| Author |
Message |
Robert Lawrence (Robertl) (207.218.195.105)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, November 02, 2003 - 2:44 am: | |
I had never considered a transit bus for conversion, but I have come across a Flxible that I am kind of falling for. I saw it today, took pictures and wrote down the info on the panel in front.
Model 11CC-D51
SN 55174
Engine # 6VA-61700
Engine Mod 7067-4121
Axle Ratio 5 1/7
I was told that it is a 73 and that it had a new motor. It has been sitting a while and has some rust and needs a paint job. The motor does not look (dirty with what looks like driving grime) it is new or been overhauled.
Can anyone out there tell me anything about this bus, the engine and this axle ratio (fast or slow?).
I really am falling for the bus and saw a wonderful conversion on www.dustyfoot.com. I would like to convert this bus but just want to know what I am getting and getting into.
Thanks
Robert
PS: sorry about the "Flexible" in the title. I did not notice until I had posted. |
Geoff (Geoff) (66.238.120.35)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, November 02, 2003 - 10:09 am: | |
You might read these responses to a similar question (including one from "dustyfoot" aka Scott):
http://www.busnut.com/bbs/messages/11/4293.html?
--Geoff
'82 RTS CA |
Scott Whitney (66.82.9.27)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, November 02, 2003 - 9:52 pm: | |
Hi Robert,
Here is a link you may find usefull:
http://www.omot.org/roster/FlxList/111cc.html
Looks like it may have been delivered new to:
Metropolitan Transit Commission (St Paul MN)
You may be missing a 1 from the model #.
Is it a six banger Geoff? I am not familiar with the engine designation.
If it is a 6V71, you may find it under powered. I have an 8V71 and a 6-1/7 rear end. It is just barely adequate for hills and highways. Mine'll do 65MPH or so on the flats and about 20MPH up the steep hills in CA.
Scott |
Phil Dumpster (12.230.214.167)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, November 02, 2003 - 11:12 pm: | |
Check which transmission that bus has. With the 5-1/7 rear axle ratio and the 6V71 engine (denoted by the D-5 in the model designator) it may have a VH9 transmission which won't get you much past 50 miles per hour at wide open throttle. This gearbox is also a slug in the city too.
In any event, test drive the coach on the highway at highway speeds and up some hills to see if it is to your liking. Many transit busses of that era still were city-only vehicles, meaning they never had sustained speeds over 50 miles per hour in mind when they were designed.
I don't know the transit history of the twin cities area, but if they didn't have many bus routes that ran on the freeway for any appreciable distance, then they probably had city-only coaches.
If that bus has a 6V71 and a VS-2 with the 5-1/7 axle ratio, then it will probably do fine on the level but take its time getting up to speed, and hills will be painful, but at least you won't risk throwing a rod by running at high revs all the time. |
john w. roan (Chessie4905) (68.168.57.30)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 04, 2003 - 5:47 pm: | |
I just disassembled a 70's flexible city bus down to scrap and found an incredible amount of major rust. Check really close underneath at the rear bulkhead area around the rear axle- muffler area. You couldn't see this when I started. Also I think you would be much happier spending a little more money for a 4104 or 4106 as you can find some very reasonable with some patience. |