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Old 07-19-2014, 08:09 AM   #1
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Mt643 or mt653

Ill be swapping out a at545 soon. I can get a mt643 or mt653 same price. Has any one done this and any reason not to go with the mt653. Oh it's behind a dt466

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Old 07-23-2014, 10:54 PM   #2
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Re: Mt643 or mt653

The 653 is a great, great granny low first gear. I think it's a 8.something to 1 first gear. I was told you had to come to a complete stop to shift into and out of first. I am interested in what extra parts you needed for the swap.
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Old 07-24-2014, 06:30 AM   #3
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Re: Mt643 or mt653

What I am getting with the trans is flywheel, pres. Plate, and flanges.
I know I will need to shorten the drive shaft and change the yoke, run new 1/2 cooler lines and replace the cooler. As far as the cross member I don't know if it will need to be swapped or moved, If need be I will make one. Also I'm told that the dt466 has a adaptor to tun the mt545 that needs to be removed then the mt653 will bolt directly to the motor.
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Old 07-24-2014, 06:38 AM   #4
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Re: Mt643 or mt653

will watch this post. does your 545 have a crossmember? mine (dt360/545) does not have a crossmember. maybe it fell off!
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Old 07-24-2014, 11:19 AM   #5
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Re: Mt643 or mt653

I think the 545 has a adapter from #3 to a #2. You can see it if you look at the bell housing. I am dying to put in a 643 but afraid to tackle the project until I know exactly what I need for parts. I don't want to start then find out I need to spend $2000 for this part and that part. I can't really get a straight answer from the Allison guys.
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Old 07-29-2014, 09:01 AM   #6
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Re: Mt643 or mt653

CC that is my issue right now also
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Old 08-19-2014, 08:37 PM   #7
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Re: Mt643 or mt653

Quote:
Originally Posted by bansil
CC that is my issue right now also

Werd.
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Old 01-16-2015, 04:10 PM   #8
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I have a hard time getting a straight answer out of either and International dealer, service people or transmission guys. It's like no-one actually works on school buses much at all. Frustrating, to be sure. Maybe we should start a "School of the Skoolie" trade school or something like that. Makes one wonder just what do the service guys in the school sheds actually see as far as repairs go?
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Old 01-16-2015, 04:22 PM   #9
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If you can get a MT653 for the same price as a MT643 I would go with the MT653.

In either case you are going to have to do some fabrication work because the MT series is larger than the AT series of transmissions.

If you do go with the MT653 you may want to consider changing out your rear gears. Since it has the deep low first gear it won't matter if your normal first gear isn't really low. But you will get the benefit of basically an OD gear. 4.10 gears will get you better than 70 MPH top speed instead of the normal gearing that give a top speed of about 58 MPH.
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Old 01-16-2015, 04:24 PM   #10
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Or you could purchase this bus that already has an MT653 and rear gears that give it a top speed in excess of 70 MPH.


http://showroom.auction123.com/thebusdealercom/inventory/9869/1990/International/BB/1HVBB27N1LH288586.html
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Old 01-16-2015, 07:13 PM   #11
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Man, I wish you weren't all the way out there on the West Coast, Cowlitz. You have some great buses.
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Old 06-23-2015, 07:57 PM   #12
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Did yoy complete this project?
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Old 08-06-2015, 04:13 PM   #13
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Will the mt653 work with an international 6.9 prepowerstroke? I like the sound of what you described, overdrive is what I'm looking for
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Old 08-08-2015, 11:48 AM   #14
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Will the mt653 work with an international 6.9 prepowerstroke? I like the sound of what you described, overdrive is what I'm looking for

A MT653 does not have overdrive. It has a really low first gear.
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