M38 starter switch

1950 - 1952, M38, questions, discussions, regarding anything related to the M38.
Post Reply
Radtech
G-Major General
G-Major General
Posts: 3496
Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2003 7:55 pm
Location: Texas

M38 starter switch

Post by Radtech » Sun Sep 10, 2017 3:25 pm

There are 2 guys selling M37 marked starter switch housings in epay claiming they will fit the M38 and 38A1.The bases are too large and they have an extra copper tab on the inside.Anyone know what that extra tab is for on the M37


Joe Gopan
Jeep Heaven
Posts: 49841
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:37 pm
Location: Proving Ground

Re: M38 starter switch

Post by Joe Gopan » Tue Sep 12, 2017 3:46 pm

Appear to be early M-37 and Early M-38 Starter switch housing.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

Radtech
G-Major General
G-Major General
Posts: 3496
Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2003 7:55 pm
Location: Texas

Re: M38 starter switch

Post by Radtech » Wed Sep 13, 2017 7:36 am

It is too large for any of the M38 starters.The early M38 has a totally different switch .I made the mistake of buying one.I have no idea what the extra 2" copper tab attached to one of the posts is for.It has a G741 part number.

Joe Gopan
Jeep Heaven
Posts: 49841
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:37 pm
Location: Proving Ground

Re: M38 starter switch

Post by Joe Gopan » Wed Sep 13, 2017 8:23 am

I tried to make sense out of the G-740 and G-741 ORD9, the numbers seemed to have meaning in the index, but would not surface in the illustrations.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

Radtech
G-Major General
G-Major General
Posts: 3496
Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2003 7:55 pm
Location: Texas

Re: M38 starter switch

Post by Radtech » Thu Sep 14, 2017 5:41 pm

It is 3/16" too long and has a copper tab 2" long attached internally to the starter side terminal.

Joe Gopan
Jeep Heaven
Posts: 49841
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:37 pm
Location: Proving Ground

Re: M38 starter switch

Post by Joe Gopan » Fri Sep 15, 2017 4:32 am

I have the early M-38 Switch, they are not a high volume item.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

Radtech
G-Major General
G-Major General
Posts: 3496
Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2003 7:55 pm
Location: Texas

Re: M38 starter switch

Post by Radtech » Fri Sep 15, 2017 1:42 pm

I would like to find the correct housing for the M38.Even a used one .

Joe Gopan
Jeep Heaven
Posts: 49841
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:37 pm
Location: Proving Ground

Re: M38 starter switch

Post by Joe Gopan » Fri Sep 15, 2017 4:23 pm

You are looking for the whole early starter or the switch housing? Can't promise, but I'll look Saturday.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

Radtech
G-Major General
G-Major General
Posts: 3496
Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2003 7:55 pm
Location: Texas

Re: M38 starter switch

Post by Radtech » Fri Sep 15, 2017 8:29 pm

I have the late type starter on my M38.Years ago my father told me in 1956 they had an MWO to change all of the M38 starters to the late type.They changed every M38 that had the early starter to the late type.

Joe Gopan
Jeep Heaven
Posts: 49841
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:37 pm
Location: Proving Ground

Re: M38 starter switch

Post by Joe Gopan » Sat Sep 16, 2017 3:47 am

Radtech wrote:
Fri Sep 15, 2017 8:29 pm
I have the late type starter on my M38.Years ago my father told me in 1956 they had an MWO to change all of the M38 starters to the late type.They changed every M38 that had the early starter to the late type.
Well sort of, the early starter system stayed until the early engines with them need sevice at the support units. Late M-38 was factory equipped with the G-758 Starters, bell housing and Ring gear.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

Radtech
G-Major General
G-Major General
Posts: 3496
Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2003 7:55 pm
Location: Texas

Re: M38 starter switch

Post by Radtech » Sat Sep 16, 2017 10:16 am

My father was a mechanic in the Air force from 1947-1988.he told me the Air Force issued orders in 1956 to change out all of the early starters on every M38 in service.He told me there was no explanation as to why only that they were ordered to change them all.All the early starters,bell housings and ring gears went to the salvage yard.


Post Reply

Return to “M38 Technical Knowledge Base”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 15 guests