Tracking Down PD 4104's Still Around or on the road

[Iceni John]

Hi Jon,

This one is now on eBay:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/1956-GMC-PD-4104-Conversion-Ready-for-Tiny-House-Living/111656889262?_trksid=p2054897.c100204.m3164&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140407115239%26meid%3D288325b1986b4abc9ede7331d1e36858%26pid%3D100204%26rk%3D25%26rkt%3D30%26sd%3D261868315332

Will you be coming to BGW at Paul's on Memorial Day weekend?
Hope to see you there,
John

[siberyd]

John,

Thanks for the link, will send an email and see if I can get a number.

I will be at the.event at Pauls. Not sure.which day and which bus.

Siberyd

[bronson]

Got this one? 1957 PD4104 on Craigslist  http://columbus.craigslist.org/rvs/4952013438.html

[siberyd]

Bronson,

Yes I have that one. It is the only 8 speed on my list and currently resides in Loxahatchee,  Florida.

Siberyd

[pd4501-771]

  Hi Jon

I have been communicating with a fellow who lives in Puerto Rico. He bought Fred and I's Scenicruiser book, and sent me a nice letter through the publisher. We have been talking; first by letters, and more recently via email. I am not sure if he speaks English, but I'm guessing he does, as his hand writting is beautiful. His favorite coach is the GM 4104s. So I asked him if he knew of any around his area. He sent me the following info about one at this location:

Autobuses De Puerto Rico Inc. Carolina,PR   ph#787-701-3605 (I'm guessing a repair outfit or salvage yard). He will be sending me photos of the bus soon. So if you have a spanish speaking friend, you could probably call down there, and get the serial number. I'll bet lots of 04s went to Cuba, PR, South America, Mexico, and elsewhere. Take care

Tom

[John316]

Okay. My first contributing post. This one is #PD 4104 - 4612. For sale in Kansas.  http://kansascity.craigslist.org/rvs/4957010591.html

[siberyd]

Tom,

Working on finding an interperter.

John,

Thanks for the info, I have seen photos of this coach before, but never with the serial number.

[siberyd]

PD 4104 update

Conversion  361
Seated bus    24 
Noted on web 28 
Scrapped.        31
Still around.    413
Accounted for 444

[LesBerg]

I can't remember if I've reported mine for your list.

We purchased PD4104-1553 in Rathdrum, ID, in May I think. It's a 1955 model.

It has the one-piece door and driver's windows, except for the inset toll/ticket window. It has a full set of windows, though they look like the glass has been shuffled around. One even has a bullet hole... The escape door is intact and functional.

It's been converted to an RV and completely remodeled at least once. We're going to do it again. We have some fun plans in store for it.

It was never a 'hound or Trailways bus. It was purchased new by Indian Trails Bus Company in 1955 as coach 106. At the time, Indian Trails named all of their coaches after Michigan native American chiefs. I have a call in to them trying to find out who ours was named after.


and finally, a plea for help:
The accelerator cable is frozen in the housing, so we can't drive it. I've tried various penetrating oils at each end, to no avail. I've tried a slide hammer on the back end (after disassembling the cable ends) and all I've managed to do is shorten the cable.

Does anyone know how get the inner cable out of the housing when it's this stuck? I've inspected almost the entire length of the housing, and it's not crushed or bent anywhere I can see. It has to be corrosion or a dirty cable.

My next step will be to apply heat to the ends of the housing in the hopes that it's solidified grease holding it up. I'll try a better clamp on the inner cable and constant tension instead of the slide hammer. Other than that, I'm out of ideas. If it doesn't work I'll probably have to run a completely new cable parallel to the original one.

Les

[Rick 74 MC-8]

Les
Worth a try. Check with motorcycle repair shops they have a fitting that goes on a motorcycle cable to lube. Maybe modified and a little more pressure you can put some fresh kerosene or penetrating oil  through it

Rick

[LesBerg]

Les
Worth a try. Check with motorcycle repair shops they have a fitting that goes on a motorcycle cable to lube. Maybe modified and a little more pressure you can put some fresh kerosene or penetrating oil  through it

Rick

Great idea, thanks!

[John Z]

Hey Les. My cable was pretty much the same. After putting up with it a few years, it finally got so bad, I replaced it with a new cable for a 40' MCI. I should have done that right away.

[LesBerg]

Hey Les. My cable was pretty much the same. After putting up with it a few years, it finally got so bad, I replaced it with a new cable for a 40' MCI. I should have done that right away.

I'll look into that too.
Thanks,
Les

[siberyd]

Les,

Thanks for the info on your coach. What City and State do you call home?

Siberyd

[siberyd]

This week I have corresponded with 6 PD 4104 owners. I am hoping to have an update to the list by next Friday.

Siberyd