CL mt 643 - Page 2

pcdreams · 07-21-2018, 05:46 PM

my question would be what would be required (or is it even feasible) to swap a 545 for one of these? assuminga DT466 of course.

EastCoastCB · 07-21-2018, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pcdreams

my question would be what would be required (or is it even feasible) to swap a 545 for one of these? assuminga DT466 of course.

Ask Chris or JohnBloem they've both done trans swaps to alleviate the 545 blues.

cadillackid · 07-21-2018, 06:00 PM

im doing it on my DTA360 as we speak, the big thing comes down to whether you have 466E or mechanical 643.. you will need a different flexplate and possibly pilot spacer.. on the mechanical DT466 / DT360 you just need a flexplate.. cooler lines are different sized... #12 ORB on the 466 old ones are #10 ORB on a 545, the shifter linkage, speed sensor, modulator, dip stick, spin on filter(in the cooler lines), neutral safety, reverse lights, all the same... i have air brakes so there is no parking brake changes.. if you are hydraulic your park brake drum and bracket appear to be similar on both... you will need to shorten the driveshaft a few inches. on a DT360 / DT466 CE style, no cross member is required.. if swapping into a V-8 diesel the extra support is required.

John Bloehm did it on his DT-466E so he can give you the best pointers on what they needed in parts if you are a 466E..

get the right transmission!! there were various versions and converters made.. and navistar had different part numbers.,. the reason its important is you dont want a gasser model with a 3800 RPM shift-out and high stall converter.. the one I bought is designed for a 360 / 466 mechanical swap and is a 2600-2700 RPM unit.. if you are getting a reman with a navistar part number, navistar dealer can give you the specs on the part number.. if its a used unit, ask the seller what it came out of.. what engine it was mated to more importantly... sometimes the seller has the VIN of the original vehicle and you can call navistar to get the info omn what engine it had..
-Christopher

pcdreams · 07-21-2018, 06:17 PM

thanks guys. Keeping this thread for when I eventually find one (a bus) Most of the 466s here have the 545, so I know I'd be looking at swapping it out.

EastCoastCB · 07-21-2018, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pcdreams

thanks guys. Keeping this thread for when I eventually find one (a bus) Most of the 466s here have the 545, so I know I'd be looking at swapping it out.

My 466E/2000 combo is SWEET. Other than the leaking coolant lol.

johnbloem1974 · 07-21-2018, 11:53 PM

Yep - on my 466E, Only had to get the flexplate, remove the spacer, remove the adapter on the bellhousing, get the proper bolts for the flexplate as the lengths were different due to the spacer for the 545. The fittings for the cooler lines were different on the 643, but the proper ones were easy to find at a NAPA. Also had to shorten the driveshaft about 3 inches. All in all, once we had all the right parts - a not-too-difficult endeavor... ;)

John

Skalbus · 07-23-2018, 12:43 PM

So the guy I'm talking with at LKQ has told me that his source said that I won't like the way the MT643 shifts. Said it will shift to soon? But he also said that the trans was originally matted to a DT466, which is what I have.
Is shifting to early really a thing? If so, is it adjustable?

brokedown · 07-23-2018, 12:56 PM

They're set up for a specific RPM range and if you get it wrong it can be pretty awful.. but if they're 2600-2700rpm units that seems like it might be too high rather than too low? Christopher will correct me if I"m wrong I hope!

cadillackid · 07-23-2018, 01:05 PM

if the trans is shift way too soon then chances are whoever said that hasnt adjusted their modulator correctly... that said even if the modulator is pulled all the way out and it shifts soon there are 3 adjustments inside the valve body which can be adjusted... those are just cumbersoime because they require dropping the pan each time you adjust.. the modulator is a cable or an electronic device.. if mating a 643 to a DT-466E then its up to the ECM t okick the modulator on or off.. and its wonky.. on a mechanical DT-466 you adjust howe much the modulator pulls in or out as ytour foot foes down on the accel pedal.. want higher shift points you make it pull the cable all the way out when you are buried.. want lower shift points you make it pull less cable out when you are buried.. you NEVER bind the accelerator by having all the m,odulator cable pulled out before you reach full throttle..

thiose LKQ transmissions are designed with a maximum shift RPM of 2600 RPM with full modulation... when at light throttle yes they will shift early.. same as the AT545 does.. people swapping from 545 to 643 that have never felt the lockup in 3rd may feel their engine is being lugged because the RPM slows way down when the lockup engages..

your DT-466 reaches maximum torque somewhere around 1400-1600 RPM.. maximum horsepower at 2300 (seems all navistars reach max HP at 2300).. so shifting later than 2300 (2600 max) is only so that your next gear will be smack in the middle of high torque / Horsepower band when in wide open throttle..

if you are running a DT360 or a DT466 these LKQ 643s are for those engines..

if you are running a CAT, gasser, 9 litre, 444E, MBE, or anythiung else then these 643s at LKQ are likely not a drop-in match as far as proper torque converter or shift timing..

-Christopher

Skalbus · 07-23-2018, 01:24 PM

Christopher, Thanks for all the info.

Based on that the LKQ MT643 should be a good match for my mechanical DT466 and they seem to be a decent price.

I am a good shade tree mechanic. I just don't have any experience with bus's...yet.

cadillackid · 07-23-2018, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skalbus

Christopher, Thanks for all the info.

Based on that the LKQ MT643 should be a good match for my mechanical DT466 and they seem to be a decent price.

I am a good shade tree mechanic. I just don't have any experience with bus's...yet.

go buy BIG TOOLS.. 643s are 650 lbs, 545s are 350.. I always have wondered for years when id ever use those 1" and 1 1/4" wrenches in my tool boxes.. now I use em all the time!!! and when I work on my bus my air impact is out all the time

-Christopher

Skalbus · 07-23-2018, 02:25 PM

Nice...I have a set of 1" drive sockets I've probably only used once in the last 30 years. Sounds like that's about to change.

cadillackid · 07-23-2018, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skalbus

Nice...I have a set of 1" drive sockets I've probably only used once in the last 30 years. Sounds like that's about to change.

if you ever take the wheels off, you'll need those sockets and a 1" impact to torque them back to the 450 ft lbs they usually require

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