Oh, it just keeps getting better! (re-Bah humbug!)

[Busted Knuckle]

http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=14100.0

Well yesterday the transmission that had the bad cooler started slipping!

So now we need a new Allison B500R! And hey Christmas is coming soon, so this is all I want for X-mas! "All I want for Christmas is a new Allison B500R transmission!" Sung to the tune of "All I want for Christmas is my 2 front teeth!"

  BK 

[Ednj]

Bryce,
Seems to me that you didn't have all these problems when you were running MCI's. 

[Busted Knuckle]

Bryce,
Seems to me that you didn't have all these problems when you were running MCI's. 

Nope just blown engines, and broken engine cradles! LOL!

Just newer buses and new problems!

And if they get run enough all buses have problems, just seems we have had more than our share (we are used too!) lately!

Oh it will pass if I can only find the $ to buy a re-manned or good used trans somewhere!
  BK 

Oh yeah one good thing about the days of the MCI's was they were all bought with CASH, which meant paid for in full! And with these newer Setra's came some hefty payments which means we don't much $ in the bank like we used too! 

[John316]

I know that I have mentioned him before, but have you called Sam Caylor? He might...might...have one (I ain't saying it is a good price).

How much will another cost?

God bless,

John

[belfert]

I've seen some info that MCI charges $10,000 for a reman B500.  Never shopped for one, but MCI's price is probably high.

[Zeroclearance]

BK  call Dan Holter..   He has a few..   Very reasonable prices..

[johns4104s]

Who is Dave Holter and how do you reach him?

John

[luvrbus]

Belfert, 10 grand is not a bad price for a rebuilt B500 I would not buy a used one they are not a long life transmission a old HT 740  will outlast 3 of the B500'S from what the Allison guys tell me.
Before I pulled that transmission I would plug a DDR (Pro Link) and check for codes it maybe a sensor bad like the engine speed or the turbine speed.
Those transmissions have a Pulse Width Modulation to control the oil flow to the clutches ,I hope for BK it is a simple fix slippage is not always a clutch problem 


good luck  

[dickegler]

I noticed Prevost has rebuilt B500R for 7495.00

They usually pay the shipping too.

Hope it helps, and gets better soon.

dick egler

[Busted Knuckle]

I know that I have mentioned him before, but have you called Sam Caylor? He might...might...have one (I ain't saying it is a good price).
How much will another cost?
God bless,
John

John thanks for the reminder and no I haven't tried Sam yet, but I have his # right here in front of me in my rolo-dex!

I've seen some info that MCI charges $10,000 for a reman B500.  Never shopped for one, but MCI's price is probably high.

Brian that is actually a reasonable price considering it is MCI, but sometimes places like MCI, Setra, Prevost & ABC Companies will surprise you with good prices when you don't expect them.

BK  call Dan Holter..   He has a few..   Very reasonable prices..

Got a #? I'll be honest I've heard the name, but can't recall who he is. Maybe from Rochester, MN?
I'm sure I know him, or of him. I'm just not sure where from.

Who is Dave Holter and how do you reach him?
John

Thanks, good question

Belfert, 10 grand is not a bad price for a rebuilt B500 I would not buy a used one they are not a long life transmission a old HT 740  will outlast 3 of the B500'S from what the Allison guys tell me.
Before I pulled that transmission I would plug a DDR (Pro Link) and check for codes it maybe a sensor bad like the engine speed or the turbine speed.
Those transmissions have a Pulse Width Modulation to control the oil flow to the clutches ,I hope for BK it is a simple fix slippage is not always a clutch problem 
good luck  

Clifford thanks for the advice! I will take over to my buddies shop about 2 miles of back road from here and ask him to use his Pro Link on it tomorrow.

But I'm still scared as I was told by our local (Memphis) Clark Detroit / Allison Dealer that anytime coolant is introduced into that transmission it is usually toast! (they have always been up front and honest with me and even helped me save $ several times in the past)

I also had my uncle put a call into his BIL (they married sisters) who is some type of supervisor at Stewart Stevenson in Houston. He confirmed what they had told us except he said usually you can change/flush the fluid and get about a month of service out of it before it acts up.
He said he could hook me up with an Allison re-man w/warranty for $9,600 exchange. (or a B500 for $7,500 and the rear of the trans/retarder could be switched over.)

I appreciate all ideas and advice as, bad things have been happening so fast our $ is very tight and we are exploring all options before doing anything.

We are reluctant to use a "used" one in one of these '05's which are our main runners, but with tight times and lean $ we are open to that option if the price is good enough to take a gamble on one from a reliable source. (of course regardless of source used is used and it is a gamble!)

Thanks again for all the ideas, advice, emails and phone calls dad and I have plenty to discuss tonight and a few calls tomorrow before loading the gun, robbing a bank and jumping in the truck to go buy a transmission tomorrow!
 BK  

[Busted Knuckle]

I noticed Prevost has rebuilt B500R for 7495.00

They usually pay the shipping too.

Hope it helps, and gets better soon.

dick egler

Wow Dick you posted this while I was working on my post! I will call them in the morning and see if they indeed have one in stock in Nashville 3 hrs from me, then I find the nearest bank to them and rob it on the way! 
  BK 

[Paso One]

[/quote]

then I find the nearest bank to them and rob it on the way! 
  BK 
[/quote]

Just a suggestion BK why not Rob the transmission shop   they are less likly have guns

[gumpy]

There's a guy in St. Paul that's supposed to be good at rebuilding them. I don't know him. Rick does, though.

Aren't you coming up this way to pick up that NASCAR conversion you're buying?   

[Busted Knuckle]

There's a guy in St. Paul that's supposed to be good at rebuilding them. I don't know him. Rick does, though.

Aren't you coming up this way to pick up that NASCAR conversion you're buying?  

Name? #? Price?

Looks like that won't happening anytime soon since my uncle was the major investor and he went and bought a S & S!

then I find the nearest bank to them and rob it on the way!  
 BK  

Just a suggestion BK why not Rob the transmission shop  they are less likly have guns

They would have a description of the get away vehicle & it's be 3,000 lbs heavier by then!
 BK  

[belfert]

Would it be better to just use an air to air transmission with a B500 to prevent a bad coolr from introducing coolant into the tranny fluid?