seeking Las Vegas shop to install auto trans in Scenicruiser

[pd4501-771]

Guys

A friend is looking at buying a Scenicruiser in Las Vegas that has a 10 speed trans. The bus has a 8V-92 turbo. The 10 speed shift pattern is backwards. He is looking for a reliable shop in Vegas that could install an automatic trans. Can anyone recommend a place or private individual that could handle a job like this at a reasonable price. He is not interesting in living with the 10 speed. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

Tom McNally
Peoria, IL.
http://tomsgarageonline.com/

[bobofthenorth]

I'm sure someone closer will chime in but I think B & B did Melbo's and AFAIK he is happy with it. 

[Van]

call Gary, B&B Coach. 702-873-4415 good luck

[Boomer]

Just a few hours south is a guy that I hear absolutely loves to work on GM's; goes by the name of luvrbus, lol.

[Lin]

Then there's also Don in Bakersfield if that's not to far.

[luvrbus]

Tom, I'll do it for him but does he have any idea how much parts are going to cost and if he uses used parts that will be a on going search does he want a 5 speed or 4 speed a 5 speed CR would be a good transmission for a 8v92 and the Scenic with a Stone/Bennett.
No way would I buy a auto transmission used without a Allison dealer dyno test and setting the shift points  

Here is a list of what he will need he may know already  

Flex Plate
Transmission of his choice if a rebuilt he will need a core
Oil cooler and hoses either engine mount or a air cooler with fans I prefer the engine JMW
Filters I like 1 on the return  also that takes 2 total  
Shifter either cable with a tower or a Stone/Bennett I like the Stone/Bennett (not cheap)
Some fab work
Drive line work
wiring
modulator either for a air throttle or cable
40 hrs + labor
when he gets the prices the 10 speed may look like a bargain lol it will run into bucks if he buys all new without the transmission

Boomer that GM model is not bad the engine sets the right direction and you don't have neck problems from looking on a angle even the transmission is straight out the back lol BTW the 4905 is looking good ready to install next week

good luck

[Boomer]

12 years ago when we were doing such things I used to quote customers $10 grand for the conversion (on a T drive).  That was buying the trans, double cooler, filter housings, modulator,flexplate/hub etc. from Sam Caylor. Included labor and driveline mod. If it needed a valve body adjustment for shift points, from Allison that was extra.  740's and 750's are cheap to find now, I sold one to Kyle for 650 awhile back.  I agree on the dyno test before install.

[HB of CJ]

FWIW years ago we reversed the shift patterns of Spicer auxillary trannys installed in Ford Pickups powered by 3 and 4 cylinder DD 53 engines.  Fabrication required, but not that much.  It was done because we wanted too.  If the shift pattern were corrected, would the owner be happy?  An Allison swap would $approach$ the value of the coach.  HB of CJ (old coot)

(my old Crown Supercoach had the RTO-910 and it was....fun!)

[wg4t50]

HBofCJ,
I got a chuckle from your comment about the RTO-910, I used one with the 12V-71, then the 8V-92, best old man toy ever for me.
I am wondering if all you 8V-92 operators are using the 50 weight motor oil, I assume you all are, now even the DD Manuals are saying to use it, my use started many years ago, just wondering if it caught on or are some still with the 40 wt ?
Guess you know using the 50 wt, spinning the rear main is not a big problem.
Just wondering, since I sold my MCI 7 92 10 speed a few years ago, still miss the ole gal. New owner is still wide eyed on its power.
Cheers

[kyle4501]

It might be a simple matter to correct the shift pattern - Howard Best told me he used longer shift cables & looped them to the transmission from the other end & presto-chango, the correct shift pattern.
If that is not an option, they do make a shift plate on the transmission to correct the shift pattern.

Boomer is right, those transmissions are getting cheaper - provided you don't have to ship it as far as I did! 

This is a project that if you can wait & shop for bargains, it will save lots!

[buswarrior]

I'll drop it in here, the shift mechanism from a cab over truck has often been incorporated to get the shift pattern corrected for a coach.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[hargreaves]

I Have a 740 take out with 9,000mi on it. Got it from Lin. Works great, comes with shifter and cable.  Also have completely  rebuilt 748 complete with ECU and shift pad, flex plate, just needs wiring harness. .

[luvrbus]

I checked a bill from WW Williams they charged me over 700 dollars for a flex plate and a new drive hub for the plate for a 8v92 and I paid Untied Transmission over 3 grand for rebuilt Allison without a core the Stone/Bennett was over 1300 new   

It cost money if you are not a bargain hunter in today's world it will still cost him big bucks a used double cooler for 8v92 is worth 300 to 500 bucks and a all day labor to add one 75 bucks in gaskets lol

good luck

[pd4501-771]

Thanks to all who posted. I will pass along all this info. Hopefully he can figure something out without breaking the bank. We are talking about a seated Scenicruiser that is getting very difficult to locate. I personally love my original 4 speed and would never change that. They seem to work just fine for nearly 4 million miles for Greyhound ! Thanks again.

Tom   

[Uglydog56]

If it's an overdrive trans (I'm assuming fuller) you can swap in an rtx top plate and it fixes the 4-5 upside down thing.