Engine Access Panel in dog-nose Cab

[indigo_k]

Hey, gang:

A quick question for those more familiar with diesel engines than myself.
As I've been in the process of doing my subfloor, I came across this metal panel in the front of my cab, under the dashboard. I pulled up the panel and found a good-sized hole with access to the transmission.

So what I'm wondering is, am I safe to completely seal this panel up under my subfloor, or should I plan to make it accessible just like the panel for the fuel tank sensor? It's easy enough to do, but easier still not to, you know?

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

i personally would leave it accessible.
when it comes time to work in there the more room the better.

[Ronnie]

Me too, I would leave it available. Makes changing the trans much easyer

[indigo_k]

Originally Posted by Jolly Roger bus 223

i personally would leave it accessible.
when it comes time to work in there the more room the better.

Originally Posted by Ronnie

Me too, I would leave it available. Makes changing the trans much easyer

Ah, good points. Yeah, it didn't occur to me until I pulled this panel up that there even WAS a way to access the transmission from here. I was just going to build over it but then decided to see what was there. I'll frame out around it for now, but decide what I'm going to do about it later. Might just put it behind a little wall or something.

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

if your not a mechanic then yeah you might cover it up?
but as an experienced mechanic i wish every every vehicle had the dog house cover.
you either keep your dog in the house. or you build a house for your dog.
my mind is a dog nose bus has access front and rear for cleaning and maintenance.
why complicate things down the road when things break.
there is no if its when.
that plate is to get to the transmission bell housing bolts easily.
it might have been cut buy the school disctrict cause they had to replace that and that was the path of least resistance.
i dont have your bus but any access up top is beautiful.

[indigo_k]

Originally Posted by Jolly Roger bus 223

why complicate things down the road when things break.
there is no if its when.

Yeah, one of my first thoughts when I considered covering it up was, 'well how likely am I going to need to be able to get in and replace the entire transmission anyway?'


And then my immediate next thought was, yeah, that's totally going to happen at some point.

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

yes sir any access you have now is needed for later.
kinda wish some of my old trucks had top access to the tranny bolts verses 3 foot of extensions.
love a dog house.
been a few with a dog and with a wife.
we started there.

[cadillackid]

like others, leave it accessible.. as someone who has changed transmissions 2 busses and fixed the cooler lines in a 3rd.. those access panels came in very handy... you can make a cover to drop in over it with insulation and a floor covering of your choice to get rid of the engine heat / noise but keep the panel easy to pop open WHEN needed..

[Gorzie]

I left mine for the reasons mentioned above. I just framed around it then insulated it with plywood over it and the flooring cut to match the opening.

[indigo_k]

Originally Posted by Gorzie

I left mine for the reasons mentioned above. I just framed around it then insulated it with plywood over it and the flooring cut to match the opening.

Okay, yeah - I think that's what I'm going to end up doing too. Just build an access panel for it that matches the surrounding subfloor, and make sure whatever I put in front of/on top of it is easily removable if need be.

[Gorzie]

I also added a stainless flush pull ring for a boat so I can lift it out easily but I don't have a pic of that. I did put a couple of screws to hold it down but they are hidden by the flooring. There is a strip of weather stripping to help seal the opening from moisture and bugs and other critters hopefully.