| Author | Message | ||
| Brandon Mathis (Brandon314159)
Registered Member Username: Brandon314159 Post Number: 1 Registered: 3-2011 Posted From: 70.89.177.137 Rating: |
Hey all, I've slowly been spreading across the bus conversion forums and thanks to Ian, finally was able to join here! I have a '55 4512 that started life in New Jersey and at some point was converted to an 'RV' with bunk beds, portable toilet, and a makeshift kitchen/fridge. It had been sitting for ~16 years when I acquired it (literally digging it out of the dirt). The tires had been up on blocks (long rotted) and it was covered with a tarp to keep water out up in WA on the islands. It was called "The Gray Ghost" and worked the west coast quite a bit moving hippies around. Anyone ever seen it? Friend gave it to me, I did the legwork to get an Oregon title in-hand, and now am doing some conversion work! I tore the entire interior out front to back (including the crappy carpet/plywood/foam over the original stock rubber flooring). Mold was an issue as well as mouse nests so I gave it a good cleaning. Frame/structure/body were all in good shape with only minor crusties around the lower edge of the front clip. Suspension, transmission shifting, and electrical systems all needed lots of love. What I've done thus far: -Replaced rear wheels/tires (removed 20" aluminium split rims and installed 11.00 x 22.5 steel w/ new lug nuts & rubber). -Installed block-off plates on front airbags (beam had been patched with brazing?!) -Repaired transmission shifting mechanism (V-Drive) -Tuned up engine & rebuild fuel system with new hose/fittings/spin on Detroit filter housings -Adjusted all brakes (including parking brake) -Sealed all leaks in the roof and conversion panels -Insulated walls -Removed floor rubber and prepped for laminate wood flooring -Repaired under-body wiring for tach -Greased/lubed front axle -Replaced bad roof vents with new automatic powered vents I am in the process of upgrading the rear brake cans to service & parking brakes (air). Anyone have a part number that bolts on? I also need to rebuild the front actuators and replace/rebuild the foot valve. Are these 6" diaphragms? The front axle has been quite a challenge since it uses the GM Bus Only weird standard pilot style rim/stud combination. Working on replacing those with standards so I can bolt on my two BUDD steel rims (11.00x22.5 steer tires as well). King pins are so-so and I have a loose-ish tie rod end so those will be on the list for the <1year service. I've been toying with the idea of upgrading the head (6-71) to a 4-valve instead of a 2-valve and see if I can find a Jake Brake for it since I have the VH transmission (torque converter and lockup only). Would LOVE to find a VS-2 or V730 to replace it with as it is fairly light of a coach. My plan is to build out the interior with a rear bedroom/office-desk space/bathroom midship across from the rear entry (front has been canceled). Ahead of that will be kitchen/booth seating/passenger seating far forward that converts into workspace/sleeping area for guests. I sourced two large roof mount AC units that I am going to mount up (off center with fancy aluminium sheet metal work) so that my head doesn't hit the panels. I am building a large roof rack so these won't look too out of place anyway. Installing black/gray/drinking water tanks as well as a ~400A/hr 24V battery bank (for a large inverter/charger/house lighting) and keep the coach 12V (positive ground :-() This has been a fun project so far and I haven't found any deal breakers that make me want to toss the project I was give. It's wild to drive and always gets stares/looks/visitors OTR/Gas stations. I am keeping my eyes peeled for a few things: -VS-2 or V730 Transmission -Body Service Manual(s) (need wiring number chart) -Speedo Drive Servo -Stock Turn Signals & Marker Lights -Replacement Window Seal Material -6-71 Jake Brake & 4-valve head Hope to tap into some collective knowledge over here! The forums are fun to share & read about project ideas. I come from a background of building/maintaining sail boats & I have a motor vehicle 'obsession' so this is the perfect crossroad. I'm in the Portland, OR area so if anyone is ever in the area, drop a line! Cheers! -Brandon   | ||
| marvin pack (Gomer)
Registered Member Username: Gomer Post Number: 1309 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 71.55.183.81  Rating: |
OH MY GOSH!!! In order to be a Busnut like us you will have to do the following things. 1 Say hello to all BUTNUTS. 2 tell us what you have.3 what you are building. 4 what the plans are.5 show pictures of you treasure. Ok now I see you have complied with all but One requirement, YOU FORGOT TO SAY HEY FELLOW BUSNUTS!! Ok Guys, do we let him stay or what?? LOL WELCOME TO THE VONDERFUL VORLD OF BUS NUTS!!! Gomer | ||
| Andy Wright (Wrightwy)
Registered Member Username: Wrightwy Post Number: 70 Registered: 6-2007 Posted From: 69.98.133.12  Rating: N/A |
That is one Awesome looking Bus welcome and send more pictures. Looks pretty good for being in the dirt you have been busy lol | ||
| Bill Gerrie (Bill_gerrie)
Registered Member Username: Bill_gerrie Post Number: 474 Registered: 3-2006 Posted From: 216.198.139.38  Rating: N/A |
Brandon Welcome to the wonderful world of busnuts. It sure is a lot of fun but can get expensive at times. From what I understand you can't bolt a V730 to your engine. Wrong angle to rear end. Maybe somebody will post that knows more. Bill | ||
| Brandon Mathis (Brandon314159)
Registered Member Username: Brandon314159 Post Number: 2 Registered: 3-2011 Posted From: 70.89.177.137 Rating: |
HELLO FELLOW BUS NUTS!  I have some photos of it stuck in the dirt. It was so buried that it wouldn't power out.  | ||
| Brandon Mathis (Brandon314159)
Registered Member Username: Brandon314159 Post Number: 3 Registered: 3-2011 Posted From: 70.89.177.137 Rating: |
Another pic:  | ||
| George M. Todd (George_todd)
Registered Member Username: George_todd Post Number: 1213 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 99.146.10.201 Rating: N/A |
Brandon, The last pic is the best! You've got your work cut out for you, and you've done a lot already. I would like to make one strong suggestion, convert it to negative ground!!! Positive ground entails insulating ALL of your electronics from the frame, then running a hot wire to each insulated case, and running the appliance's hot wire to ground. Positive ground means that you will have to reverse the wires on anything plugged into a cigarette lighter type power receptacle. Making a successful positive ground inverter would be a nightmare. Welcome, and good luck. G | ||
| Mark Renner (Boomer)
Registered Member Username: Boomer Post Number: 232 Registered: 11-2006 Posted From: 206.58.200.38  Rating: N/A |
Brandon, welcome. I am in the Portland area too and own an Eagle, PD3751, and Crown recliner. I have a V731 (electronic) for sale cheap, everything from the flywheel housing back. Was attached to the 671TA DDEC II that's going into my Silverside. This was out of a '90 Flix transit. You will have to do the research to see if it will work, but I do believe the driveline angle would be different and you may have to use a 4106/07/08 diff. Would be nice to see your project. | ||
| Brandon Mathis (Brandon314159)
Registered Member Username: Brandon314159 Post Number: 4 Registered: 3-2011 Posted From: 70.89.177.137 Rating: N/A |
My only big question with converting to negative ground would be the generator issue. I don't have a schematic diagram and this wiring, although in-tact, isn't labeled like it was new. I don't feel like tracing out 98 circuits :-) Been watching ebay like a HAWK for one. | ||
| John & Barb Tesser (Bigrigger)
Registered Member Username: Bigrigger Post Number: 497 Registered: 9-2007 Posted From: 96.42.5.35  Rating: N/A |
Welcome to the madness Brandon. Way cool bus. These guys have taught me that the only stupid questions are the ones not asked (well and a couple other ones). John | ||
| Laryn Christley (Barn_owl)
Registered Member Username: Barn_owl Post Number: 697 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 151.199.112.146  Rating: N/A |
Wow! That mossy top made for an awesome photo! That will be one cool ride when your done. Love the pics! | ||
| Bill Gerrie (Bill_gerrie)
Registered Member Username: Bill_gerrie Post Number: 475 Registered: 3-2006 Posted From: 216.198.139.38 Rating: |
Brandon Take George's advice and convert to a negative ground. It has been so long since I did one so hopefully somebody will post on how to do it. Everything you buy today is a negative ground so it will save you a lot of work in the future. Bill | ||
| Luke Bonagura (Lukeatuscoach)
Registered Member Username: Lukeatuscoach Post Number: 225 Registered: 1-2001 Posted From: 72.82.200.62 Rating: N/A |
Hi Brandon & Folks: I may have a set of the original marker lights, I will have to check. Give me a call toll free at: 1-888-262-2434 and I will try to help you with your project. A previous owner was quite clever with the front end as that coach was built with flat windshields. Neat prject and good luck with it. Happy & SAFE!! Bussin' to All. LUKE at US COACH | ||
| Brandon Mathis (Brandon314159)
Registered Member Username: Brandon314159 Post Number: 5 Registered: 3-2011 Posted From: 70.89.177.137 Rating: N/A |
I did some quick looking and see that it appears gauges (temp/oil pressure) should be changed out and the generator/regulator can be re-flashed for reverse polarity (negative ground). I will trace out the wiring and see if I need to switch anything, but someone with a 4104 seemed to indicate they just did minor things and got it running negative ground. :-) Sounds promising! I install communications equipment for a living so I get to crawl around fire engines/ambulances/etc. and am pretty familiar with the annoyances of positive ground. Especially since I will be running power and antennas through the rig. Thanks for the warm welcome guys! A video for your Tuesday pleasure: http://www.youtube.com/user/Brandon314159?feature=mhum#p/u/6/kX7sa17EUZA | ||
| Bryan Larrabee (Busasaurus)
Registered Member Username: Busasaurus Post Number: 23 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 24.84.184.3  Rating: N/A |
I'm sure I saw that coach around 20 years ago on I-5 north of Seattle. The front windows are so unique. I'll have a look, but I might have a photo somewhere in a shoebox. | ||
| Brandon Mathis (Brandon314159)
Registered Member Username: Brandon314159 Post Number: 6 Registered: 3-2011 Posted From: 70.89.177.137 Rating: N/A |
It had these weird home-brew stacks on the back (duals). Tore that stuff of ASAP. It's been running the West Coast from mid 80's-early 90's then got parked. | ||
| Larry & Lynne Dixon (Larry_d)
Registered Member Username: Larry_d Post Number: 307 Registered: 7-2005 Posted From: 96.253.163.11  Rating: N/A |
Brandon----Congrats, you will enjoy it here. So much help for anything you may want or need. Luke has lots of parts and help also. I seems everyone on the board can help. Good to know you are in Portland about 260 miles west of us. Nice project and good work. Larryd | ||
| marvin pack (Gomer)
Registered Member Username: Gomer Post Number: 1311 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 71.55.183.81 Rating: N/A |
What a find and loved the show.. I hope the gauge wasn't reading Oil Pressure!! WOW LOL gomer | ||
| Brandon M (Brandon314159)
Registered Member Username: Brandon314159 Post Number: 8 Registered: 3-2011 Posted From: 70.89.177.137  Rating: N/A |
Gauge is fuel pressure on output of secondary filter. I have since rebuilt the fuel pump (but still need to rebuild or clean the injectors). | ||
| marvin pack (Gomer)
Registered Member Username: Gomer Post Number: 1313 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 71.55.183.81 Rating: N/A |
Brandon; if you are going to change the head to a 4-valve just wait and have it all done at the same time. gomer | ||
| Brandon M (Brandon314159)
Registered Member Username: Brandon314159 Post Number: 9 Registered: 3-2011 Posted From: 70.89.177.137 Rating: N/A |
Anyone know any good places to eyeball for tracking down a 4-valve head? I might have a line on one, but would need a jake brake. :-) Also dearly searching out a body manual haha! | ||
| Mark Renner (Boomer)
Registered Member Username: Boomer Post Number: 233 Registered: 11-2006 Posted From: 75.196.58.192 Rating: N/A |
I take it that was a Green Tortoise? Changing to neg. ground no biggie. Replace instruments and change to truck type alternator. Common 671 conversion. For parts or advise contact Ted Campbell at Coach Maintenance in Williams, CA, if you have not done so already he is your best resource on this coast. Or maybe Skip at Coach Maintenance in Seattle (no longer affiliated with Ted). Ted should have a head and other parts. Also try Hillsboro Diesel in Hillsboro for any of the engine parts, speak to Rick or Ozzie, or the parts man, Lou. Hope this helps. | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 1493 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 69.19.14.24  Rating: N/A |
If you join the FMCA , ask and they will send a (FREE) set of copies on the change over from Pos to Neg ground. I believe it was a detailed 2 part article. FF | ||
| Patrick levenson (Zubzub)
Registered Member Username: Zubzub Post Number: 274 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 70.51.33.234  Rating: N/A |
FWIW 4 valve heads are not supposed to be any better (same HP) than 2 valve heads. They are easier to put jakes on, but then there is a jakes bridge thingy for the 2 valve. | ||
| George Martinez (Foohorse)
Registered Member Username: Foohorse Post Number: 456 Registered: 1-2010 Posted From: 75.91.192.82  Rating: N/A |
What a great old bus. Kudos Brandon for giving it a second chance to live on. Welcome. | ||
| Paso One (Paso_1)
Registered Member Username: Paso_1 Post Number: 180 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 142.165.246.240  Rating: N/A |
Welcome Brandon Nice bus! I just love the old looks. There is a couple running around Western Canada I usually see them in the summer time. One Parks in a Storage compound just east of Saskatoon. | ||
| Mark Renner (Boomer)
Registered Member Username: Boomer Post Number: 235 Registered: 11-2006 Posted From: 69.96.143.228 Rating: N/A |
The 4 valve heads make the engine breath a whole lot better. The 2 valve head Jake valve caps are almost unobtanium, very, very difficult to find. | ||
| Brandon M (Brandon314159)
Registered Member Username: Brandon314159 Post Number: 10 Registered: 3-2011 Posted From: 24.21.248.78 Rating: N/A |
Mark, I've worked with the guys at Hillsboro diesel...they gave me strange looks when I asked for the parts to rebuild my fuel pump (versus just replace it!). I'm more of a fixer than a parts swapper for the old school stuff. My father is a 35 year heavy diesel mechanic so I have a wealth of knowledge from him for the powerplant. I'd like to keep the generator to charge up engine batteries, run 12V stuff, etc. while installing a large 24V LN alternator for charging my 24V House system (inverter, etc.) So one less alternator on the front end, all the better :-) Motor runs VERY well. Need to do anything with the cam if I swapped over to a 4 valve? I'll have to look at the regulator for the generator and see if it is easily 'reversible' for negative ground. No issue swapping gauges :-) Thanks for the information guys! Just started framing in the new interior tonight! Start with the bathroom/bedroom then work my way forward. | ||
| Brandon M (Brandon314159)
Registered Member Username: Brandon314159 Post Number: 12 Registered: 3-2011 Posted From: 70.89.177.137 Rating: |
Update! Installed new studs and lug nuts on the front and converted the weird GM Pilot Rims over to standard BUDD. Used 3/4"-16 press-in studs. .974" OD on the shoulder that presses into the hub. Overall length is ~3" and leaves extra stud for the day that I might have Aluminium rims. I am going to do a write-up on this on my info/data blog for anyone that does this in the future (since I sourced all the parts and did the legwork!) Haha. I took tons of photos. Hope everyone is doing well. As a quick side note, I couldn't believe that I got one of the drums off with minimal hammering (after torching off the 5 holding bolts). Other one required chisel and BIG hammers. Here is a photo of the new stud installation process:  | ||
| Tom Christman (Tchristman)
Registered Member Username: Tchristman Post Number: 285 Registered: 1-2006 Posted From: 66.218.33.156 Rating: N/A |
Personally-I wouldn't even fool with the 6-71 or the VH2. There are alot of 6V-92TA's with V730's both electronic (not) and mechanical that you could just swap out. Then you'd really have a nice bus to drive. You'd go from 200hp and 500lb/ft torque to 350hp and 1000lb/ft torque-twice the torque sounds fun. Good Luck, TomC | ||
| Brandon M (Brandon314159)
Registered Member Username: Brandon314159 Post Number: 13 Registered: 3-2011 Posted From: 67.139.65.163 Rating: N/A |
Unfortunately, without serious modification to the engine compartment, a V motor will not fit into the model TDH-4512 that I have :-) The firewall (at the top) is little over a foot deep. I'm happy with the power...and I like 'simplistic' old stuff (like the mechanical transmissions). If I wanted something totally different in the powertrain department, I would just source a newer bus already retrofitted with a camping interior. Still trying to source a 4-valve head so I can find a jake brake for it. | ||
| Dal Farnworth (Dallas)
Registered Member Username: Dallas Post Number: 551 Registered: 7-2004 Posted From: 75.91.206.5  Rating: N/A |
Actually, a v engine probably will fit. Remember, they sit with the rear head sticking straight up. I measured my TDH-3610 and it had the same amount of room as my PD-4103. Both had about a foot of space between the bulkhead and the rear body. Look at some of the newer old looks, you'll see how they got the engine in there. | ||
| Brandon M (Brandon314159)
Registered Member Username: Brandon314159 Post Number: 14 Registered: 3-2011 Posted From: 12.108.0.2 Rating: N/A |
Update: Found a potential rebuildable 4-valve head for the 6-71 so that I can install more available Jake Brake assemblies. Also rebuilding the injectors to kill all the birds with one stone. The last real big powertrain upgrade I would like to source is a VS-2 transmission so I can have overdrive (running on governor at 55MPH). Don't really need to go fast, just would like the engine to not have to spin at that RPM while cruising. I am happy going slow in the hills haha! Installed a fuel sender in the tank of the weekend. Glad I cut a hole in the floor directly on center...there was already a block off plate/hole ready to install the sender in! Universal 5-bolt cover. Bus has been running really good. Got my AC unit's installed on the roof as well. Check out the photos. Offset mount them since I am so tall and didn't want to be knocking my head on the plastic lower vents anyway. Thanks for checking in!    |
