At542?

[Brdfrd]

I’m looking at a Thomas bus on an International chassis. I called the dealer with the vin to try and figure out which trans it has, and they’re telling me it has a 542?

I haven’t seen that one come up here, and I did a quick search, but it looks like all the results were related to the 545. Anyone know anything about the 542? I’m assuming maybe it’s similar to the 545, without a mechanical lockup at 1:1?

All the dealer said was “it’s before the 545”—super helpful.

Brad

[cadillackid]

Originally Posted by Brdfrd

I’m looking at a Thomas bus on an International chassis. I called the dealer with the vin to try and figure out which trans it has, and they’re telling me it has a 542?

I haven’t seen that one come up here, and I did a quick search, but it looks like all the results were related to the 545. Anyone know anything about the 542? I’m assuming maybe it’s similar to the 545, without a mechanical lockup at 1:1?

All the dealer said was “it’s before the 545”—super helpful.

Brad

yeppers.. it started with the AT540.. my 1978 SUperior has its original AT540. the 542 came and then finally the 545.. I think the 542 still has the fully straight cut primary planet gear so its a bit "whinier" than the final revision 545.. otherwise they are basicilly the same.. a 545 rebuild kit will work on a 545.. the Later 545 Deep Pan (be sure to change to a deep pan filter) is a nice little upgrade to the 540 / 542 gives you some more fluid capacity which helps with heat on hills. None of the 500 series had lockup, they are all 4 speed, top ratio 1:1 Non Lockup. there was a military 1545 that had lockup.. and all of the 600 and 700 series had lockup

[Brdfrd]

Thanks--I dug around a little and found some info, but yours is way more complete and informative. This is a really nice looking bus, but it's not the one for us...

Brad

[musigenesis]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

there was a military 1545 that had lockup

Has anybody ever swapped one of these into a school bus? Would that be relatively easy to do, if you could find one?

[cadillackid]

Originally Posted by musigenesis

Has anybody ever swapped one of these into a school bus? Would that be relatively easy to do, if you could find one?

one guy here did and it was NOT easy.. apparently the converter offset was much more than a 545.. he had to fab up a bunch of custom parts to get it to work...

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

wasnt that turf or boohyah that did that swap?