Cat 3208-powered FCs - which tranny was stock?

[Jim March]

Tom Warner wrote:

> OK now I get it. My next door neighbor just bought a new Freightliner
> with
> some kind of camper do dad on the back. Its actually a long wheel base
> diesel cab and the front half is living quarters and the rear is for his
> two motorcycles and a snowmobile, with a ramp to drive them in on.
> That to
> me would seem like a better choice since the freightliner would always be
> sellable. I suppose you could use any long wheel base diesel truck for
> it.
> If you are thinking about the schoolies then there are literally 1000s of
> them for sale every year. But then have you thought of a used Greyhound
> bus or a transit to start with?
>
> tom
> 1982 FC35
> Vernon Center,NY


Tom,

I can score the "Blue Critter" for $13k. Garage extension adding 6' to
bus length (taking it to 35' will run $7k. Inverter, $1,500. New
fridge, $1,200 if I go with a Danfoss-based high efficiency DC unit. A
grand for a washer/dryer unit to go into the garage. And let's say I
drop $4k into a new 643 tranny.

I plan to run major solar as well with a serious battery bank, but we
won't factor that for now as I'd be adding that to anything (need
hardcore drycamping ability).

So I'm at $27,700. Call it $28k even with the tach fixed.

You telling me I can get a "garage model" Freightliner conversion for
anything like that?

I've done some searching in that field. Some guy back east has a
Volvo-based critter with a very large garage (20ft) and hence a pretty
minimal living area for $50k. That is THE absolute cheapest semi-based
solution I've seen yet. It's 38' long and even if I put a wall up in
the garage at the halfway point and turned the forward half into more
living space, I still won't have the space available in the "Blue
Critter" once it's finished.

Now. I can find "skoolies" for dirt cheap, yeah. UNconverted. Diesel
flatnose in good shape, less common. Adult-height interior, less common
yet.

I've been looking for a while now. This thing is NOT common at all, the
conversion appears to be good quality (and yeah, probably a homebrew,
not necessarily a bad thing...).

IF it checks out...then screw resale value.

Jim

[randydupree]

i would bet that the engine and tranny was put in as a package.at
least,thats the smart way to do it! randydupree93wb
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim March"
To:
Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2005 12:32 PM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Cat 3208-powered FCs - which tranny was
stock?


> Mike Hohnstein wrote:
>
>>No lock on 545 converter, usable for school bus or urban stop and go
>>service. Low HP limit. Won't work for hiway use.
>>Mike Hohnstein
>>Germantown, WI
>>83FC35
>>
>
> Let's ask the question a different way: the Bluebird conversion I'm
> considering was almost certainly a gasser when shipped in '73. I now
> know from the owner that in non-visible areas like the door frame there
> are a few traces of schoolbus yellow paint so despite the "adult size"
> roof clearance of 6'4", this *was* a skoolie at one point. We also know
> it had 5.36 rear gears when stock and had an auto tranny all it's life.
> It now has a 6BT Cummins which *can't* be stock, it's vintage late '80's
> or so.
>
> So the question is, what are the odds the auto tranny that's in there is
> a 545 or other NON "locker" tranny, stock from the critter's gasser days?
>
> Probably pretty good?
>
> What trannies were in the Wanderlodge gassers of the '70s?
>
> What tranny was in the early to mid-era 3208 based FCs?
>
> Understand, I'm not looking for opinions on what tranny is any good, I'm
> trying to figure out what's in there now.
>
> Jim
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

[randydupree]

the number is on a plate on the side of the tranny,if he wants to sell it he
will get under there and get it for you! randydupree93wb
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim March"
To:
Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2005 12:32 PM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Cat 3208-powered FCs - which tranny was
stock?


> Mike Hohnstein wrote:
>
>>No lock on 545 converter, usable for school bus or urban stop and go
>>service. Low HP limit. Won't work for hiway use.
>>Mike Hohnstein
>>Germantown, WI
>>83FC35
>>
>
> Let's ask the question a different way: the Bluebird conversion I'm
> considering was almost certainly a gasser when shipped in '73. I now
> know from the owner that in non-visible areas like the door frame there
> are a few traces of schoolbus yellow paint so despite the "adult size"
> roof clearance of 6'4", this *was* a skoolie at one point. We also know
> it had 5.36 rear gears when stock and had an auto tranny all it's life.
> It now has a 6BT Cummins which *can't* be stock, it's vintage late '80's
> or so.
>
> So the question is, what are the odds the auto tranny that's in there is
> a 545 or other NON "locker" tranny, stock from the critter's gasser days?
>
> Probably pretty good?
>
> What trannies were in the Wanderlodge gassers of the '70s?
>
> What tranny was in the early to mid-era 3208 based FCs?
>
> Understand, I'm not looking for opinions on what tranny is any good, I'm
> trying to figure out what's in there now.
>
> Jim
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

[randydupree]

as far as the intercooler,it may have been left off for ease of installation.
randydupree93wb
----- Original Message -----
From: Ken Sann
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2005 1:37 PM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Cat 3208-powered FCs - which tranny was stock?


I would more likely ASSuME that the tranny was installed with the Cummins. I
believe that most Early 70's Gassers had the old six speed allison. Most low hp
6BT-5.9's had the 5-series allison, unless they were optioned for a heavier
application (trash truck?) in which case they would have the 6-series. However,
i would also expect that those heavier applications would have been intercooled
for the additional power. So I would assume it to be a 5-series.
Another drawback to the 5-series, an exhaust brake will not be very useable as
there is too much slippage.

The seller doesn't know which tranny is in there?
If not, did they ever service it? hmm.

Good luck.


ken

-----Original Message-----
From: Jim March
So the question is, what are the odds the auto tranny that's in there is
a 545 or other NON "locker" tranny, stock from the critter's gasser days?


What trannies were in the Wanderlodge gassers of the '70s?



Ken Sann


------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links

a.. To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WanderlodgeForum/

b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
WanderlodgeForum-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.



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

[randydupree]

ohh yeah,it can be done! all you need is money! haha!! randydupree93wb
----- Original Message -----
From: Jim March
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2005 4:56 PM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Cat 3208-powered FCs - which tranny was stock?


Ken Sann wrote:

> I would more likely ASSuME that the tranny was installed with the
> Cummins. I believe that most Early 70's Gassers had the old six speed
> allison. Most low hp 6BT-5.9's had the 5-series allison, unless they
> were optioned for a heavier application (trash truck?) in which case
> they would have the 6-series. However, i would also expect that those
> heavier applications would have been intercooled for the additional
> power. So I would assume it to be a 5-series.
> Another drawback to the 5-series, an exhaust brake will not be very
> useable as there is too much slippage.
>
> The seller doesn't know which tranny is in there?
> If not, did they ever service it? hmm.
>
> Good luck.


Yeah, but he's only had it a year and a half. One of THOSE situations.
He's changed the oil...

Question: is there a decent manual that will plug in behind a 6BT? I
realize it'd be a painful conversion but damn, a Roadranger would be SWEET.

Jim


------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links

a.. To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WanderlodgeForum/

b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
WanderlodgeForum-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.



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

[Jim March]

Tom Warner wrote:

-snip-

> But then have you thought of a used Greyhound bus or a transit to
> start with?
>
> tom


OH yeah, looked there too.

Amazingly, the best deals to be had are in older ones...literally 1948 -
1962 era 35' highway GMCs based on the sideways-mounted straight six
Detroit (671) with the Spicer 4sp - 3751, 4101, 4102, 4103, 4104. These
are all-aluminum, don't rust out, dead simple. Because they were
originally positive ground, all the conversions have been re-wired stem
to stern. Engines are incredibly accessible for service. As long as
they're still manual shift, 10mpg or even better is common. Parts
situation is good.

Some models had "dropped center aisles" giving 6'8" headroom down the
middle, 6'2" to either side of that.

The ones based on the 6cyl often had an "emergency hatch" on the
driver's side just ahead of the engine. About half the conversions have
retained this. Wouldn't be too hard to widen it from 2ft to 4ft with a
custom door, hollow out the usual "back bedroom" into a garage, pull the
usual sofa and turn it into bunk beds with the bottom one doubling as a
"day couch" with pillows, etc. The area ahead of the rear "garage"
would still be pretty livable (not as good a layout as that "Blue
Critter"!) and would have more underfloor storage and potentially bigger
tanks.

This is probably what I'd fall back on if "Blue Critter" doesn't pan out.

That said: in addition to a better layout, once finished "Blue Critter"
will have a shorter wheelbase, tighter turning radius for better urban
driving (watch that back end though), equal or better long-term
reliability, taller inside without the center aisle (which is a
"tripping hazard") and would probably be cheaper to maintain, although
not by much.

And there would be one other difference: the "old greyhound" would have
a "garage entrance" at least another foot higher off the ground than a
Bluebird frame conversion, meaning a longer ramp (at least 10ft, 5ft
when folded) and a hairier entrance by bike. And the entry would be
from the side, not practical in all parking situations. The Bluebird
entry would be to the rear, and about 3ft up.

Jim

[Mike Hohnstein]

I've only seen 643 or MT 40 in 'birds. Both lock but not OD. The MT is an
older unit essentially a 3 speed with a splitter planetary in front.
Arranged like a 200 4R trans like in a mid 80s GM car. The MT has a grade
retarder built into the trans. A cool piece
Mike Hohnstein
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim March"
To:
Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2005 11:32 AM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Cat 3208-powered FCs - which tranny was
stock?


> Mike Hohnstein wrote:
>
> >No lock on 545 converter, usable for school bus or urban stop and go
> >service. Low HP limit. Won't work for hiway use.
> >Mike Hohnstein
> >Germantown, WI
> >83FC35
> >
>
> Let's ask the question a different way: the Bluebird conversion I'm
> considering was almost certainly a gasser when shipped in '73. I now
> know from the owner that in non-visible areas like the door frame there
> are a few traces of schoolbus yellow paint so despite the "adult size"
> roof clearance of 6'4", this *was* a skoolie at one point. We also know
> it had 5.36 rear gears when stock and had an auto tranny all it's life.
> It now has a 6BT Cummins which *can't* be stock, it's vintage late '80's
> or so.
>
> So the question is, what are the odds the auto tranny that's in there is
> a 545 or other NON "locker" tranny, stock from the critter's gasser days?
>
> Probably pretty good?
>
> What trannies were in the Wanderlodge gassers of the '70s?
>
> What tranny was in the early to mid-era 3208 based FCs?
>
> Understand, I'm not looking for opinions on what tranny is any good, I'm
> trying to figure out what's in there now.
>
> Jim
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

[Jack & Donna Smith]

Hey, Mike: The MT40 in my 73 has givin no problems since I had the
Torque Converter rebuilt about 3 years ago, and they pronounced the
MT40 OK after they put it on a tranny dyno.
How should I use the retarder in the mountians, and especially on the
long downgrades? I usually put it on for like 30 sec at a time, and
use the hydraulic brakes sparingly, alternating with the retarder so
they wont overheat.. The MT40 does not have a temp guage... I try to
not let it get over 50. and on all downgrades I keep it in 5th.
Jack Smith
1973FC31
SoCal


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Hohnstein"
<MHOHNSTEIN@w...> wrote:
> I've only seen 643 or MT 40 in 'birds. Both lock but not OD. The
MT is an
> older unit essentially a 3 speed with a splitter planetary in front.
> Arranged like a 200 4R trans like in a mid 80s GM car. The MT has a
grade
> retarder built into the trans. A cool piece
> Mike Hohnstein
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jim March"
> To:
> Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2005 11:32 AM
> Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Cat 3208-powered FCs - which tranny was
> stock?
>
>
> > Mike Hohnstein wrote:
> >
> > >No lock on 545 converter, usable for school bus or urban stop and go
> > >service. Low HP limit. Won't work for hiway use.
> > >Mike Hohnstein
> > >Germantown, WI
> > >83FC35
> > >
> >
> > Let's ask the question a different way: the Bluebird conversion I'm
> > considering was almost certainly a gasser when shipped in '73. I now
> > know from the owner that in non-visible areas like the door frame
there
> > are a few traces of schoolbus yellow paint so despite the "adult size"
> > roof clearance of 6'4", this *was* a skoolie at one point. We
also know
> > it had 5.36 rear gears when stock and had an auto tranny all it's
life.
> > It now has a 6BT Cummins which *can't* be stock, it's vintage late
'80's
> > or so.
> >
> > So the question is, what are the odds the auto tranny that's in
there is
> > a 545 or other NON "locker" tranny, stock from the critter's
gasser days?
> >
> > Probably pretty good?
> >
> > What trannies were in the Wanderlodge gassers of the '70s?
> >
> > What tranny was in the early to mid-era 3208 based FCs?
> >
> > Understand, I'm not looking for opinions on what tranny is any
good, I'm
> > trying to figure out what's in there now.
> >
> > Jim
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >

[Mike Hohnstein]

You are operating the retarder correctly, however I would want a temp probe in
the oil pan. If you were having problems you would know by now. The color of
the trans fluid is a good indicator of overtemp condition. It gets brown and
ugly for a reason.
Mike Hohnstein
Germantown, WI
83FC35
----- Original Message -----
From: Jack & Donna Smith
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2005 8:35 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Cat 3208-powered FCs - which tranny was stock?


Hey, Mike: The MT40 in my 73 has givin no problems since I had the
Torque Converter rebuilt about 3 years ago, and they pronounced the
MT40 OK after they put it on a tranny dyno.
How should I use the retarder in the mountians, and especially on the
long downgrades? I usually put it on for like 30 sec at a time, and
use the hydraulic brakes sparingly, alternating with the retarder so
they wont overheat.. The MT40 does not have a temp guage... I try to
not let it get over 50. and on all downgrades I keep it in 5th.
Jack Smith
1973FC31
SoCal


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Hohnstein"
<MHOHNSTEIN@w...> wrote:
> I've only seen 643 or MT 40 in 'birds. Both lock but not OD. The
MT is an
> older unit essentially a 3 speed with a splitter planetary in front.
> Arranged like a 200 4R trans like in a mid 80s GM car. The MT has a
grade
> retarder built into the trans. A cool piece
> Mike Hohnstein
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jim March"
> To:
> Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2005 11:32 AM
> Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Cat 3208-powered FCs - which tranny was
> stock?
>
>
> > Mike Hohnstein wrote:
> >
> > >No lock on 545 converter, usable for school bus or urban stop and go
> > >service. Low HP limit. Won't work for hiway use.
> > >Mike Hohnstein
> > >Germantown, WI
> > >83FC35
> > >
> >
> > Let's ask the question a different way: the Bluebird conversion I'm
> > considering was almost certainly a gasser when shipped in '73. I now
> > know from the owner that in non-visible areas like the door frame
there
> > are a few traces of schoolbus yellow paint so despite the "adult size"
> > roof clearance of 6'4", this *was* a skoolie at one point. We
also know
> > it had 5.36 rear gears when stock and had an auto tranny all it's
life.
> > It now has a 6BT Cummins which *can't* be stock, it's vintage late
'80's
> > or so.
> >
> > So the question is, what are the odds the auto tranny that's in
there is
> > a 545 or other NON "locker" tranny, stock from the critter's
gasser days?
> >
> > Probably pretty good?
> >
> > What trannies were in the Wanderlodge gassers of the '70s?
> >
> > What tranny was in the early to mid-era 3208 based FCs?
> >
> > Understand, I'm not looking for opinions on what tranny is any
good, I'm
> > trying to figure out what's in there now.
> >
> > Jim
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >




------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links

a.. To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WanderlodgeForum/

b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
WanderlodgeForum-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.



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