newly rebuilt engine and trip west

[mikelutestanski]

Hello;   Just left Gene Russells shop in mill Spring NC after having successfully rebuilt the L10 engine. I heartily recommend Genes' shop and his work is excellent. The engine has a rebuilt head ,new pistons, new liners, and bearings. The cam and crank area were ok and not touched.  With the injectors and valves set properly the engine is performing well. I had the pump set up last year to approx 20% over original..   270 hp original to approx 320 hp.. 
     Engine is running fine and climbing performance is excellent.   Trying to hold my speed to 60 to help conserve fuel.
   We crossed the mississipi yesterday at vicksburg I 20  heading toward texas..  then NM, colorado  and who knows..
      Regards and happy bussin  mike

[robertglines1]

Enjoy the ride and pride of your work. Shinny side up! visit old friends make new ones and keep us informed.  Bob

[bobofthenorth]

If you start getting close to Washington let us know.

[wal1809]

Wonderful!!!  I wish we were convoying with yall .  7 more years and it is on .

[white-eagle]

mike,
i don't remember hearing you needed a rebuild.  What happened?  You should have brought it to John's place where he and i are now excellent mechanics after pulling my engine  .

hey, we're up in Colorado-glad to hear you're comin our way.  Just 60 mi and 4000 more feet above Denver.  Oops, make that 7000 above Denver on the way out, then 4000 ft down to us at 8500 ft.

Maybe you can even do better than the 25mph i did uphill!  In any event, call me.  We'll at least try to meet you somewhere for a meal.  Redbus is out here doing the same thing also, but 200 mi sw of us, and lower elevation.

Call us.  Let me know when you expect to be here, or email.  Lookin forward to seeing you.

[Mike in GA]

Safe travels, Mike and Diane!     
   Nice seeing you both at the April SEBN rally. Your testimony to Gene Russell's shop fits perfectly with everything I have ever heard about the man.   
   I know how proud you must feel at driving the bus with the engine that you helped rebuild. Years ago I rebuilt an Olds 455 that was in my classic GMC motorhome, and then took it on a big circle trip out west. What a great feeling!
   Enjoy!
Mike in GA

[luvrbus]

Must be the year of the L10 Tom that is the 4th one I know of now that has been rebuilt this year you think the guys feel left out and the 2 strokes are getting all the attention lol

good luck

[RJ]

Mike -

If your travels take you thru Central CA, give me a call (contact number's in my profile), and I'll buy the Pepsi to swap "war stories" over!

FWIW & HTH. . .

[JohnEd]

Mike,

When you drive up the I 5 through Orygun, plan a stop in Eugene.  We would love to join you guys for a dinner or coffee.

Have a great trip.

John

[mikelutestanski]

Hello;    The engine rebuild was prompted by several things. First we want to go to alaska. probably next year .
  THe engine service life was near its end. The engine went into transit service in 98  (Atlanta marta) and ran until 2005 . THe head was changed in 2003. I received this info from cummins.
   When I installed the engine I replaced the lower end rods and mains because I was competant enough to accomplish that task. THe top end I had never worked on before.  Last year whilst coming down a long hill in the nashville area a large amount of black and grey smoke started pouring out.  It stopped but the engine started using oil.  not much but enough.   Prior to that the injector pump started to leak so we had it rebuilt and turned up 20%. THe engine threw black smoke more that I liked and did not perform as well as I thought it should
   SO the rebuild plan went into effect.  WE found one broken ring in the #5 hole and all of the liners were polished approx 75%. CUmmins recommends a polish of no more than 20% before replacement so the rebuild was called for in my opinion to get the engine back to reasonable performance.
   I had a rebuilt head so that went on because it made sense.  THe old head may have service left but a cleanup and valve job is in order when funds are available. I have another engine available for parts and a third in onother transit if required.
     The engine handles the fuel better now . BLack smoke is minimal . The engine has more torque and handles the hills better.  It is still 300 hp so I need to downshift with the mci 7.  Heading toward colorado after brownsville tx so we will find out what it can do . Dont have much time on big hills so looking foward to that experience
      I am not an expert but an informed rookie with this type engine so I tend to be very cautious. I also have a strong dislike for the hook..
  Regards and happy bussin  mike

[Melbo]

Keep us posted on your fuel mileage and also what  you do to slow down when going down the mountains

Melbo

[Tom Y]

Mike, Sounds like a smart move on your part. Rebuild now instead of later. Have a good trip.  Tom Y

[mikelutestanski]

modified this post 5/14/2011

Hello:  Melbo we do have the b400r with a hydraulic retarder which helps. I have the option to install jakes;  but so far the retarder has done everything I asked of it. THe original radiators are installed so any transmission heat is transferred to the radiators and out.
  The retarder circuit is the same as was in the original bus with the same cooler. THe retarder switch is that the one you use to activate the retarder with your foot?   If so I have used a singer sewing machine non electronic switch but a jake brake foot switch looks nicer  and that is in use now.  I also tied a pressure switch from the air throttle into the circuit so the throttle has to be at idle. ( a series circuit consisting of the jake switch and a contact that closes when the air throttle pressure is below one pound)  THat was probably not necessary as the tranny has a tps contol and knows where the throttle is .   
   makes sense if not we can discuss it when we arrive. in NM   

 
 regards  mike

[Melbo]

I have installed an oversized trans cooler for my retarder but have not yet tried it out.

Does yours have a temp over ride for the trans? I am in the process of locating a temp cut out switch to finish up my retarder circuit.

How is the fuel mileage working out -- gotta log a lot of miles to get a good reading on that.

Melbo

[happycamperbrat]

If you find yourself in Sunny So. California let me know! You are always welcome here! Enjoy your trip