1986 GMC Bus with outside audio part 1

I almost didn't post this video cuz the camera wobbled so badly it's hard to watch. But I did use a HD audio recording device for the audio. With the mic mounted under the bus.
This transmission has an adjustable vacuum modulator on it. Which means I can adjust the point at which the transmission shifts. I can set it to shirt early, or late. Currently I have is set to shift early. About 5 mph early at full throttle. Which makes that neat chirp sound when it shifts out of 1st and 2nd gear.
The next video, part 2, I'll adjust it all the way to the max so you can see or hear the difference it makes. Enjoy!

[@rhondasaunders2117]

I love the sound of this bus when it takes off and changes from 1st to 2nd gear. Brings back memories of riding the bus to school back in the 80's. Buses don't sound like this anymore.

[@darnell899]

@Rhonda Saunders: You said you graduated in 1992. I'm jealous cuz now I really feel like I was born in the wrong generation. I'm still made I didn't get to ride some of the diesel buses that sounded good in my ears before they all went outta commission.

[@kenrutherford1109]

I love that sound too. It brings back memories of riding the bus home from middle school

[@kenrutherford1109]

The older International buses made that sound too

[@kenrutherford1109]

I love the sound the engine makes when it starts out in first gear and then shifts into second gear. It brings back memories of when I rode a bus home from school when I was in middle school.

[@TheRenard10]

That bus transmission is music to my ears! 🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶

[@tywaynecook9587]

Gotta love the sound of that first and second gear wine great music

[@danielhalleejr6644]

I remember riding a bus like that when I was a child. A little older than that one though. It had the same trans in it tho.

[@txstreetman]

Gotta love that Allison AT-545 sound!!!

[@mowenreal]

My schools 97 gmc has one!

[@mowenreal]

Idk about their short chevy. Never rode it. But the 97 i rode it

[@nekkomeowz]

What I used to love when it gave us the "SURPRISE 2ND GEAR!" from 3rd gear sound on a uphill, in our bus it was loud and the some of the girls would scream. lol

[@kaiyoshi2243]

Ahh yes! The surprise 2nd gear with a big lurch. Those were fun.

[@iansimpkins2570]

+Devin2277 Oh yes. When it goes two or three times its next snapping

[@kenrutherford1109]

Sometimes the transmission would slip from third to second gear when turning a corner without stopping

[@anthonyholmes195]

That surprise 2nd gear happened when the bus made a left turn from Main to 33rd in Pine Bluff,AR PBSD #43 bus,a Ford,when I was in 1st grade

[@johnathandoyle3731]

Or is it perfectly safe because I love the way it shifts on take off

[@kaiyoshi2243]

Well, it's certainly better than slamming against the RPM governor at every shift. But no, I've had it like this since 2002 and still shifts perfectly. Its just a simple adjustment that is usually left unchecked in most gas buses. And I like that way it sounds too.

[@anthonyholmes195]

On a Ford bus video,it chirped from 1 to 2 also

[@anthonyholmes195]

With today's gas prices,it sounds like it already went through $10 worth of gas in the first 2 gears

[@anthonyholmes195]

Can you imagine if you could put straight cut gears in it?

[@kaiyoshi2243]

@ns9987 Nope, shifting early doesn't effect power. The transmission seems to know if it's climbing a hill or on flat road and will stay in the gear just a little longer despite my adjustment. Your kick-down cable is probably adjustable at the throttle, but it's been ages and ages since I've looked at 6.9/7.3L throttle linkage. I'm not sure what my gear ratio in the rear end is. I thought I saw the number 303 back there once but that number doesn't make any sense.

[@matts4290]

Can u post a vid showing how to adjust the trans shift points?

[@johnathandoyle3731]

Does it do damage to the transmission by making it shift early like that

[@kaiyoshi2243]

Nope. Plus I think it sounds better.

[@ajlarson1000]

I really want to know, can someone tell me what engine is in that bus?

[@kaiyoshi2243]

It's a big block 366 v8. Which is the commercial version of a 454.

[@eldoradoboy]

they made a 454HD which was a beefier version of the consumer 454.. I had a 1986 Bluebird Short bus that had the 454 in it... i had never heard of an AT540.. I had an AT545 in the little bird.. my 1991 carpenter has an AT545 but its a DT-360 diesel... alot better on fuel but not nearly as powerful as the 454HD was... I need to adjust my shift point down a bit on my Carpenter so it will go 4th gear on light throttle at 35-40.. right now I have to let off the throttle, let it shift to 4tth then I get get back on it.. otherwise it goes to 4th about 42 MPH.. I missed my little bluebird so much im picking up another one.. this one is a T444E (year 2000).. I dont know its tranny yet.. the guy looked at it for me said it didnt look liek a 545 or a 643..

[@schoolbusguru3157]

You should do another bus video

[@1990scottsdale]

You can say that again! ;)

[@kenrutherford1109]

3:12 6:00 Driver stops and then proceeds to move forward

[@kaiyoshi2243]

@txstreetman mmhmm

[@podepe1288]

Quite

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