| Author | Message | ||
| mark (Coolbus)
Registered Member Username: Coolbus Post Number: 53 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 71.54.203.149 Rating: N/A |
I'm leaving pretty soon to bring my new bus home; its a 2500 mile trip. I'm sure there will be some significant grades to ascend/decend. (comeing west from east) I don't claim to be a professional bus driver, but I have made aquaintenance with quite a few seasoned experts here on the board! I have driven my current bus in all sorts of conditions here in the northwest, but no long, steep grades in 100 deg weather. I know enough to watch the temp guage closely in this scenario, but what if she starts to overheat in the middle of an ascent? would it be better to back off the throttle, proceed a little slower? Or just pull over let it idle a while? (1968 8v-71 Prevost 35') Now for the descent; (I don't know what tranny it has, just that it's an Allison auto). Should I keep it in drive, or should I move down a gear like the std trannys? (down hill in same gear as going up)? Any tips, or advice is greatly apreciated! thanks Mark | ||
| George M. Todd (George_mc6)
Registered Member Username: George_mc6 Post Number: 179 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 207.231.81.59 Rating: N/A |
Mark, Couple of things quickly, if it gets over about 205, uphill, downshift the auto, this will increase the fan and water pump speeds, and lessen the fuel input. You may have to do this twice, and climb a steep hill in second. Take a garden hose to your radiator first, make sure its clean. Likewise the air cleaner. Downhill, don't crest the first long hill at 70, go over at 40, keep it slow for a ways, and use your nose. If it starts smelling like hot brakes, downshift, if it runs several miles without increasing pedal pressure and smoke, increase about 10 mph, and watch again. Hold the trans in 2nd, floor it on the flat, and record the maximum speed, do the same in 3rd, and DON'T exceed that speed downhill in 2nd or 3rd!!! Or whatever your maximum high gear speed is either. If its a five speed, record the 4th gear speed also, and apply the above! Downhill in same gear as going up is nothing but SAFE, you are trying to get out here. Just don't over-rev it! A bus is more agile than a truck, once you are familiar with it, you will know what you can or shouldn't do. Enjoy, George | ||
| Kyle Brandt (Kyle4501)
Registered Member Username: Kyle4501 Post Number: 334 Registered: 9-2004 Posted From: 65.23.106.193 Rating: N/A |
The 8V71 likes to make power near the gov. So let her rip! Drop a gear as required to keep the rpms up. I've been told that if you are loosing speed & it is floored, you should drop a gear as soon as appropriate to avoid lugging the engine. Enjoy the ride! | ||
| mark (Coolbus)
Registered Member Username: Coolbus Post Number: 54 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 71.54.203.149 Rating: N/A |
So prior to running in the hills, I should drive the bus thru the gears, upshifting manually (on the flats) to determine the governed speed in any given gear? It seems the bus likes running @ the governor? What should the governed RPM be? (approx) Is it okay to run any length of time in ANY gear against the governor? thanks Mark | ||
| larry currier (Larryc)
Registered Member Username: Larryc Post Number: 119 Registered: 2-2007 Posted From: 152.163.100.13 Rating: N/A |
It likes to be ran against the governor all the time, except going down hill. If you overspeed it going down hill it will blow up. When I had my 05 my wife had a 3ed gear limit. I would let her drive it all day at 67 mph against the gov in 3ed. Otherwise her most comfy cruise speed was a little over 90 in 4th. | ||
| mark (Coolbus)
Registered Member Username: Coolbus Post Number: 55 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 71.54.203.149 Rating: N/A |
Sweet, Larry! 90MPH in a bus! Thanks for the clarification about the governor. Is the max RPM something like 2000 - 2100 on an 8V-71? Thanks! Mark | ||
| Ron Walker (Prevost82)
Registered Member Username: Prevost82 Post Number: 303 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 208.181.210.47 Rating: N/A |
Prevo's have a large side rad so they are not prone to over heating on a long grade. If you see it over heating drop a gear a keep the rev's up ... it not a CAT like your other bus | ||
| RJ Long (Rjlong)
Registered Member Username: Rjlong Post Number: 1246 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 67.181.189.94 Rating: N/A |
Mark - Read my comments about shifting in the "Articles of Interest" section of this BBS. I talk about automatics near the end. FWIW & HTH. . .  | ||
| George M. Todd (George_mc6)
Registered Member Username: George_mc6 Post Number: 181 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 76.168.69.233 Rating: N/A |
Mark, To answer your two questions: 1=Yes. 2=2100. 3=Yes Pay close attention to Larry's advice! George |