Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 02-20-2010, 01:12 PM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
Joe Monstermaker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 50
Service life of MT643 Transmission

I'm still looking at busses... and I know this is an "it depends" kind of question, but generally speaking, how many miles is an MT643 good for between overhauls? One I'm looking at has bout 150k... another bus has 215k... is that "a lot" on an original unrebuilt bus trans?

Joe Monstermaker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2010, 08:12 PM   #2
Bus Nut
 
frank-id's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Twin Falls, Idaho
Posts: 809
Allison MT643 Transmission

The Allison name says it all. These trans are very long lasting if.... there is good oil cooler, a very large oil filter and occasionally the trans is checked by a pro shop. These units are very strong and can usually only be destroyed by lack of oil or cooked. A simple temp gage just for the unit is a very good investment for any longevity. The units are very adjustable for most applications. Frank
frank-id is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-22-2010, 05:10 PM   #3
Bus Geek
 
Elliot Naess's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Clearlake, Northern California
Posts: 2,505
Year: 1992
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC-2000 Frt Eng, Tranny:MT643
Engine: 5,9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 84
Re: Service life of MT643 Transmission


Well, now, Mr. Monstermaker -- if that is your real name....

Still thinking about a bus, eh....

First of all, make sure you get an MT6xx-series tranny, and not the AT5xx-series. (If you find a real beast of a bus, you might get an HT7xx-series.)

There is supposed to be a real Allison guru up there in your area. Power Shift Northwest in Woodinville. Fellow named Harry Mayer. Might ask him.

But I think it depends more on the individual specimen. As Frank said, Allisons are strong, but must be kept cool and clean.

You also want to make sure the modulator cable from the food feed pedal is adjusted correctly.

When you are shopping for a bus, I think all you can do is smell the fluid and drive the thing. Or pay for somebody like Harry to drop the pan and really inspect it properly.

Of course, look for a stick shift!

__________________

Elliot Naess is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2010, 02:07 PM   #4
Mini-Skoolie
 
Joe Monstermaker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 50
Re: Service life of MT643 Transmission

Yeah... that's my real name... Captain Mons... uh... I mean, Joe Monstermaker.
I happen to live in Woodinville, maybe I can track that guy down.
I know no one can tell me what shape a transmission is in over the 'net, I just wanted a general consensus about whether it's reasonable to expect an MT643 that appears to function properly, at 200k, would be likely to survive dragging a heavy object on a trailer behind a bus (8000 pounds or so) over a few mountain passes and into a desert in the middle of summer.
I drive big-trucks and I know 500k is reasonable for engines and manual transmissions to survive, but I've never had any experience with an automatic other than car/pickup stuff. And that hasn't been good experience!

P.S. I really need someone to tell me it's a bad idea and will immediately blow up, so as to discourage me from dragging home another big vehicle.
Joe Monstermaker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2010, 02:38 PM   #5
Bus Geek
 
Elliot Naess's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Clearlake, Northern California
Posts: 2,505
Year: 1992
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC-2000 Frt Eng, Tranny:MT643
Engine: 5,9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 84
Re: Service life of MT643 Transmission



Hmmm…. Well, yes,





+




=





My dream is to get a steal-deal on a wrecked delivery truck with stick shift, then convert my bus. For example, a friend of mine delivers home heating oil around here, and his "little" Kenworth has a C-series Cummins with a full size 10 speed.

Meanwhile, I'm considering installing an extra cooler on my 643, with its own fan. But it has already made three trips over those mountains with no apparent harm.
__________________

Elliot Naess is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2010, 09:10 PM   #6
Bus Geek
 
Elliot Naess's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Clearlake, Northern California
Posts: 2,505
Year: 1992
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC-2000 Frt Eng, Tranny:MT643
Engine: 5,9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 84
Re: Service life of MT643 Transmission


MT643 -- max 250 HP, 640 lb ft, 73.280 Lbs GVWR; locks in 3rd and 4th,
__________________

Elliot Naess is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Mt643 or mt653 stryker International | Navistar Drivetrain 13 08-08-2015 11:48 AM
Tire code and service life news video frank-id Mechanical and Drivetrains 0 01-22-2010 12:17 AM
SVO life? Xtevan Alternative Fuels | Electric, Propane, Wood & Biofuels 1 10-15-2007 12:12 AM
A new life for a nice bus. westport_wayne Everything Else | General Skoolie Discussions 3 04-20-2007 12:42 AM
Does a MT643 fit instead of a AT545 ????? Protecx Conversion General Discussions 1 02-09-2007 09:14 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:10 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.