Another Classic Newell Coach Getting Repowered!

[Neweller]

Decided to share about another classic Newell Coach getting an engine transplant. We can officially say good riddance to the original Cummins 555 or aka a triple nickel. This old girl is going to get a younger fresh power plant like either a Cummins 8.3 turbo or a 8.9 turbo coupled to a 3000 series Allison 6 speed. Possibly some suspension upgrades as well.

We will be documenting the progress for anyone interested. After the engine is done, the coach will be heading to Canada for new interior and paint. Unless a buyer comes along before hand and things could change. For now we will concentrate on the engine and transmission upgrade. Stay tuned as I will be uploading more pictures soon.

[Neweller]

Here are a couple more pictures of the right side and left side of engine bay.

Right Side (Passenger)










Left Side (Drivers)

[Cheri Smith]

Another one?! Wow I look forward to following this thread.

[rellick]

Looks familiar Ken!! Cant wait to see a new freshly painted engine in there

[Neweller]

Keith, did you have one of those boxes in the right bay (second picture right side compartment)? I never had one on any of the other Newell's including one the same year with the same engine. It looks like a fan or something on the top. I know the air filter unit and a bunch of other garbage is coming out to make room for the later engine and its needed components. Of course after additional cleanup a little fresh chassis paint would be a nice clean start.

[rellick]

Not sure, looks like some kind of a cooler, the 77 didn't have one

[Neweller]

I'll have to double check what it's for. Otherwise we'll just trash it too.

[Neweller]

I sure like the quality of the rear access door on the 1985 Newell that I posted about with the massive rust and bad 8V92. Not quite sure what year Newell decided to beef up the access door? I'll see if I can post side by side pictures for comparison.

[1993Newell]

Nice. I'll be keeping an eye open reading along on what you post.

[rellick]

Originally Posted by Neweller

I sure like the quality of the rear access door on the 1985 Newell that I posted about with the massive rust and bad 8V92. Not quite sure what year Newell decided to beef up the access door? I'll see if I can post side by side pictures for comparison.

Yes, I will have to beef up mine also, it needs a filler piece for the bottom and a twist style latch, it only has a lock that is not very convenient, ill post some pics of mine as well

[rellick]

Engine access doors< 87 Newell and 77 Newell

[MrE]

Originally Posted by rellick

Yes, I will have to beef up mine also, it needs a filler piece for the bottom and a twist style latch, it only has a lock that is not very convenient, ill post some pics of mine as well

Kieth, you can match your storage compartment latches with these: Hansen D-Ring Locks On Moore Industrial Hardware

[rellick]

Yes Jon, that's exactly what those doors need, also the side engine bay doors need them. The basement doors have them, not sure why they didn't use em for the whole thing

[Neweller]

Keith you have pictured what I would have posted. I was thinking as I was typing how I wish I had gotten pictures of "Rusty", like close-ups of the compartment bay floors, rear radiator door opened like you did. You posted pictures of exactly what I was picturing in my mind while making the post referencing this subject. Too Cool!

Those D-Ring locks are much better and I can't believe that Newell even built that cheesy you know what. I have been wondering if a guy should have those existing locks re-chromed or replace them?

Something else I noticed on the '85 was the bay compartment height being taller. So, sometime in the early eighties I'm gathering that Newell raised the height prior to the wide body. Not sure what year. Most everyone figured it was when they went to the wide-body. I kind of liked the longer Newell without the tag but with the higher floor. Of course as long as the weight is kept in check. Rusty still had a solid frame structure without any sag in the body.

[MrE]

Originally Posted by rellick

Yes Jon, that's exactly what those doors need, also the side engine bay doors need them. The basement doors have them, not sure why they didn't use em for the whole thing

Apparently all people that use these are incredibly honest, when I ordered replacement locks for mine they were only available with a key code of 1250, which matched all the other locks that I had.

[Neweller]

On one of my ex-Newell's I had a couple different keys and was going to have them re-keyed to match, which I never did do. I'm assuming it can be done?

[rellick]

My 87 and 77 has 1250 also, I think those tumblers are a universal fit, my welding truck cabinets are a different number, I think they can be changed out. They are definately not a high security lock.

[Wheeler]

someones on a roll...

[rellick]

Looking at 2 engines for this 76 and we need some input here, one is a 1997 C8.3 12 valve i think 325hp cummins mechanical engine with an MD3060 allison 6 speed similar to the one I have in the 77 that works very well. The other is a 2003 ISC 8.3 24valve electronic engine 325-350hp not sure, with the same MD3060.
The 2003 is obviously more money and a little more labour to install. What would you do??

[MrE]

I think you ought to go with the ISC, that way if my engine isn't a rebuildable core I can get the cheaper one.