pyrometer gauge

[Jon Wehrenberg]

Joe,

The Jake is easy to diagnose. If you want to know if it is working let me know.

[Joe Cannarozzi]

I was once told it was working but it was weak.

I know it works to some degree. It would hold the bus right at 38 in 3rd coming down Mt. eagle with it on and I needed some occasional brake without it.

[jimblu]

[QUOTE=dalej;49050]jimblu,

WE NEED TO TALK!

Just drive it down here to Grand Cayman and I'll help you. I haven't even seen my bus this year

Once you get the valve covers off a tune up is fairly easy with a few specific tools, and often unnecessary. The DD book is very good on the tune up, useless on gaining access.

I relocated the batteries in my Liberty to make access easier.
It had 180,000 miles on it when I bought it, a tuneup produced no change in power or mileage and it produces full power on a dyno (375 at the wheels).

It doesn't leak oil, but uses some, and only gets 6 MPG at 60-65. For the amount I have been able to use it, it doesn't matter much

The Jacobs Engine Brake is not as good as a 4 cycle engine, keeping it downshifted helps.

Got busy otherwise right after acquisition. Too busy to even think about it.

Tried to make several events, haven't been able to get away. Some day!

Jim

[dalej]

Jim,

Where do you live? Jan and I did our open water at Grand Cayman. We rented a home on the north side in the Brinkleys area.

[truk4u]

Dear Czar of Crap,

How many 8V's have you owned?

[Petervs]

TomTruk,

In the future, please address your querry to "Your Majesty, Czar of Crap" .

I have not owned any 2 stroke Detroits. I did my research prior to purchase and opted to avoid those engines for reasons stated above. One does not have to actually have personally had , say, the measles, to know that you don't want to have em.

I am not saying they are like measles, nor am I saying they are bad motors. They just require greater care in ownership, more operating expenses, and from my point of view, you run a greater risk of having to overhaul them during the course of ownership to the tune of $15,000-20,000 . I think it is unlikely one would ever have to overhaul a Series 60 during the course of a coach lifespan.

I also realize I spent the extra money up front during acquisition, the 8V owners can spend it as they go along. In the end it might be a cost breakeven.

[BrianE]

Joe, I'm with you on the weak Jake. When we had the engine OH on the green machine, I asked the very experienced overhaul mechanic to do whatever he could to improve the Jake and was told not to expect much. When it was returned all shiny and new, the damn thing wasn't a bit better. All I can say is that you would really miss having it in the mountains. Around town it only helps if you manually shift down to assist it which (IMHO) is more trouble than it's worth.

[Joe Cannarozzi]

I have not had the opportunity to go West but as for here and points east there is nothing that is not manageable without a Jake. We have other priorities and I put it aside, maybe the dern thing works


For a bus, slow is cool: Deb is way more comfortable when I ease around. The tank goes a while longer.

[truk4u]

Your Majesty, Czar of Crapola,

I had measles when I was a puppy and that gives me more credibility when discussing the subject.

You make some good points regarding the 8V, but your love fest for the 60 matched up to an out of date 5 speed may cloud your objectivity. May I make just a few comments oh great Czar......

1. The truckers chose the 60 because they had no choice when the 8V was being phased out as road power, but the engines continued on in the marine industry and Jdub loved them as jobsite power.

2. I can do a top OH for less than 5K and an inframe for less the 10K, so your OH numbers may be just a tad inflated.

3. I consistently get 6.8 mpg, remember I own one. My 2 previous series 60's got just over 7.0, so your 25% fuel savings may need to be tweaked just a bit.

4. Parts and service are still quite readily available and are usually cheaper than parts for the 60.

I only point out these few items great Czar, in hopes of putting the minds at ease of those who cannot pony up the bucks for a later model series 60 or those folks that, gasp, cannot pay cash for an older Prevost. I think our mission should be to help those newbies sort through all this crap (all hale the Czar) and encourage, rather than discourage the purchase of a bus instead of a pile of sticks & staples. I personally don't see the downside of a Prevost with an 8V, put hey, I'm not a Czar.

[BrianE]

Tom's comments are definately NOT a load of crap. The mileage claim sounds a little poopy though.