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M38a1 build

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by DanStew, Dec 11, 2010.

  1. Mar 4, 2012
    Smokeater

    Smokeater Sponsor

    Browns Summit, NC
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    Lookin good Dan! I hope we're gonna do a Spring run at Uwharrie so we can see this thing in action.
     
  2. Mar 4, 2012
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    Here are some pics from today. I got my seats mounted up and hung my rear view mirror. Nothing spectacular. :)

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  3. Mar 10, 2012
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    Got some new glass for the Jeep :)

    Pretty Blingy

    [​IMG]

    For $10 i couldnt pass them up.
     
  4. May 26, 2012
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    Nothing huge, but I did get my gauges in. Though I didnt install them, they do look pretty in the dash. I still need to decide to paint the speedo bezel to match the others or try to age the new bezels to match the rest.

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  5. May 27, 2012
    jayhawkclint

    jayhawkclint ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

    Oklahoma City, USA
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    Those gauges look really good. I think that's what I'm gonna do on my dash, too.
     
  6. May 31, 2012
    pathkiller

    pathkiller Member

    Lorton, VA
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  7. May 31, 2012
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    York, PA
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    Whole thing is looking good, Dan. Planning to paint it? I kind of like the way it looks as it is. I think they call it "patina."
     
  8. Jun 1, 2012
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    nope, not gonna paint it. i like the way it sits. :)
     
  9. Jun 1, 2012
    napaguy

    napaguy Banned

    goldendale wa
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    Sep 25, 2009
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    441
    Dan,
    congrats on the build man way to think outside the box...I wish I had half the talent it took to build this
     
  10. Aug 29, 2012
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    Well it is getting closer to the end of the build.
    No real pics but i have gotten alot of things buttoned down.
    Fuel system is installed
    Brakes are buttoned up.
    Cooling system is installed.
    Belts put on accessories

    Things left to do is

    Finish exhaust, i have the tube welded up but need to make the mounts to hang it.
    I have to add fluid to cooling, brakes, power steering and of course fuel.
    Rear tailights need to be addressed. I want to use original style lights but i need new innards for the housings so i need to do that or make some adapter rings so grommeted trailer lights can fit in the stock M38a1 holes.
    I also need to run all the gauges.
    Waiting for the shocks to come in to install them.

    I found a big GOTCHA earlier this week. I was under the jeep beating on the front yoke to get to the pinion seal and i looked up at the oil pan and noticed it only had 2 bolts holding it to the motor. Glad I caught this cause as i found out when removing oil pan, there wasnt any gasket on it. So i have a pan gasket ordered and i went to the junkyard and got my bolts. So i can get the motor buttoned up and oil filled in the motor.

    I am getting scared though, I am cringing as i think about starting the motor and waiting for the computer to somehow go up in magic smoke. i am crossing fingers on that.
     
  11. Aug 29, 2012
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    OK here are some pics.

    Radiator installed
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    Engine bay pics again.
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  12. Sep 1, 2012
    Smokeater

    Smokeater Sponsor

    Browns Summit, NC
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    Was wondering how this was coming along. Almost time for a Uwharrie shake down run!
     
  13. Sep 4, 2012
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    York, PA
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    Can't wait for the video of it running. Can you spin those headlights so the lines in the lenses run the same direction? (ducking) ..sorry, that's the kind of inconsequential stuff I notice. A little OCD, I know. What did you ever do with gauges? Not sure which way I'd have gone with that one.
     
  14. Sep 4, 2012
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    I understand about the lines on the headlights. They are real cheap ones and they will not index in the housing properly to make them straight. I will go to regular ones eventually when i get it running. These were mainly mockups.

    I went with these gauges.
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    I would like to distress the new gauge housings to match the speedo. I will probably do that after i get it running. Right now i want to drive it.


    I went through the wiring again tonight to just check on things and I added a winch solenoid to ease the chores for the ignition switch on a bunch of things i have going to the switch. I have it installed and everything run. Starting to get excited.
     
  15. Sep 5, 2012
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    York, PA
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    vroom! vrooom!
     
  16. Sep 6, 2012
    bkd

    bkd Moderator Supreme Staff Member 2022 Sponsor

    K-Town Tenn.
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    coming along well
     
  17. Sep 15, 2012
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    It LIVES!!!!!
    http://s172.photobucket.com/albums/w10/DanStewIII/?action=view&current=VIDEO0089.mp4

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    Hope to drive it tomorrow when i get the clutch adjusted. It is running real rough, possibly missing a cylinder. I pulled plug #1 and it ran with no problem, put back and pulled #2 and it died. plugged 2 back in and started it ran, then i pulled plug 3 and it died. Plugged 3 back in and then started and last pulled plug 4 and it kept running. Odd. I put my timing light to it and it didnt want to work with the teeny tiny plug wires for the inductive pickup. It wants to die if you give it gas at the pedal. It seems to be getting a little better than when i first started it but it just isnt right yet.
     
  18. Sep 16, 2012
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

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    Vroom,.. vroom,...putt, putt.
     
  19. Sep 27, 2012
    pathkiller

    pathkiller Member

    Lorton, VA
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    I've been thinking about these Samurai divorced t-cases, thinking that they would make an easy way to swap just about any engine/transmission into a Jeep. Something like a Mercedes diesel with the stock Merc trans. But the downside I can't get past is that the Sammy has a 1.4:1 high range ratio. Meaning that your final drive ratio is going to pretty low if you have low axle gears. Curious to see how your setup works when it's up and running. Don't suppose this will be used on the street much, so the high range ratio probably won't matter much anyway?
     
  20. Sep 28, 2012
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    The Tcase gears are easily changed out for lower units, alot of aftermarket upgrades for it. Even to upgrade the final high range ratio. That is why i used the tcase because of that and for the ease of adding other tranny/engine options. I am waiting on a new fuel pump and will put in a new mc to hopefully drive it. I did find an issue unfortunately. i made the gas tank and used the epoxy kit to seal it, but i have the tank leaking so i am pretty bummed. Even after doing it the correct way it still is leaking. makes me sad.
     
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