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first big trip

Just got back from Yosemite.
Had a few problems, alternator burned some diodes, but ran on house batteries till I found a good alt shop who
diagnosed the problem and replaced them, seems one of my two start optima batteries was bad, causing alt. to
try and overcharge, voltage at rest was 12.7, but failed a load test. Learned something new. Engine acc. solenoid
[under dash passenger side] went out at 70 in the fast lane, some extra heartbeats there, but got it over to the
side of the road, and thanks to the forum, had a spare, and replaced it. Slight leak in radiator core, but again thanks
to the forum, used 2 bottles of barrs leak, no more leak.
My main concern is engine and transmission temps. I have a cat 3126, not know for it power, on the flat, running 68-72
engine temp is about 190 and trans 205. [ambient temp about 100 F.] but as soon as i start to pull any grade, engine will
go to 195- 200 and trans 210-215. I am using a silverleaf monitor. I have a pyrometer and back off and downshift at 1250 f., so am not overloading the engine.Transmission temp will go higher when using retarder downhill, have seen 225, but
allow it to cool for a while at that temp.
By the way, love the coach, have had gmc 4106 and 4905 bus conversions, and the F.T. has much  much improved ride, handling and braking.  Power is debatable,  the old 318 8-71's seemed to run best anytime with your foot to the floor.
I know there are not that many 3126's out there, but if you have one, do these temps seem unreasonable?
Thanks
By the way, next camping trip to Yosemite upper campsites, will be something smaller that a 40 ft.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: first big trip

Reply #1 –
Sounds perfect.  Everyone panics when a gauge moves.  I thought the cat ran well.  I have seen added radiators  for the gauge watchers on u225's because of the non lockup trans in the lower gears.  Had one customer with a added front radiator with a water sprayer.

Also i seem to remember a cross wise extra radiator mounted next to the 3126.

Those were really fairly fast.  I remember 75+ easily in small hills.

I did have a customer put a piston in one.  Several times.

Just for grins I would have the engine dynoed at the cat store. 

Obviously depends on the loading. 

Run it harder.  Mine hit 215 up hill floored at 75 degrees ambient going from the east up hill into the Grand Canyon.  On purpose loaded it hard. 

Its supposed to run off the peg.  Not a car. 

Early unihomes over cooled in the 280's.  no motorade hot water or defroster. 

Had this conversation with countless rver's

Bob

"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: first big trip

Reply #2 –
Bob is correct... My temps are WAY higher than yours.  I run 250 Trans quite often in the West. 220+ water. Siverleaf, but I have a 450 Cummins.
We are only strangers until we meet; however, some of us are stranger than others

Re: first big trip

Reply #3 –
PM Kent Speers...He spent thousands on his 93 cause it would show a higher temp than our 93....course, if he didn't overload his coach by 10,000 pounds ......just sayin  He liked to carry ALL his tools and a spare...
We are only strangers until we meet; however, some of us are stranger than others

Re: first big trip

Reply #4 –
I know the feeling, feel like if I do not take it, I will definitely need, but got weighted with full water and fuel,
29500 lbs, just what Foretravel predicted!!
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: first big trip

Reply #5 –
Quote from: jcus –
Just got back from Yosemite.
Had a few problems, alternator burned some diodes, but ran on house batteries till I found a good alt shop who
diagnosed the problem and replaced them, seems one of my two start optima batteries was bad, causing alt. to
try and overcharge, voltage at rest was 12.7, but failed a load test. Learned something new. Engine acc. solenoid
[under dash passenger side] went out at 70 in the fast lane, some extra heartbeats there, but got it over to the
side of the road, and thanks to the forum, had a spare, and replaced it. Slight leak in radiator core, but again thanks
to the forum, used 2 bottles of barrs leak, no more leak.
My main concern is engine and transmission temps. I have a cat 3126, not know for it power, on the flat, running 68-72
engine temp is about 190 and trans 205. [ambient temp about 100 F.] but as soon as i start to pull any grade, engine will
go to 195- 200 and trans 210-215. I am using a silverleaf monitor. I have a pyrometer and back off and downshift at 1250 f., so am not overloading the engine.Transmission temp will go higher when using retarder downhill, have seen 225, but
allow it to cool for a while at that temp.
By the way, love the coach, have had gmc 4106 and 4905 bus conversions, and the F.T. has much  much improved ride, handling and braking.  Power is debatable,  the old 318 8-71's seemed to run best anytime with your foot to the floor.
I know there are not that many 3126's out there, but if you have one, do these temps seem unreasonable?
Thanks
By the way, next camping trip to Yosemite upper campsites, will be something smaller that a 40 ft.


I had a 4107 for years. Thought it rode well with the air bags and the handling was excellent. Big brakes plus Jake are a huge improvement. Did not have power steering so you had to be rolling a little to be able to turn the steering wheel. Our U300 is twice as fast going up grade but uses a little more fuel. The 4107 was super economical, probably because of taller gearing and lighter weight plus it was 96" wide. It would top out at just under 90 mph but would take longer getting up to speed than the U300. You are probably used to the huge radiator on your GM buses. Temp gauge never moved. Was your 4905 an interstate model with the extra axle? Hawaiian models were great with the single rear axle.

Replaced the Optima batteries when we bought it. Several forums were complaining about the quality control. Installed three Autozone Duralast batteries and three years later they seem like new. Group 31 batteries are really heavy duty (and really heavy) and would make great start batteries. Usually available cheap from bankrupt solar companies on Craigslist.

Nice to have the spare, isn't it?

Forty feet and National Park campground spaces don't always go together, do they?

Sure that you will have most of the bugs out of your coach soon. We had a few at the start as it had not been used for a couple of years but only a few minor items in 25,000 since then. One airbag has been the only major item.

Your temps seem fine.

Check air filter telltale. We had a noticeable power improvement after changing the filter. You should be much better on the hills than a 235hp 8-71. Hope you have a better location for the air intake than we do. I am going to move ours before summer is done.

Pierce

Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: first big trip

Reply #6 –
Pierce
4905 was ex trailways wih tag removed, [used space for big tanks] It had n70 injectors with "a" timing, so it produced
318 hp at 2300 rpm. with the 3 speed auto., it would go about 77 mph wide open, but you could do that all day long.
4106 had same engine and trans. and was faster off the line, as it 35 ft was only about 26000 lbs wet.
Getting older now and appreciate all the amenities of the F.T. Bought this one because of the bathtub, looked
everywhere for one with a tub and big engine, but had to settle for this one. Life is a compromise, slow coach, but happy with tub wife.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: first big trip

Reply #7 –
Jcus,
I also arrived via the MCI, while I enjoyed the bus/conversion, and getting older & less flexable, the Foretravel ISM500 nearly is as strong as some of my. Crazy DDengines with the 10 speed O.D.  Much more comfy now
Dave M

Re: first big trip

Reply #8 –
I agree about older and less flexible, reminds me of an old bus driver telling me that cruise control on old
highway bus's, was a brick on the throttle pedal.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: first big trip

Reply #9 –
Quote from: jcus –
I agree about older and less flexible, reminds me of an old bus driver telling me that cruise control on old
highway bus's, was a brick on the throttle pedal.
My dad started driving a Mack cabover tractor in about 1960. I think it had a Cummins 215 hp engine. Gross weight with a trailer on was about 76,000#. He said he would always drive "comfortably," with "both feet on the floor."
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX
 

Re: first big trip

Reply #10 –
During my stint in the safety world with a union LTL carrier our drivers all seemed to carry what they called a GOUGING STICK.  They wedged it down on the throttle on the old Ford Louisville series tractors to keep a constant speed.  Far be it from me to say that these guys were lazy. :)
Gary B