MPH

[Nelson Gougeon]

Hi I am the new kid on the block and have a question to ask.Two years
ago and many dollars I bought a 1984 bluebird 35footer with a 3208 cat
turbo.My wife and I are just now starting to use it starts good and
runs good however the top speed was only 62 mph on the flats.Had some
adjustments made and can do 71mph on the flats (located in illinois)
now.My questions are what is the hp on this model is 71 mph the top
speed also who works on bluebirds in my area St.Louis Mo. south central
ill.Im not a road warrior but 71 mph still sounds a lil slow for todays
use.Possibly this is the best i just dont know but i can live with this
speed.Would appreciate any advice on this thanks. Nick Gougeon
retired driver. p.s. sure like my bluebird

[Gary Miller]

Hi Nick,

Your top speed is limited by the max rpm of your engine. The CAT
3208 turbo you have is rated at 250hp at 2600 rpm. Max rpm of 2805.

You need to determine what your rear end gearing is. This
information is listed on the axle capacity plate above the doghouse
on the back of the lower dashboard. You likely have a 1:4.88 (4.89)
ratio which puts your max speed at about 69 mph. Considering the
national speed limit was 55 when your bird was built, it's not bad.

Exceeding this speed will overspin your engine and certainly reduce
it's life, short term or long. Eating a valve will be costly. What
you can do is get new gearing in the rear end, or run larger
wheels/tires.

Other considerations regarding the engine are how well and how fast
it gets you to the max speed, and how well you can climb a grade.
Keeping fresh fuel and air filters on it, improving the air intake,
and insuring the injectors/injection pump/governor are properly set
up will help. If you want to go beyond the standard settings, make
sure you keep an eye on other matters like tranny temp, pyrometer,
engine temp, etc... You may need add-ons like a tranny cooler,
larger engine fan and more.

The basic setup was a good one for the time, always room for
improvement if done carefully.

Gary Miller
83 FC 33
Wauwatosa, WI

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Nelson Gougeon"
<1492lost@c...> wrote:
>
> Hi I am the new kid on the block and have a question to ask.Two
years
> ago and many dollars I bought a 1984 bluebird 35footer with a 3208
cat
> turbo.My wife and I are just now starting to use it starts good
and
> runs good however the top speed was only 62 mph on the flats.Had
some
> adjustments made and can do 71mph on the flats (located in
illinois)
> now.My questions are what is the hp on this model is 71 mph the
top
> speed also who works on bluebirds in my area St.Louis Mo. south
central
> ill.Im not a road warrior but 71 mph still sounds a lil slow for
todays
> use.Possibly this is the best i just dont know but i can live with
this
> speed.Would appreciate any advice on this thanks. Nick Gougeon
> retired driver. p.s. sure like my bluebird

[Dan Weaver]

250 horsepower, 71 MPH sounds about right. Probably 4.83:1
gearing. Some guys regear the rear to about 4:44:1, or 4:63:1.
Jeff Miller is the rear end gearing guru: http://www.wanderlodge.net/

If you can get into the archives search on "regear" and re-gear".

Vintage Birds has a history section with some specs on your Bird:
http://www.vintagebirds.com/

Dan, 94 BMC 37'

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Nelson Gougeon"
<1492lost@c...> wrote:
>
> Hi I am the new kid on the block and have a question to ask.Two
years
> ago and many dollars I bought a 1984 bluebird 35footer with a 3208
cat
> turbo.My wife and I are just now starting to use it starts good
and
> runs good however the top speed was only 62 mph on the flats.Had
some
> adjustments made and can do 71mph on the flats (located in
illinois)
> now.My questions are what is the hp on this model is 71 mph the
top
> speed also who works on bluebirds in my area St.Louis Mo. south
central
> ill.Im not a road warrior but 71 mph still sounds a lil slow for
todays
> use.Possibly this is the best i just dont know but i can live with
this
> speed.Would appreciate any advice on this thanks. Nick Gougeon
> retired driver. p.s. sure like my bluebird

[Jim March]

Nelson Gougeon wrote:

>
> Hi I am the new kid on the block and have a question to ask.Two years
> ago and many dollars I bought a 1984 bluebird 35footer with a 3208 cat
> turbo.My wife and I are just now starting to use it starts good and
> runs good however the top speed was only 62 mph on the flats.Had some
> adjustments made and can do 71mph on the flats (located in illinois)
> now.My questions are what is the hp on this model is 71 mph the top
> speed also who works on bluebirds in my area St.Louis Mo. south central
> ill.Im not a road warrior but 71 mph still sounds a lil slow for todays
> use.Possibly this is the best i just dont know but i can live with this
> speed.Would appreciate any advice on this thanks. Nick Gougeon
> retired driver. p.s. sure like my bluebird


I'm still in the shopping stage myself but it sure looks like these
things had "skoolie gears" at the rear axle. I've seen a few now on the
used market where somebody added a secondary tranny behind the Allison
to open up the gears. A real axle main gear swap might also be a
possibility?

Jim

[Mike Hohnstein]

If you need speed go to a 4.4 ratio. Randy Dupree swears the 4.11 is the truth,
but I'm afraid. Running at the red line will cost you a lot as Gary Miller
indicated and as our colleague Ralph can attest. Cat refers to continuous
cruise engine speed as 2400 RPM. I have the 4.8 in my 83, a change to 24.5
rubber results in 65 @ 2300, as I'm not looking for trouble, that will have to
do. My newly installed Cat injector pump only goes to 2550 and that nets 71. I
think maybe they "Cat" might be trying to tell me something, like don't blow up
your stuff man.
If you blow the engine it will cost around 18 grand to repower unless you do it
on the cheap, then you will continue to suffer.
Mike Hohnstein
Germantown, WI
83FC35
----- Original Message -----
From: Nelson Gougeon
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, April 24, 2005 3:54 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] MPH



Hi I am the new kid on the block and have a question to ask.Two years
ago and many dollars I bought a 1984 bluebird 35footer with a 3208 cat
turbo.My wife and I are just now starting to use it starts good and
runs good however the top speed was only 62 mph on the flats.Had some
adjustments made and can do 71mph on the flats (located in illinois)
now.My questions are what is the hp on this model is 71 mph the top
speed also who works on bluebirds in my area St.Louis Mo. south central
ill.Im not a road warrior but 71 mph still sounds a lil slow for todays
use.Possibly this is the best i just dont know but i can live with this
speed.Would appreciate any advice on this thanks. Nick Gougeon
retired driver. p.s. sure like my bluebird





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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Charlotte Gougeon]

Hi Just rcvd. your msg. on the bluebird changing gears etc. looks to be a bit
much.Looks like 71 mph is going to be it thanks for the info. Nelson
Gougeon----- Original Message -----
From: Jim March
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, April 24, 2005 6:16 PM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] MPH


Nelson Gougeon wrote:

>
> Hi I am the new kid on the block and have a question to ask.Two years
> ago and many dollars I bought a 1984 bluebird 35footer with a 3208 cat
> turbo.My wife and I are just now starting to use it starts good and
> runs good however the top speed was only 62 mph on the flats.Had some
> adjustments made and can do 71mph on the flats (located in illinois)
> now.My questions are what is the hp on this model is 71 mph the top
> speed also who works on bluebirds in my area St.Louis Mo. south central
> ill.Im not a road warrior but 71 mph still sounds a lil slow for todays
> use.Possibly this is the best i just dont know but i can live with this
> speed.Would appreciate any advice on this thanks. Nick Gougeon
> retired driver. p.s. sure like my bluebird


I'm still in the shopping stage myself but it sure looks like these
things had "skoolie gears" at the rear axle. I've seen a few now on the
used market where somebody added a secondary tranny behind the Allison
to open up the gears. A real axle main gear swap might also be a
possibility?

Jim


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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Jeff Miller]

As has been mentioned, you're being limited by rpm on the flats, not
hp. You can re-ratio the rear end, gain speed or simply slow the engine
down at cruise speed. I've found that the original (standard) 4.89 gear
in that coach is a bit short for my taste, the optional 4.63 a bit
better, and better still if you don't tow is 4.44:1. I had 4.11 in a
300hp coach, liked it okay in 4th gear (1:1) but I'm thinking it'd be a
bit tall for a 250hp coach.

I have an spreadsheet, will see if I can figure out how to post it.

- Jeff Miller
http://www.wanderlodge.net
http://www.millercoachworks.com


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Nelson Gougeon"
<1492lost@c...> wrote:
>
> Hi I am the new kid on the block and have a question to ask.Two years
> ago and many dollars I bought a 1984 bluebird 35footer with a 3208
cat
> turbo.My wife and I are just now starting to use it starts good and
> runs good however the top speed was only 62 mph on the flats.Had some
> adjustments made and can do 71mph on the flats (located in illinois)
> now.My questions are what is the hp on this model is 71 mph the top
> speed also who works on bluebirds in my area St.Louis Mo. south
central
> ill.Im not a road warrior but 71 mph still sounds a lil slow for
todays
> use.Possibly this is the best i just dont know but i can live with
this
> speed.Would appreciate any advice on this thanks. Nick Gougeon
> retired driver. p.s. sure like my bluebird

[Charlotte Gougeon]

Hi Thanks for the reply on my bluebird changing rear ends etc. is a bit much i
am reluctent to go that far.Looks like 71mph is going to be it maybe i will pick
up a tail wind.thanks again.Nelson Gougeon
----- Original Message -----
From: Jeff Miller
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, April 24, 2005 7:07 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: MPH



As has been mentioned, you're being limited by rpm on the flats, not
hp. You can re-ratio the rear end, gain speed or simply slow the engine
down at cruise speed. I've found that the original (standard) 4.89 gear
in that coach is a bit short for my taste, the optional 4.63 a bit
better, and better still if you don't tow is 4.44:1. I had 4.11 in a
300hp coach, liked it okay in 4th gear (1:1) but I'm thinking it'd be a
bit tall for a 250hp coach.

I have an spreadsheet, will see if I can figure out how to post it.

- Jeff Miller
http://www.wanderlodge.net
http://www.millercoachworks.com


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Nelson Gougeon"
<1492lost@c...> wrote:
>
> Hi I am the new kid on the block and have a question to ask.Two years
> ago and many dollars I bought a 1984 bluebird 35footer with a 3208
cat
> turbo.My wife and I are just now starting to use it starts good and
> runs good however the top speed was only 62 mph on the flats.Had some
> adjustments made and can do 71mph on the flats (located in illinois)
> now.My questions are what is the hp on this model is 71 mph the top
> speed also who works on bluebirds in my area St.Louis Mo. south
central
> ill.Im not a road warrior but 71 mph still sounds a lil slow for
todays
> use.Possibly this is the best i just dont know but i can live with
this
> speed.Would appreciate any advice on this thanks. Nick Gougeon
> retired driver. p.s. sure like my bluebird





------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Charlotte Gougeon]

Hi Just rcvd. your message on my bluebird thanks for the info.Looks like 71mph
is going to be it not looking to blow my engine.thanks again .Nelson Gougeon
----- Original Message -----
From: Mike Hohnstein
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, April 24, 2005 7:02 PM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] MPH


If you need speed go to a 4.4 ratio. Randy Dupree swears the 4.11 is the
truth, but I'm afraid. Running at the red line will cost you a lot as Gary
Miller indicated and as our colleague Ralph can attest. Cat refers to
continuous cruise engine speed as 2400 RPM. I have the 4.8 in my 83, a change
to 24.5 rubber results in 65 @ 2300, as I'm not looking for trouble, that will
have to do. My newly installed Cat injector pump only goes to 2550 and that
nets 71. I think maybe they "Cat" might be trying to tell me something, like
don't blow up your stuff man.
If you blow the engine it will cost around 18 grand to repower unless you do
it on the cheap, then you will continue to suffer.
Mike Hohnstein
Germantown, WI
83FC35
----- Original Message -----
From: Nelson Gougeon
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, April 24, 2005 3:54 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] MPH



Hi I am the new kid on the block and have a question to ask.Two years
ago and many dollars I bought a 1984 bluebird 35footer with a 3208 cat
turbo.My wife and I are just now starting to use it starts good and
runs good however the top speed was only 62 mph on the flats.Had some
adjustments made and can do 71mph on the flats (located in illinois)
now.My questions are what is the hp on this model is 71 mph the top
speed also who works on bluebirds in my area St.Louis Mo. south central
ill.Im not a road warrior but 71 mph still sounds a lil slow for todays
use.Possibly this is the best i just dont know but i can live with this
speed.Would appreciate any advice on this thanks. Nick Gougeon
retired driver. p.s. sure like my bluebird





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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Charlotte Gougeon]

Hi Just rcvd. your message re my bluebird thank you very much i appreciate
it.Looks like 71mph is going to be it i forgot about the old 55mph deal.Myself i
can live with it and a lil less speed however you got to have somekind of head
start for a grade so i think now on what i have heard im in the ball park.I can
live with 65 all day long wanted to be sure i was close to what it will do.Im
use to DD pushers im happy enough though thanks again Nelson
GougeonlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, April 24, 2005 4:39 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: MPH



Hi Nick,

Your top speed is limited by the max rpm of your engine. The CAT
3208 turbo you have is rated at 250hp at 2600 rpm. Max rpm of 2805.

You need to determine what your rear end gearing is. This
information is listed on the axle capacity plate above the doghouse
on the back of the lower dashboard. You likely have a 1:4.88 (4.89)
ratio which puts your max speed at about 69 mph. Considering the
national speed limit was 55 when your bird was built, it's not bad.

Exceeding this speed will overspin your engine and certainly reduce
it's life, short term or long. Eating a valve will be costly. What
you can do is get new gearing in the rear end, or run larger
wheels/tires.

Other considerations regarding the engine are how well and how fast
it gets you to the max speed, and how well you can climb a grade.
Keeping fresh fuel and air filters on it, improving the air intake,
and insuring the injectors/injection pump/governor are properly set
up will help. If you want to go beyond the standard settings, make
sure you keep an eye on other matters like tranny temp, pyrometer,
engine temp, etc... You may need add-ons like a tranny cooler,
larger engine fan and more.

The basic setup was a good one for the time, always room for
improvement if done carefully.

Gary Miller
83 FC 33
Wauwatosa, WI

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Nelson Gougeon"
<1492lost@c...> wrote:
>
> Hi I am the new kid on the block and have a question to ask.Two
years
> ago and many dollars I bought a 1984 bluebird 35footer with a 3208
cat
> turbo.My wife and I are just now starting to use it starts good
and
> runs good however the top speed was only 62 mph on the flats.Had
some
> adjustments made and can do 71mph on the flats (located in
illinois)
> now.My questions are what is the hp on this model is 71 mph the
top
> speed also who works on bluebirds in my area St.Louis Mo. south
central
> ill.Im not a road warrior but 71 mph still sounds a lil slow for
todays
> use.Possibly this is the best i just dont know but i can live with
this
> speed.Would appreciate any advice on this thanks. Nick Gougeon
> retired driver. p.s. sure like my bluebird





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a.. To visit your group on the web, go to:
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]