When I built the rear frame I allowed for a taller engine at a later date. in 2009 I decided that the time had come for the next phase of the 15 year plan!! I decided to install a DDECIV series 60 12.7 and a 4000 Allison transmission. I was going to pull the 8-71 after I returned from the Arcadia rally In January 2010. While at Arcadia Manny Montisenno and I struck a deal for my low mileage 8-71. I decided to get the engine, transmission and harnesses right first. I was going to pull the old one out after the Myrtle Beach rally. Manny and Darlene came up for the Myrtle beach rally, then followed me home. Many, Gary Labombard, and I pulled the engine out of both buses, swapped tranns (he kept his 740), and put my engine into his bus. I think he said he put 5 or 6 gal. of oil in his on the trip up!! We ate well from Darlene's kitchen, and had a lot of laughs!!! All in all we did well and Manny hit the road with a low mileage 8-71 With a beautiful Detroit blue paint job!! ( I never liked the puke green, I mean alpine green color anyway!! I then started the next phase the second week of April 2010. The bus never moved again until the second week of October!! Six months working everyday seven days a week!! I worked every evening, and sometimes during the day. I only had two trips to the ER and app. 30 stitches, pretty good after I saw Jim Shepard's bo bo pic!! We left two days after my last twenty stitches for a 5 hour trip to chat. TN for the BCM rally. Got all the way there without mishap. The air dryer dump hose fell off as I parked the coach, and when I raised the tailgate I found a hammer laying on the frame. Who said the eagle is not a smooth ride.
Allison 4000mhp. Six speed automatic with double overdrive. This was a take out unit from a test mule at Freightliner chasiss in Gaffney, SC. I don't know how many miles it logged as the TCM was not with it. From the look of it not a lot.
Detroit Diesel series 60. 12.7 liter DDEC IV. This came from a Penske lease truck with 430k miles. The truck was a roll over. A friend that owns the wrecker service gave me a pretty good deal. I made a few calls to Penske and was able to locat all service records. This is very important as the ecm can be changed or reprogramed on these engines. You may think it has 25k miles and it could have many more without regular service.
The truck had a straight drive transmission. This requires several modifications in order to be mated the the Allison automatic. I also had to change the following:
1. Remove and reconfigure the alternator, and drivers AC pump. Thi requires adding
an auxillary drive port.
2. Change the deep sump oil pan ( It is plastic) to a shallow sump aluminum one.
Also requires an oil pick-up and dipstick relocation kit.
3. The flywheel and hub must be changed to a flex plate and hub assembly.
4. The Allison automatic had a catapiller starter ring which had to be changed to
an Allison ring.
5. A new driveshaft (larger series).
6. Different gear ratio, from 3:73 to 4:10.
All of this will run you well over 4k with the little stuff. Alon with this, there are no stock motor mounts for this engine in a 96" wide coach. Luckily Jefferson was able to dig around and find a set of what we think were prototype mounts for a 96" "T" drive. I was able to modify these. Also needed is a completely new radiator, and charge air cooler set-up. Add an air clutch fan hub, right angle fan box, plastic fan, wiring, tubbing aluminum sheeting, plumbing for the air and coolant, etc, and you toss another 3-4k at it. Rememnber what I say:WWAI!!!
an Allison ring
