478 for 1953 Flxible Visicoach
 

Hello,
I have a 1953 Flxible Visicoach bus that was repowered with a 478 GMC V6 at some point. It chucked a rod and sat for several decades before I got it. I'm trying to figure out options for getting this thing running again.
I would prefer to keep it 478 powered but I have not found a single engine for sale anywhere. I'm in SE Idaho. All I've found so far is a 305 powered grain truck that was beyond my budget, and I'm not stripping a nice truck for too small of an engine. Does anyone have any leads on even a good shortblock 478?
If I can't make another 478 happen, does anyone have a recommendation for any different engine that would be up to the task of pushing 20k lbs? I won't be using the interstates so it doesn't need to run 70mph, just be durable...

Re: 478 for 1953 Flxible Visicoach
 

there was an older gentleman in brady nebraska that a huge stash of parts, and engines. i bought a v-12 from him. i dont know if he is still with us, he was having heart problems several years ago. i rember he had several 478 engines. his name is Lloyd Oman. phone number is 308-930-0131. i originally thought about buying all the parts from him. but there was just too much. no way to haul that kind of volumn and weight. he had 2 buildings full of trucks and parts, all gmc. good luck, let me know if you are able to get ahold of him.

Re: 478 for 1953 Flxible Visicoach
 

Unfortunately Lloyd passed in 2021. Thank you for the lead though.

Re: 478 for 1953 Flxible Visicoach
 

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...a-b9a168903901

Or a Detroit Diesel

This is the expert on Buses and bus motors. "Bus Grease Monkey" they are on youtube.

Re: 478 for 1953 Flxible Visicoach
 

I don't know if this has been happening to anybody else lately, but whenever I click on a Facebook link, it wants me to do a selfie video of me turning my head. I never had a desire to be a Facebook member (my wife is), so I just shut the page down without going any further.

Has anybody else who is not on Facebook had this experience?

So, Ken, what was on your Facebook link?

Re: 478 for 1953 Flxible Visicoach
 

I don't have a facebook and I'm not inclined to drive 4000 miles for an engine... I'm going to drop the pan on this 478 and see what is damaged. If it didn't break anything other than the rod and lower block casting then I can put a rod in it and weld a plate over the hole in the block. I found some rods and a set of bearings on ePay. So new plan, fingers crossed the pistons/crank/cam/block webbing aren't chewed up. Might need a source for head gaskets if these tear beyond the copper spray treatment and everything else turns out...
Thanks guys

Re: 478 for 1953 Flxible Visicoach
 

ED, it was a 401 for $325....as an example of what you might find by searching the internet.

I mentioned an old Detroit diesel that the old buses used. In an efort to repond to "other motors". Way more reliable and 'durable" than what has evidently been decided. Don't recommend a patched/blown motor........ any way/any how.