| It started when R. W. called us and asked if we could put an Allison automatic into his 1947 GM Silverside coach. |
| To make a conversion taking the standard transmission off his engine and installing a V730 would've been quite a difficult job due to bell housing change, cradle change and overall space problems. So our suggestion was to remove the engine/transmission package altogether and go to a late model engine/transmission package. |
| R.W. found a 50 Series Detroit with an Allison transmission package which came out of a 93 RTS coach. It had the engine cradle and most other parts with it. |
| We told R.W. to bring the engine/transmission package and his coach and we were confident we could make the installation for him. |
| After seeing the coach I was surprised to find out the engine compartment had less space than I remembered to be from 15 years before when we had a coach like that in our shop. |
| We removed his engine/transmission package and made modifications to the engine cradle from the RTS and rolled it into the rear of the coach to find out what various modifications had to be made to make it work. |
| We found that the tailshaft and rear of the transmission had to reach further into the coach to not alter the rear of the coach. Also we had to consider the rear spring hanger, passenger's side. We removed a portion of the bulkhead, built a new structure to support the rear spring hanger and give strength to the bulkhead. |
At this point we rolled the engine/transmission package into place for the fifth time
and were generally happy with the engine/transmission location in the coach.
and were generally happy with the engine/transmission location in the coach.
| We made up mounts to the engine cradle to be fastened to the coach bulkhead and support struts to hang the cradle at the rear of the coach. To be able to use the existing radiator we had to offset the fan and fan drive. We had to also make a cavity above the engine to provide room for the head and valve cover. |
| Having the engine basically in place we found the driveshaft angle did not suit and also due to additional horsepower the rear axle no longer suited. We replaced the rear axle with an RTS rear axle that was matched to the engine/transmission. After installing the spring pads, rebuilding the brake and brake chamber, installing the parking brake safety chambers, we were over that hurdle. |
| At this point we were left with plumbing up the engine to the coach (water piping, fuel tubing, air plumbing etc.). We also had to install an air surge cooler and make custom plumbing for it. |
| The job was finished and the heavier engine/transmission package made the rear of the coach lower by approximately 2 1/2" to 3" so it was decided to install an air bag system to carry some of the load. |
| Driving the coach now is a real pleasure - no more shifting, the ride seemed to improve and the retarder on the transmission is working super. |
| P.S. This job had to be one of the most complicated jobs we have done so far. It was an interesting project but not easy. Don't know if I ever want to do it again, but at this point there is no challenge too big. |
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