27/11/24 - 07:36 AM


Author Topic: 2000+ Miles Last Week  (Read 4089 times)

Offline Scott Crosby

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2000+ Miles Last Week
« on: March 03, 2012, 12:39:30 PM »
Well after getting the bus back from Nashville it sounds good, and runs good, except for a lot of oil leaks it did really well.  We picked up the Bus on Friday and drove from Nashville TN to Indianapolis (Avon IN), Then Sunday we left for Rockwall Texas (Dallas Area) then returned home on Thursday night.

The "To Do List" got a few things added to it along the journey.  My Interior dome lights went out, the ballast had been buzzing, I'm thinking about converting to 12v lighting this week on that, I replaced the Air compressor governor in route due to a leaking seal, that took a whole 5 min to swap out.  My bus is holding air now for 5+ hours so there are only a few small leaks in the air system, one of which is the air whipper on off knobs.  I put a on/off valve inline before the window whipper as a temporary fix until I tackle those.  They work but there is a small hiss from the knobs.  I'm guessing O ring but have not even looked at that page in the book yet.

We have some pretty good oil leaks now.  Mostly coming from the right side of the engine.  Generator mount and some other stuff around there, maybe the compressor too.  We are leaking about 1 quart every 200 miles.  Judging by the back of the bus and when we park it's leaking it not using it.  We have another trip planned in just over two weeks so I'm wanting to try and tackle some of those gaskets.  Anyone in the Indy area that has some experience with that and would like to tinker one day I'd love the help.

I learned an important lesson about the safety lock for the rear doors.  I started pulling away as I was closing the door and pulled the lever back just slightly past closed and the brakes deploy automatically and you get a nice brake check.  I remember reading about that, but never clicked that door lever back before while moving, and don't think I ever will again.  I was shocked at the sensitivity of it I only pulled it back 2-3 degrees beyond 90.  It actually seems dangerous if you caught that lever on your clothing at highway speed, maybe I'll look into disconnecting that safety feature, we don't use the rear door. ??  input??

We were at another photography convention and had our bus used for a bunch of photo shoots and had an absolute blast with some friends on the journey.  We really want to get a new rear end gear so step up the highway speed from 54mph as the gps reads it on flat ground.  I'm sure we have the power to get a bit more, we don't have a build out, and carry only few people, and no water storage.  Probably looking at a new trans too instead of this 2 speed VH9  65ish mph would be my goal and that's the next big job on the to do list.  I asked about it before and got some good information but now I need to start looking into it seriously. 
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Offline Scott Crosby

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Re: 2000+ Miles Last Week
« Reply #1 on: March 03, 2012, 12:41:24 PM »
Ons photo with the other side of the bus... 
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Offline Technomadia

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Re: 2000+ Miles Last Week
« Reply #2 on: March 03, 2012, 12:45:26 PM »
Super Groovy!!!
Cherie & Chris and Kiki (meow) /  Blog: http://www.technomadia.com
Full-time gen-X technomads (technology enabled nomads) since 2006

Bus: Zephyr - 1961 GM 4106   /  Toad: Pixel: 2009 MINI Cooper

Offline buswarrior

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Re: 2000+ Miles Last Week
« Reply #3 on: March 03, 2012, 05:12:55 PM »
The exit door interlock should activate when the exit doors are activated.

Sounds like the door handle needs some adjusting?

Does the interlock come on with the activation of the handle, with the opening of the rear doors, rear doors powered open or pushed open? treadle mats, push bars, MacKay gates? How many ways are there to activate the exit doors? Big handle, side instrument panel switch?

There were lots of configurations built. You need to know how it was supposed to work before taking the plunge.

If you keep the door, you need to think really hard about what might happen if the door is opened while underway, and what defeating the interlock does to liability.

I'd be more inclined to get the handle properly adjusted, and have a mechanical barrier of the handle to prevent movement towards the interlock position, and leave the interlock alone?

happy coaching!
buswarrior
New project: MCI 102D3, 1995, Cat 3176b, Eaton Autoshift
Frozen, north of Toronto, Ontario

Offline Scott Crosby

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Re: 2000+ Miles Last Week
« Reply #4 on: March 03, 2012, 07:05:59 PM »
Push open rear doors, but they are sealed shut now.
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Offline RJ Long

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Re: 2000+ Miles Last Week
« Reply #5 on: March 03, 2012, 08:20:34 PM »
Scott -

Transit buses like yours have a five-position door opening handle.  The normal configuration is as follows:

1. All the way forward = front doors open, rear doors open, rear brake interlock activated, dead throttle pedal.

2. One notch forward = front doors open, rear doors closed, rear brake interlock inactive.

3. Centered = all doors closed, rear brake interlock deactivated

4. One notch backwards = front doors closed, rear doors open, rear brake interlock activated, dead throttle pedal.

5. All the way backwards = front doors open, rear doors open, rear brake interlock activated, dead throttle pedal.

Some properties order their coaches with the rear brake interlock activating whenever the door handle is moved from the closed position, but that's rare.  Opens them up to too many liability issues.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
  Do not leave the bus unattended with the rear door interlock activated only!  The solenoid that operates the interlock can overheat, and when it does so, it releases the brakes.  Many a transit driver over the years have had "some explainin' to do" because they got off the coach for a smoke or restroom break, only to come out and find their coach up against a power pole or another vehicle after leaving only the door interlock on.  Never leave the driver's seat without first setting the parking brake!!!

On another note, in order to get more highway speed out of your coach, you'll need to change the rear axle ring & pinion to one out of a 4106, 4107, 4108, 4903 or 4905.  Not sure if the r&p out of the 4103s and 4104s will fit, the pumpkin offset is different.  Luke @ US Coach might know, give him a call: 888-262-2434.

I'm surprised after all the work you just had done on the engine that you've got so many oil leaks.  Something doesn't seem right with that. . .

FWIW & HTH. . .

 ;)
"Miss Vivian" 1992 Prevost XL Vantaré Conversion M1001907  8V92T/HT-755 (DDEC/ATEC)
"Toad" 2003 VW TDI Jetta Sportwagen
Based in Cheney, WA (When Home)

Offline buswarrior

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Re: 2000+ Miles Last Week
« Reply #6 on: March 03, 2012, 08:58:10 PM »
Also, on the speed thing, what is your no load RPM?

We spun the transit 6V71 at 2300 here.

happy coaching!
buswarrior
New project: MCI 102D3, 1995, Cat 3176b, Eaton Autoshift
Frozen, north of Toronto, Ontario

Offline Scott Crosby

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Re: 2000+ Miles Last Week
« Reply #7 on: March 03, 2012, 09:02:00 PM »
I'm guessing that the right side stuff did not have to come off to put the 6 new cylinders and pistons and in?  Maybe the oil pressure is higher now too adding to the leaks?  I'm not a happy camper about it.  They told me they put Rotella 40w in but that was only after I left them a VM to make sure that they put that in but that was after it was running.   Maybe they put 15w40 in and lied to me after I asked?  At this point it wouldn't surprise me at all.  I had a coolant leak I just fixed tonight on something that I know they didn't have on tight.  I have a 30 day labor 1 year parts warranty and I think this week I'm going to take it over to the Clarke Power here in Indy, have them look at it before telling them they worked on it.

I don't know about rpm.  I have been talking to Luke about the rear end.  He's been looking.  I have a trip to NJ and hope that I can have him do it when I'm out that way.
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Offline Scott Crosby

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Re: 2000+ Miles Last Week
« Reply #8 on: March 03, 2012, 09:17:30 PM »
Here is 24hrs of sitting.    It sat for 24 hrs after the trip I started it up and moved it to this spot and turned it off...24 hrs later this is my driveway.
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Offline chrome dome

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Re: 2000+ Miles Last Week
« Reply #9 on: March 03, 2012, 10:41:07 PM »
I'd be taking that back, unless it leaked like that before and they told you they could fix the problem but fixing the other leaks would be more. If those leaks were in the same area as the fix then you bet it would be back there. FWIW

Next time bring a roll of white bucher paper with you when you pick it up. Roll some under the engine and start it up and let it run at high idle. Then shut it down and wait for a while. look under it and that will tell if they got them all.

Dave5Cs
"Perfect Frequency "1979 MCI MC5CSaudi 6V-71,7067-7527 Spec230 644MT Allison
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Offline Bill Gerrie

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Re: 2000+ Miles Last Week
« Reply #10 on: March 04, 2012, 12:39:26 AM »
Scott
Take note of RJ's "important note". So many times drivers let the rear door interlock hold the brakes on. It doesn't work. Bus runs away.
I changed the rear end in mine from 5.375 to 1 over to a 4.56 to 1. It went from 55mph to approx 70mph. Open the governor up to 2300 rpm as well. Measure the diameter of the pumkin and count the number of studs. If I remember right the 4106/4905 etc is too small a diameter and less studs. If Luke can't help you try Nimco in NJ.
Bill 
1965 New Look GMC TDH5303 6V92TA DDECIV & V731 ATEC with Overdrive

Offline RJ Long

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Re: 2000+ Miles Last Week
« Reply #11 on: March 04, 2012, 01:51:09 AM »
If Luke can't help you try Nimco in NJ.

Bill -

Apparently, Nick has retired from Nimco, and with his retirement goes the replacement parts business.  From several other busnuts, I've heard that they've completely scrapped all the coaches, and will not sell parts anymore.  Some say they don't even answer the phone!

FWIW & HTH. . .

 :'(
"Miss Vivian" 1992 Prevost XL Vantaré Conversion M1001907  8V92T/HT-755 (DDEC/ATEC)
"Toad" 2003 VW TDI Jetta Sportwagen
Based in Cheney, WA (When Home)

Offline Scott Crosby

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Re: 2000+ Miles Last Week
« Reply #12 on: March 04, 2012, 02:51:15 AM »
I've never used that as a brake but thanks for the warning.  I'm kind of a parking brake safety freak anyway.  When we added double can rear air brakes I put a yellow knob air parking brake in the dash.  I use that and the mechanical emergency brake everytime when parking or leaving the drivers seat. 


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Offline Bill Gerrie

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Re: 2000+ Miles Last Week
« Reply #13 on: March 04, 2012, 10:26:26 AM »
RJ
Thanks for the heads up about Nimco. I haven't had dealings with them in about 6 years so I wasn't aware of that.
Bill
1965 New Look GMC TDH5303 6V92TA DDECIV & V731 ATEC with Overdrive

Offline Paso One

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Re: 2000+ Miles Last Week
« Reply #14 on: March 04, 2012, 10:49:34 AM »
Hey Scott  Before I changed my tranny to a V730  I made a 1800 mile trip with the VH 9 and the 4:10 rear end  the cruise speed was 64 MPH.

The VH9 and the original 5 1/7 rear end  5:38 top was 52MPH  floored

The V730 tranny and the 4:10 rear end should allow me to cruise at 75 MPH

I got the 4:10 from Luke ( rare ) but I also bought a  4 :11 from Loren Joplin out in Ca  more common to find.

The VS2-8 tranny would give you 75 with the 5:38 but many say the VS2-8 parts  are scarce to find if you ever need to repair.

The VS2-8 tranny does noy need any bulkhead modifications and is a quick swap if you happen to find one and you don't need to swap the rear end pumpkin,
Paul
1968 5303 6V92 V730 4:10 air shift PS
1973 MCI 5 B 8V71  4 speed manual
1970 MCI 5 A  8V71 4 speed
1988 MCI 102 A3 8V92T Mechanical
1996 MCI 102 D3 C10 Cat engine 7 speed manual Parting out the mechanicals.
Saskatoon Sk,