GMC Fishbowl - 1973 GMC TDH-3302N with Detroit Diesel 6V53N engine, Allison AT-540

[jaggass]

nice kick down at 2.29

[mrceleb2006]

@tovinman I see.

[mrceleb2006]

It's very rare for a GMC transit bus of this type to have the DD 6V53 powerplant...the DD 6V71 was much more common for this type of bus.

[8v71buses]

Wow this sounds for like Detroit V8. Gotta love it!

[ClassicTVMan1981X]

A few 1967 to 1972 Chevrolet Step-Vans and GMC Value-Vans used the 3-53N engine. However I would think in those, the transmission was a 4-speed manual which was either the New Process NP-435 or GM-Muncie SM-465, or if automatic, a 3-speed Turbo Hydramatic derivative ... rather than the Allison MT-31 or AT-540 automatics.

[AdmiralArcher]

Say Word! What kind of engine is that?

[busrailfan]

@AdmiralArcher - LOL!  Detroit Diesel 6V53N as mentioned in the video info.

[richardflint2010]

Which Allison Transmission Shifts Quicker to the GM 30 Feet Fishbowl if the 6v53 Was Installed?

[ClassicTVMan1981X]

@richardflint2010

The MT640 (later MT643) may have been a better choice IMHO.

[busrailfan]

@ClassicTVMan1981X - But it runs just fine with the AT-540 it has!

[ClassicTVMan1981X]

The earliest of these Baby Fishbowls along with the Baby Old Looks that preceded them, used as automatics the MT30 (gas engine) or MT31 (diesel engine), both were six-speeds. I do not believe anyone remembers the old six-speed Allison MT and HT series. The AT540 succeeded the MT30 and MT31 in 1970-71.

[SteveCarras]

So their ALlisons were NOT VH or VS's but the AT's? Those have more speeds than the usual ones and would be found on later or on other vehicles..

[ClassicTVMan1981X]

@SteveCarras

That is correct, these were light-duty vehicles, unlike the 30-foot Flxible New Looks which did share parts with their 35- and 40-foot long brothers.

[jaggass]

maybe only 5.2L but looks like it shifts

[jaggass]

its got nice seats in it. im not a fan of allison transmissions though. it absoutley screams

[studpuppy69]

@jaggass What's wrong with Allison transmissions?

[jaggass]

its not that i dislike them its the AT545 i dont like in every gear the revs drop back to idle meaning no control down a hill. most auto buses slow down like a manual gearbox.

[ClassicTVMan1981X]

@jaggass

The AT540 series didn't use a lock-up torque converter like the MT600 and HT700 series. Perhaps this may be why you're bringing it up.

The short-lived AT543 (produced from 1978-82) made use of the same torque converters as the MT643 and MT653DR, just as the MT644 and MT654CR borrowed the HT700 series torque converters.

[jaggass]

The AT-540 series worked like a car gearbox

[richardflint07]

The bus in this fishbowl was used to be the Ex-Quick Coach Lines #525.

[busrailfan]

No. It was Ex-Quick Coach #1563. CPC kept the same fleet number

[richardflint07]

sorry about that, but i was close to getting it right though...

[ClassicTVMan1981X]

@busrailfan

Ex-Calgary Transit #330. These were replaced by the 1982 Orion I 01.504s (#247-280).

[humandobermangrr]

oh ok LOL. Well set the camcorder in the seat behind you facing up heck all I want to hear is the sound anyway but the is a bas A__ bus LOL. Thanks!

[busrailfan]

The sound is the most important! I oftenn play videos to listen to them while I work on things on another window

[humandobermangrr]

Nice, but you sat to far to the back of the bus and all I heard was the engine..try again but sit up front,that was the bus I was hoping you'd record.

[busrailfan]

LOL! It's kinda hard for me to sit at the back and drive it at the same time!

[Njderig]

Sounds like a V8 nascar when it revs way up there. I love detroit diesels

[TheTransitCamera]

I'd love to have a baby fishbowl! It would be tight trying to put it in my parking space though...

[busrailfan]

LOL!!!

[OrionVIII]

That would be something, riding a fishbowl backwards! Great!

[jamin108]

nice seats did you buy then

[busrailfan]

Pardon?

[jamin108]

did they re model the seats

[busrailfan]

Either Brewster put the coach seats in or Quick Coach did.

[mmZo6]

Dam this shit sounds good!

[richardflint07]

That is some Nice 6v53 Screamer Engine!! I love that Detroit that sounded like a V8 Hot Rod Fishbowl!

Richard Flint

[Orion6104]

That idle sounds amazing, this bus looks excellent too!