| Author | Message | ||
| Glenn Williams (Glenn)
Registered Member Username: Glenn Post Number: 52 Registered: 6-2006 Posted From: 216.163.57.237 Rating: N/A |
I found one on the net with a crate 671, reconditioned radiator and springs for what seems to be a reasonable amount. Can you guys fill me in on one of these? Air brakes? Power steering? What problems were they known for if any? This bus is a shell. On a sad note, after my bus fire, it seems the insurance company is going to total my bus (Captain Ron's old bus). I don't have details yet as to if I can keep the bus, or would have to buy it back. So, it looks like I am looking for an affordable shell. | ||
| Tim Hoskinson (Tdh37514151)
Registered Member Username: Tdh37514151 Post Number: 234 Registered: 9-2004 Posted From: 4.252.67.2 Rating: N/A |
Hi Glenn sorry to here about your problem with your bus. On the silverside I will offer some info. First yes it will have air brakes no it will not have power steering unless some one has gone to a good deal of work modifying it. Some of the inherent problems are king pin play. The front axle has a king pin inclination unlike any of the newer buses and a spring center distance of 42 inches unlike any of the trucks. If the king pins are left go to long with a good bit of play and very little grease the moisture will migrate into the tapered bores of the axle beam itself and rust the bores ruining the beam. This can lead to a costly repair. The next and most common problem with the PD3751 and PD4151 Silversides is frame cracking. The frame rails ran from the front hanger of the rear leaf spring to the rear spring hanger. These frame rails typically cracked along side the anti body roll bracket just to the rear of the center line of the axle. Many of these buses were repaired wile still in service and most were done very well using a steel plating methode. However in order to properly repair this problem the bus needed to have the engine removed and was time consuming. Some were repaired in haste and are not worth trying to repair a second time by the typical RV converter. A silverside with this problem can be easily spotted. Simply look at the top of the bus directly above the hinge side of the emergency escape door. If the top has been repaired with a patch it will have a broken frame rail. I certainly don't want to discourage you from owning one of these great pieces of history but the typical silverside out there is not the best choice if the buyer is not a person that can do his own repairs. There are many other things that need to be looked at when considering a silverside but I am not a good typest so if you would like other information please feel free to call me. My number is on my profile. Best of luck Tim | ||
| RJ Long (Rjlong)
Registered Member Username: Rjlong Post Number: 1277 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 67.181.189.94 Rating: N/A |
Glenn - Seriously discuss with the adjuster what the company's policy is regarding buying the salvage, which is what they'll consider your coach after declaring it a "total". Some will not let you touch it after they write the check, others will let you bid at the salvage auction, and a few will cut you a check and say "Do what you want with the salvage." Every company's policy is different. If possible, and you can reclaim the salvage, you should be able to part it out sufficiently to recoup some of your new shell purchase. (I'm interested in something on the coach, if it's still there. . . Send me a PM) Oh, and I agree with Tim! Good luck!  |