Fellow BlueBird with a Problem with Tranny

[Gary Miller]

Hi Dave,

Craig has an older coach but I believe he's running with the CAT and
the Allison MT 643. ('77 I belive was the year the CAT was an option)

First, I would check the fluid level. This can be done with the
engine running and I believe there are marks on the dipstick for
engine idling or shut down.

The transmission is controlled by a cable which runs from the shifter
to the roadside of the transmission. It runs right by the exhaust on
the roadside of the engine where (on my coach) there's a really bad
heat shield on the exhaust pipe that doesn't do much good. It's
likely the cable is old enough that the heat is causing it to not
work very well.

What he may find is that if he idles for a while, it might just shift
for him as the cable cools. What I would do is stop and get fuel,
leave the coach in drive with the brake set, and a co-pilot in the
drivers seat just in case, but it's not likely to go anywhere. Once
he finds a spot where he can be assured he's got time to fix the
cable if it breaks, let it idle a while, then see if it can shift to
neutral. If this works, shut down and see what happens after a while
of cooling.

If this is the problem, I would recommend a better heat shield, and
some lubrication for the cable, or perhaps even a new one.

If the cable breaks, it is possible to get under the coach and move
the shift lever on the transmission manually. It is up high and
forward on the roadside. This is certainly a two person job
involving a brakeman and jackstands.

The old Allisons, to my knowledge, do not have any failsafe features
other than automatic shifting for rpm protection regardless of gear
selection.

Good Luck,
Hope this helps,

Gary Miller
83 FC 33
Wauwatosa, WI

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Dave Beatty" <beattyd@...>
wrote:
>
> Hello... This is Dave Beatty.
>
> The member with the active problem at this time....
>
> R. Craig
> 77 FC31
> Merritt Island, FL
>
> Craig just called me for advise about a problem with his Tranny
that
> makes it impossible for him to park his Bird for Fuel or ??? I had
> no advise.
>
> Craig said his gear shifter will not move out of the Drive
Position.
> He has enough fuel to get to a Truck Repair Shop in Fairmont, MD
> which is 4 hours away .. 200 miles. He traveling on Hiway 81.
>
> Craig would appreciate any advise to solve the problem.
>
> I will check back in a couple of hours to see what advise is
offered
> to pass on to Craig.
>
> Thanks for the help.
> __________________
> Dave and Judy Beatty
> 1983 FC35SB (BirdCage)
> Federal Way, Washington State
>
> beattyd at yahoo dot com
>