Where to get Jakes installed on East Coast ???

[scanzel]

I am looking to buy some Jakes but before I dish out the money for them does anyone know a good place to have them installed in upper east coast area. I love in Connecticut to somewhere close would be great. I have an 8V92 with 6 speed spicer in an 1989 Prevost. From my understanding the local Detroit dealer doesn't want to bother with 2 strokes any more.

[OneLapper]

Hey Steve,

I agree, the local DD dealer in Middletown doesn't have any old timers any more.  The parts manager, Chuck, groans every time I call him for parts.  Installing them is pretty straight forward, running the rack is a bit of an art.  I had a guy in Branford run the rack for me, but he won't work on a coach motor.  I had the engine out when I was setting up the new engine so I brought it down to him.  

One option could be to install them at your place then have an expert run the rack again when you find one.  I can get the rack pretty damn close, but I'll admit, the old timer got mine working better than I had them working on the old engine.  *BUT* I have no idea what the performance difference is between a fresh engine and a worn out 8V71, in respects to the Jakes performance.

Let me know if you want a hand.

Mark

[pabusnut]

Steve,

I am having mine installed in Middleburg PA at Hassinger Diesel--not really close to you---BUT, he is a 2 stroke expert looking for work.  A couple of local bus companies near me used him when they had 2 strokes.  He even has a 3-53 in his dually service truck!

I will let you know when he finishes what the results are like. 

Steve Toomey

[Lin]

Have you spoken to Luke at US Coach in New Jersey?

[Frank @ TX]

Scanzel,
I had my Jakes installed at  Hassinger Diesel.  He had all the parts and the engine runs great.
I had them installed in 1999 and still working great.
Frank

[olebusman]

  Try these guys 
LEID Diesel Service
267 Green Hill Road
Newville, PA 17241
(717) 776-7725
  olebusman

[Geoff]

I'm sorry, but I have to jump in here when someone says "installing (Jakes) is pretty straight forward".  IT IS NOT STRAIGHTFORWARD!!  You have to know how to adjust the jake bridges, set the clearances, set the rack, set the micro switch, set the Jake switch, and install the system so the Jakes don't come on on acceleration.  And you are supposed to have a micro switch on the clutch pedal if the bus is not an automatic.

--Geoff
General Diesel Service

Hey Steve,

I agree, the local DD dealer in Middletown doesn't have any old timers any more.  The parts manager, Chuck, groans every time I call him for parts.  Installing them is pretty straight forward, running the rack is a bit of an art.  I had a guy in Branford run the rack for me, but he won't work on a coach motor.  I had the engine out when I was setting up the new engine so I brought it down to him.  

One option could be to install them at your place then have an expert run the rack again when you find one.  I can get the rack pretty damn close, but I'll admit, the old timer got mine working better than I had them working on the old engine.  *BUT* I have no idea what the performance difference is between a fresh engine and a worn out 8V71, in respects to the Jakes performance.

Let me know if you want a hand.

Mark

[scanzel]

I agree with Geoff that they do need to be installed properly but I want a simple turn on turn off system with a dash switch. Coming down out of Holbrook Az to Fountain Hills Az there are many steep grades so I would like to use them as needed on the down grades and other areas as needed. With the standard I can down shift but the Jakes would be extra insurance for slowing down and not using the brakes too much.

[OneLapper]

I'm sorry, but I have to jump in here when someone says "installing (Jakes) is pretty straight forward".  IT IS NOT STRAIGHTFORWARD!!  You have to know how to adjust the jake bridges, set the clearances, set the rack, set the micro switch, set the Jake switch, and install the system so the Jakes don't come on on acceleration.  And you are supposed to have a micro switch on the clutch pedal if the bus is not an automatic.

--Geoff
General Diesel Service

I've installed Jakes so maybe my comment seemed a bit flippant to people that don't know me.  Let's pretend that I said "pretty straight forward for someone that has installed Jakes before".  That line seems arrogant and a bit "in your face" to me and maybe the guys out there that might want to consider installing Jakes themselves, but it does impart the notion that the person installing the Jakes should have a general clue of what they're doing.  

[lostagain]

The professionals here have to recognize that some of us shade tree mechanics can , and have done such things as installing engine brakes, tuned up Detroits and other makes, even rebuild engines, and generally can, with some experience, a service manual in one hand,  and a few tools in the other, accomplish what you might think can only be done by certified shops.

The level of mechanical expertise here ranges from none, where some take their vehicle to the shop to have their tire pressures checked and adjusted, to all the way to better than some "pros", with guys with their own shop with more tools and more knowledge and experience than some garages in the city.

It is becoming increasingly necessary to be able to wrench on your own 2 stroke DD, because professional 2 stroke mechanics are rare now.

JC 

[luvrbus]

I wouldn't worry to much about JC or Mark installing a Jake