automatic vs 4spd

[Dreamscape]

Noel,

I just got off the phone with Bob Gilbert. I had him explain to me why he chose the RR over an Auto. He just thinks it's a better choice for the 8v71 and like Clifford says, he loves it. Come to TBR 2010, Bob will be there, then we can pick his brain some. He says that hills that he would have to downshift into 2nd or third with the spicer, going maybe 25-35. He can take the same hill at 55 now.

I maybe changing my attitude now!

Paul

[luvrbus]

Paul, you would change your mind anyway when you have to cut some of the frame and redo it on the drivers side to make a 740 fit in the 01 and early 05's lol 


good luck

[1960eagle]

I am thinking 9 or 10 spd roadranger would be my choice over automatic,given the cost and the 01 brake performance,that way i could shift to help braking.have to know the details of the rr swap out.shift controls,needed parts etc.just found source of a nasty oil leak at the left side fuel rod tube hose{split}trying to figure out best way to replace the hose.   thanks.

[luvrbus]

Noel, that leak is not a easy fix remove the valve cover and the top of the governor remove the pins pull the fuel rod remove the 2 1/4 inch bolts on the head holding the tube and those are not hoses if you need 2 I will send them or buy from Stewart and Stevenson for 6 bucks with the new style clamps btw replace both if one is bad



good luck

[1960eagle]

Would you happen to know the part #s or if you have a couple of of extras i would be happy to pay you for them,i am finding out that this oil leak repair is not going to be fun.   thanks.

[Dreamscape]

Noel,

I'll get a list from Bob. He told me what he did, not much but messing with the shifter tower, linkage and running an air line to the switch. He also said something about a heavy duty clutch. And of course the correct bell housing, one's smaller than the other. The 8v71 takes the larger size.

Not sure how you would do it with a one rod system though. I'm sure Clifford would know.

Paul

[luvrbus]

Why would you want to change the bell housing Paul you have a SAE 1 now the SAE 2 was only used with smaller Allisons like a 644.
Bob changed his clutch because he had a old button type which Eagle never used and he wanted a double disk why he wanted one of those rattling thing I don't know but it is a lot better than a button type and will last a long time.   



good luck

[1960eagle]

Thanks Paul.I look forward to seeing the list of parts needed for the roadranger swap out.Got the tube&rod off for the oil leak,wasnt all that bad.rack seems real nice and smooth.will set it while i am there.appears that i have C65 injectors.   thanks.

[luvrbus]

Now you 2 guys will spend weeks trying to decide on what gear ratio transmission to use lol and how many gears 8,9, 10 the list goes on 



good luck

[buswarrior]

Why stop at 10?

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[luvrbus]

I can not count past 10 BW lol 


good luck

[Dreamscape]

Clifford, I was just going by what Bob told me. As I understand this over time it'll all come together. I'm sure you will guide me............again huh!

[DaveG]

Get a 10 spd rather than a 9 if you can. Also, there are a few different ratios avail. in the 10s, along with direct in 10th or overdrive in 10th.

[TomC]

Personally-after 1.2 million miles of driving, I can tell you that the 10 spd is a pain in the butt to shift compared to the 9 spd.  If you get a B model 9 spd, it will be a wide ratio and can have overdrive. 
Why is the 10spd a pain?  Because (on both transmissions) you start in second gear normally, then shift through the normal H pattern to fifth gear position.  On both the 9 and 10spd, you then pull up the button from low to high range, but on the 10spd, you shift back to first gear position which is a hard pull over to the side (you have to go through the reverse detente) and pull it down.  On the 9spd you go from fifth gear position (which is right down) to second gear position (which is middle and up position). Just a much easier transition, and you don't need 10 speeds in a bus.  In fact, the manual transmission I would use is a 7spd overdrive, since it is in one gear shift without any air operated range selector.  Good Luck, TomC

[Dreamscape]

You may not need 10 speeds in a bus, but they are there if you need the range. I don't plan on driving 1.9 million miles, only a few thousand each year. It would take me 633 years to drive that far, and I don't have that long!