Create a New Forum Admin Login Member Login Contribute to Voyager Search VoyForums Help Desk VoyForums Exchange VoyForums Directory/Categories VoyForums Homepage VoyForums News FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

[ Show ]

Support VoyForums

[ Shrink ]

VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

05 /19/ 26, 9:45pm

[ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, [7], 8, 9, 10 ]

Subject: Jacobson Brake - 1979 FC35 Author: Henry Claeys [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] Date Posted: 07/ 24/ 03, 12:00pm I just purchased a 1979 FC35 and the prior owner tells me that she never used the "Jake Brake" and thinks it isn't necessary. I'm trying to get an owner's manual from BlueBird but, in the meantime, here are my questions. (1) Is there a simple test to see if the brake is working? (2) Where would I go to find a mechanic with knowledge to get the brake operational. (3) Do other owners find the brake necessary, or, at least, useful? Thanks...Henry at claeys@rgv.net [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

[> Subject: Re: Jacobson Brake - 1979 FC35 Author: Steve Anderson [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 07/ 26/ 03, 7:55am Henry, I am surprised to hear that you have a Jake Brake your Cat. They were not a feature provided by Blue Bird, and as I have been told generally were not recommended for the 3208 engine. Most often a magnetic field propeller shaft brake was used, or a retarder option was added to the 643 Allison transmission. That being said, I disagree with your previous owners evaluation. If you do indeed have a Jake Brake I think in our part of the country where we are constantly hilling the Jake would be a nice feature to have. I have never used them, but Erics RV in Sequim is, I believe, a dealer for exhaust brakes. I have already passed you the info on Bryant Motors in Renton, they probably could be of assistance reguarding your Jake brake. Steve Anderson 79 FC 35 Poulsbo, WA [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> Subject: Re: Jacobson Brake - 1979 FC35 Author: Henry Claeys [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 07/ 27/ 03, 1:10am Steve: I think you were writing to Bill when you mentioned Bryant Motors in Renton. What state is Renton in? Also, what state is Eric's R.V., in Sequim, in? I'm guessing those places are in Washington, where you're from. You're probably correct that the Jacobson brake is not original. I've noticed many features in my R.V. that I've suspected are not original. I appreciate your responses..Henry in McAllen, Texas at claeys@rgv.nt [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> Subject: Re: Jacobson Brake - 1979 FC35 Author: Steve Anderson [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 07/ 27/ 03, 8:52am Hope you can see the red from the embarassment on my face. Sorry Henry, I did have you mixed up with Bill who is just "up the road" from where I live. Best of Luck Steve [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Jacobson Brake - 1979 FC35 Author: Rich D. [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 07/ 27/ 03, 8:16pm Henry, The term "Jake Brake" is often misused and refers to the exhaust brake manufactured by Jacobs Manufacturing. Some apply the name to any type of aux. brake like a transmission retarded or driveshaft brake. Any are helpful in hill country. The exhaust brake, IMO, provides the best braking without overheating anything. Rich D. 99LXi43 [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Jacobs Brake - 1979 FC35 Author: Jeff Miller [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 07/ 30/ 03, 7:45am As others have mentioned, there was no Jake or retarder on the '79, it became available in '83 with the turbo. Remember that Wanderlodges were built to order, and you could get what you wanted pretty much, my '77 had a continental kit for example. Also, Jacobs has never made a "Jake" for the 3208. You might have: A transmission retarder, available in the MT-643 (MT-643R); An exhaust brake (butterfly valve in the exhaust pipe) is available from Jacobs and others; An electric retarder (Jacobs EL) was equipped on the '83-'86 FCs on the driveshaft and is quite effective also. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Jacobson Brake - 1979 FC35 Author: Gary G. [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 08/ 9/ 03, 9:33am List of engine applications for the Jacobson Brake system. http://www.jakebrake.com/content.php4?doc_uid=26 [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Jacobson Brake - 1979 FC35 Author: Liz Borg - '86 PT40 [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 08/ 11/ 03, 7:02pm Hello Henry, I've tried just using the Jake Brake when I need it, but have finally decided to take the advice of a motor home dealer friend, and always keep it on. I don't expect to get a lot of 'coasting' out of the Bird, and it's nice to have it help slow under normal circumstances, i.e. interstate exits, red lights changing, etc. Some owners have posted info that their brake light stays on when the Jake is on, but mine doesn't. You should be able to tell if it's working: get on the interstate (with jake brake off) and take your foot off the gas; then repeat with the jake brake on. If it's helping stop the coach, you'll feel it. Have fun with your Bird! Liz [ Post a Reply to This Message ]