Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 14, 2025 ...

Engine access questions

February 12, 2014, 03:28:36 pm

On Foretravels, say 2000 and newer U320/295/270, can the engine easily be dropped for rebuild?  Same question for Nimbus and Phenix.

The reason I ask is that an unconfirmed rumor I read says that on the Entegra Cornerstone on the Spartan K3 chassis the rear engine compartment AND rear cap need major surgery to remove the engine for rebuild.  Cutting and then rebuild after engine re-installed.

Now granted the likelihood of needing to pull the engine is limited, but I would not want major surgery on the coach chassis/rear cap to do so.

Related question, on the north/south bed arrangement on some no slide, 1 slide, 2 slide 2000 and newer U320/295/270 and also Nimbus/Phenix, is there under the bed hatch access to the top of the engine for ease of repair and valve adjustments etc?

How about on cross bed arrangements in the same years, is there any top end engine access in the bedrooms?

I'm 2 - 5 years away from my next coach purchase to replace the current Bluebird.

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Re: Engine access questions

Reply #1 – February 12, 2014, 03:50:01 pm

You have to usually drop the engine and lift the coach over it. That is how Cummins did it anyway on a coach I saw there.  TO adjust my valves they could remove the top with a lift as there was enough room without an issue.  I have a east west bed set up.

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Re: Engine access questions

Reply #2 – February 12, 2014, 04:02:06 pm

Not sure what John is talking about that needs removed with a lift to adjust the valves.

When they adjusted my ISM valves, the Cummins shop was excited because the engine was so accessible, easy to work on, they do plenty SOB units that are not friendly to mechanics. Either up under or down under bed, the only 2 access ways.

Foretravel since about 1996 open the rear for engine access, sone earlier had a radiator across the rear, limiting engine access.

Being a gear head, access is high on the list.
Dave M

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Re: Engine access questions

Reply #3 – February 12, 2014, 04:07:40 pm

Dave they could remove the cover to adjust the valves with it just sitting in the bay.  They love the access. The coaches that do not have the access then will drop the engine to work on it.

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Re: Engine access questions

Reply #4 – February 12, 2014, 04:37:12 pm

You could do an in frame overhaul on a Foretravel with no problem.

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