52 M38a1 Motor Pool Resto

Those arctic doors should be disposed of promptly. I'll swing by later to grab them. NEKAF??

 

They were really cool. They went with that project I sold to a friend who is restoring it as a Cub Scout Project with his son. Didn't have room for all of those Jeeps. Traded up to two running M38A1's. I would be a project in by itself to restore the Arctic Top and doors.
Had an Army Military Police license plate on the Arctic Top.
I still have to make the spare tire sign for the USMC M38A1 like my dad had at 1st Hospital Company in Vietnam:


And the front license plate also:

That's dad in DaNang 1968. Had the decals made, still need to install them.

Dave

 

A couple of observations. First, that OD semi-gloss is well, super glossy! They must have been waxing that jeep and probably not something they'd do if it were a front line combat vehicle. Also, weren't Marine vehicles Forest Green? That was my impression anyways. Looks like the front shackles are Forest Green. Finally, I spy a reenforced bumper with lifting hooks and I'm wondering if this jeep was equipped with a limited slip rear diff. Those must be some very special pics to you. Thanks for sharing them Dave.

 

Funny thing. I have wondered about that color. I think some pf the gloss may be from the old Kodak Kodachrome slides making it look really glossy. His driver Gary Sharp was always cleaning it and wiping it down. My dad said he used a rag with some diesel fuel or something else on it to make it shine.
My dad said Gary Sharp wanted to keep that Jeep. The word came down it was to be replaced with an M151 and my dad wrote letters trying to keep the M38A1. It was replaced with the M151, and he said it probably stayed in country.
The 64 M38A1 USMC I have will be a replica of the one he had in Vietnam.
It does have the limited slip front and rear.
My dad was a Navy physician Navy Medical Corps 1st Marine Division, 1st Medical Battalion, 1st Hospital Company DaNang.
I sent some 370 slides to the Texas Tech Vietnam Archive.
I was in first grade when my dad went to Vietnam. I thought them that no one ever returned from there. He showed us the slides from Vietnam with the old projector and screen, and that's where my love for old Jeeps came from.
I love saving that history.

Dave

 

So this Sat. AM, Blalp! and PeteL plan to lend a neighbor a hand pulling the power plant out of the 58 runner. As time and light permit, I'll get things ready for the brain salad surgery. Fenders, grill and hood off tonight. Those fender bolts were crusty but came out somewhat intact.

It only took two beers to get the clip off.

I moved a pile of other parts and tires out of the way so we can get to the front end. This poor jeep is a bit of a rot box. You can see that it's had plowing service in it's past. Fish plates crudely welded onto the frame and the front bumper has been cut and modified. What a mess. The front spring packs already live in the 54 A1.

I will harvest spring hangars, front crossmember, battery pillar, rear engine mount and skid plate for sure. There are a handful of body parts for that someone can use (if not me). The tool box is decent except for the bottom. Back 2/3rd's of the frame is really shaky.

But for an $800.00 runner that didn't smoke with good oil pressure, it was a very good value. I drove it for a couple of hours on the trails. The seller even delivered for free in 2019 via AAA. Old school AutoLite generator and starter are on the shelf and they work. AutoLite distributor is there. The 10 gallon fuel tank is in the hay loft in nice shape. I didn't really need this jeep at the time but my spider senses were tingling.

Most importantly, I've verified that the engine is not locked up. She turns freely. So lot's more connections to deal with before the big day this Saturday. I'll give it the best effort possible since it will be in the teens on Saturday AM....Brrrr.....

 

I hope that it runs like this after all of this work. Video is from 2019.

 

PeteL is the mercenary of mobile jeep rescue and salvage. More later, but the eagle has landed....

 

It was supposed to be in the teens today but I was pleasantly surprised that it was 29 degrees early AM. A bit windy but sunny...A good day to turn wrenches. PeteL showed up right on time and ready to work.

Speaking of which, I was impressed with the compliment of tools that tag along with Pete. I can't thank him enough...!

A little persuasion was in order. The crowbar was mighty handy along with the tractor.

But the result was predictable enough. It took about 3 hours (with lots of chit chat). It's supposed to be mild tomorrow so I might fire up the pressure washer and get some of the gunk off.

The donor has been sitting behind the barn for more than 4 years. Still lot's of good parts to harvest. Firewall and cowl are in great shape. The rest of it, not so much...

So I packed up and put away the tools but still felt somewhat fresh. I lubed the entire chassis thoroughly, all the way down to the pintle hitch.

 

Great progress. Got to do the spring maintenance on the M38A1's for the Spring.
Adjust the brakes, tune ups, change the oil and lube them up also.
You are doing some great work.
Looks like both of you are great recourses.

Dave

 

Thanks Dave. It's great to have a few like minded people relatively close by to help one another. New Hampshire is a small state. PeteL has a motor to swap in the spring and I'll gladly return the favor when he's ready. Here are some parts that came off the CJ5 donor that will be repurposed for sure...clean them up and put them on the shelf. The floor section needs a bit of work on the driver's side but not that big a deal. Someone will use it.

 

It's cool that forum members can help each other out with their projects.
I got stuck on getting the M38A1's running again and forum member 1967CJ5A came over and got them running again. We will still get together and finish making them run perfectly later when it warms up.
Having fellow members get together makes things happen and keeps the momentum moving forward.

Dave

 

Dumb**s I am, I'm finally making a plate to cover the T-90 shift tower hole. Hammer and cardboard method:

How many times could I have used this over the years? I don't remember, but many times I suspect. Finally made one, took all of 10 minutes. A bead of RTV beneath of course.

These Oatey expansion test plugs are great for sealing off the intake and exhaust.

So the power plant is destined for a pressure washing. It's pretty grubby and will save lot's of time. I think things are warming up later this week.

 

Good for pressure testing radiators too.

You can use one of them, plus a Fernco rubber cap with an air fitting added to it.

 

Sounds like a pro tip. Thanks Pete!!

 

Be gentle!

 

So finally got the powerplant in the barn. We have rain coming in tomorrow.

I did pressure wash the main junk beforehand. It was nearly 55 degrees today but it didn't feel like it while doing the deed.

I'm hoping to have some help tearing things down this weekend. Blalp! say's he's in.

I do have the e-brake setup (pictured) that I have no use for. I'd love to trade for a front M38A1 front bearing retainer for transfer case. Yikes, still pretty cruddy back there but I love old grease and dirt.

 

How far into this are you going?

 

I figure with all that grease and grime, it had oil in it, and that's what kept it from rusting. Doesn't look bad at all.

Project is moving along quite well.

Dave

 

Interesting that your engine has a finned drum and the '53 I'm working on is flat.

 

Finned drum is civilian. CJ5 parking brake is entirely internal to the drum.