AXLE IDENTIFICATION

[lapeer20m]

I found the serial number on my axle, but i cannot find the manufacturer.

It is a 1991 International bus.....number on the axle is 90084512

I thought that rockwell axles were pretty common among trucks and buses, but i think i read somewhere that international has their own axles..

The carrier is held in by 12 bolts spaced equally about ever 4 1/4 inches on center

The housing that the driveshaft yoke slips into has 6 bolts with even spacing about 3.5" on center.

Anyone know how to identify the axle? Looking for a carrier with a 4.44 or 4.11 gear ratio. Gonna start combing the scrap yards for the correct axle. I guess i'll just take photo's and all of the measurements with me.

I think a complete axle swap is out of the question as this bus has disc brakes. It seems unlikely that drums which are much more common on large axles can be exchanged for disc's without some serious unsafe modification, but who knows.

 

[Steve-SKO]

They use two styles of their own or a dana

International - 13,500; 15,500 lb Capacity
Dana Spicer - 17,500 lb Capacity

 

[Steve-SKO]

You can call your local international service dealer and with the VIN they can tell you exactly what is on your truck.

http://www.internationaldelivers.com/site_layout/dealers/locator.asp

 

[lapeer20m]

thanks....geeze, that was simple

its a dana with a 5.38:1 ratio

model listed was

N175
N190
N210

all of which take the same carrier most likely (according the the international parts guy)

 

[lapeer20m]

current gear ratio:

5.38 yields 65 mph

if the engine has enough hp, top speed would be increased to

78mph with a 4.44 ratio

85mph with a 4.11 ratio.

more important than speed (realistically, who's gonna go 75 mph in a skoolbus? you'd have to be a crazy madman!) is lowered rpm for a given speed thus increasing fuel economy (in theory) and decreasing wear and tear on the motor.

65mph currently = 2,700 rpm

4.44 ratio would = 2,133 rpm

4.10 ratio would = 1,863 rpm

(i think i calculated the rpm figures correctly)

The 4.10 ratio might be a little too conservative, I think i'll aim for a 4.44 rear.

 

[busone]

You should see the school buses in Wyoming. When we were passing through I was going 78 and two skoolies fully loaded passed me like I was walking. They were BlueBird pushers.

 

[frank-id]

Rear axle

All diesel engines have a top rpm govenor. The engine can only be overspeeded going down a steep hill.
Who would want to go 75 mph in a bus? Every one does in the big cities. My Crown bus currently goes 73 mph. On a recent trip to WA and CA, on hiway 5, my bus was going 73 mph and many folks honked or passed on the right.
Looking for gears for the old axles is just a waste of time and energy. There are many, many complete rear axles available for less dollars than just repacement gear and shop labor costs. The newer hi horsepower trucks all run very high rear axle ratios as 373 and 355. These units can be bought for $850---1200. I'm looking for a 373 myself. The big advantage for a high number ratio is the bus can go 70 and be loafing at 1850rpm. The new Cat 500 plus hp engine can pull an 80K poung load at 80mph at 1380 rpm. This isa result of computor engine management and a 355 rear axle. Low milage wrecked trucks have plenty good rear axles. I had a couple late rear axles ready to buy, but lost out to a guuy with cash in hand. My Crown does 73mph at 2250 rpm govenor speed. Now I'm changing to an Allison MT643. After the trans change, then more horsepower. Frank

 

[hoser-SKO]

I havent checked my ratio yet but my bus does 68 mph at 3600 RPM I wonder if the 366 BB chevy would have the power to pull a taller gear I would like to get the RPM down lower like 2500 RPM

 

[ecupirate1988]

Anyone venture a guess?

Called international dealer Axle is a dana with 4.78 gears. was told the part number 029ca104-6x. Anyone guess what type dana it is? my top end is still only 55 to 60. Also I am being advise that a pumpkin swap is the best way to go. anyone else done that and how did you source the Pumpkin?

 

[ecupirate1988]

Additional Info.
So stamped on the pumpkin is the following: Spicer 68943 K4 SHF 2 and below that it is stamped 7212. Anyone ?

 

[Booyah45828]

Have you tried googling those numbers? You might have better luck starting your own thread on this instead of posting in one from 15 years ago. You might also have luck taking pictures of the pumpkin and posting those here.

 

[Brad_SwiftFur]

I swapped my gear ratio a month or so ago. Went from 5.38 to 3.91. Top speed is now around 75-78 MPH. I had the job done for around $1600-ish, including parts, labor, fresh oil, etc.


My axle was/is an N175, IH also used the N190.

 

[Truthseeker4449]

I swapped my gear ratio a month or so ago. Went from 5.38 to 3.91. Top speed is now around 75-78 MPH. I had the job done for around $1600-ish, including parts, labor, fresh oil, etc.


My axle was/is an N175, IH also used the N190.

How is initial takeoff and acceleration now vs what it what was?

 

[Brad_SwiftFur]

How is initial takeoff and acceleration now vs what it what was?

Since I have a 5-speed ... I never used first gear before. I can still take off in 2nd gear but I have to slip the clutch a little more, I'll use first if I'm going up any incline. Acceleration up to 4th gear is still pretty good, above 45-50 it tapers off (of course, since 55 was my previous top speed ... anything above that is more than I used to have).


The unasked question is how is the performance at highway speed. I can cruise comfortably most highways in 5th gear without needing to drop a gear on an incline. I have yet to run it through any mountains (and for the most part, don't expect to.)

 

[Truthseeker4449]

Since I have a 5-speed ... I never used first gear before. I can still take off in 2nd gear but I have to slip the clutch a little more, I'll use first if I'm going up any incline. Acceleration up to 4th gear is still pretty good, above 45-50 it tapers off (of course, since 55 was my previous top speed ... anything above that is more than I used to have).


The unasked question is how is the performance at highway speed. I can cruise comfortably most highways in 5th gear without needing to drop a gear on an incline. I have yet to run it through any mountains (and for the most part, don't expect to.)

Good to know, thank you for replying.