| Author | Message | ||
| Bud True (142.194.203.44)
Rating: |
This bus 35ft. long is powered by a 6 cyl. International gas engine. I would like to repower this bus with a modern diesel truck engine such as the 7.3litre power stroke diesel that is in my 2000 Ford truck. with automatic transmission. This bus has a standard transmission with 2 buttons on the gear shifter, one button on the end of the column shifter the other half way down the shifter arm with the shift pattern printed on the dash. This bus seems to have an extremely heavy duty rear end with extremely heavy duty leaf type rear springs. This bus has a registered GVW of 36,000 lbs. with 10.00x20 split rim wheels and tires. Now for the stupid question! In my mind I visualize that a front engine unit turning clockwise would turn your rear wheels counter clockwise propelling your unit in a forward direction, the number of transmission gears you have. In reverse your engine would turn the same way but your rear wheels would now turn clockwise giving you the backing direction. If you are still with me take this forward facing engine and trans. put in the back of your bus it is now facing backwards which would indicate to me that you now would have a number of gears in reverse corresponding to the forward gears you had previously with only one speed forward which previously was your reverse. If there is a simple answer to this question I apologise for being so long winded. I thhoroughly enjoy the bus magazines but never have seen the answer to this question. Recently Mr. Dave Galey in the March issue of Bus Conversions had an article A Cool Idea, The Joys of Busing in which I thought that I would finally have all the answers to my questions as he was talking about repowering his bus with the cheaper more plentiful truck engines except his article only dwelt with the fitting of the top mounted turbo charger as to space. So to all out there help! Can I use the automatic transmission that comes with these engines, will I have to use a 1Ton or heavier rear end or could I use the existing transmission rear end or really these should be disposed of along with the engine due to their age and condition and again how does this unit move forward. This bus was in storage for many years has an all aluminum skin a non rusty frame and approximately 15,000 miles but needs total restoration. Thank you in advance for your kind attention to this matter I remain just another bus nut. Please send answers to following E-mail address that of a friend as I do not have my own computer as yet and post for all others who may have the same questions. | ||
| FAST FRED (63.215.225.37) Rating: N/A |
Having never seen your coach , all is speculation. IF the engine is in what we call T drive, the engine is stuck in as it would be in a truck , just at rear, the engine rotation is the same as any modern truck. The shift sounds like it has a switch for a 2 speed rear axle , that could save big bucks. The rear in old coaches seems to be the same rear as in a truck , just flipped upside down , with different oil fill and vents. IF you could find the specs for your old engine , mainly what RPM it was to operate at , you could be lucky , and it could be a low speed engine. Most diesels operate best below 2000 rpm , gas much higher, which could cost a rear axle swap,, BUT that {if it is } 2 rear speed could save you. There are diesels DT 466 that run at higher RPM and might save the cost of a rear also. Please post what the engine IS , and perhaps someone can come up with specs. It will cost loads more to modernize this coach , even if it was free , than an $8,000 MCI9 would cost . But if your in LOVE , as we all are with our rides , standby to get dirty! Many of the trucking mags have used trucks in reasonable condition for about $5000. The right one could be a great donor, engine, tranny ,rear axle , tyres, radiator seats and ?? FAST FRED | ||
| Paul Singleton (216.123.189.2) Rating: N/A |
It's been a long time but a friend of mine had a Fitzjohn bus in the early 70'S and it had the same gearshift that you describe. If I remember correctly the buttons are for range selection. One button is for low gear and reverse and the other is for 2nd and 3rd. So to shift this into reverse or low gear hold one of the buttons and shift the gearshift and for 2nd and 3rd use the other button. For 4th and high just shift without pressing any button. Good luck with your bus. |
