B500 vs other Allisons

[blue_goose]

The most difference in the 4000 and the B500 is the oil pan.  The 4000 oil pan is 2 in deeper than the B500.  I put a series 50 in my Eagle with the 740 transmission.  Had all the power I needed.  If I were doing it again I would use the Series 50 and the B400 transmission.  You will need to change the rear end to make it work, but there are lots of this combo on the market.  Make sure you don't get a EGR engine and get all the wiring and computers.
Jack

[WoodenBoat]

500k the B500 is about to the end of it's life

So then what? Is it pretty straight forward to rebuild it or will I need to start shopping for a new one.

(Yeah, my bus has the B500 in it)

[luvrbus]

If you have all the specialty  tools required for Allisons it's not all that bad

[6805eagleguy]

So after studying the specs closer,  the B500 is 4 inches shorter then the 4000 series,  because the 4000 series has the PTO option.  So that makes my decision pretty easy, (B500) considering the small space in my eagle.  It looks like I will have a 24 inch drive shaft, same length as the old one with the 9 speed roadranger.

  Make sure you don't get a EGR engine and get all the wiring and computers.
Jack

I am planning to (If all goes well!? ) buy a late 90s freight liner with the 12.7 60 series.  This will get me all the options,  cruise, jakes, fan clutch(?) etc.  This will also include a wiring harness and everything else I need. (hopefully  )

From there is should be fairly simple to do the engine swap.  (depends on your definition of simple, though!!)

I will have to make some sort of 40 foot harness to plug in the front and the back.

Anytime a hyper powered Diesel truck needs an automatic (like a 16V-92TTA) they always use the HT740. You can't find a more reliable transmission then the mechanically operated HT740 (direct drive 4th-no overdrive). The HT754CR has the same starting 1st gear and same direct 5th. 2nd, 3rd, 4th are closer ratios for better climbing the hills-of which I don't think is necessary for our application.
I took out my 13spd single overdrive manual transmission (RTO14613A) (.86 overdrive) and replaced it with an HT740 with soft shift. The difference is, on a truck transmission you get 1st converter, 2nd converter then 2nd lockup torque converter continuous to 4th gear. On the soft shift between 2nd and 3rd, 3rd and 4th, the torque converter comes out of lockup during the shift then relocks up after the shift to make it a softer gear change.
I looked into the World transmissions and would have been $15,000 more! Stay with the tried and true HT740 and change the rear end if you don't like the top speed. Good Luck, TomC

Like Clifford said, I don't have a wide range of options on the dropbox.  Other wise I would look at the HT740, but to run 60mph it would be a little high RPMs for the 60 series with my rear end gearing.

[Tom Y]

Beware, After putting in a "world" tranny behind my Cummins it is not for the faint of heart. The harness between the touch pad and tcm is a twisted something or other wire. It is not bad if you can talk to the right people. I found a person to supply wiring and program tcm. So far so good, my engine is at the max for my tranny 3k--- model. I bought a new tranny after the 08 RV market crash. A couple grand to my door. Before that I had a 740 behind my electronic L10. I do like the World, sweet shifting but only running 5 speeds with 3.36 gears and 24.5 tires. I wish I had my 4.10 gears and 22 tires back now.

[TomC]

Using the HT740 with direct drive 4th gear and using 11R-24.5 rubber (476rpm), 3.76 gearing will give 1938rpm @ 65mph and 3.38 will give 1743rpm @ 65mph. Personally-not worth the nearly twice the money for the World transmission over the HT740. Good Luck, TomC

[chessie4905]

If he is using the 60 series, his cruise rpms should be more like 1400.

[buswarrior]

When using the term "Series 60", you have to indicate which vintage, when it comes to making these sorts of decisions.

Different years, the cruising sweet spot is at different RPM.

And the older B500 can't run slow enough for the newer engines, due to tranny lubrication issues.

The new Allison 6 speed autos cruise at a lovely 1000 rpm behind (in front of) a Volvo engine in the newest Prevost.

And older Series 60 and B500 wants to spin above 1600 or so IIRC.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[6805eagleguy]

Looking at a 93' Freightliner right now with 12.7 liter 60 series, set at 425 hp, a little over a million miles,  rebuild 330000 miles ago.  Fairly close to me, any thoughts?

[TomC]

'93 Freightliner will be an FLD120-good simple truck with simple wiring (no multi-plexing). At 330,000mi I would look at the bull gear, or just plainly replace it. But otherwise-good combination. What transmission? Good Luck, TomC

[6805eagleguy]

What transmission?

Roadranger 10 speed, a good tranny but I need? want an automatic.

[buswarrior]

Looks like your on the way!

Which drop box ratio do you currently have?
You may only be able to use the 5th gear in a B500 at legal highway speeds?

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[6805eagleguy]

I think I have the 3:71 ratio... not sure how to verify that?

And yes, the road speed calculator indicated that 6th gear would get me to the neighbor hood of 115 mph...    a little faster then I need to go.  But I have heard it is not a strange thing to lock out 6th gear?  Tell me if I'm wrong...


And, next tuesday is an auction with a bluebird for sale, also close to me.  It has the engine/tranny combination I'm looking for...  We'll see how much that goes for, It would save me from fabricating the 40 ft engine harness.  However, then I would have the shell on my hands

And no,  I'm NOT taking the bluebird and converting it!   I'm an Eagle Guy!

[dickegler]

I put a 6V92 and B400 in an eagle.  Had the transmission programmed 5 speed, but could shift to 6th by hitting mode button.  Had to be above 80 mph to not lug engine.   Didnt use it, except to play once in a while.  Nice setup.

Dick

[robertglines1]

been silent for awhile! I have a set up I bought from Dick E.  2000yr 60 series detroit W/10 spd eaton auto shift. Wasn't much of a challenge to make  it fit.  I guess my point is buy them as a matched unit. The challange of making a differant engine that is not same yr as trans and even differant series of the same model might not talk to each other.  Sorry new computer spell ck is going yet.  Make sure there are not restrictions such as crossmember to try to work around. Bob