Hi,
I have a chance to purchase a 1962 4106 #1539. First of all, maybe someone with the original delivery info can post it here for my knowledge. This is a clean, unmolested bus, still seated and set up for a full load of passengers, with the mileage records showing a little less than 3/4 million miles. Body and interior in good shape, but owner says it was driven onto lot 7 months ago and now it won't start. I'm going to take another, more experienced busnut with me to inspect this bus and try to get it started. Any quick suggestions of things I should check?
Thanks
Tom Weeks
BusCrazyTom the Analog Dinosaur
1539 Tamiami Trails Tours (Trailways) Tampa Fl Fleet Number T2949
Tamiami was busy back in those days, I would suspect the documented mileage should be well over 750k
back in those days they didn't sell buses with less than 1 million miles on them and most of the time more than that.
Mr. Wotring,
As always, thanks for the spot-on information. The bus is actually now state property and was used to transport a small college sports team, so perhaps their "documented mileage" only is for service in state ownership and does not include the prior owner.
I generally know way better than to buy a non-running coach, but something makes me think that there's a (simple) reason why it won't start since it drove on the lot, and the price is so right that I think maybe myself, another busnut and a bus mechanic buddy of mine can get it going. Then again, I've been wrong before, but then again I've gotten really lucky.
My attraction to this coach lies in the fact that it is still a pasenger bus, and is cosmetically sound except for minor damage to the door. I really would prefer to start my conversion from scratch and not have to undo a bunch of someone elses "conversion" in the process.
Thanks again as always for the info.
Tom Weeks
BusCrazyTom the Analog Dinosaur
Tom, take along a digital voltmeter and check a few things as you're troubleshooting. Hopefully all she needs is a fresh set of batts. After that, a non-cranker could be the solenoid and/or the starter. A cranker but no runner is almost always a fuel problem.
Once upon a time I bought a neglected 4106 conversion and resurrected it... new tires, lots of other new rubber parts, airbags, starter wires, etc. And it worked out fine, and we had a lot of fun with her. The reason we sold it was the 4-speed Spicer wouldn't go where we wanted to take it... steep driveways, beach access roads, campsites, 6-point turns, etc.
In the last few weeks, I've seen a couple of nice '06 conversions on eBay, with fresh(ish) engines, auto trannies, one even had a turbo. And tens of thousand$ of money in conversion and updates for not much $. Nowhere near what it would cost to DIY, not to mention the time saved. Just a thought!
Let us know how the "non-starter" works out. Keep us posted, since we can often help troubleshoot from afar... many of us have BTDT.
Brian B.
Brian,
Thanks for the info. I know what you mean, its a buyers market in buses these days. I just think its worth as shot to save the 'ol girl. Digital voltmeter...I never leave home without several..., and an analog too. I figure it something simple like batteries, fuel issue (lost prime, etc), stuck shutdown or someone messed with the rear switches, etc. I don't think anyone at a state auction lot put a lot of time into trying. Hell, its even titled as a minivan! I guess when you're the goobermint you can title it whatever you want!
Thanks
Tom
BusCrazyTom the Analog Dinosaur
how long's it been sitting?
I beleive I have a new door in my inventory.
if it has cranking power, compression and fuel it should start.
The gal at the auction storage lot says it drove in about 7 months ago and hasn't started since.
Tom
does it crank?
perhaps someone turned the batteries off or they are dead?
if it drove in 7 months ago......it's prob drive out without to much effort.
Not sure of whether it will try and crank or not. I think I'm going to take a couple of 8D's with me.
Thats sort of what I was thinking, I'll just have to see when I get my hands on it.
Tom
Hope you can post some pics when the gavel falls!
Sounds like it is worth saving. Good luck!
Doesn't look like it's going to work out that I can bid this time, someone else should. I am awaiting a bunch of money owed to my business and I thought I would get a partial, but substantial payment on it this week, but it being Friday it looks like it ain't gonna happen today. We'll see. Seems like everytime a good opportunity comes along, my money's hiding in slow paying receivables.
D*m* wok stars! Oh well, another day, another dollar, another bus! :-\
BusCrazyTom the Analog Dinosaur
QuoteDoesn't look like it's going to work out that I can bid this time, someone else should
Tom,
Can you post the link for the auction? I would like to see the photos and find out what it goes for.
Laryn
Quote from: Barn Owl on July 13, 2007, 08:47:20 PM
Can you post the link for the auction? I would like to see the photos and find out what it goes for.
Ebay item # 190130458442
FWIW & HTH. . .
;)
Thanks, Russ. I did'nt see this early enough to post it. Currently the bid is just slightly under $700.00, quite a trivial amount, however without being paid on the job I don't have the cash right now, as Momma's meds are over $1400 monthly. Looks like it will make someone a nice bus,so if I can't grab it, someone else sure should. Hate to see it get away when some busnut could give it a home.
No sour grapes, good luck to all
BusCrazyTom the Analog Dinosaur
just looked at the bus on ebay and it has an automatic in it instead of a 4-speed That would fit so many coaches and it is in Americus ,Ga at the state sale wow I wish I needed it. bid no.190130458442
Gomer,
Why do you say it has an automatic in it? The auction information says its a 4 speed manual. Where did you get your information?
Tom
Sorry guys, it's a four speed. A V730's torque converter takes up the entire corner. The spring assembly you see on top is part of the clutch assist. I thought I had a good photo of mine but this one will have to do. You can see the torque converter on the right.
Where is Brian Brown when you need him? I bet he has a photo of each. :D
Barn Owl,
I PM'ed you earlier today. Let me know if you got the message
Tom, if this really is the bus for you, why not charge it on a credit card if it is only going to sell for $1,000 or so? The seller says they take them. You'll have some time to collect your money then.
I know some people won't use credit cards at all or won't charge anything they don't already have money in the bank for and I respect that.
Quote from: Barn Owl on July 14, 2007, 06:49:01 PM
Where is Brian Brown when you need him? I bet he has a photo of each. :D
Here's the photo of the manual gearbox in that coach. The spring contraption sitting on top of the transmission is what we "old timers" call a mousetrap. It is actually a clutch assist mechanism, as already mentioned.
FWIW & HTH. . .
;)
Belfert,
Not a bad idea, now just to find a card in my pocket that still has $1k available on it, that would need to be the miracle as they don't call me the Georgia Charger for nothing, as I've been slammin it to the plastic lately just moving from day to day.
Russ,
I didn't think that was an automatic. Marvin said it was, but I disagreed. Thanks as always for presenting the facts.
Tom
Quote from: Barn Owl on July 14, 2007, 06:49:01 PM
Where is Brian Brown when you need him? I bet he has a photo of each. :D
Too much kids' baseball today. No doubt I have dozens of pics of each!
But Russ came to the rescue. That is indeed is the 4-spd Spicer with a mousetrap assist, no question.
Long story short: Manual "crashbox": funner to drive
Automatic tranny: funner to
parkTake your pick!
Brian B.
p.s. I tried it both ways and chose the "funner to park" variety. ;) It's always that last 500' of the trip that will kill ya'...
hey guys; I had an o6 and that thing didn't look like my manual tranny at all. So I was proved wrong again , well gollie. I went thru the same thing also and I stached some things at my friends. ya'll drive careful ya'hear
Gomer,
Don't sweat it; there are enough variations out there that we haven't seen it all. That's what makes boards like this so valuable. I couldn't tell you how many times I have been educated here. Glad to have you with us. :)
Laryn
Yup...that one there is gonna make someone happy.
$1225 final. :o
That makes me sick in the gut, oh well. Better love next time. :-\
Keep you chin up! There's one out there with your name on it. I know it for sure.
Happy Trails,
Paul
Dreamscape