First trip performance

[mikelutestanski]

Hello:     
    First I would like to thank all of the members who responded to my emails concerning our first trip with the new upgrades to our coach (1972 MCI 7). The L10 B400R  engine upgrade is a success in my opinion.
    Our first trip was cut short because of an emergency In Ocala FL; and we had to return home.  We had plans to visit more of Texas, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Georgia but they have been canceled. Thanks again to those who helped with camping arrangements
       The engine performed well and I am very pleased with the Allison shifting . I try to run the engine between 1500 and 1600 which corresponds to 57 mph in 5th gear and 64 mph in 6th.  The retarder works well also.
     The statistics are as follows:
        Total mileage 2241 miles.     Total gallons of fuel 293;  for an average of 7.65 miles per gallon.  Fuel costs were $1312.04 which translates to $0.59 per mile.
     The bus weighs about 38500 and we pulled a 99 Saturn (  approx.  2900)  the whole trip. For me this is a significant increase as the 8V71/740 was at most 5.5 mpg.
    Hope to be on the road again in the near future.
    Regards and happy bussin    mike

[Brian Diehl]

Hi Mike,
Sounds like a great first trip out!  I wonder if you wouldn't get a bit better mileage if you ran closer to the torque peak.  Do you have enough horsepower down around 1300 to maintain speed easily?  I've found I can back off the throttle substantially on my ISM if I drop into overdrive from 9th gear around 60mph.  60 mph is close to 1550 rpms and in 10th (overdrive) it drops down around 1200 - 1250rpms.   As soon as that gear change is completed I can back way out of the throttle and maintain 60 easily compared to the same throttle setting required to maintain speed in 9th.

[JackConrad]

Mike,
   Sorry to hear you had to cut your trip short, but glad to hear the bus is doing good. If you want an excuse to take it out again, the SE Cruisers are having a small rally at Ray & Sally's place near Arcadia Sept. 19-21.