About to buy a fishbowl but all the 4 windshields are pretty bad. Is there any place who would still have them ? Thank you in advance. :)
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windshields for busses
If that doesn't work let us know and we'll try something else.
I suspect those may be hard to find for a bus that old.
Call Luke from US COACH
There was a guy on the Facebook page for new look bus fans that has new and used fishbowl windshields. Post on there that you are looking and someone will give you his name.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/GMCnewlookBUSES (https://www.facebook.com/groups/GMCnewlookBUSES)
Hopefully the fishbowl has at least an 8V-71, or 6V-92TA with a V730. If it has the 6V-71 with VS2 (2 speed transmission) walk away. They are dogs to drive and quite possibly will get stuck without sufficient power. I thought my AMGeneral with 8V-71 and V730 was enough. Being in California, we have some serious hills. I had my 8V-71 turbo'ed-now it has enough power. So the best would be the 6V-92TA so you wouldn't have to fool with it, except maybe increasing the injector size. Good Luck, TomC
It has the 6V71 with the HT 747 or that's what the current owner says. Still a dog ?
It's a litter of dogs!
It may be governed to 55mph or so. If so, it will only do that downhill with a tailwind.
When it hits a hill of any size, You may be able to walk beside it.
Look a little more.
I never get use to that since right now I have a good 8V92TA and I think that this engine is a little slow but still goes 90 MPH :)
I just like the old fishbowls and always wanted one but I will drive it before buying and will take it up a good hill. I had a 1957 MCI Courrier 96 with the 4-71 and that was a real dog and don't wanna go back to that
LOL the 6v71 and 6v92 are about the only engine you will not find in the US military some higher up just didn't like the V6 in the 71 or 92 series then they have a ton of 6v53's ?
If you feel your 8v92 is slow a normally aspirated v71 will make you think you're stopped!
JMO
Mark
I replaced one of my windshields with one from Dean's Coach in Durham, NC. Keep in mind that the Transit is wider that the Suburban so the windshield is wider.
Charles makes a good point. Fishbowls came in two widths -- 96, and 102 inches. I'm pretty sure the windshields are different.
The model number of the bus will tell the story. TDH-4519 would be a 35-foot, (T)ransit (D)iesel (H)ydraulic (automatic transmission). 45 passengers, thus 35 foot -- 53 passengers would be a 40 footer. 4517, 4519, 4521, 4523 are 96 inch wide buses -- 4516, 4518, (I never heard of a 4520,22, or 24) would be a 102 incher. Similar numbering pattern (even, odd) for the 40 footers.
I ran a lot of fishbowls when I was managing properties -- I'm at a total loss on your (supposed) transmission. VH-9, VS-2, V-730 are all I'm familiar with.
Now, Fishbowls also came in Suburban (single door) styles. Generally highway gearing. Several decades ago, I remember driving a little 35-foot Suburban Fishbowl, Stickshift (SDM-4501) that would keep up with anything on the road. Had a route that was 30-minutes in each direction, but should have been 35. The only bus that could manage the schedule was that little Fishbowl.
Golden Gate Transit ran a fleet of Suburban Fishbowls in and out of San Francisco -- highway gearing. I think they were mostly 40 footers, 8V71's.
So, if you're able to post the model number of the bus, we might be able to help a little more. I'm particularly curious what transmission it really has. Further, if the owner's statment about the transmission isn't quite right, is he sure what engine it has?
Arthur
My fishbowl has the 8V-71 with the Allison VS2-8 transmission, the tranny has been modified with two skinner valves and the redo of the transmission fluid return line per Allison's recommendation, It climbs hills like a slug but will do 75 mph before you know it. For now that is what makes it go, Do not like the push button F.N.R. feature due to possible failure on the road, We live on a dirt road the steepest road in our county and it made the climb at 20 mph in 1st gear, Was not sure if she would make!!!
Like Arthur the HT747 is not right because it right handed for a T drive in the GM you would have 4 reverses and 1 forward gear if you could fit to the V drive
That's where it gets interesting , its a 1972 Flyer fishbowl with a T Drive , most definitely has a 6V 71 , its a 4 speed automatic . I have to go back and look up the model number again but it had 2 entry doors for sure. The guy who owned it before worked for transit before so even the engine and tranny have less then 10 000 miles on it plus it comes with ton of spare parts so its very tempting.
I have a guy I think might have some of these windows. I will ask him and get back to you.
Ok but your header says 1972 GM Fishbowl
I figure they're the same bus anyway just different name ;D
I'm not very familiar with Western Flyers, but with a little searching, it looks like a Western Flyer D-700.
Here's a link to an information page. http://transit.toronto.on.ca/bus/8514.shtml (http://transit.toronto.on.ca/bus/8514.shtml) The page deals with Toronto Transit, and discusses deficiencies that led to a redesigned bus -- the D-800 that had a "restyled" front. So, the D-700 may have had a small production run (Toronto and Boston, maybe others like Edmondton used that bus body as an electric Trolley Coach, so between the D-700 and E-700 the body production was somewhat larger than for the diesel alone).
A property I was assigned to in the late 1970's had a fleet of AM Generals (35 foot, but 102 inches if I recall). Western Flyer and AM General had a licensing deal. The front end in BC's picture looks like the AM Generals, the sides don't. Now, however, the transmission makes sense.
AM Generals weren't popular with properties -- but the place I was assigned had 74 of them -- and made them work well. So, it's entirely possible that Toronto didn't have success with the D-700 (per the web page), but that other properties did.
Now, then, back to the original question -- windshield availability. We're now talking about a bus that didn't have 1000's produced (like GM did). However, looking at the picture, is it possible that they used the same windshield? Would AM General windshields fit? I'd suggest a phone call to New Flyer in Winnipeg. Despite the corporate changes over the years, they may still have some old timers (my comtemporaries) who would know. Again, the width of the bus would make a difference.
I'm sure Flyer will be at the American Public Transportation Association EXPO in Houston, and I could stop by their display to try and get you contacts. But, that isn't until Mid-October. If you don't have any luck with phone calls, please remind me then, and I'll see if I can find some names while I'm in Houston.
Arthur
Thank you so much for all the info which puts much more clarity into this bus.
http://busexplorer.com/NABus/FlyerNewFlyer-Text.html (http://busexplorer.com/NABus/FlyerNewFlyer-Text.html)
and
http://www.coachglass.com/inventory/motor_coach_transit_school_buses/transit_bus_windshields.php (http://www.coachglass.com/inventory/motor_coach_transit_school_buses/transit_bus_windshields.php)
The 747 makes no sense in a 1972 bus that was long before the ATEC 747 was even born why would you have a electronic transmission behind a 6v71 mechanical engine ?
I saw the ad for that bus a couple of weeks back....
Shook my head and thought to myself, not enough time in my life as it is, keep moving , just keep moving.
Mark
I think you're right , its always nice to upgrade not to downgrade , im still gonna find out exactly what tranny is there knowing its a 4 speed
The posts have gone all over the place, so I'm a little confused (not hard to do at my age..). Did you buy the GM Fishbowl? Where are you located? If you're in BC as in British Columbia I can help with glass.
Bryan
Vancouver BC
I'm in Vancouver BC, that would be awesome. Thank you
Click on my qayqayt profile and my e-mail address is there. Would be nice to compare notes.
Bryan
Bryan, not to stick my nose in -- but just in case you're still thinking GM and know of a glass source. The pictures pretty much establish that it's a Flyer, probably a D-700, rather than a GM. However, it would be interesting to compare/cross reference windshield part numbers just in case a GM windshield might fit. Still uncertain on width of bus -- 96 or 102.
Arthur
I know the bus is 40ft and had 2 doors so now I have to go see if its 96 or 102"
No, I don't think the GM Fishbowl windows will fit. We have a few Flyer D-800 windshield pieces but I doubt if they'll fit either.
The nose looks identical and pretty sure that Flyer got the bus shell from GM, put a T drive and slapped Flyer badge in the front ;D
Drop me an e-mail or call me on my cell: 604-219-8430. I can show you around our transit Museum shop and you can have a look at the glass. I don't honestly know what we'll sell it for, it's up to our Prez to decide. At the very least, you'll know if it's the right glass.
Bryan
Not really identical. Flyer ripped off general design of GM new look but buses are completely different. Also, the GM New Look has a six-piece windshield while New Flyer has four. Does not look to be a fit, plus lower pieces of GM windshield are slanted while Western Flyer is straight.
- Seaton
Is there anyone who can compare or see if the part numbers are the same ?
Now I see the difference ::)
If your in need of a rear window I have one for a 96" wide bowl. Single rear window.
Paul
I have a rear window for a 96" wide fishbowl.
D700 Flyer was one model before the merger with AMGeneral. AMGeneral redesigned the front to more duplicate the GM transit and Flyer went along with that design that started with the D800. Flyer was made as a T drive, AMGeneral was made as a V drive since most all buses in the '70's had Vdrives also. The AMGeneral A model had engine cradle problems since the V drive has all its weight on the rear with left side (engine) heavier. The B model (thankfully what I have) has strategically placed reinforcements that took care of that.
As to your windshields-probably will be near non obtainium, unless you find a Canadian bus company with D700 windshields laying around. I once saw one guy that rebuilt the front of his transit so to accept flat panel glass. Looked a bit odd and not too pretty, but then you could get glass cut relatively cheap. Good Luck, TomC
Those were used by many Canadian cities. Try calling some of the glass outfits in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, or winnepeg. Western Flyer was made in Winnepeg. You can try the factory. I called them for an airbag for mine. They have several warehouses of old parts they told me. Getting someone to go look is the problem.
Same as the US. The farther East you go, the less accommodating they are!
Paul,
Do you still have the rear window for the New Look? I have a suburban with A/C that could use a new one one. Where are you located?
- Seaton
Seaton,
Yes I still have the glass. I live outside of Baltimore Md. If not too far, like California, maybe we can meet half way?
Paul
I think the rear window on a fishbowl with A/C is different from a regular one. It's smaller to accommodate the A/C housing.
Bryan
Bryan,
Yes, the glass is very different from AC bus to a non-AC bus. Not as tall. The only other different glass is on the later models they had a two piece center section. I guess that was cut down cost. No need to replace the whole thing.
Paul
Paul,
A/C rear window?
- Seaton
Yes it is but it is a single center section. Not a two piece.