FINALLY!!! --- set the engine & tranny in place on Saturday with the help of a few ArtCar Museum techs. Fitting this "little" Cummins 4BT was one heck of a squeeze. Even more so than expected. It had to sit back almost six inches further than I thought it might (now nearly 30" back from the original engines position). Big engine + narrow Art Deco frame = PITA to fit! But then, how many "mid-engine" '46 school buses can be out there?
We spent the whole day nudging, grinding, measuring & cutting away more firewall but it is now in place and properly aligned (I hope). Now have part of one engine mount tacked in place and can begin the other this coming week. Also...my Randy Domeck front disk kits should be here soon. Yee-haw!
Advice to youngsters...it's OK to start building bus from scratch. Just get started before your well into your sixties. I just turned 70 on Groundhogs Day and still have a long ways to go. You do the math.
There are a few new pix up on my now ancient album.
Tango, age has nothing to do with it...well, maybe a little
If it was easy everyone would have a bus....but hey, watching you work away makes me feel like I do have a bus! Your looking good. The light is on at the end of the tunnel just don't take your eye off of it. It is not a train.
Thanks for the update....and Happy belated Birthday wishes.
Well...the engine & tranny package are now fully secured in place instead of just hanging from the hoist. Took some assistance to get everything measured and located but we managed to get the engine & trans mounts cut & welded without too much drama. Took a few "in & outs" but they are DONE.
Starting work on the driveshaft, parking brake and front brake system now.
At this rate, should have no problem getting it on the road in time for the next big Millennial celebration.
Not much to show for the past couple of months --- Been going in circles locating what few NOS parts there are to be had as well as spending a bundle at machine shops making parts that don't otherwise exist. Had an insane time with just front wheel bearings. No interchange anywhere for the larger inner bearings and the only replacements for the outers came in at $250 bucks apiece! Which I thought was insane until I saw the exact same Timkins on a macinery company website for...get this...$675.00 each! Replacement parts for the #@!%# Space Shuttle are probably cheaper. Especially now that they are all grounded.
At last,the bus is back on the ground! --- Just completed installing the front disk brake kit that was made for a 2 ton. And it is Mongo all the way. International big rig disks, Ford F350 calipers. Pretty sure it will haul this little rig down. Took a fair amount of "adjusting" including grinding maybe a quarter inch off the inner edge of the calipers to make 'em fit inside the new 19.5" rims, but at least that part is done. Now have to build the rest of the brake system, which includes a whole new firewall to hang things from. Then there is the hydroboost/master and pedals and brake lines, but hey...nobody sold me on this being simple.
Lots of new pix in my Flickr album. Look in my signature line.
Tango, I clicked on the link but it says "address no valid". Maybe its on my end?? But as you say...... ONWARD. Every step gets you one foot closer to being finished!
Hmmmm...Thanks Chip. For whatever reason, the link is not going where it is directed. Only the "http//" part shows up in the address window.
But...if you copy and paste it it works. Must have something to do with how things are working on the Stovebolt site (?).
The link at the bottom of the page is still working even though the addy is the same. Who knows? All this Internet stuff is actually driven by Voodoo so anything can happen.
More minor stuff --- After several frustrating months, I finally managed to get all the parts I need to mount a real, mechanical park brake on the back end of my Allison 2200. Went round & round just trying to get make/model/year info, then went thru the usual "we gotta have a VIN number" crap with a dozen different parts houses. Finally got one Chevy counterman who could actually look up the parts without said VIN. Hallelujah! Dropped off some cash and they should be "on the truck" shortly.
And...just in case anyone else is looking for a mechanical driveline park brake to fit an Allison 1000 or 2200...they can be found on...
2008/2009 GM Medium Truck Kodiak C4500 & C5500
NOTE: The same unit is also on other trucks, I just stopped hunting when I found these.
Just determined that now I need to cut out the main frame crossmember in order to mount the park brake. Dropped off plans for a bolt in replacement at my local metal shop as I can't make precision bends in the 2" schedule 40 pipe I spec'd.
Also building a new firewall where the old dash was with a small doghouse to enclose the rear of the engine. Next big challenges are putting together a steering column & box as well as the pedals, booster and master for the brakes. More fun to follow.
Been a while but yes...I am still at it. Had to machine a flange for the exhaust side of the turbo but now have a stainless downpipe fabbed , ceramic coated, wrapped and mounted. Also had to machine a bung so that I can run my turbo return line directly into the oil pan. Have the drain line hooked up to the turbo but still need to drop the pan and weld in the bung.
Managed to cut & paste a less rusty/damaged section of louvers into one of my inner fenders. Next came the steering system. I now have the gearbox & column from an '03 Isuzu NPR mounted. Next is connecting the two and working out the drag link and such.
Lots more little stuff with plenty of update pix in my Flickr Album. Just gotta' keep movin'.
Well...it was nearly a month and a half since I last saw this old gal but I am back in town and back to work on it. Just dropped some pieces off at my local machine shop. Need them to make a splined shaft so I can hook my steering column up to the Isuzu gearbox. Turns out cutting custom splines is tricky...and expensive. Will get some pix when it comes back. Plenty of other "little stuff" to keep me busy. Just gotta keep moving.
Still pokin' it with a stick --- now have a battery box for my "house" batteries as well as a new drop down spare tire holder. Most of the remaining custom made steering parts will be picked up tomorrow (hopefully) but there is still plenty to do before this old gal is road ready. I am also just now ready to try and mount a replacement main frame crossmember. It is necessary in order to make room for the driveline park brake that mounts on the back of the Allison tranny.
New pix of bits and pieces are in my Flickr album for anyone interested.
WOOOOW, This is too cool! I'm definitely going to follow along for the rest of the ride on this one Incredible work so far, keep it up!
1954 Chev 3100
“When I’m working on a problem, I never think about beauty. I think only how to solve the problem. But when I have finished, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong.” R. Buckminster Fuller
Thanks for the kind words guys --- The steering system has really been a bear so far and I'm still working on it. Mating the original '46 axle components to an '03 Isuzu NPR gearbox and column calls of fabbing a bunch of bits and pieces. Tried twice to order a steering column support bearing from one of the big, online hot rod suppliers and both were crap. Wouldn't swivel and did not fit the advertised OD size.
Just mounted by spare tire carrier (most of it) and the new box for my house batteries. There are some fairly fresh pix in the Flickr Album below.
One Big Hurdle Out of the Way --- Have been working for the past couple of months on fabricating and installing a replacement for my frames main crossmember. The original was located where the new park brake had to fit on the back of the Allison 6-speed. To say it was a chore is a major understatement. It was also nerve wracking. In fact, I left the old one in place until the new one was completely installed for fear that cutting it might lead to some major movement that I could never correct.
The plan called for fabbing and bolting two C-channels that fit inside the original frame...then welding the actual crossmember to them going from side to side. I opted for bolting the C-channels to the frame with eight, grade 8, 1/2" flange bolts to avoid overheating the old metal, which I have been told can lead to cracking. MUCH more work, but I don't want to risk this old gal breaking in two.
I now have to build another crossmember to replace the front engine mount brace that was cut out long ago by whoever installed the 350 Chevy V-8 that was in this rig when I found it (the new engine is a little Cummins 4BT).
I posted some pix in my Flickr Album below for anyone so interested.
Still at it! --- just got back from the local driveline shop where I have been working up specs for a custom driveshaft. The first thing I learned is...they ain't cheap! Nearly a grand to have it built from scratch. It will have to be a two-piece shaft with a carrier bearing since it is a bit long to go with a single. A little more complex to fab for and install, but hey...at least it will be in line with everything else on this rig. Complicated & expensive.
My new spare tire carrier is ready to mount now. Had to work it and the hoist mechanism out before I can finish the new rear deck. There's a couple of pix in my album below. ONWARD!
Tango, don't mean to tease you but I sure wish you lived close by. I work part time for Carolina Driveline and could sure help you out big time. http://carolinadriveline.com/ click on product line up...and then Restoration and you'll get a shot of my pickup and panel. Tom and Jennifer are great folks and been doing it a long time. I've know them for almost 20 year.
Glad to see your still chipping...uh, I mean HAMMERING away on this thing. Lots of folks get inspiration from you.
Howdy Chip --- Thanks for the encouragement. And Ya...I wish you were closer too! This drive train work is all new territory for me and might as well be voodoo. I could definitely use some expert guidance. The shop I am using here has a great reputation and has been around about as long as your shop (since '78) but the ballpark does seem high..."just under a grand". Of course, this is all 100% from scratch.
And that is one mighty sweet pair you have there. I am especially a sucker for panels. Had a '66 Dodge Town Wagon I drove for 17 years and put nearly 400K miles on. Could not wear out that little slant six. Still ran like a top and I never should have sold it.
Still putzing around with the drivetrain. Turns out I had to make a major adjustment to the pinion angle...like 13 degrees! Wound up welding two shims together and will weld them both directly onto the spring perches as soon as my new U-bolts arrive (they needed to be an inch longer). Will post some pix shortly.
YeeHaw! --- Finally have my driveline & rear axle all lined up and bolted in place. Had to fab ginormous pinion angle shims (13 degrees!) to get it right but now the jackshaft & rear angle are right according to Spicer specs.
STILL waiting on my local machine shop to finish up their work on some engine & steering components but have been told (once again)..."sometime next week"). We'll see.
As usual, there are some update pix in my Flickr Album below.
Well, after getting "next week" for about a month, I finally have one of the critical items back. Just installed the fancy,schmancy accessory bracket from Duiser Offroad/Jonesy's. It is a billet aluminum mount for the Aalt plus an A/C compressor on a Cummins 4BT. Pretty trick but I still had to perform major mods for it all to fit my narrow '46 frame. Tried a test fit with both the alt & A/C and everything fits. Tighly...but it fits.
I am now wrapping up building a new draglink made up from pieces of my original Chevy parts and the new '03 Isuzu NPR power steering system. Hope to have it all together either this weekend or early next week. Hmmm..."next week"...where have I heard that before.
There are a few new pix of this nonsense on my Flickr Album.
Tango, I spent 5 years on the helpless 37 pickup and I spent a little over 6 years on the basket case 52panel. I'm sure there are many that took longer than that. I enjoyed ever frustration and refused to let them beat me!
Thanks Guys. That was NOT a record I was hoping to beat. Probably have at least another year and a half to go but getting closer every day. This is obviously not a game for folks wanting instant gratification. Patience and perseverance seem to be the watchwords for rebuilding old iron. And like Chip, I have to admit, I enjoy the heck out of (just about) every little challenge.
Spent a couple of days running fuel lines (supply & return). Hope to have my new dual fuel filter system arrive today. Diesel fuel has gotten dirtier and worse in the past few years so I am taking extra precautions including a separate water separator. I think I pretty much have my steering wrapped up except for hydraulics and a little work on the dash end. Nice to finally be able to turn the wheels after nearly three years. Still scrounging around for a remote oil filter system. Can't crank the engine until that's in place, but at least I'm moving in that direction.
Tango, is that a light I see at the end of the tunnel? It may be faint but I believe I do see one...don't you? Thanks for the updates. Keep on trucking brother. We're all on your side.
Gracias Chip --- Also just got my fancy, schmancy Allison shifter which will let me proceed with working out the dash & firewall situation. Gotta just keep plugging away at it.
Howdy Troops. Been a while but I am still at it. Lost a couple of months work time due to having a big art project and teaching but managed to get a few things done. Here's a few updates...
1 and 2 -- Had to fab an extension for the steering shaft. 3 - Looks like it all might fit. 4 - Added more heat shielding to the downpipe off the turbo. 5 - Brake pedal pieces 6 - Pieced together a brake pedal. 7 and 8 - Cleaned up and primed my inner fenders. 9 - Built a spare tire carrier. It now cranks down. 10 - Re-routed my turbo oil return line directly into the pan to make room for other stuff.
Ran out of room in the 10 image thumbnails. Here's are some links tho:
We'll call it image #11. Built an all new main crossbrace for the frame (to clear the new driveline brake).
Have to take another break here soon as I need to relocate my shop & bus. Not looking forward to the move but it will be a much better working situation. Just gotta keep at it.
Once again I lost a couple of months. This time to relocating the bus and my entire shop. Good news is that it is a much better workplace. Having to build out storage racks and a big workbench, but should be able to get back to work in a couple of weeks. Will try and update with a couple of pix shortly.
Thought I'd toss this out in case any of you old pros have some ideas or sources that might help solve a minor dilemma.
I am out of room under this old pointy nosed hood and need a large area air filter so the little Cummins I installed can breathe properly. My idea is to find or build a miniature version of the large, cowl mounted air filter canisters like you see on big rigs (there is a pic below). Would really like stainless or aluminum, but I'm not set up to fab or weld either metal. Any suggestions for a qualified builder of similar parts?
Tango, glad to see your still whittling away on the project.
...while Stovebolt doesn't like "double posting" I'd recommend that you ask this same question in the HiPo forum or maybe even the Paint and Body where some fabricators may take notice. I don't think anyone will mind!
OK...so I got the move done, built some walls, shelves and a workbench and now I am finally back to working on the bus! The new space is great but relocating everything was a royal PITA...and expensive.
Going at the bus from several angles. Cut out more rusty metal and made room for an electrical box at the same time. Giving the floor a final going over and getting it down to clean metal by removing 70 year old asphalt and welding up a few more holes I have found. Then doing some more work on the dash/firewall and steering.
There are are a couple of pix of my attempt at body work and the hole for the electrical stuff on the album page below in signature line (page 6).
Added a few pix to the album below of work done after the big move. Cut some big holes out then filled'em back in...removed some paint and put more back on...and added a bit more insulation.
