Disaster - Transmission Fail (Allison HT740) - Can't find mechanic! :(

[daveola]

MCI 102A3 6V92 Allison HT740

Disaster has struck.  My bus started acting weird - was chuffing along, so I pulled over to park and it couldn't go into reverse.  Checked fluids, they were fine.  Started bus up and it engaged reverse after about 10 seconds.  So I let it sit for a couple hours, then tried to drive it again.

Reverse and drive seemed to work.  So I started to drive, and it started chuffing along again, so I stopped, and the engine died.  I started the engine fine in neutral, then once I pop into drive, the engine dies.  Putting it in reverse does nothing, and now neutral sounds funny.

I'm pretty sure the transmission is dead, but looking at a $6-7k job is bad news for us financially right now.

It seems like one of the clutches in the transmission is stuck, and that's why it dies in drive.  Don't know how much other damage might have happened.

I called around looking for anyone who would work on buses - there aren't many in the SF area (I'm in Brisbane, CA right now) and the only people willing to work on it told me that they'd just need to pull it and it was pretty much guaranteed to need to be replaced.

Ugh.

Anyone have any thoughts on whether I have a prayer to just fix something in it, and how to tell?

Or know where I can get a cheap (but working!) HT740?

And what's the HT740RS?  Can I put that in?  Or the HT750DR with it's fancy super low gear?

[TomC]

HT740RS I believe stands for Rugged Service for trash trucks. You wouldn't like it-shifts very firmly. HT750 with it's extra gear tacked on to the rear of the transmission is too long for your application.
Personally-I would find a good transmission guy and if you have time, overhaul your transmission-only replacing what is
truly warn or broken. HT740 is a very stout, long lasting transmission. You maybe able to get away with minimal repair.
Good Luck, TomC

[luvrbus]

The torque converter and stator died it will need to come out,if you can remove it from the bottom it is a 10hr+ job if the engine has to be removed you will be looking at a 20 hr +job min 

[bigred]

Does this transmission use a tcm?? Had one of those go south on me once and it kind of acted like you say yours is doing.That would not be a blessing as those things are in the 3000 dollar range ,but a whole heck of a lot easier to change !!

[Dave5Cs]

Dave there is an Allison service center here.
HTH Dave5Cs

467 S Canal St
South San Francisco, CA 94080
Get Directions
Phone number (650) 871-8200

[luvrbus]

It's not hard to find a good used 740 for under a $1000.00 or a rebuilt 740 from Penske for less than $3000.00 but labor, materials and freight that is the killer,plus you are going to need to pull the oil cooler and replace it or clean on it for a long time   

good luck  

[daveola]

Dave there is an Allison service center here.

467 S Canal St
South San Francisco, CA 94080
(650) 871-8200

Thanks - but I think they went out of business.  The phone number is disconnected and they aren't showing up in Google Maps.

[daveola]

Does this transmission use a tcm??

Unknown - but I don't think so, and I don't think that would explain, for example, the weird whirring/huffing sound I'm now getting when it's neutral. 

[daveola]

It's not hard to find a good used 740 for under a $1000.00 or a rebuilt 740 from Penske for less than $3000.00 but labor, materials and freight that is the killer,plus you are going to need to pull the oil cooler and replace it or clean on it for a long time   

Do you know who/what I contact at Penske to find a rebuilt?

[luvrbus]

Do you know who/what I contact at Penske to find a rebuilt?



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Penske Chevrolet in Cerritos Ca  no I don't have a contact since Bob Ware retired

888-919-1297 they will transfer you over to the Allison shop ps. they do good work with a nation wide warranty fwiw 

[daveola]

Things are getting worse.

I have found a few sources for reman transmissions, but all the shops I have called in the area so far are not willing to work on an "old" 1986 MCI.

I had a quote of $6k from one shop, but when I called them back I was told the manager wouldn't take the job because it was too much of a hassle.

I'm freaking out a bit, because, as a full-timer, this is my home, and I can't find any way to get it fixed..

[Lin]

I was very happy with the work done by United Transmission Exchange in San Bernardino.  I know that is far from where you are, but maybe they know of someone in your area.  The guy I dealt with was Adrian.  800 527-1637

Do you have towing coverage that will take it to the closest shop that will do the work?

[1989mci]

Are there any big truck salvage yards in the area? you may be able to find one and have it installed at the yard.. A google search showed a few from wrecks. Hope everything works out smoothly. Maybe one of the forum members in the area has a place for you to tow it to until you can get it up and going. Unforchanatly I'm in Louisiana .

[daveola]

Are there any big truck salvage yards in the area?

I don't think so - I've had a hard enough time finding parts anywhere near here - I know of the bus graveyard in Williams, CA, I've been trying to contact Ted up there for a few hours, but he isn't terribly phone friendly.

Unforchanatly I'm in Louisiana .

Unfortunately my bus is not - we found a great mechanic down in Baton Rouge who works on buses.

Finding *any* mechanics who will work on the bus is proving very difficult.  I had one mechanic who quoted me $6k, and when I was ready to bring it in he changed his mind and said he didn't want to work on an old bus because it was too much of a hassle.

Currently the best offer I've got is $10k.

This is becoming a nightmare.

[luvrbus]

Check and see how much it would cost to tow the bus 600 miles to Mohave Valley Az, 10 grand is way too much money