1946 Spartan coach in Spokane

[expressbus]

That "morphodite" unit flashed me back to an old song by Johnny Cash. The song was about a homemade vehicle cobbled together from parts "stolen" daily from work at GM.

Interesting to say the least. Could this thing actually be subject to a factory recall? 

[dukegrad98]

Could this thing actually be subject to a factory recall? 

I wouldn't hold my breath on Government Motors doing a recall until a bunch of people are dead and Congress throws a fit...  I'm sure the ignition switch is the least of the things wrong with that vehicle. 

Cheers, John

[Jeremy]

That "morphodite" unit flashed me back to an old song by Johnny Cash. The song was about a homemade vehicle cobbled together from parts "stolen" daily from work at GM.

That guy worked for the Buick division - here he is, with the vehicle he built:







Jeremy

PS - No-one has commented on the motorhome-standing-on-it's-rear-bumper photo - what's that about?

[Mex-Busnut]

It'd be fun to have a shorty bus conversion for those quicky weekend get aways where you don't need the big bus-or where it isn't allowed-like in many state and national parks. Good Luck, TomC

Agree! I have often thought of setting up a step van as a camper for quickie trips, or perhaps even building myself a Teardrop that I could pull with my Jetta TDI (55 MPG!)

[HB of CJ]

Oldsmobile.  Thank you.  Need to find that Johny Cash song also.  Funny.  I also have day dreamed about finding that mint condition rust free 1975 Ford F500 shorty 6 window school bus and stuffing in a hot Detroit 8V92TI with an appropriate big Fuller manual. 

It would weight in at about 15000 pounds curb weight full load and have over 500 hp and over 1400 torque.  Put all the heavy static load RV stuff in the rear to balance the monster and there you go.  Be fun to drive anyhow.  Sound good to me.  HB of CJ (old coot)

[tom120]

We have the GMC V6 401 Magnum in our 47 Flxible Clipper. The original owner (Warner Bros) sent it back to Flxible in 1971 for the repower.  the engine is very impressive with a gear driven camshaft, solid lifters and lots of forged components. The biggest limitation is the non synchro non overdrive 4 speed Spicer. Axle gearing was great for the Buick 8 and 2 lane highways but not ideal for todays interstate. Engine at 55 mph turns 2900 rpm. Getting ready for an Allison 6 speed auto trans conversion. you can see the bus on the road at philly.com/monarchs

[TomC]

The Allison 2300HS would be a great fit for that big ol' V-6. You could cruise at around 2,100rpm at 65mph. Perfect! Good luck, TomC

[tom120]

You are close tom. I bought an 07 Allison 2500 RDS with 18,000 miles for $1200 with the computer, harness, yoke and dipstick.  I have to reposition the motor rearwards to make it fit and have a flexplate built. Would prefer to keep the stick but the stick options don't really give me any real long grade climbing options. The Allisons are amazing and the 3rd and 4th gear in lockup and non lockup is exactly what the bus needs. this has a TC221 converter but not sure if it is the correct one yet for this application. This should be an interesting blend of old and new technology. btw Allison had me at $10k for a trans and a core just to get started. thx

[belfert]

PS - No-one has commented on the motorhome-standing-on-it's-rear-bumper photo - what's that about?

It looks like someone had an elevated parking spot for their motorhome and the motorhome simply accidentally rolled off or was driven off the parking spot.

[TomC]

The 401 Magnum is rated at 210hp @ 3,700rpm with 348lb/ft torque @ 1,600rpm. The 2500RDS is rated at a maximum rpm of 3,200. With the low torque that engine puts out (compared to the 660lb/ft torque that transmission can take), and with the higher revving gasoline engine, I'd run the TC210 torque converter.

With the Magnums bigger heads, I'd run a puffer turbocharger putting out no more than 5psi. You'll get more like 250hp and 400lb/ft torque out of the engine. Those GMC V-6's were really tough engines. Too bad they stopped making them. But, by the weight of the engine, 880lbs, that's at least 250lbs heavier then the newer V-8's. Good Luck, TomC

[CrabbyMilton]

That "BUICK" motorhome may very well be the result of a bad cold and too much medicine before bed combined with great mechanical skills. Interesting find and I wonder if it's still around? Those old GMC V6 engines from the 1960's and 70's were legendary in terms of durability. But they were not particularily powerful for their size and liked to drink gasoline like it was going out of style. At the same time, it didn't make logical sense since GM had big block V8's that were being built in high volume at the same time so the V6 which was limited to trucks was dropped. INTERNATIONAL had those "RED DIAMOND" straight 6's for many years until the 1970s'. THey too were tough old bastards but the V8 had potential for more power used less fuel per HP. There was no mistaking the distinct sound of the GMC V6 and IH RED DIAMOND.

[TomC]

The first truck I drove was a '65 White compact (trash truck cab) 2axle tractor with the White Comet V 165hp inline 6. It was built like a Diesel engine, but was a gasoline-tough old beast. Would pull the 405 long hill north through the Sepulveda pass at 40mph and do about 15 mph south up the 6% grade. But-I was being paid by the hour so I didn't care. Considering it only had a springy non suspension seat and it had a 96" wheelbase, it rode quite well. With the synchroed 5spd and 2spd rear end, it was fun to drive. I could wiggle the 40ft trailer into most residential driveways saving lots of time for the customer. Good Luck, TomC

[shelled]

What works for an engine/transmission swap on a Flxible is not good for the shorter and much lighter Spartan -- hanging over a half ton of engine and tranny almost 50% of the wheelbase BEHIND the rear axle will make it unstable on the road.  There is a reason the Moyes went with a mouse motor (small block Chevy).  That or a Buick 3.8L Turbo V-6 would provide much more reasonable weight distribution.  The Spartan is more similar to my UltraVan which gets by on a 110 hp Corvair engine and will do over 70 mph on the flat even with a 2-speed Powerglide tranny.

edward

[CrabbyMilton]

Just wait. Someone will stick a FORD ECOBOOST V6 in a CLIPPER or SPARTAN. Those things are light and pack a heck of a punch though they lack that nice V8 growl.

[baker4106]

Owners name is Moyer.   They are members of FMCA chapter Great Lakes Converted Coaches.