Flxible Newlook.

[mikewarmblood]

Hello Can anyone here tell me about a Flxible newlook?  I want to know any good ideas mounting a generator and also can I fit an Allison V730 in it.  It has a VS-1 but goes 75 MPH  it is a DOG!!!!!! i mean a DOG!!! up hills and it has an 8v71 the tranny actually states on it's nameplate VS1-8 so assume that it is built for an 8v71 and it's output. It looks really crammed in the tranny area and I know that there are Flxible newlooks out there that has V730.  I am happy with the speed and the bus ,, just not enough hill power and don't know what that will do to the tranny.  I think someone put in highway gearingwhen it was converted.   I am also told that the floor is NOT part of the structure as in the case of a fishbowl so I would like to know that for sure.  There is a lot more beams and framing under my Newlook than in those fishbowl pictures.  One last thing there is no lav in my bus and I have the lighting on the sides of the bus not in the center like some of the buses had. So what ideas do you have working around the flourescent lights that I certainly want to keep.  Thanks Mike. 

[buswarrior]

Who has the gearing chart for the V-drive transmissions?

Does that VS produce an overdrive condition? Installing the V730 may slow the top speed by quite a bit.

Do you know what differential gear you have?

And before you start thinking tranny swap, are you sure you have full throttle at the engine?

Why the worry about structural issues? Find someplace under the coach that you can sling the generator and away you go.

Should you be considering putting the tanks inside for freeze protection?

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[mikewarmblood]

I don't know the ratio. The nameplate on the bus states the rear end ratio is 5 3/5 to 1 or something like that. All I know is that the bus carries the mail I had my Dad behind me and told me that his speedo was clocking me at 76 MPH I got the bus I was told that they don't know the MPH the guy who bought it for the company was on vacation when I made the deal. The bus being a two speed tranny as I looked at a fishbowl with the same thing went at 59 MPH and so I figured that was the speed of this flxible. then on 270 in St Louis I was climbing up people's rear which I never had the pleasure of while driving a transit coach!!  Then Dad caught up with me and said i was doing 76 MPH.  THe bus was converted and was professionally done,  I assume that the owner upgraded the rear end as the conversion was done in the mid 90s when rear ends were more plentiful.  I have to find out the ratio. I know a V730 has a 0.78 to 1 overdrive where as a VS1 has lockup and direct drive.  So with an overdrive I should get more speed which I really don't need just want that second gear for hill climbing.
   As for structure I am a curious sort I like to know how things tick and like a total picture of what I have and know it fowards and backwards. I didn't know that fishbowls were relying on the plywood floor for structure.  If this bus was a fishbowl and I took up the floor and or did something else I would be in trouble.  I know my RTS has structure under the floor and the floor is not structure. I assume my Flxible is the same way as there is lots of framing under it. I would like to know for sure. I can't seem to find a flxible new look picture of the skin off or under it. I am so grateful to the guy that posted the fishbowl pictures as I was looking for years for that kind of picture. now I hope to get one of a flx Newlook on it's side or skin removed.  I know it don't really matter just my personal information quest. Knowledge is king. Thanks MIke.

[Paso One]

Hi Mike

Here is what I did for the Fishbowl to make room for the V730 Tranny.

On the Fishbowl, the hole in the firewall is the same size for the Manual, the VH, and the VS trannys.

The V730 requires the big hole.

My V730 according to the manual and the plate on the side the ratios are
first 1.77:1
second 1.21:1
third 0.875 :1

I drove Fishbowl Brians VS2-8 tranny back from Colorado, IMHO I'd keep it in yours if it is in good shape.

I went to the V730 because I had already changed my rear end to the Rare 4:10

[gus]

Please realize that a non-turbo 8V71 will not make a real hill climber of any bus unless it is very light weight.

My 4107 with 8V71/V730 is maybe slightly faster uphill than my 4104 with 671 and 4-sp, but not by much. However, the 4sp is really poorly geared for climbing hills and first gear is too high for starting on any uphill grade.

The 4107 weighs 26K and the 4104 is around 21K lbs

[mikewarmblood]

Yeah I would love to keep the tranny and I will for a long time just in the future. If I can get a nice v730 I will and save it when I have the funds to do the swap. My tranny is a VS1-8 which is a two speed torque lockup then direct drive kinda like a VH9  Don't know the difference but same thing to me.  The VS2-8 if that was what it was I would never change it.  I asked if  Icould turn the VS1 into a VS2 and told no.  So can't even ad parts to update it.  I don't like it becasue it is so high geared that I can get it out of the rut it is in.  My RTS is different. that V730 has a much lover geared first.  My RTS can reach the 70s as well clocked by my friend behind me. The speedos in these buses really suck they are so inaccurate they are a joke. 
  On the Flx the back looks a little different I see the hole you are talking about there is so much framing past the back wall I got to go look at it again. I am in NC right now and won't be back to the bus for another two weeks.  Anyone have a photo of a Flx Newlook on it's side? That would be the icing on the cake!!! Thanks again for any help. Mike.

[mikewarmblood]

Are there any experts on here with Flxibles?  I just want to know for sure about the floor.  I decided to pass on a fishbowl and soend my time and monies (what little i have) and focus on the Flxible.   I need to know if for sure that the floor is not part of the structure as is in the fishbowl. My Flx as I have stated has much more framing under it than the fishbowl according to the pictures of the fishbowl on it's side.  I don't want to pester anyone but I need to know.  ALso anyone know where I can find a cover for my RTS.  I am still at a loss for that.  Thanks so much I really appreciiate it Mike.

[chev49]

ive had 2 flx 8v71na with the vs2-8 trans, n somewhere i got a manual for one.. mine got 7.5 mpg average, not really fast up the cascade range, but they always got over the mountains going east to boise.  I think the trannys are just fine if they are good. You can also have some trouble with the planetary gear assy..   Only thing i would have liked better is maybe a manual tranny for better mileage.  Speed was at least 75, and would go all day long on the flat... The older vs2 2 speeds that are those old 55mph city busses i dont like only cause the slow speed and especially if the got a 6v71na in it.  Ive ferried some of them... 60 abt tops for mph.

[mikewarmblood]

Hi Mike

Here is what I did for the Fishbowl to make room for the V730 Tranny.

On the Fishbowl, the hole in the firewall is the same size for the Manual, the VH, and the VS trannys.

The V730 requires the big hole.

My V730 according to the manual and the plate on the side the ratios are
first 1.77:1
second 1.21:1
third 0.875 :1

I drove Fishbowl Brians VS2-8 tranny back from Colorado, IMHO I'd keep it in yours if it is in good shape.

I went to the V730 because I had already changed my rear end to the Rare 4:10

I am going to be back home next week (NO PLACE LIKE HOME!!!!) and I will have a better handle on the size of the VS tranny. But I am remembering that the V730 is longer as well.  What I am wondering would I have to shorten the drive shaft?  and I am hoping against hope that the V730 isn't longer than the VS from the engine bell housing to the torque converter. as the VS tranny is awfully close to the tranny door.  I am assuming the fishbowl 96 wide would have the same clearances and all.. Not sure never had a fishbowl and passed on one that i was thinking of getting. Anyway could you answer my question? as I don't know

[Paso One]

Yes the V730 is longer, or the drive shaft is shorter

Since I used a donor bus I just swapped everything over.

The VS and the VH drive shafts are noticeably longer.

all my donor buses were 102 inch so i can't answer your other question but sounds obvious that it must be closer