Manual Transmission using marine cables for shifter linkeage?

[rv_safetyman]

In the Scenecruiser thread, sloppy shifting linkage was mentioned (many other threads as well).  I have never played with trying to "rebuild" the shifting linkage in a bus, but it does not sound like fun.

I was talking to a customer yesterday who wants to put a standard transmission in a BlueBird that came equipped with an automatic transmission (obviously no shifting linkage in place).  He said that he was thinking pretty seriously about running two cables for the shifting linkage.  I am not sure you could get a tower that would work with two cables - that would be the first hurdle.  The second hurdle would be to get a cable that would not buckle in the push direction. 

Any thoughts on this approach?

Jim

[luvrbus]

I don't understand the question Jim, Eagle used the cables on the 15 for years with a 5 or 7 speed doesn't Bob Gilbert use a cable on his 05 ?

good luck

[rv_safetyman]

Clifford, I  was not aware that Eagle used a cable system.

I went to my service manual (CD version for Models 10 and 15 - doesn't say years covered) and it does show the shifting for the five speed transmission - but with two rods.

I then went to my parts manual (again CD) and it did not show any shifting linkeage.

It would be great if somehow, I can find the details of the Eagle cable shifting system, but I don't have a clue how to do that without buying another manual that I don't need.

Jim

[luvrbus]

I will send my 15 manuals with Wayne I have the last set from Eagle even shows the 60 series hook up with the tag axle pretty neat huh,you need a 15 parts manual the combo after market manuals crap doesn't show 1/2 the stuff Eagle used

good luck

[rv_safetyman]

Clifford, what a great offer!!!!!

I think that those manuals should be placed in the Eagles International "library".  We don't have one, but I bet we can create some sort of online "lending library" on the members only part of the site.  I would be more than happy to administer the lending of the manuals to the members.

You are quite correct about the CD and aftermarket Eagle manuals.  I had quite a conversation with the folks I bought mine from and they acknowledged that they were not complete by any means.

Jim

[HB of CJ]

Didn't a lot of somewhat newer heavy truck tractors use cables to shift their manual trannys?  I'm thinking in particular the cab-overs and some of the conventionals.  After researching your cable shifter conversion, perhaps all your needed stuff may be just a visit away from.....you local friendly knowledgable inexpensive heavy duty truck wrecking yard.  HB of CJ (old coot)

[bobofthenorth]

I think Bob Belter has a homegrown cable shift linkage on his Eagle driving maybe a 10 spd RR.  Its on the wrong side of the driver and as I recall finished in brushed SS. 

[wg4t50]

I installed a Road Ranger RTO 910 behind the 8V-71, 12V-71 & 8V-92 in my MCI 7, Kenworth Trucks used a cable shift setup for the later cab over, it uses two Morse cables, think they were 32' each, Kenworth supplied the two brackets, one for the cab and one to bolt on the transmission, I found that setup to work very smooth, nearly as smooth as if it were in a conventional tractor.  Besides it is very rugged, so it would be hard to screw it up.
Do not remember the price for the setup, but think all pieces were about $1,000.00 due to the cost of the heavy Morse cables that were made to order localy in Richmond, Va while I waited.
The cables & shifting setup was the easiest of the entire project.

[TomC]

I know my Kenworth cabover I'm converting had a 2 cable system for shifting that I had overhauled only once in 1.2 million miles-so very stout.  I can't see that there would be any difference between a 10ft or a 40ft cable.  Then when you used the cable system you can hook it up to the X&Y shifter on top of the transmission so to have a regular shift pattern at the driver's seat although the transmission is facing backwards as compared to a truck.  I believe Peterbilt also used this setup, and to think of it I believe Freightliner's Argosy cabover also used a two cable shifting setup.  Good Luck, TomC

[Mex-Busnut]

Would it also be possible to do some of this or all of the shifting with air?

[TomC]

Air shifting works extremely well on commercial boats (no electrical connections to corrode) where you want the transmission just to fully engage then shift out.  On a non synchroed transmission, you need the finesse of a manual, direct connection to both have the feel and correct timing to get the gears in without crunching.  Air shifting would not work-besides-would you want to be without shifting if you lost air pressure to the shifter?  Good Luck, TomC

[chev49]

would be nice to see  pictures of the connecting bracket set up on each end.

[rv_safetyman]

Hi Folks.  Thanks for the great posts.  I had thought I had heard of shifting cables in cabover trucks, but did not trust my memory.

After the first few posts, I got to poking around and found several hits.  One pertinent hit was:

http://forums.aths.org/InstantForum2010/PrintTopic96108.aspx  (I have been a member of ATHS for many years and should have thought to look there)

I also violated my own strong recommendation by not searching this forum before posting.  Here are a couple of BCM threads:

http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=12211.0  (sure miss Dave Hartley     )

http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=22466.0  (sorry wg4t50 - your info was posted just a few days ago)

TomC, if you still have the parts from your truck, would you mind posting a picture or two of the transmission and shifter hardware?  In lieu of that, could you somehow post the parts pages for the Freightliner Argosy hardware.  If you want, you can email me the photos or scans, and I will format them so they can be posted (if sufficient detail, I will post them on Photobucket with a link).

Thanks all

Jim

[luvrbus]

Only difference I see Jim is both the shifter and the transmission have a bracket to hold the cables with a U bolts the one on the transmission has a cover both the tube type linkage and the cable have the same parts number for the yokes for the transmission and shifter hookup

good luck