Better understanding

[Pete Masterson]

See below:
Pete Masterson
aeonix1@...
'95 Bluebird Wanderlodge WBDA 4203
El Sobrante, CA




On Aug 18, 2006, at 7:53 PM, The Squires wrote:

> All,
>
> I have been reading and studying the BB history and have a few
> questions:
>
> 1) As I understand it, all of the xxV71 engines are "V" in
> construction and
> are 2-cycle. Is that correct?

xV71 and xV91 engines are 2 stroke diesels.

> 2) I believe that I would really want to stick with 4 cycle engines.

Why? (In 20 years working with a railroad we had both 2 cycle and 4
cycle engines powering our locomotives. Didn't seem that it made a
lot of difference operationally.) About the main difference between
DD 2 cycle and the DD Series 60 4 cycle is lower oil use (DD xVxx
series are noted for oil drips). The more modern Series 60 engine
complies better with more recent air quality regulations.

> Is
> the Cat 3208 a 4 cycle? I know the DD 60 series is 4-cycle.

I don't personally know about the Cat 3208. I have a DD 60 series 4
cycle in my coach.

>
> 3) From the used ads, appears that the DD60 series did not show up
> until
> mid-90s and they seemed to be matched with 6-speed Allison's. Are
> this
> facts correct?

My 1995 42'6" coach is the first model to have the Series 60. The 40'
coaches from 1995 still had the 8v92.

>
> 4) In the mid-90s, I see quite a few BMC models. From there
> weight and
> engine combinations, these appear to be cheaper BB. Don't want to
> insult
> anyone. Is their construction the same "bus" standard or closer to
> the
> fiberglass/paper M/H?

The BMC was built as an entry level BB. It is built on a non-BB
chassis, but the body is all BB. I understand that they are steel but
I'm not all that familiar with them.

> 5) Do the PT, LX, & LXI have the "bus" construction with metal
> outsides?


The PT and WB models are all definitely metal outsides. The 'modern'
look models (from 89 or so) use fiberglass rear caps and use some
fiberglass ancillary pieces (e.g. the "fender" around the wheels is
fiberglass as is the lower part of the front cap -- bumper and
generator cover). This is an advantage since those areas are more
subject to rust.

The LX & LXI are also metal and they're as heavy (or heavier) than
the wide body models built since the late 80s. The LX is less well
appointed than the LXi.

These models are all built on BB bus chassis.





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