'46 Chevy Shorty

[Tango-SKO]

Hey Jack...ain't it always somethin'? But I'm confident you'll find some electro-hydraulic surplus NASA Saturn 5, self-regulating and auto de-phloogeralizing stainless-steel ball valves with digital real-time readouts to handle the task automatically. Piece-O-cake...right?

And speaking of " Piece-O-cake"...I'm beginning to reconsider that "trolly-top" concept once again.

Onward!

 

[ol trunt]

Hey Tango, hold that thought. Our buses would look real good that way and if I could have afforded a taller garage I'd have done it for sure. As it is I guess I'll just have to live with my cheeze little tilt up

I took my TOAD to what amounts to the last car show of the season around here and met a guy with a 1941 Dodge 6x6. He put a 4 cyl Cummins in it with a 5 spd shifter and is getting 26-27 MPG @ 70 MPH! He is planning to put an old skool camper on it. The truck was just beautiful. He bought the thing in Penn.and had the work done on it there , then drove it to Ca. He said he had seen a school bus body on the same chassis and wished he had bought it. He is the head mechanic for the local port authority and really knows his shiat. Too much fun.

Jack

 

[opus-SKO]

I'm way late to the party but just saw this and thought of you: http://montana.craigslist.org/ctd/4017406915.html

 

[Tango-SKO]

Hey Jack...the war era Dodges were great old trucks and I am impressed and encouraged by the news that the 4BT will not only pull that beast but get the targeted mpg. Sounds mighty sweet. Me...I'd build a box camper on back. It would be a shame to lose that uber-cool front end. Talk about a "go-anywhere" rig!

Opus --- Damn! Great looking old Chevy and the "meets the minimum" bid price is still only a hundred bucks? Somebody jump on that darlin'! Quick!

 

[ol trunt]

Hey Tango, you'd better run to your garage to see if your bus is still there! sOMEONE IS TRYING TO SELL IT ON cRAIGS lIST. (See today's for sale posts) I'm always here looking out for my bus buddy--just saying, Jack

 

[Tango-SKO]

Hey Jack --- Dangnabbit! Looks like I missed a lot of spare parts while I was gone.

 

[Tango-SKO]

Howdy All --- Not one danged bit of real progress to report but I have lined up/enlisted/bartered for a crew to help get the engine and tranny into the tiny little space I have to work with. Thankfully, they are both experienced builders and one is even a diesel mechanic. There may be hope yet!

 

[ol trunt]

Way to go my friend. While I have no doubt you could stuff that motor with one arm tied behind your back, it sure helps to have a little help along the way. I can't wait to see/hear what you do--so keep them photos flowing! Jack

 

[bansil]

friends that know what they are doing are the best kind of help

 

[Tango-SKO]

Making some minor headway --- Picking up a power steering gearbox in about an hour. Saw what was on Ol Trunt's and it looked perfect for what I have to do. My original, manual box is mounted inside the frame and has to go. The Cummins won't fit in between those narrow old frame rails with it sticking out there so I've been looking for just such an alternative as came on his Isuzu chassis. Found a pullout from a little NPR for $200 bucks that should do the trick by mounting outside the frame and further back. Will need to build all the connecting hardware and steering column but hey...that's just part of the game...right? Even Jack had to modify his to fit around all the other custom work he's done. Pix when available.

 

[Tango-SKO]

Got the gearbox and now thinking about going back for the complete steering column. Should make life a little easier. Taking a look at the CAC (intercooler) as well if the deal and size are right.

 

[Tango-SKO]

Went back and got the Isuzu steering column. Looks to be about the right length plus is adjustable. The intercooler was the right size but had too much angle on the inlet & outlet.Today I yanked the old steering gear box and column making room for the engine. Gonna be a tricky install on the steering system but should work. Would no doubt be a lot easier if I was Ol' Trunt.

Onward!

 

[ol trunt]

Hey Tango, isn't that a cool column--it tilts and slides up and down. I expect you'll have to extend the shaft between the slip and the box like I did but it was easyily done with a length of black pipe. You will probably be ok with the two stock joints even at quite a steep angle. You might want to flip the column mounting bracket 180 degrees because it will provide lots more foot room that way. You have to monkey with the tilt lever to flip the mount, but once you figure out how to get the lever undone the rest is simple. Where are the pics? Jack

 

[roach711]

Man, you two just amaze me.

 

[Tango-SKO]

Thanks Jack --- Looks like I'll have to route it as close as possible out side the frame rail. May or may not have to lengthen the shaft but it looks close at the moment. I'd planned on moving the driver position about six or eight inches to the left anyway so that part is cool. The original position was danged near in the center of the bus!?

And I'll have to remember to take the camera on my next visit. I don't have one of those fancy-schmancy phone things.

 

[ol trunt]

Hey Tango, I think all those old busses had the drivers seat almost dead center--mine did too. I'm sure the sales pitch had something to do with the driver being able to reach the door opening handle without getting out of his seat. It also had the added benifit of allowing the driver to cold cock an intruder without leaving his seat--oh, maybe not back then, but nowadays----

Like you I don't have a fancy schmancy phone camera--just an Olympus 2.1 mega pixel pre turn of the century camera. I figure if it was good enough for work it is still good enough for an old school bus . But then, I drink water out of the tap rather than from a plastic bottle. If it is good enough for my cats it is good enough for me.

Jack

 

[somewhereinusa]

Tango, are you back to working on the bus now, or still out galivantin' around?

And I'll have to remember to take the camera on my next visit. I don't have one of those fancy-schmancy phone things.

Thank goodness, those phone pictures are ok for looking at on a phone but, pretty worthless for anything else.

I drink water out of the tap rather than from a plastic bottle.

I drink water from a plastic bottle that I filled from the tap. Many times that came through a garden hose.
I just read the other day that doing a cannonball is dangerous, and that you aren't supposed to do a head stand without a helmet. Why aren't I dead by now?

 

[bansil]

I just read the other day that doing a cannonball is dangerous, and that you aren't supposed to do a head stand without a helmet. Why aren't I dead by now?

your just a rebel

 

[Tango-SKO]

We got pretty much nuthin' BUT rebels on this forum! 8)

And while I am done gallavatin for the moment, I still haven't had much time for the bus. An hour or two here and there. Have to get back on some kind of schedule before it all rusts away in spare parts boxes.

 

[ol trunt]

Tango, I'll help you out by providing a completely awsome schedule for you to follow. This is a secret--so don't share it!

Day one (today): Go to bed at 2100 Hrs. (alone).

Day two: Get up at 0530, SS&S, eat a bowl of goatmeal and a cup'o jo. Get to the bus barn at 0600 Hrs and work on the bus 'till 1200 Hrs. Make two PB&J's--inhale them (with a glass of tap water to wash 'em down). Work on the bus 'till 1700Hrs. Take and post pics of the days progress and then go home. Have a TV dinner (and a bottle of beer) and be in bed (alone) by 2100 Hrs.

Day three: Repeat day two.

Day four: ditto etc. Hope this helps! Jack