B500 vs other Allisons

[chessie4905]

They are more of a deluxe school bus. Cut one and it bleeds yellow.
Since it is already packaged with the B500, go with it. It should shift up and down smoother with electronic control, and you'll have enough other issues to deal with during the change. Already, you need to spend more money for jake system parts, different air cleaner, etc,etc. Would be nice if you would share your total cost for the change when you are done. It would help a lot for others to weigh the change for theirs.

[blue_goose]

If you need any help, that is the same setup the Eric Brown put in his Eagle.  You are going to love it.
Jack

[CrabbyMilton]

The BLUEBIRD LTC was actually based on the WANDERLODGE not the school buses.
They sold the WANDERLODGE "division" in order to concentrate on school buses and with it went the LTC-40. However, the new owner couldn't make a go of it.
I have heard rather mixed things about the LTC-40 as a seated coach.

[luvrbus]

City of Houston ran some LTC Blue Birds I have a friend in Houston that sold his H-40 Prevost and bought one to convert,they were nice buses. When Complete Coach Works in CA purchased that division he was saddled with law suits from the past owners he just tossed in towel FWIW Prevost owned part of Blue Bird at that time ,They are a fine machine with 600 hp Cummins 

[6805eagleguy]

Already, you need to spend more money for jake system parts, different air cleaner, etc,etc.

what do you mean by "Jake system parts"?
So far my only cost has been the bus and my time.
Then the other main cost will be hoses of all types.
But: I am using a ton of parts off the bluebird including but not limited too:
Engine/ tranny
Entire wiring harness
Tires
Pantograph bay doors
Electric wipers
Charge air cooler
And some things I probably forgot.
So it will turn out well I think
(Famous last words)
If y'all want to know I can share a close estimate of the price I a few months.

[6805eagleguy]

Jack, I have visited Eric's project page on EI many times, there are quite a few project threads with  engine conversions in them over there. Mine too, now!
I have not got the chance but would like to talk to Eric about his to, he is not to active on EI currently.

Yes, the LTC is the same as the wanderlodge some parts of the manual mention wanderlodge.

[luvrbus]

Cole Davenport is the only Eagle owner that solved the drop box and gearing with a Eagle with the bogie,he wasn't giving up the bogie axle so behind his 650 HP series 60 he used the 4000 with the drop box on the Allison Transmission it is a neat setup I have some photos some place

[chessie4905]

Sorry about comments on jake brake parts. That should go to a different poster.

[Ericbsc]

In my 1973 eagle I have a DDECIV 12,7 with a 400mh tranny. I changed the rear gear to a 4:10. Shift to 6th gear is between 62-63 mph. At 65 mph rpm app 1340. 75 k miles so far with no problems. Fuel mileage beats the heck out of the 8-71 and 654 Allison.

[luvrbus]

You never hear much about him but the Eagle guys making the transition from the 2 stroke to the 4 stroke with the electronic transmission owe Hal StClair he started it back in the 90's when all he could buy was the 11.1 which later he installed a 12.7.Hal did all the ground work for us guys the gearing, motor mounts.wiring plus the cooling for the engine and inter cooler,Hal did make life easier for us lol I called on him many times

[6805eagleguy]

Eric, what series of yokes do you have on your driveshaft?

[luvrbus]

I had a TC10 (10) speed Allison I was going to use behind a series 60 in a Eagle and lost interest,it would have taken care of the gearing in a Eagle wish now I had kept it and the Eagle