1973 bus conversion w/ detroit diesel engine needs to go faster

[mybigbus]

hi, i just came into possession of a 1973 bus conversion which i know nothing about other than it has a turbo charged detroit diesel engine which starts and runs great but has a govenor on ti that only allows it to  get to 48 mph tops at around 2200rpm .
  i was told the bus was originaly used at disneyland for parking to main gate transportation
its been converted into a very nice rv, i have no other information on the bus,

the govenor is a box on top of engine which the accelerator cable runs into, it has a nut with a adjustment screw through it on its side, a plate with id numbers which are mostly worn off and very hard to read.

im hoping this all sounds very familiar to one of the very knowlegable members on this site and someone will be able to please tell me if and how its possible to adjust the govenor so i can get it past 48 mph on freeway , hopefully 60 mph or so,

     PLEASE HELP ME

[luvrbus]

The engine governor is doing it's job you need gearing man, what is the make and model of the bus and if it has a Allison transmission how many gears,sure would help if you have photos of the engine you could post

good luck

[buswarrior]

How about letting it upshift into 4th gear?

Shift linkage off a little?

"D" may really be holding it in "3"

What kind of coach?

You don't want to spin that engine much faster...

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[Chopper Scott]

Gears! Pretty obvious. Your rearend ratio is great for hauling families with mickey mouse hats to and fro but not for getting down the road.

[chart1]

2200 rpm is plenty!! Like it was said before either your not getting all the gears or rear end gear is to high. If you can get under it there should be a tag on one of the rear end bolts that will reference to what gear is in there. I would start with the transmission making sure you are getting 4th gear(if Auto).

[TomC]

Even if you turned it up to 2500rpm-thee highest I'd ever turn a 71 series continuously-you'll only be at 55mph.  Two choices-either change the rear end ratio, or change the transmission to an Allison World 6 spd with two over drives (.74 and .64).  That will get you to 65 in 5th and 75 in 6th.  Probably changing the rear end ratio will be the easiest and cheapest.  Look for a 3.55 or 3.08 ratio.  Good Luck, TomC

[TomC]

Sounds like you have somewhere around a 5.68 rear end ratio now.  Good Luck, TomC

[mybigbus]

thanks, i added some pics if that is some help i hope

[luvrbus]

That is a 53 series is it a V6 or V8  they will stand 2800 rpm no with no sweat
I don't see a turbo ?
good luck

[RJ]

MyBigBus -

As was asked earlier - what MAKE and MODEL bus conversion do you have?  If you're not sure, take a picture of it for us, as well as posting the VIN

Like Clifford, I didn't see a turbo on the engine, either, primarily due to the angles the photos were taken.  Take one showing the top of the engine as well as the bottom of the ceiling of the engine compartment all in the same photo.  Take two more, shooting across the top of the engine from both the driver's side and the passenger side.

If you can find it, post the serial number off the engine block, that, too will help with ID'ing what you've got accurately.  Should be found on the side, below the heads and the V angle, stamped into a machined flat spot.  Look at the LF side or the RR side of the block, may have to clean off crud to find it.

Gotta give us info to better work with you to help find answers to your questions!  Sorta like the newbie who posts "I have my bus conversion for sale" and that's it, no other info.  Help us help you!

FWIW & HTH. . .

[Don Fairchild]

I just had a look at the engine and Clifford beat me to it but,

Clifford is right that is a V53N you can turn it up to 2800 rpm with out any trouble.

Don

[luvrbus]

You guys want take a poll on what make the bus is , I am first I say a Superior  lol


good luck

[Oonrahnjay]

(snip) Like Clifford, I didn't see a turbo on the engine, (snip)

If it really was built as a Disneyland parking lot vehicle, I'd be greatly surprised if it had a turbo spec'ed on it, know what I mean?