Martin's Argosy Rebuild Thread

[martin300662]

Originally Posted by bkahler

I wonder how the value of Peanut is impacted by this news?

The driveshaft shop also replaced the yoke on mine when they shortened it. Should make the ride even better.

So is Bella back in your hands now?

Will pick her up in the morning.......

[mayco]

Ive searched the web including YouTube to try and find a video showing how you actually operate the GV overdrive and cant find anything. So how do you operate it while driving? Is there some type of shift mechanism on the shifter arm like a semi-truck, or something on the dash? Or does it operate automatically as youre running through the gears? I should have looked while we were all in PA but didnt.

Mike

[bkahler]

Mike, I'm sure others can/will describe it better but from what I understand, when you're going 55 mph or higher it shifts into overdrive. Under 55 mph it drops out of overdrive.

I believe there is also a button on the floor that you can push causing it to shift as well.

I'm looking forward to Martin's driving experience review

[martin300662]

First impression is very good!

To explain a little the GV comes with the overdrive+speed sensor plus a controller and two switch systems. The controller can be set to various modes, but the one I have it set as is as an overdrive above 3 only. The controller can also be adjusted for what speed to change, I currently have it set to change at 50mph because these gives a even spacing during acceleration from 2 to 3 to OD. That said, that only happens if in automatic mode.



If you look under the dash just to the right of my steering wheel you see the main switch. This allows selection of manual/auto and if in auto the auto light comes on with the ignition and when the OD is engaged the OD light comes on when the speed sensor says so. Basically in auto you do nothing, it changes up at the trigger speed and down at a trigger speed.

However if you need to change down for overtaking, a second switch gets added. This is the additional floor switch you can see next to the headlamp dimmer. Touch that and the OD disengages.

At Interstate speeds Bella is so much quieter it is incredible, and to be honest I can't see myself ever using the 'manual' mode now, the auto works seamlessly.

[mayco]

Ahhhh, for some reason I was thinking it split gears kind of like a two speed set up.
Thanks Brad.

[mayco]

Thanks for the explanation Martin. What kind of drop in rpm did you read while in overdrive?

[martin300662]

Originally Posted by mayco

Thanks for the explanation Martin. What kind of drop in rpm did you read while in overdrive?

I don't have a tacho Mike, but the book says 22%.....If you have a 3-speed, it is roughly equivalent to switching from a TH475 to a 4L80/85E in terms of ratios - maybe even a little taller.

[Smartstream]

Mike you can use it to split gears but you have to do it manually with the switches and your shift lever. I leave mine in the auto mode except in the hills where you can use first over, second over or third over as well as first, second, and third direct. With your tach and exhaust gas temp you can pick the gear that makes your engine happy.

The bad or inconvenient thing is the gears a angle cut to stay engaged under load so they recommend not using overdrive going down hill. Also you cannot beck up in overdrive.

With the noise reduction and rpm drop it really is a great improvement to these old coaches.

[mayco]

Ok, got it. Thank you. I also read somewhere that GV did not make a unit for the Allison AT545, 4sp. (At least at one time they didn't). But, I think on someones thread here on the forums, I read a post that said that they had a GV on their Allison 4sp behind the Isuzu diesel. Anyone else read that or am I hearing voices again?

[Smartstream]

The GV is normally mounted by removing the tail housing of the trans and installing an adopter and the GV. I don't know if they have an Allison adopter. They do have a provision to frame mount the GV with short driveshaft from the trans to the GV and another drive shaft from GV to differential. Obviously you have fun with custom mounts and driveshaft angles as well as challenging driveshaft, u-joint, and slip joint design and also possible multiple driveshaft and carrier bearing issues. Anything is possible with enough time and money.

[martin300662]

Hmmm....the first downside of having the GV.

It is sooo much quieter inside, that I can hear the AC compressor rumbling under load (flip the AC off and the noise goes away). The compressor is 'new', part of the Classic Auto Air Street Rod III system installed during the rebuild, so a quick trip to the local CAA recommended service shop. They seem to think the compressor is OK, just the it is low on gas (which means a leak), and they can't do a dye leak test. Off to another shop that can do the test but are not on the CAA service network, they can do the work but not for a few days. I have to pop back to the UK for a week or so, so this will have to wait until I come back!

[martin300662]

Bella's new homebase for the next few months....pretty descent stop on a local secure self store.



We can drive from there to any rallies or camping trips for the next few months.

[bkahler]

Is the air blowing out the vents cold or just cool?

With an all new system I would have hoped there would be no leaks for years. Hopefully the shop can get it resolved when you take Bella in for service.

[martin300662]

Originally Posted by bkahler

Is the air blowing out the vents cold or just cool?

With an all new system I would have hoped there would be no leaks for years. Hopefully the shop can get it resolved when you take Bella in for service.

Air is coming out with the same velocity as previously, just not so cold, and with the electric controls switched off the compressor is still spinning just not grumbling about it!

[bkahler]

When the AC is turned off the compressor clutch disengages stopping the pump from running. My old 310 had the same sort of rumbling when the clutch was engaged. My assumption at the time was that it needed R12 added.

[martin300662]

I am tempted to get one of the recharge kits available in most auto part stores, just to see if it stops the grumbling!

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by martin300662

I am tempted to get one of the recharge kits available in most auto part stores, just to see if it stops the grumbling!

You could try that if nothing else just to see if being low R134a is the problem.

I'm guessing you're back in the UK?

[martin300662]

Originally Posted by bkahler

You could try that if nothing else just to see if being low R134a is the problem.

I'm guessing you're back in the UK?

Yep, got the late overnight flight from JFK to LHR.

Worst part of the overnight flight is we live about 120 miles/2 hours drive from LHR so the combination of flight + then drive means I am pretty useless for the rest of the day!

[martin300662]

Well I am working in the US for next 3 weeks so I decided to fly over a couple of days early and picked up Bella from the storage facility in NJ, the plan being to head for one of the end of season rallies of the NEU of WBCCI actually being held about 3miles from where I used to live on the South Shore of Boston.

Bella is always a pig to start if she has been left, and this was 4 weeks since last started. Well after churning on the starter for what seemed an age, checking the carb and finding no fuel, I was just about to resort to a can of Easy Start, when she fired into life. Once running she runs absolutely fine but it was time to bite the bullet.

So I drove up to north east NJ and have dropped Bella off a the shop Joseph Migliore (JM2) uses for his 20ft MH. They are installing the Cartel P4070 rotary vane electric pump, which I had already purchased based on Brad's recommendation.

I had intended doing it myself, but glad I changed my mind....Bella has been in the shop all day, the install is finished and the shop 'hopes' to get it done by tomorrow so I can head for Boston!

[SteveSueMac]

Looking forward to seeing you there!