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Without a doubt the Cat 3406-425hp was a tough engine, drivers could lug one down to 900 rpm put the foot to it without changing gears, watch the black smoke roll and hang on it was off to races with 80,000 lbs on it's tail, 

The 3408 would haul a load also but pouring fuel in it was a big problem mine never got more than 4mpg loaded or empty when fuel was less than .50 cents a gal monster of a engine in a truck

I use Lucas Hub Oil in my oilers.
Never had a problem in over 17 years and probably more miles than most.
I like the idea of being able to check just by a glance on every walk around.

I had trucks with oilers in 1970.
More than 40 years should prove something.

The Caterpillar 3406/C15 with single turbocharger are good engines. My preference is the 3406 mechanically injected (just happens to be the engine in my truck conversion). I think that engine is the most reliable engine ever made-not necessarily the most fuel efficient-but still better on fuel then a 2 stroke (about the same as a 8V-92TA DDEC). Like the Series 60, Cummins NTC/N14 or ISX15, the 3406/C15 is a big block and big physically.

Still the medium blocks like the Cummins M11/ISM, Caterpillar C12, (Detroit didn't make a smaller version and I would not suggest the Mercedes-Benz 4000 [which is a remade over Series 55]) are a better size for bus conversion and have almost the same power. Good Luck, TomC

Use a good synthetic gear oil and very seldom will the oil bath seals ever fail on a bus or truck

Virtually all over the road trucks use oil bearings. When I bought my transit bus, I had the mechanic change the front bearings from grease to oil. That was 20 years ago (I can't believe I've had my bus 20 years!) and have never had a problem with any of the wheel ends.

Even if they do leak, new brake linings are not a bank breaker. You can typically have your shoes relined for around $100.00 and choose the linings you want (there are about 15 different lining materials). Yes it is a bit of a mess-but the lower rolling resistance and better cooling from oil compared to grease plus you can see when additional lubricant is needed with oil as compared to grease. Good Luck, TomC

Any 4104 with a 6L-71 will overheat if lugged they run the coolest at about 1600 to 1700 rpm lot of heating problems can be controlled by the right foot   

That makes no sense unless someone moved the wet tank or plumbed the system backwards. Interesting.

Dave5Cs from Galaxy S III

 Did all the 4104's have the same cooling system?

This subject is especially one I have commented on in several posts over the years on both boards concerning our conversions. Oil lubed wheel bearings aren't worth the mess from failure of seals. Maybe if we used them as much as otr trucks, they might be justified. Just consider the loss of braking with one rear brake with oil soaked shoes. It is quite a chore to clean up the resulting mess. BTDT.

At the risk of straying off topic, my personal leaning would be to suppliment the bus with a small trailer.  By a large margin, my preference is to travel with all the conveniences of a coach/motorhome. But since I never drag a toad, there are a few instances when dropping a trailer and scooting around in a car would be an advantage. I have thought about something like a full featured pop-up trailer.  My twisted thinking is that by choosing something quite a bit different than the bus, it expands my overall capabilities.

I have also envisioned a trip where both the bus and pop-up trailer (towed by a separate car) were used on the same trip. We could take a larger group of extended family or friends, and grab adjacent campsites.  Having all the ammentities in the bus, plus comfortable sleeping for 6+ more, opens up all sorts of possibilities.