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Old 07-07-2019, 03:49 PM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jul 2019
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1948 gmc pd3751

Hello new friends!

I have another thread ( I'm in love with a '61 MCI ) and everybody has been so helpful! I opened this in a new thread because it's a different bus. I found this bus conversion and I am drooling over the exterior and dreaming of the possibilities to update the interior! But like the previous bus, this one is an oldie..a real oldie. 1948 GMC PD3751. I am posting the info listed about the mechanics and some pics and hoping I can encourage you knowledgeable folks to give me some feedback!


Here is a great classic bus, converted to an RV. This 1948 GMC PD3751 Silverside has been totally transformed to be the motor home or recreational vehicle of your dreams. The engine has been totally overhauled and has approximately 20,000 miles on it at time of posting. The transmission has also received a total overhaul. This bus has also received an upgrade of air ride suspension as well as a new clutch, radiator and exhaust. Backup power is provided by a 5kw Onan generator. Bus still has original oil bath air cleaners; a conversion kit is available from ABC bus to change to paper filtration.

Update 3-25-2019: Fan belt idler repaired, air foot valve replaced, new batteries, several filters changed, air pump repaired.


(I am pretty sure it needs tires, but the interior is in really good shape except for some aesthetical issues and it needs a new bathroom) and yes, I notice that is is sitting in an area with some snow so I have messaged the seller for additional pics and info regarding rust...
Attached Thumbnails
gmc.jpg   bus back.jpg   9310-1948GMCPD3751Silverside-8.jpg  

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Old 07-07-2019, 05:53 PM   #2
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Genuine bus porno...
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Old 07-07-2019, 05:57 PM   #3
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A survivor!!!
This would be the cats meow all shined up and restored!
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Old 07-07-2019, 06:00 PM   #4
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I have a number of friends that own silversides, one travels around the country in his doing antique bus repair. About 90% of old buses for sale state that the engine was recently overhauled, ask for proof. An inframe could be $10,000 or more. I've heard figures as high as $10,000 per cylinder for total out of bus rebuild. Remember that bus is 71 years old, there are some parts that are made of unobtainium. If you aren't prepaired/able to do you own repairs you have been warned.
That being said, I would love to own one. The pictures look like it's pretty straight.
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Old 07-07-2019, 06:46 PM   #5
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Ugh. I know. I'm sure there aren't a whole lot of them lying around for parts either. I'm hoping somebody who owns one or knows somebody who works on them will chime up and give me more info..If I can obtain proof that the engine and tranny were rebuilt and the other repairs were done, would it still be a mine field? The body is in amazing shape ( unless we find a bunch of hidden rust or something) and the inside is dreamy and only needs minimal work. I really really want this bus but like you said it could end up being a nightmare if we have to put in 20k in the engine
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Old 07-07-2019, 07:00 PM   #6
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Hey Somewhere..if you happen to have contact info for one of your friends that own a silver side or be willing to pass my contact info on that would be amazing..if that's too weird, I get it. Maybe I can find a forum specifically for people interested in these buses?
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Old 07-07-2019, 07:36 PM   #7
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Very cool, looks like an old locomotive from the rear.
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Old 07-07-2019, 08:05 PM   #8
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I know! I think the back end is my favorite part! Looks BA! too bad all signs are pointing to a big NO for this bus ( tears) but even if it is mechanically sound, the stick shift is going to kill the deal. If I ever decide to have something stationary then I will definitely do one of these!
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Old 07-07-2019, 08:16 PM   #9
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OMG, really?!!
The manual tranny is your deal-breaker?
Post her link, please: Might just be one of us snatch up the slack on that beautiful be-yotch!!!
She looks like something that came outta, Atlas Shrugged"
(so sue me)
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Old 07-07-2019, 08:40 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by somewhereinusa View Post
About 90% of old buses for sale state that the engine was recently overhauled, ask for proof. An inframe could be $10,000 or more. I've heard figures as high as $10,000 per cylinder for total out of bus rebuild.
I second asking proof of any overhaul, but $10k a cylinder? DAMN, that's high! I've heard most 2-strokes can be done for $1,000 a cylinder, but perhaps that is doing the work yourself.

Quote:
Originally Posted by somewhereinusa View Post
Remember that bus is 71 years old, there are some parts that are made of unobtainium. If you aren't prepaired/able to do you own repairs you have been warned.
*Yoda voice* THAT is the way of things... The way of The Force...


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Quote:
Originally Posted by HazMatt View Post
OMG, really?!!
The manual tranny is your deal-breaker?
Post her link, please: Might just be one of us snatch up the slack on that beautiful be-yotch!!!
She looks like something that came outta, Atlas Shrugged"
(so sue me)
In this case, I back INeedABus' thought process. Purgatory and hell take many forms. Long hills with gearing that doesn't allow staying in one gear for the climb falls into those realms. Trust me, once you've driven an 80,000-lb vehicle up a mountain with a 10-speed versus a 13/18-speed, you'll know what I'm talking about. If this were a 9-speed, I would echo your sentiment, but a 4-speed is going to be a pain in the ass traveling through mountains, and it won't be much fun on hills either.

Also, being a 40s GMC, there is very little doubt it has a GM Diesel (aka 2-stroke Detroit), which are as well-known for slowing WAY down on hills as they are for their immortality. The lack of reasonable split between the forward gears will only exacerbate this. However, if I were looking to drive this thing on long, flat highways, never getting near mountains or hilly areas, well... Shut up and take my money!
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Old 07-08-2019, 01:00 AM   #11
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It's with heavy heart that I am posting this. I was overruled on this one so I hope one of you guys ends up with this jewel..wait till you see the inside!
https://www.busesforsale.com/bus/931...3751Silverside
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Old 07-08-2019, 01:05 AM   #12
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I think it's for the best. Didn't realize those 4-speeds were still column-shift, though I guess it shouldn't surprise me. I've just never seen or heard of a bus or heavy truck with a column-shift manual. Guess I have NOW... You'd have your hands full with that one if you'd never even driven a three-on-the-tree.
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Old 07-08-2019, 11:36 AM   #13
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$32900

I think that's way too much for something nearly 70 years old with a lot of parts being unobtanium. Let alone the conversion being probably 30 years old.

Cool bus, but no thanks.
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Old 07-08-2019, 01:58 PM   #14
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It's not $10,000 a cylinder for an inframe on a detroit. It's about $5000 for the whole job. @Busgreasemonkey just did an inframe on his channel if you would like to take a look at what it involves.
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Old 07-08-2019, 05:18 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CMORGANSKOOL View Post
It's not $10,000 a cylinder for an inframe on a detroit. It's about $5000 for the whole job. @Busgreasemonkey just did an inframe on his channel if you would like to take a look at what it involves.
That was for other than Scott. I know Scott and have told him he works too cheap. Most places, if you can get them to work on a 2 stroke at all, are waaaaay more then that.
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Old 07-08-2019, 05:37 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ineedabus1 View Post
It's with heavy heart that I am posting this. I was overruled on this one so I hope one of you guys ends up with this jewel..wait till you see the inside!
https://www.busesforsale.com/bus/931...3751Silverside
To give an idea of how much mark-up that website charges, and how poor the info given is, I looked at this White 2 years ago in AZ, when it was advertised on craigslist. The asking price back then was $14k, instead of the current $22.9k. The bus hasn't moved since then, and the "recent 200 mile trip" they refer to was in 2015.
https://www.busesforsale.com/bus/7845-1948WhiteWhite
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Old 07-08-2019, 06:19 PM   #17
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$10,000 a cylinder, guess I better raise my prices.

I just bought an in frame overhaul kit for a 1942 6-71. Took a week to get it and was $2500 from the dealer all genuine DD parts. This was liners, pistons,rings, bearings, and all gaskets.
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Old 07-08-2019, 06:28 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CHEESE_WAGON View Post
I think it's for the best. Didn't realize those 4-speeds were still column-shift, though I guess it shouldn't surprise me. I've just never seen or heard of a bus or heavy truck with a column-shift manual. Guess I have NOW... You'd have your hands full with that one if you'd never even driven a three-on-the-tree.
My Dad had a Internationl cabover with a 5 speed on the column. Cabovers were bad enough with sloppy linkage, and a column shift just added to it.
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Old 07-11-2019, 07:31 PM   #19
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Hi Ronnie!
Obviously you are familiar with this kind of engine. Can you recommend somebody on the West coast that specializes in these oldie engines?
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Old 07-11-2019, 09:36 PM   #20
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that is the same bus that Scott (Bus grease monkey) drives around in, love the column shift, do not have anything like that kind of money
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