Unique Bluebird

[Mike Hohnstein]

I recently installed a drive line overdrive in the area of the driveshaft
support in front of the retarder. It's a 14% OD, I would prefer 20% with the
22.5 tires most birds have. My FC has 24.5 so the added roll out results in
less rear gear reduction. If you have a charge air cooler, or an intake air
radiator commonly referred to as an intercooler, you are in good shape. My FC
is a stock configuration 250 hp with no performance enhancements other than a
less restrictive air cleaner. Randy Dupree has repeatedly mentioned a 4:11 rear
ratio is a good choice for the FC 250 hp. I had my doubts but it works pretty
well. My vehicle in OD has a final ratio of 4.2 and the extra roll out of the
larger tires makes the effective ratio 4:11. It's real nice cruising at 70+ mph
with out floating the valves. I need to get the OD trans linkage operational to
select the direct range reverting to the stock 4.88, so I can deal with the
grades out west next summer. It will be a slow climb but if John Finn can get
by with his NA I can live with the 250 hp pulling my 24' Pace trailer. The 643
Allison is rated for 250 hp and I am a little leery of adding too much input
persuasion at this time. That might change in the future.
MH
----- Original Message -----
From: Wilhelmus Schreurs
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, September 04, 2006 4:32 PM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Unique Bluebird


Mike;
Wow, now that is what you call an overhaul. I see you have an 83 BB, what kind
of changes have you done to the engine? I bought a 84FC with a 3208 TA.
What advice do you have for driving in the mountains, what RPM's should one
try to keep the engine at, also with the Allison 643, should one downshift
before the transmission does it itself.
I see in one of your earlier posts about turbo boost should be about 15 and
pyro temp not to exceed 1100.

Thanks
Bill 84FC35SB
Terrace, B.C.

Mike Hohnstein <MHOHNSTEIN@...> wrote:
The toter engine is over bored, 3 ring update, roller cam update, NEW CAT head
bolts, balanced assembly, 375hp marine injectors, 9Y 1344 turbo available from
Cat. Best operation speed 1600-2150 rpm. Ideal cruise 1800 as oil and water
temps are happy there. The radiator and charge air cooler are speced for a 350
L-10 Cummins, plenty good for the 3208 however cooling is marginal on hard
climbs in very hot weather.
MH
----- Original Message -----
From: Wilhelmus Schreurs
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, September 02, 2006 9:50 AM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Unique Bluebird

Mike:
How much HP did you say that you are pushing out of that 3208? If I remember,
it was quite a bit more than what the BB's put out. You got some pics etc. of
the engine part of the toter as well?

Bill
84FC35SB

Curt Sprenger wrote:
Mike,
Please do that. Bird or not, I'm interested!

Curt Sprenger 1987 PT38, Anaheim Hills, Calif.

Mike Hohnstein wrote:

> Class 7 truck with a type C 16' lounge and a 8 X 8 rear deck that
> doubles as a flat bed. It can tote a goose neck or a 5th wheel. You
> have seen them, usually hauling some kind of big race car trailer.
> Mine is home built on a Ford Louisville L8000 chassis, 260" wb, 30'
> over all length. I have used it to learn all about how to make a 3208
> run. I'll send Bluriss an image, it might make bird of the week.
> MH
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Chuck Wheeler
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
>
> Sent: Friday, September 01, 2006 7:09 PM
> Subject: RE: [WanderlodgeForum] Unique Bluebird
>
> Mike,
> I give-up! After seeing you refer to your "toter" home many times I just
> had to ask what is it?
>
> - Chuck Wheeler -
> 82 FC 31 SB
> Fort Worth, TX
>
> _____
>
> From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
>
> [mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> ] On Behalf Of Mike Hohnstein
> Sent: Thursday, August 31, 2006 5:19 PM
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
>
> Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Unique Bluebird
>
> Hobbyist bus converters sometimes make unfortunate mistakes with
> electrical
> and LP plumbing installations that have caused fires leading to death.
> Insurance companies don't like that stuff. Any DIY conversion will have a
> big problem getting coverage. My toter home conversion is such an
> animal, I
> only get coverage through my corporate entity, no way could I get it
> personally.
> MH
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Ryan Wright
> To: WanderlodgeForum@
> yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Thursday, August 31, 2006 3:17 PM
> Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Unique Bluebird
>
> I'm obviously new and naive, but why won't insurance companies insure
> school bus conversions?
>
> -Ryan
>
> On 8/29/06, Mike Hohnstein <MHOHNSTEIN@wi. <mailto:MHOHNSTEIN%40wi.rr.com>
> rr.com> wrote:
> >
> > I'm in awe, at the chutzpah of the person who feels anyone would
> consider
> 40 grand for such a mess. Wow. An uninsurable mess at that. When I put the
> prison bus on my policy, they wanted a picture of it to verify it wasn't a
> skoolie. That's with Progressive/Aon.
> > MH
> >
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>

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