PT 40 vs PT 36 and...DDEC vs Mechanical DD

[Tom]

Rainy day question here in Northern Minnesota.

1) Where in the floorplan layout do you notice the difference between
the PT 36 and PT 40. Ie; where has the four feet been removed and how
significant is it in a daily living impact.

Is a 6V92 with a PT 36 a better first coach...or is it better to look
for a PT 40 with an 8V92?

2) After reading the post Tom linked this AM the mechanical DD's
appear more simple to take care of? If the most maintenance I would do
might be fluid changes...is the DDEC and DDEC II preferable...or again
is the mechanical version more reliable and predictable.

Curious mind want to know...TIA...Tom Rootness in Northern Minnesota

P.S. Some nice '85-'86 PT's for sale at ever decreasing prices...TMR

[Tom Warner]

In my neck of the woods there are very few that want to work on
motorhomes. That means I either do it myself or travel a considerable
distance to get the work done. And just for the record I am not
talking about finding a mechanic (some call them wrenches), but
someone or a business that can work on anything in the coach from the
engine and transmission to the electronics. Thats a little harder to find.
Since I am capable of doing the work and enjoy it, I have bought all
of the tools needed to work on any part of my 1982 FC35. It has a Cat
3208NA engine which is entirely mechanical. I have purchased all of
the factory manuals for the engine and transmission although I would
not do an engine or transmission overhaul. The information in the
manuals help me to do the preventative maintenance on them the
correct way. I just completed a complete rebuild of my generator
control box and without the proper tools it would have been a lot
more difficult.

If I were to buy a PT/36/38/40 then I would approach it in the same
way and stick to the mechanical engine and transmission. They are
both robust and will go almost indefinetly if you treat them right.

If I were to have someone in my locality that II trusted to work on a
Detroit engine and Allison transmission ( and I do) that might change things.

I think you have to look at your individual mechanical skills and
whether you enjoy working on your coach and then make the decision
that suits you.

Tom Warner
1982 FC35
Vernon Center,NY



At 01:34 PM 11/4/2005, you wrote:
>Rainy day question here in Northern Minnesota.
>
>1) Where in the floorplan layout do you notice the difference between
>the PT 36 and PT 40. Ie; where has the four feet been removed and how
>significant is it in a daily living impact.
>
>Is a 6V92 with a PT 36 a better first coach...or is it better to look
>for a PT 40 with an 8V92?
>
>2) After reading the post Tom linked this AM the mechanical DD's
>appear more simple to take care of? If the most maintenance I would do
>might be fluid changes...is the DDEC and DDEC II preferable...or again
>is the mechanical version more reliable and predictable.
>
>Curious mind want to know...TIA...Tom Rootness in Northern Minnesota
>
>P.S. Some nice '85-'86 PT's for sale at ever decreasing prices...TMR
>
>
>
>
>
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[bobloomas]

----- Original Message -----
From: Tom
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, November 04, 2005 12:34 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] PT 40 vs PT 36 and...DDEC vs Mechanical DD

The big differnce is the bedroom and one out side bay that goes from side to
side.
Bob Loomas 1985 PT 36








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

[Gregory OConnor]

Tom, I think the more electronics you have and the later the version,
the better off you are. I am a remove and replace mechanic and rely
on the expertise of a mechanic that can read the engine computer and
symptons. I have several dumptrucks that have electronics and they
hold up even with all the off road driving I do. The non electronic
engines are ok too and may well be easier to get repaired while on
the road.

Greg
PT40 94 California

, --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Tom"
wrote:
>
> Rainy day question here in Northern Minnesota.
>
> 1) Where in the floorplan layout do you notice the difference
between
> the PT 36 and PT 40. Ie; where has the four feet been removed and
how
> significant is it in a daily living impact.
>
> Is a 6V92 with a PT 36 a better first coach...or is it better to
look
> for a PT 40 with an 8V92?
>
> 2) After reading the post Tom linked this AM the mechanical DD's
> appear more simple to take care of? If the most maintenance I
would do
> might be fluid changes...is the DDEC and DDEC II preferable...or
again
> is the mechanical version more reliable and predictable.
>
> Curious mind want to know...TIA...Tom Rootness in Northern Minnesota
>
> P.S. Some nice '85-'86 PT's for sale at ever decreasing
prices...TMR
>

[John Suter]

Hi Tom,

> Is a 6V92 with a PT 36 a better first coach...or is
> it better to look
> for a PT 40 with an 8V92?
>
> 2) After reading the post Tom linked this AM the
> mechanical DD's
> appear more simple to take care of? If the most
> maintenance I would do
> might be fluid changes...is the DDEC and DDEC II
> preferable...or again
> is the mechanical version more reliable and
> predictable.
>
> Curious mind want to know...TIA...Tom Rootness in
> Northern Minnesota
>
> P.S. Some nice '85-'86 PT's for sale at ever
> decreasing prices...TMR

Some of us who have owned an '86PT40 back in '86,
might argue '85-'87 may have been the best overall
BB's built, for the then money. I am amazed at what a
buyer can get one for currently; my guess it's simply
age taking an economic toll, and most folks (not all,
mind you) want a slide.

Timing was just before the switch to/experimentation
with plastics and the 8V92 was/is tough to beat,
albeit not current technology and electronics, and our
Series 60 6-speed would be a sore looser in a "drag
race" with our old 8V92. 86PT40 had lots more inside
storage room than almost any other model since, if
that is important to you. At first, we didn't think
we could live without all the room... now we wonder
what-all we put in it. LOL


John Suter
2000LXi (Prior '91PT40, '86PT40 and about a dozen
non-birds)




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