1952 M38 Build

Nate asked me to start a build thread for my newest project. As the title says it is a 1952 m38. This jeep will not be a restoration. It is going to have a lot in common with Nate's Ted.

Right now I am working on gathering the parts.

It will have a lunch box in locker in the rear, limited slip in the front. For now an L-134 engine, but with a t98a transmission, model 18 transfer. The original 44 rear will be used, the 25 front is being swapped for a 27.

 

Here are some photos

 

Cool!
Only one question though, Why D27 and not D 30?

 

I have the 27, and an NOS limited slip for it.

 

We're ready!
GO!

 

I still have the engine and transmission for this Jeep... It might not be a go if I don’t give it up!

 

And I gave Bill one heck of a deal on a D27.

 

Just a quick update. I got the 2.5 inch lift springs in and completed the front disc brake swap. Will be working on the rear soon.

 

I started work on the HEI for this Jeep. Bill’s on the right and a stock Pontiac is on the left (thanks to @73 cj5 )

 

Last weekend I got a little more done. The rear axle is coming together well. I am still waiting on the correct caliper brackets to finish the rear disk. I also have to clock the mounting brackets a little bit more.

 

I finished building the HEI, but ran out of time to finish it all up. Excuse the ugly wiring mess. this is the blue tux park CJ5 I bought that has an M38 L head and T98 in it.

 

so what am I missing here
4 cylinder engine . 8 cylinder cap

 

Its a Pontiac distributor that I modified to fit the 4 cyl. I use every other one to run the 4 cyl. I suppose a 4 cyl cap could be used on it, but the magnetic pickup is 8 point. I put the dummy boots on so I wont get shocked by it.

 

I did get more done today. Not anything the exciting for photos. I did find out I will need to use a spacer so the rear disk will work. Ran brake lines and found the front hose I bought was to short.

 

Lots of progress was made on Saturday. I took the frame for a 2.5 hour drive, spent the day working with Nate to take a cj5 apart so I could buy the engine, transmission, and transfer case, then helped him swap other parts around. Then drove the frame 2.5 hours home. I left my house at 7am and returned by 9:30pm. The toys Nate owns makes taking a jeep apart easy. It was a great day. My frame now has a running m38 engine, and a t98 transmission installed.

Warning some photos might not be for the faint of heart, not restorable bodies where harmed.

 

I should have worked on the jeep yesterday as well. However, I had to much fun playing with my other m38.

 

Been awhile since I updated this. The m38 is up and running and I have been enjoying wheeling it.

I did just buy a 1999 vw tdi jetta. It will be going diesel.

 

i used a '77-79 iron duke distributor in my cj5 w/ a chevy 153 engine. those years were factory 4cyl hei.
1978 PONTIAC PHOENIX 2.5L 151cid L4 Distributor Cap | RockAuto