New to buses, a lot of questions

Adarian · August 27, 2009, 08:14:13 PM

Going to purchase a 1988 Flxible Metro B. Cummins L10
Can someone help me in identifying the transmission from the photo? http://www.palofitness.com/bus/tranny.jpg
Also a big canister that say aviation fluid only? what does it go to and what type of aviation fluid? http://www.palofitness.com/bus/frontengine.jpg
Is it common to see the turbo in that location? http://www.palofitness.com/bus/turbo.jpg
I will be picking up the bus next week.
The bus is 40 ft long and 102 inches wide
Thank you for your help.
I will let you know how the adventure goes.
The photos are large, that is why they are not inserted into the message

DaveG · August 27, 2009, 08:32:50 PM

I'd fix the tape on the air line! At least it is shiney!

Adarian · August 27, 2009, 09:05:33 PM

It looks like a wire is running through the tape. I will check closer when picking bus up to be sure line is okay.
I hope to pickup a manual soon that will identify all the parts.
Any idea what that hose is hooked up to?

TomC · August 27, 2009, 09:09:06 PM

Transmission- that is a Voith 3 or 4 spd automatic transmission. They are built backwards compared to Allisons-which have the torque converter at the engine, then the clutch packs with the gears at the rear of the transmission. The Voith on the other hand have the clutches in the front, then the torque converter-which rotates backwards!!, then the gears. Seems to work-and they are still being made. If it is a 3 spd, it will be direct drive. If it is a 4 spd, then it has a .73 overdrive. Go to WWW.Voithturbo.com and pull up the transmission brochure-they have a nice cutaway of the transmission.
Aviation fluid-follow the lines-probably either power steering or hydraulic powered radiator fan. But since the reservoir is smallish, I would say it is for the steering. Aviation fluid is just a high quality hydraulic fluid. Probably could run any hydraulic fluid.'
Turbo- you can mount a turbo anywhere as long as it gets oil pressure and can return the oil to the oil pan. The remote mounting of the turbo was probably done for space considerations. Good Luck, TomC

Adarian · August 27, 2009, 09:28:40 PM

Thanks, that helps a lot.
I think it is a 3 speed transmission according to the present owner.
The bus odometer shows 83k, I don't know how true that is for being actual. The bus did belong to the Trimet folks up in Portland Oregon.
Was retired about 6 years ago.
The current owner has had it for two years slowly converting it.
He purchased it from the person that got it from Trimet.
Thanks again.

paulcjhastings · August 28, 2009, 04:06:30 AM

Look at the color of the "aviation fluid" if it is red, it is most likely MS-5056 hydraulic fluid.

TomC · August 28, 2009, 07:18:51 AM

If it is a three spd-might be able to reprogram it into a 4 spd to take advantage of the overdrive. Good Luck, TomC

Utahclaimjumper · August 28, 2009, 07:26:58 AM

Paul, your wrong on the spec, its 5606 red hydraulic oil, been using it for 30 years.>>>Dan Can be had from Aircraft Spruce & spec. in gallon cans

Adarian · August 28, 2009, 08:01:39 AM

Quote from: TomC on August 28, 2009, 07:18:51 AM
If it is a three spd-might be able to reprogram it into a 4 spd to take advantage of the overdrive. Good Luck, TomC

How might this be done?
Do you have anymore info on the Voith transmission?
Retarder functions? Maintenance issues to look out for?

paulcjhastings · August 28, 2009, 12:50:04 PM

Quote from: Utahclaimjumper on August 28, 2009, 07:26:58 AM
Paul, your wrong on the spec, its 5606 red hydraulic oil, been using it for 30 years.>>>Dan Can be had from Aircraft Spruce & spec. in gallon cans

Oops, I guess I was a little dyslexic this morning

TomC · August 30, 2009, 09:00:48 AM

I don't know alot about the Voith-only what I read in the website. I only mentioned about reprogramming it from a 3spd to a 4spd simply because I know an Allison World transmission can be programmed to be either a 4,5, or 6 spd transmission. I don't know if that's what a Voith is able to do. On the website, they do list both the 3 and 4 spd. Best to get with a Voith transmission expert and give him the model and serial number from the manufactures plate mounted on the outside of the transmission case. Good Luck, TomC

TomC · August 30, 2009, 09:19:43 AM

Went to the Voith USA transmission site and read on the transmissions-it appears that the transmission has to be made in either the 3 or 4 spd version since there is an extra gear and clutch set that is installed for the 4th gear. Once again-run the serial and model number of your transmission. The 3 and 4 spd versions are in the same case. If you have a 3 spd version, maybe you could find a 4 spd version to take advantage of the overdrive. Good Luck, TomC

Adarian · August 30, 2009, 03:46:32 PM

Quote from: TomC on August 30, 2009, 09:19:43 AM
Went to the Voith USA transmission site and read on the transmissions-it appears that the transmission has to be made in either the 3 or 4 spd version since there is an extra gear and clutch set that is installed for the 4th gear. Once again-run the serial and model number of your transmission. The 3 and 4 spd versions are in the same case. If you have a 3 spd version, maybe you could find a 4 spd version to take advantage of the overdrive. Good Luck, TomC

Thanks I will check into it.

Adarian · September 03, 2009, 06:33:48 PM

In this photo, is that an air starter? http://www.palofitness.com/bus/frontengine.jpg
Also the wiring job above the alternator, are twist on and crimp connector good for connecting those wires?
Thanks.

Dreamscape · September 04, 2009, 02:50:42 AM

I don't know anything about your starter. On the wires I would not use twist on connectors, crimp on is OK if needed, if it's spliced, remove and make a longer wire connection with the proper wire size. When using crimp connectors, use shrink tubing to make a tight seal to prevent corrosion.

Paul