Bird of the Week

[freewill2008]

Hey, we've been wasting time gearing down our 3208s on those 6-7% downgrades.
Might as well leave it in 4th? ) Ron - were you thinking of the difference
between 2 stroke and 4 stroke engines rather than gas vs. diesel?

Jim - When we had our Telma installed there was the option to have it activate
with a hand lever and/or by stepping on the air brake treadle. We chose the
hand lever only. If yours was installed with the brake treadle interface then
the retarder deploys from step 1 through step 4 as you step down harder on the
pedal.

But then a lot of WL owners get along using the gearbox and back pressure from
the 4-stroke 3208. I don't think Telma (Jacobs) electric retarders started
showing up in stock WLs until the early 80's.

Bob Griesel '84 FC31 WLII (finally back in) WA

>
> Unless you have a gasoline powered engine, you have no compression to hold it
back on hills. If you are slowing on hills, it must be a braking system.
Either your Thelma is actually working or you have another engine brake such as
a Jacobs compression brake.
>
> R.E. (Ron) Marabito, Dallas, TX 92WB40
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mbulriss" <mbulriss@> wrote:
> >
> > As always, we can use new Bird of the Week photos. Remember to send them in
with descriptive content, year/model, where the picture was taken, etc. Click
on the link below the Bird of the Week feature on the front page to submit your
favorite picture.
> >
> > This week's entry is from a long-time owner member on his second Bird. The
email he sent in was interesting enough to provide it here as more information
on this week's Bird of the Week. Also, he would appreciate any information from
anyone that knows this Bird. See below.
> >
> > Mike Bulriss
> > 1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
> > San Antonio, TX
> >
> > Michel,
> > Picked the bus up last year back in Indiana just about 30 miles north of
Louisville. The bus has some unusual things on it It has a rooftop davit, and an
after market factory installed turbo. Drove the rig cross country to the west
coast. Service it in St. Louis made it to Mojave replaced steering box and pump
at Mojave Truck reasonable and good mechanics. The bus has a Thelma brake but
never used it. The motor has enough compression to hold in back on the steep
hills. If that was aftermarket it wasn't necessary. It seemed to average 10 - 12
MPG cruising highway 40 for 2800 or so miles. I'm in Santa Barbara County right
now on the Gaviota coast on a private 5 acre parcel. I have a place in Tulalip
Washington for the summer and a place in Mulege Baja California. I don't know
the history of the bus. I have a lot of paper work for the service over the
years which was way more than I paid for it. Any information will be helpful.
Picture was taken in Indiana posted on E Bay. When I got to Calif. I started to
go through the bus. Re did the interior, re supported the ceiling, fixed
plumbing, changed out light to LED, changed out converter, on and on. If you
have a bluebird you know. This is my 2nd bird. The last bird was a 1975 31' FC
and had it for 12 years. Went through every system Bluebird had to offer those
years. I love the way there built and rebuild able a fine quality product. I
joined Wanderlodge forum but I can't seem to log in. I have lot of experience in
building and mechanical systems that I could share. Jim Beraldo and family
> >
>