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Old 01-17-2022, 09:06 AM   #1
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Increase top end speed

I have a 1989 Bluebird TC2000 school bus chassis with that I installed a 1965 Ford truck cab on. I'm only able to get up around 50mph and I would like to get to highway cruising speed 70-75mph.

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Old 01-17-2022, 09:40 AM   #2
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Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
which engine? diesel 5.9? if this was a North carolina bus it wouldve been mechanically limited to 45-50 MPH.. many of these came with 7.17 rear ends..



im assuming a 1:1 final drive transmission in this? and your engine is revving to max? (2400-2600 RPM if 5.9) lots of unknowns here about what engine / trans you have..


so im making assumptions that you wil want to re-gear the rear unless you get into doing a transmission swap to an overdrive trans for some sort..
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Old 01-17-2022, 04:44 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jnpayne View Post
I have a 1989 Bluebird TC2000 school bus chassis with that I installed a 1965 Ford truck cab on. I'm only able to get up around 50mph and I would like to get to highway cruising speed 70-75mph.
INSUFFICIENT DATA:


Data needed:


Engine make, model, displacement
Tire size
Transmission make and model
Engine RPM at the top speed


It's possible, perhaps even probable that the drive train is speed limited. Our bus currently has a 55 mph max road speed limit and the cruise control is disconnected. Those will be "fixed" when we get it on a computer in order to raise the max road speed parameter and enable the cruise control.
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Old 01-17-2022, 05:27 PM   #4
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Year: 1991
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If he has an 89 there’s no computer. It could be a gas 427 or a 6BT mechanical 5.9
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Old 01-18-2022, 09:27 AM   #5
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Bus had a 5.9 cummins engine. I’m not sure what the gear ratio is I will have to check. It has 10R 22.5 tires.
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Old 01-18-2022, 03:51 PM   #6
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as mentioned if it was an NC bus they loved to gear the older buses in the 6-7 rear gear range.
they loved the 545 and low horsepower like 175 to 180 and usually only about 200-210 with the governor changed.
depending on motor of course.
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Old 01-18-2022, 03:55 PM   #7
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Year: 1991
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Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
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Originally Posted by Jolly Roger bus 223 View Post
as mentioned if it was an NC bus they loved to gear the older buses in the 6-7 rear gear range.
they loved the 545 and low horsepower like 175 to 180 and usually only about 200-210 with the governor changed.
depending on motor of course.
a 5.9 will max out at about 2400-2600 RPM. if it sounds like you engine is winding oiut pretty good.. then its a good bet that you are gear limited and the easiest way to increase speed is to replace the 3rd member in the rear..



thats assuming whatever transmission you have is working properly and is in top gear.
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Old 01-18-2022, 04:00 PM   #8
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i know what i have in my big bus and i know my entire drivetrain is getting replaced one day. runs like an old sewing machine for now just not very fast.
other projects to complete or at least get back to ahead of that for now.
the 80's were notorious for low horsepower skoolies.
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Old 01-22-2022, 08:42 PM   #9
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A 6.14 drive axle would let me go 54 mph. The 4.11 I installed will let me go as fast as I want.

AND

The bus is quieter. The economy is better. Gotta pay closer attention to trans temperature gauge tho.
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