| Author |
Message |
Robert Chamuler (Nemos88)
Registered Member
Username: Nemos88
Post Number: 28
Registered: 8-2006
Posted From: 207.225.232.131
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 02, 2007 - 5:58 pm: | |
I need some advice regarding a very nice 1971 35ft GMC Fishbowl convrsion that I am considering purchasing. Very nice conversion but the transmission is toast. The current owner ordered a transmission from the east coast and when it arrived it was the wrong one and they did not have the money to send it back for the correct one. So the bus has sat, sans transmission for the past year. They are wanting 700.00 for the bus. They have the wrong transmission and the original old transmission, both out of the bus. I do not know what type of transmissions they are,VS/VH series maybe.. the owner just said that the one from the east coast was an upgrade so that the bus would go faster on the freeway as the original transmission was geared for transit service. Does anyone know the approximate cost of re-installing a transmission in this bus? The owner mentioned something about modifying the bulkhead to make the newer transmission fit. The garage where it is at does mainly cars and light trucks so I think they may be clueless regarding this bus. The engine is a 6v71 I think. |
Bruce Henderson (Oonrahnjay)
Registered Member
Username: Oonrahnjay
Post Number: 152
Registered: 8-2004
Posted From: 69.143.43.3
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 02, 2007 - 7:03 pm: | |
Robert, I think that you need a good local mechanic (experienced with buses and diesel engines) to look at the bus. Somebody knowledgeable putting eyes on it is 100 times better in 10 minutes than 100 internet guys ruminating on "maybes" for 10 days. |
john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member
Username: Chessie4905
Post Number: 687
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 71.58.117.21
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 02, 2007 - 8:12 pm: | |
Robert, before you BITE on that low price.....Check out the underneath by the engine and suspension VERY CLOSELY. They tend to be rust buckets if they were from the snowbelt areas. That framing under there is almost impossible to rebuild with out a lot of work and money. You would be better off with a used 4104 or 4106 or better conversion; the initial price would be more, but you would be happier in the long run. Also it would be worth more down the road when you decide to upgrade.Parts will be easier to obtain also; especially things like body items, etc. |
Bryan Larrabee (Busasaurus)
Registered Member
Username: Busasaurus
Post Number: 7
Registered: 12-2000
Posted From: 24.84.136.155
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 02, 2007 - 10:54 pm: | |
Our 35 foot Fishbowl is a 4523N, it has a 6V71 engine and was refitted with a V730 transmission. I believe it had a VS-2 previously.
Unless the bus is in great shape I don't think it would be worth it.
Get it over a pit and pay a transit guy to look at the bulkheads, the steering parts, the airbags where they connect to the frame.
Cutting into the bulkhead to fit a transmission into a 36 year old bus dousn't sound cost efficient to me unless you absolutely love the fishbowls. Even then, if you keep shopping you might find a running unit with fewer headaches.
I think you're looking at a couple of G's to do this.
Bryan
Vancouver BC |
Hans (Buellhans)
Registered Member
Username: Buellhans
Post Number: 63
Registered: 2-2007
Posted From: 199.60.181.9
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 02, 2007 - 11:08 pm: | |
I agree , there is a fishbowl for sale at coastspa , in Langley BC . Its in good shape . even has alcoa wheels still has the seats . But the frame underneath is okay engine had some work to it it was a good runner five years ago |
Mark Karlsson (Flying_fishbowl)
Registered Member
Username: Flying_fishbowl
Post Number: 15
Registered: 2-2006
Posted From: 76.103.154.227
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 03, 2007 - 12:44 am: | |
Robert, don't be scared of Fishbowls--I love mine. I see you're in Washington. Corrosion may not be a problem. As far as the transmission, most of these transits originally came with a two-speed automatic. Basically, first gear drives thru a torque converter and 2nd gear locks the converter. So, there's really only one ratio in the tranny. There is another transmission that is basically the same tranny but a planetary unit is added within the bellhousing area. With this transmission, there is approx. a two and a half inch spacer between the engine and tranny. Neither of these transmissions requires cutting the bulkhead to install. Probably the tranny you have which is wrong is a 730; this tranny does require cutting the bulkhead and usually changing the rear end gears to get adequate highway speed. If you want, give me a call. I know quite a bit about these fishbowls as I've had mine for a long time and have changed the tranny twice and now currently have a 6V-92 TA and a 730 trans. 707-258-2804 (California) I'm always up 'til at least 11 p.m. Pacific time; best to catch me in the evenings after 7:00. |
Hans (Buellhans)
Registered Member
Username: Buellhans
Post Number: 64
Registered: 2-2007
Posted From: 199.60.181.9
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 03, 2007 - 2:08 am: | |
The 730 tranny needs a spacer as well behind the 671 |
Robert Chamuler (Nemos88)
Registered Member
Username: Nemos88
Post Number: 29
Registered: 8-2006
Posted From: 76.104.145.36
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 03, 2007 - 10:41 pm: | |
I plan on driving down to Centralia Washington to look at it, about 70 miles from my home. Very difficult to do an evaluation via phone. Maybe I can get the price down if everything else is in good shape. It will be towed from the garage where it is at soon, so the owner is facing a deadline. |
Laryn Christley (Barn_owl)
Registered Member
Username: Barn_owl
Post Number: 66
Registered: 10-2006
Posted From: 72.66.160.187
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, August 04, 2007 - 8:57 pm: | |
What is the scrap metal price for a bus now days? Metal prices are through the roof, so buy it after making a ridiculously low offer, sell to scrap man for nice profit. Now you have a v730 to do with what you want. |
Paso One (Paso_1)
Registered Member
Username: Paso_1
Post Number: 93
Registered: 11-2004
Posted From: 142.165.246.239
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 07, 2007 - 10:08 am: | |
I agree with Mark No bulkhead modifications are needed going from the VH series tranny to the VS tranny. However the V730 needs to be widen out and the whole reinforced. I have pictures of the hole ( in bulkhead ) for both trannys It is not that major of a modification. |