Misc questions before moving heavy bus across US

daddyoften · October 09, 2017, 07:41:53 AM

I have a 4107 that the PO started converting. It's just an empty shell with a bunch of stuff in it now. He put a newer 8v71t in it with c60 injectors and an auto tranny. It also had power steering and air throttle in it. I'm moving it from wy to Texas here in a month or so. I just put used aluminum 24.5" wheels with new 11-24.5 on it. It starts and runs good. Doesn't smoke. The exhaust is a bit restricted due to he used parts and pieces to make it and I think it's only 4"at best but doesn't have a muffler. It weighs in at just under 30k with 9+ on the front and 19+ on the back. It drives decent but low end power is horrific. It's stored inside right now and I couldn't make it over the 1.5" entry bump into the storage unit without a good running start. Also the tranny gets real hot running down the road. The bus will do 70 on a good flat area but hills kill it real fast. I've been spoiled with my 2015 kenworth service truck with auto and a VGT 350hp hot rod that will pull hills at 80 all day long, so I'm trying to adjust for that.
Any advice for me?
I'm moving it down to Texas to work on it and finish the conversion. The trip is about 1000 miles and all my belongings are in it. I'll have a chase car with me. I'm concerned about the heat of the tranny, I don't have a gauge for it but when I stop and check it I can't put my hand on it for more than a second. And is the no low end power something to be concerned with?
Thanks!
Eric

luvrbus · October 09, 2017, 07:50:32 AM

You cannot touch a Allison transmission the normal operating temps are 170 to 210 F you can only touch 140F for a second with the bare hand sounds like you are ok to me.Your are not going to have any power with C60 injectors and turbo on a 8v71 sounds like you just have a smoke turbo for attitude that is a 270 hp engine if lucky

daddyoften · October 09, 2017, 08:01:48 AM

Ok, thanks.
Once I get it down there I'll look into what to do to make it better. I just need to get it and my belongings there safely.

luvrbus · October 09, 2017, 08:05:48 AM

You will probably be fine buy a cheap IR gun and take a reading on the pan of the transmission about 30 to 50 mile into your trip if the temp is under 220 you are good lol and deal with 8v71 they faint at the mention of the word hill

richard5933 · October 09, 2017, 08:35:00 AM

Not sure if all setups with the 8V71 and Allison are the same, but I found on our 4106 that if I stuck to the 'sweet spot' getting over the hills was not as bad. At 55 mph I'd slow down low enough for the tranny to shift and end up going to to about 45mph. If I held at 62-63mph the bus would crest the hills at about 60mph. Granted I wasn't climbing any mountains, but maybe this can help you as a comparison.

Richard

Utahclaimjumper · October 09, 2017, 08:36:27 AM

Learn how to downshift that trans at the sight of a hill and keep the RPMs near the upper limit.>>>Dan (Speed is NOT a consideration when climbing)

Branderson · October 10, 2017, 01:32:07 PM

Agree with everyone. If I day dream and forget to gain speed before a hill, i pay for it. I also run in 3rd gear whenever I go 52mph or under. So if I'm on the free way in my sweet spot 68mph and I hit a hill. As soon as it drops to 52, i downshift.

That's how I do my 6v92.

Scott & Heather · October 10, 2017, 03:24:19 PM

And this is why I traded my 6v92 in for a 500hp 8v92TA...I got really tired of planning for every bump in the earth. I have the opposite problem now, I keep speeding and I'm gonna get a ticket at the rate I'm going...80mph in a 70 isn't ok.

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windtrader · October 10, 2017, 03:34:12 PM

Keep rubbing it in, blasting exhaust fumes to us putt putting in the slow lane.

kyle4501 · October 10, 2017, 04:01:24 PM

Quote from: Scott & Heather on October 10, 2017, 03:24:19 PM
And this is why I traded my 6v92 in for a 500hp 8v92TA...I got really tired of planning for every bump in the earth. I have the opposite problem now, I keep speeding and I'm gonna get a ticket at the rate I'm going...80mph in a 70 isn't ok.

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I have to use cruise control to keep from speeding. The King Cruise unit was easy to install & their customer support is exceptional!

I do get better fuel mileage if I pay close attention to the hills AND IF traffic allows . . . . But not much better.

richard5933 · October 10, 2017, 04:04:15 PM

Quote from: kyle4501 on October 10, 2017, 04:01:24 PM
I have to use cruise control to keep from speeding. The King Cruise unit was easy to install & their customer support is exceptional!

I do get better fuel mileage if I pay close attention to the hills AND IF traffic allows . . . . But not much better.

Don't want to hijack this thread...do you have a another thread somewhere about the cruise install? It's on my wish list for spring.

Richard

daddyoften · October 10, 2017, 06:23:53 PM

Thank you all for your input!
So some of you use leaving blocks when you park, how do you get on them? I can't even get over a 2x4 without a running start.... Once I get going it seams to be as described for the rest of you. Good to hear I'll be ok getting to its new home.

A topic for later but what would you recommend for future upgrades to get a bit more power out of it. The engine
and tranny was said to only have 10k miles on a rebuild so I'm not interested in a transplant. Just upgrades to what I have, like bigger turbo, injectors, intercooler.... Things like that. I don't need to pass everything in site but getting on leaving blocks would be a good start...
Thanks

chessie4905 · October 11, 2017, 06:18:58 AM

Change fuel filters before you go. Carry at least one spare set and 2 gallons of diesel fuel to prefill. Many times after sitting for awhile, once going down the road stirs the crap in tank and starts plugging filters. Make sure to take some hand cleaner, filter removal tools, couple rolls of paper towels, and a pack of blue g!oves, and a good led flashlight. Make a couple of short trips before and don't run flat out on the trip. Lots of things develop when running against the governor for hundreds of miles. Don't forget a couple of gallons of oil.

lvmci · October 11, 2017, 10:27:44 AM

Hi Eric, Clifford once fixed my 8V71 on a 5A, when I filled my tank with 25% biodiesel. It ran, but at a quarter the power from before the fill up. He measured the fuel pressure and it was 6psi, when it was supposed to be 45 to 60psi. The biodiesel had clogged the 2 canister style fuel filters even tho they were new, lvmci...

azdieselman · October 11, 2017, 11:24:14 AM

Hi Tom,

Just to be clear, The BIO fuel didn't clog the filters. It was the junk in the tank that it released.

Biodiesel is a very good solvent.
It will clean the tanks(s) and the lines.
Multiple filter changes are normal until all the crud is gone.