN
 

Actually I won't correct you on that because what you stated here is true!:thumbsup

Re: Found a BBGMC v6 401 in TN
 

Wow, and it's a 4X4. Anyway, Western Flyer was the forerunner to today's New Flyer, a major manufacturer of transit coaches based in Canada (Winnipeg, I think). Western Flyer used a lot of International gasoline engines in the 50's, chances are this coach had an IH 'Red Diamond' 450 in-line 6. Considering GMC put a lot of effort into marketing the V-6 as a replacement engine for other makes of trucks and buses, this bus was probably re-powered some time in the late 60's by a GMC dealer. Figuring that a 4X4 bus was probably very rare and very expensive, it's not a surprise someone made an effort to keep it going. I have seen many similar vintage Flxible Clipper's with GMC V-6's in them.

Re: Found a BBGMC v6 401 in TN
 

Fellas, although personally I don't recommend it, my late father said he had seen a 305 block bored to 351 but it also had been cross bolt drilled on the main caps like a toro-flow to stiffen the block. I totally agree to replace the dead 351 with a 401.

Re: Found a BBGMC v6 401 in TN
 

IH made a couple smaller displacement Red Diamond engines, according to Wikipedia, they made 318, 361, 372, 401, 450, & 501. Production started in 1941 and ended in 1974. Only some of the engines were available at any one time. Probably the 450 was made the longest, most popular engine of the line, was able to replace sleeves during a major rebuild with block still in the frame. 501 was parent bore engine, no sleeves. Lots and lots of fleets had R-190's and CO-190's with RD-450's for power.

Anyhow, For sure use the 401 V6 to replace the tired 351. Overall size of the big block V-6's very similar, 401 should fit anywhere a 351 or 305 has been. There's pictures and video here of a 478 in a 3/4 ton pickup. Just imagine what a great tow rig that is!

Re: Found a BBGMC v6 401 in TN
 

Thanks, so someone did a great job when they re-powered the bus because it looks like a factory job :-). I am holding on to the heads, carb and pistons (if they are in good shape).

Re: Found a BBGMC v6 401 in TN
 

Western Flyer made have made a retrofit kit. Our Flxible was converted to a 401 with a factory mount set.

Re: Found a BBGMC v6 401 in TN
 

I found something cool about my bus. Seems like it might have been repowered the same time the allison "6 speed" tranny was put in bacl in 1972.

Re: Found a BBGMC v6 401 in TN
 

I am still not sure which to go, either with a Cummins 24V and Allison, a DT466 or DT360 with an Allison y a Hummer 6.5L Optimizer V8 Turbo engine with a 4L80E behind it. The ladder does 250hp stock nand comes with a TC that will need to be switched 180 degree to the passenger side.

Re: Found a BBGMC v6 401 in TN
 

The 401 being a truck engine is a slow engine in the heavier vehicles. Long grades on the interstate can be a challenge. The Allison 1000 conversion in our 47 Flxible made climbing a little better esp in that you have the interruption free down shifting and can hold a gear as long as you want electronically. But still has trouble keeping up on grades.

Re: Found a BBGMC v6 401 in TN
 

Engine came off yesterday. OMG them pistons are HUGEEEE at 4-1/2" in diameter. The space between the bore are like I never seen before. I haven't measure them yet but seems to be about 1-1/2". With that space I wholeheartedly believe that the same block was used for the 305s and 351s just by boring them out.The pistons are trashed though. One is cracked really bad and they are gouged on the upper portion of the piston about 1/8" deep. Heads are perfect and beautiful, lol. Not a single blemish and they are really clean. This weekend I am removing one side head of the 305 to do a comparison between the blocks. I need to find replacement pistons (4 rings) and rods. I hope the local Piston Warehouse can get them cheap. But I am not sure if I want the BB V6 in there. It would be the era correct engine for the bus but I kinda want something more updated that can get up to speed and maintain that speed comfortably.