| Author | Message | ||
| mel 4104 (208.181.100.108)
Rating: N/A |
Fast Fred, you are right , gm^s are for ever i just moved a 4919 on monday that had sat in my field for the last 10+ years and when i toke the valve out of the bottom of the front tank it still had at least 50# of air in it and the dd3 brake pots still had air in their system. the air bags had not gone down onto the axels yet. we had to tow it in to the shop but the brake pedal when applied astill hissed air .this amazed all the guys standing aroud. this after noon a fellow DROVE in a 4507 that was last lic. in 1987and had not been move in the yard for 10- 12 years and he started it with a single 7d battery, the shift rod was frozen so he disconnected the cable and hand shifted the auto tranny. the air bags all come up and it come in to the yard running levelwith no smoke, by the look of it it has a 2 valve head with the old low tourqe starter this is a 1954 model with the old square windows so if there is any one that wants any off it speak now as it will be scrape by friday. mel 4104 | ||
| FAST FRED (65.154.176.202) Rating: N/A |
If the starter is for a RH engine , save it!! My 1944 Gray marine is a unrebuilt 2 valve with the slow turning starter. The most amazing thing about the GM is usually the workmanhip was high enough so the chasis frame body stay in remarkable condition. The only ones I have seen that were disolving had been in use for decades near sea water or on salt covered streets of northern cities. Today all not totally gone can be saved by a power wash of "Salt Away' (a marine product) followed buy a spray of T9 . On the ones I have seen even the insulation was still functioning , sealed in the little custom bags 50!! years later. The monocoque construction isnt avilable even on the million dollar buggies.And to my (predjuced) eyes weight & sleak trump big ugly painted boxes 10/1 . The best part is with a suitable scrap transit donor and a He++ of a lot of grunt work the drive train , engine tranny front & rear axles can all be updated by 5 or 6 decades!A fun $1500 upgrade. Not bad for a chasis that will still be valuable as a functioning camper in another 50 years!! FAST FRED | ||
| Doug (69.139.69.67) Rating: N/A |
Fred, I heard about your boat, I would love to see a pic if you have one. Doug tekebird@yahoo.com | ||
| Charles Seaton (170.28.128.106) Rating: N/A |
Always impressed by the longevity and durability of GMs, but 4507s don't have air bags. 4512s were the first 35 footers with airbags. And what is a 4919? | ||
| Mike Eades (Mike4905) (206.148.124.6)
Rating: N/A |
If anyone had the time to see what FF does to vehicle Thet would really enjoy what he says about a GM. Long live the VW. He is the only person who really puts ten pounds in a 5 pound container and gets from N.J. to CT. Gotta See. Mike | ||
| FAST FRED (65.154.177.181) Rating: N/A |
Anyone with any interest in what I believe is the simplest bus camper in existance is welcome for a tour at Jacks party in Arcadia FL after new years. Bring an open mind , MY WAY , probably is not your way, FAST FRED | ||
| Johnny (63.159.193.65) Rating: N/A |
1.814 million city miles on the 1961 Fishbowl at work--still going strong, not rotted. This is after 20 years in Pennsylvania, BTW. The bus was refurbished in 1991 (but strangely, the engine only got new gaskets & a coat of paint), & got a major overhaul (converted to a 3-speed auto, low-air buzzer, "yellow knob" e-brake, fuel gauge, 22.5" wheels & tubeles tires, overhauled engine) in the early 80's at ~950,000 miles. This bus is built like a tank. And it still doesn't have power steering.  | ||
| Johnny (63.159.193.65) Rating: N/A |
1.814 million city miles on the 1961 Fishbowl at work--still going strong, not rotted. This is after 20 years in Pennsylvania, BTW. The bus was refurbished in 1991 (but strangely, the engine only got new gaskets & a coat of paint), & got a major overhaul (converted to a 3-speed auto, low-air buzzer, "yellow knob" e-brake, fuel gauge, 22.5" wheels & tubeles tires, overhauled engine) in the early 80's at ~950,000 miles. This bus is built like a tank. And it still doesn't have power steering. | ||
| FAST FRED (63.234.23.162) Rating: N/A |
Power steering is usefull while you Learn how to drive the bus , but after that is seldome needed. The slop found in too many systems takes the FUN out of driving , a very high price to pay not to learn how to operate with the std units. FAST FRED | ||
| Johnny (63.159.185.74) Rating: N/A |
The only downside I've found is that one of our drivers (a tiny Vietnamese woman who is about 4'8" tall) can't drive it, due to her short arms & its enormous steering wheel. I prefer manual steering. I just wish it was a TDM-3500, instead of a TDH.  | ||
| Johnny (63.159.185.74) Rating: N/A |
Uhh, that should be 5300, not 3500. Stupid typo. |