Hello from Florida

Enjoyed · 03-14-2018, 10:19 PM

Hello,

I wanted to make my intro post here on Skoolie.net as I have been a lurker for some time and finally took the plunge on a govdeals 1999 International 3800 14 Passenger Bluebird DT466E which I hope to pickup in Texas next week and drive back to Florida. I am super excited to be apart of this community and hopefully meet some of you all along the way. Thank you to those that have paved the path before me.

TrailLifeBill · 03-14-2018, 11:42 PM

Congrats on your purchase - and good luck on the pick up. Post pictures!!

Enjoyed · 03-15-2018, 05:39 AM

Pictures from GovDeals. The school board is on Spring Break this week, else I'd go pick the bus up sooner!

jonb8 · 03-15-2018, 06:41 AM

Nice bus, good luck on your journey....

Johnny Mullet · 03-15-2018, 07:23 AM

A shorty with that engine is a good setup.

Enjoyed · 03-15-2018, 10:41 AM

Thanks guys! I just got the line setting report on this bus.

International : DT466E HEUI INT DSL
190HP-2300RPM 49ST 49 State 190 HP
@ 2300 RPM, 485 lb-ft Torque @ 1500
RPM, 2600 RPM Governed Speed, 195
Peak HP (Max)
( 0012NKB )

ALLISON AT5454-SPD AUTO
TRANS 4-Speed; Includes TC-290
Torque Converter and Transmission
Oil Filter; and Less Retarder & PTO
Gear

Original Gear Ratio : 3.91

15X1.435 FRT DISC HYD BRK
"DIAMONDLIFE" "DiamondLife"
15.00" x 1.44" Rotors; Dual
2.60" (66mm) Diam. Pistons

So it appears it is going to be governed for my trip home? Any way to overcome it? What is a good cruising RPM for this setup on the highway? Will I likely be stuck at 55MPH? I'll be heading up and around the gulf coast of Texas back to Florida. Appears it also has hydraulic brakes.

Twigg · 03-15-2018, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enjoyed

Thanks guys! I just got the line setting report on this bus.

International : DT466E HEUI INT DSL
190HP-2300RPM 49ST 49 State 190 HP
@ 2300 RPM, 485 lb-ft Torque @ 1500
RPM, 2600 RPM Governed Speed, 195
Peak HP (Max)
( 0012NKB )

ALLISON AT5454-SPD AUTO
TRANS 4-Speed; Includes TC-290
Torque Converter and Transmission
Oil Filter; and Less Retarder & PTO
Gear

Original Gear Ratio : 3.91

15X1.435 FRT DISC HYD BRK
"DIAMONDLIFE" "DiamondLife"
15.00" x 1.44" Rotors; Dual
2.60" (66mm) Diam. Pistons

So it appears it is going to be governed for my trip home? Any way to overcome it? What is a good cruising RPM for this setup on the highway? Will I likely be stuck at 55MPH? I'll be heading up and around the gulf coast of Texas back to Florida. Appears it also has hydraulic brakes.

The governed speed you are seeing there is the engine RPM, something you do not want to mess around with until you know what you are doing.

There is no indication of the Final Drive Ratio. That 3.91 is not it ... If it were 3.91 you would be going much faster and have poor acceleration.

You need to look into the numbers more, or get under the bus and find the metal tag on the rear axle housing that will have the ratio stamped on it.

Enjoyed · 03-15-2018, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twigg

The governed speed you are seeing there is the engine RPM, something you do not want to mess around with until you know what you are doing.

There is no indication of the Final Drive Ratio. That 3.91 is not it ... If it were 3.91 you would be going much faster and have poor acceleration.

You need to look into the numbers more, or get under the bus and find the metal tag on the rear axle housing that will have the ratio stamped on it.

I am also showing an option for a speed governer that says 55 MPH by default. So I am assuming there is two, one for speed and one for RPM?

Also as far as the rear end I can't find anything else on the Line sheet other then 391. I go to pickup the bus next week was hoping to try and figure out what speed I might be able to cruise home at.

Thanks!

Twigg · 03-15-2018, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enjoyed

I am also showing an option for a speed governer that says 55 MPH by default. So I am assuming there is two, one for speed and one for RPM?

Also as far as the rear end I can't find anything else on the Line sheet other then 391. I go to pickup the bus next week was hoping to try and figure out what speed I might be able to cruise home at.

Thanks!

If it is the case that 3.91 is the FD Ratio, then your cruising speed will be pretty much anything you want it to be once the engine speed limit is disabled.

Anyone with the correct equipment can do that for you, even the mechanics at the bus depot if that is where you are picking it up from. They may not be willing

AT 2600 RPM with 22.5 tires your theoretical top speed is 81 mph

Gatorbait · 03-15-2018, 05:41 PM

YES! awesome..

Enjoyed · 03-15-2018, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twigg

If it is the case that 3.91 is the FD Ratio, then your cruising speed will be pretty much anything you want it to be once the engine speed limit is disabled.

Anyone with the correct equipment can do that for you, even the mechanics at the bus depot if that is where you are picking it up from. They may not be willing

AT 2600 RPM with 22.5 tires your theoretical top speed is 81 mph

That would be super cool. I am assuming I could do it myself with Servicemaxx software and a $600 cable? Great math and information. How much would that shift with 245/70/19.5 tires that my bus is equipped with front and rear?

Thanks for your help man!

Twigg · 03-15-2018, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enjoyed

That would be super cool. I am assuming I could do it myself with Servicemaxx software and a $600 cable? Great math and information. How much would that shift with 245/70/19.5 tires that my bus is equipped with front and rear?

Thanks for your help man!

You can get the adaptor for around $250. Ebay has them and I've not heard reports of them not working.

Top speed would be 68.46 mph

I use this tool ... play with it:

Gear Ratio Calculator

Enjoyed · 03-15-2018, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twigg

You can get the adaptor for around $250. Ebay has them and I've not heard reports of them not working.

Top speed would be 68.46 mph

I use this tool ... play with it:

Gear Ratio Calculator

Thanks for the gear ratio calculator link!

I saw those clone Nexiq adapter cables on ebay, I did some reading and they are basicly just a clone of the Nexiq V1 even though they are labled as Nexiq 2. Have you had any experience with them? I wasn't sure if it was worth the 2/3rds more cost to buy the actual Nexiq 2 adapter or not?

Enjoyed · 03-16-2018, 12:48 PM

I bought the cable and will check it out. I need to grab a used toughbook sometime to setup some VM's for the software. I am all set with insurance and tag / registration. Just booking my flight today and then I head on out to Texas to start the 1400 mile journey back to Florida!

Twigg · 03-16-2018, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enjoyed

I bought the cable and will check it out. I need to grab a used toughbook sometime to setup some VM's for the software. I am all set with insurance and tag / registration. Just booking my flight today and then I head on out to Texas to start the 1400 mile journey back to Florida!

You'll find a used HP Elitebook to be better spec'd and much cheaper than a Toughbook.

My 2760P has been all over the US on a motorcycle. It's still performing just fine.

They are perfectly fine for use in the bus or shop.

Enjoyed · 03-16-2018, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twigg

You'll find a used HP Elitebook to be better spec'd and much cheaper than a Toughbook.

My 2760P has been all over the US on a motorcycle. It's still performing just fine.

They are perfectly fine for use in the bus or shop.

Killer advice on the Elitebook. I'm going to hunt down one like your 2760P. Thanks again man! I am currently in automotive school and the goal is to end up a diesel mechanic, one of the reasons I wanted a school so bad. There are no diesel mechanic schools around my area. I was also excited that the DT466E is wet sleeved and I can hopefully one day do a full rebuild.

Thanks again man, Glad to meet others on the same page!

Enjoyed · 03-16-2018, 06:30 PM

Twigg - Any Idea as to what temperatures I should expect / anything to watch out for on my first journey and first bus driving experience?

Enjoyed · 03-16-2018, 06:31 PM

I did buy a scangauge D for the trip.

Twigg · 03-16-2018, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enjoyed

Twigg - Any Idea as to what temperatures I should expect / anything to watch out for on my first journey and first bus driving experience?

If you mean temperature of the moving parts ....

Anything under 205F (ish) for the engine is fine. 195F is better.

Transmission ... Best kept under 200F, but many won't do that. Up to 220F is okay, but the fluid is getting pretty hot by then if it holds for any distance.

If the engine starts to get hot on a grade, turn on all the heaters to help bring it down.

Enjoyed · 03-16-2018, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twigg

If you mean temperature of the moving parts ....

Anything under 205F (ish) for the engine is fine. 195F is better.

Transmission ... Best kept under 200F, but many won't do that. Up to 220F is okay, but the fluid is getting pretty hot by then if it holds for any distance.

If the engine starts to get hot on a grade, turn on all the heaters to help bring it down.

You are the man! Would you do a parking lot oil change or anything or just make sure the fluids are all topped off etc and wait till I get home? Any advice on where to purchase tires should the need arise?

Thanks again for being so awesome.

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