Hi all, I'm Gerry and needless to say i have a 57' 4104 conversion... :)

[Gerry4104]

I have SOOOOO many questions..i need some parts, i need to know the shift pattern of a 4spd.... LOL...(cant find reverse yet, and i have only moved the bus about 10 feet since starting it...LOL

I have a trucking company so i'm not a total tool...but, this is my first REAL bus...and i'm so glad i got it.....

It has a real interesting story to it as well.....

Here is a link to the pics...enjoy the mess that it is...    15 yrs at least untouched ! got it from the second owner...he's in his 80's....any way.....


http://s985.photobucket.com/albums/ae331/hotklock/Gm%20PD-4104/

Fire away with the questions ...

[siberyd]

The shift pattern on ours is as follows in an H pattern.
Top left - 1st gear
Bottom left - 2nd gear
Top right- 3rd gear
Bottom right- 4th gear

To get reverse, put it in first gear, hit the reverse switch on the dash, pull her into
2nd gear. Now you are in reverse.

Jon

[Gerry4104]

I saw the reverse gear switch, and it kinda puzzled me....I thought "really"....but now i know thanks for the info...now i wonder if it works..even moreso.... i wonder how it works mechanicaly so i can figure out how to fix it if it is in-op...

guess i will know wednesday.....that is the day it takes the drive home......

after 15 yrs minumum of sitting unattended..it took literaly 2 minutes to get if fired..even on old yelow fuel....purred like a kitten not a tick or rap anywhere...

I drained all the fuel with a big vacumm pump fuel sucker and 50 gallons of fresh went in today....gonna change out the filters and give it a good run through the RPM range for a while...get it hot watch it cycle temp...and change out the filters again, before i hit the road.....got a 3rd set to change in transit if they plug up, to get me home....about a 30 minute drive back to my shop....

Brakes released right away..bags seemed to rise...no audible air leaks...brakes applied and released.....


But before i could even move it i had to replace the floor in the cockpit, cause it was so rotted the clutch and the e-brake assy fell out and down just hangin there...rebuild and reattatch...then the clutch action was there...i am really surprised they attatched all that stuff to a wood floor and not to cross bracing of some kind....but oh well


the clutch worked smoothly with no chatter or slippage..HUGE plus there...

thanks for the info again

[5B Steve]

 Welcome, looks like you have some work ahead of you. Have fun and enjoy!


Steve 5B.....

[TedsBUSted]

Hey Gerry,
The retired Brigadier car haulers seen in the background of your pictures could be loaded with some nice 6-71 goodies.

Ted

[pabusnut]

Gerry,

Welcome to the addiction! 

If the 4104 is like my 4905, I think that one piece of floor under the driver seat had in excess of 50 bolts for various things.  I think I spent as much time on that part as the rest of the bus floor put together. ---But I am glad I did, because mine was rotted from the toll window leaking, and one of the D windows leaking on that side.

Steve Toomey
PAbusnut

[gus]

To add to what Jon said, mine goes into reverse easier when I hold the Reverse switch until it is firmly into second.

[Gerry4104]

Gerry,

Welcome to the addiction! 

If the 4104 is like my 4905, I think that one piece of floor under the driver seat had in excess of 50 bolts for various things.  I think I spent as much time on that part as the rest of the bus floor put together. ---But I am glad I did, because mine was rotted from the toll window leaking, and one of the D windows leaking on that side.

Steve Toomey
PAbusnut

Toll window...Hmmmm i guess that would make more sense than the ash flicking window that came to mind when i saw it....LOL

[pabusnut]

Gerry,

To add to what Gus said, you might want to also make cleaning/refreshing that reverse solenoid a high priority.  

It is quite embarrasing to have to go back and open the engine cover and manually put the trans in reverse when trying to back up on a tight curve in a campground while pulling a toad on a dolley!  Don't ask how I know!

Steve Toomey
PAbusnut

[RJ]

I saw the reverse gear switch, and it kinda puzzled me....I thought "really"....but now i know thanks for the info...now i wonder if it works..even moreso.... i wonder how it works mechanicaly so i can figure out how to fix it if it is in-op...

Gerry -

The reverse switch on the dashboard activates a solenoid located on top of the transmission.  Big old round silver thing about 2" in diameter, roughly 6" long, wiring at one end, linkage to the transmission on the other.  Probably a torn/missing rubber boot on the linkage side, too.

When you want reverse, as stated earlier, put the transmission into 1st gear.  Then, while HOLDING the reverse switch in the "ON" position, pull the shift lever back into the normal 2nd gear slot.  If the linkage is in good condition (most are badly worn today), you can often feel the solenoid working as you come thru neutral.

Have a helper do the honors in the driver's seat while you watch what's supposed to happen back on the transmission.  Walkie-talkies and/or cell phones are most helpful here.  (This can be done w/o the engine running, just the master in the "on" position.)

If the solenoid doesn't work, often times all it needs is a little elbow grease, TLC, a VOM and linkage adjustment.  They rarely "fail," fail.

Speaking of linkage adjustment, the proper way to adjust the clutch is to start up front and work your way back, per DA BOOK!  When adjusted properly, it's almost as light as an original VW Bus's.  Same goes for the shift linkage.  Major wear point for the shift linkage is the bell crank on the engine bulkhead, many are egged out of round, creating lots of slop.

Finally, since you're used to trucks, this old 4-spd is going to drive you crazy!  (Ask Gus, he'll be glad to share!)  So take a few minutes to read the following, before you tear your hair out and/or start questioning your shifting skills:

http://busnut.com/forum/index.php?action=articles;sa=view;article=41

Good luck, and have fun with your new/old toy!

FWIW & HTH. . .



PS:  Hard to see in the pic of the compartment under the driver, but does it say "PD4104-2747" stamped on the frame?

[Gerry4104]

yep 2747...thanks for the tips...and i will be checking on the reverse unit when i get there wed....

[OLD -ED]

I also have a 1957 4104, while holding it in first gear you should feel a slight movement in the gear shift lever when you hit the reverse switch at that time pull it back past second gear position..

[roadrunnertex]

"PD4104-2747 From GMC to Southeastern Greyhound Lines M-1210.
Southeastern Grevhound Lines home office was Lexington,KY
jlv

[bevans6]

If you are technically inclined, there are three shift rails on the top of the transmission - first/second, third/fourth, and reverse.  The solenoid moves the shift lever from engaging the first/second rail to engaging the reverse rail, which locks the first/second rail in neutral and lets the reverse rail move.  On a transverse GM, it's all right there in front of you, which is kind of handy...

Brian

[chev49]

Glad that the reverse adjustment in the back has been discussed..

I still can't find anything about a 57' 4104.....last one i saw was a tad shorter....