Cruise control or throttle position holder

[Tikvah]

Before you start buying parts the the pedal and the actuator on the engine need to match you may need to change the spring in the actuator to make it work right. Ron the bus Nut had some new pedals not long ago but no actuators.

Sure, now you tell me   

I've ordered all the parts.   How will I know if they "match"? 
I have the actuator here already, but I will still need the mounting plate and lever.  The "Coach Conversion Central" was actually very rude when I called to ask about a mounting plate or actuator assembly.  I don't mean a little rude, but offensive.  So, they won't sell me the plate (they could have just said so).  You don't happen to have an extra mounting plate and accessories available for my 6V92???

I'm not a great mechanic, so any and all advice is appreciated.

Dave

[sparkplug188]

Thread bump-

I based my air throttle purchase on this thread on Ealges International

http://www.eaglesinternational.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=3550&p=26359&hilit=air+throttle#p26359

Clifford confirmed the following parts work together-- and they do.  I am just curious how he knew.  Does anyone have a document from Williams Control outlining the operating pressure of the various models?

Williams Controls WM775B transmission modulator attached to Allison HT740
Williams Controls WM388U1A1A throttle control cylinder - will make linkage to attach to 8v92
Williams Controls WM-453-M treadle valve

[Tikvah]

At the moment my biggest obstacle is the mounting hardware or plate for the actuator on top of my engine.  Does anyone have one?  Or, does anyone have a good diagram or picture?

[Scott Crosby]

My air throttle install is documented on busgreasemonkey.    There is a photo of just the plate and the plate with the actuator mounted on it also.

http://busgreasemonkey.com/index.php?p=/discussion/250/air-throttle-install/p1

[sparkplug188]

Check out Pauls (Dreamscape 1968 Eagle 01) Photobucket page.

http://s363.photobucket.com/user/Dreamscape_Eagle/media/Engine%20Tranny%20Swap/2012-03-20_10-56-15_342.mp4.html
(You may need to refresh the page after clicking the link.  Photobucket can be slow at times)

He published videos of the final version and failed prototypes.  This is one of those projects that will probably be unique to your bus.  What works well for one bus may not for yours.

Edit: I found the operating pressures for the WM453 treadles and WM388 actuators:

[luvrbus]

Dave, you have a photo of the actuator if you have the universal type with the slotted holes and arm the DD mounting plate won't do you any good just fabricate you a bracket and use a rod with bell cranks on each end to keep it from binding

good luck

[sparkplug188]

Clifford,  He has my actuator, WM388U1A1A, which should fit the WM642 kit.  I bought my current actuator with the mount from someone parting out their bus.

The WM388U1A1A has slotted holes, but no arm.

[Geoff]

I have a Rostra universal criuse control on my RTS and it is a dream to have.  I also have to say after 12 years I am on my third control unit.  My latest control came off eBay for $100 rebuilt. Just switched it out.

Thats's okay, though-- I don't know if anyone else gets leg cramps like I do while driving without the cruise control.  It gets so bad after a couple of hundred miles my right foot is in the aisle and my left foot is pushing down on the accellerator.  Then I have I to stop and walk around to get the cramps out of legs.  It gets to be be pure misery!

While I have my Rostra cruise hooked up to the accellerator pedal with an air throttle control and it works just fine, on the other hand I just drove an MC9 with mechanical linkage and the pedal felt almost as light as my air throttle.  If your throttle isn't too tight the Rostra unit might work for you.

--Geoff
'82 RTS AZ

[eagle19952]

Is this the Rostra that everyone is talking about ?

http://www.rostra.com/manuals/250-1223Form4565G.pdf

[luvrbus]

YEA Donald that is it and they work ok but nothing like the King but the King is 600 bucks and 200 bucks for Rostra I never had any luck with one iI I always end up buying the King to replace it

[eagle19952]

looks like a string and a stick might work as well...
seriously, seems to me if my CRS or old timers disease isn't playing tricks on me I seem to rememeber that Detroit diesel had a part number for a simple hand cranked variable air throttle control that used the same cylinder plunger that eagle uses with their skinner valve governor shut down and the high idle.

I know it isn't "cruise control" but it sure didn't cost 2-600$ either and sure beat the heck out of a stick.
we had them on pumper trucks, and mixers and others.