42/43 GPW restoration

Post your jeep photos, Pre or Post restoration. Bragging Photos etc. Also LIFE jeep photos.
Flyncoastie
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42/43 GPW restoration

Post by Flyncoastie » Tue Jun 06, 2017 8:04 am

I acquired my GPW this past October and wanted to share some of my progress. This is my first restoration and I have learned a lot along the way. I found it very close to my home and was able to buy it for a very reasonable price.
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Matthew Zackman
Active Duty USCG
1942 Ford GPW 33497
1942 Chevrolet K-51


Flyncoastie
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Re: 42/43 GPW restoration

Post by Flyncoastie » Tue Jun 06, 2017 8:24 am

Body Tag.jpg
DOD: 4-26-1943 SN: 110622
Body Tag.jpg (137.17 KiB) Viewed 2759 times
After several days of pressure washing and cleaning I unfortunately found that the engine was an early MB and frame number didn't match the body.
Attachments
Engine Number.JPG
VEP MB engine, narrow dipstick tube, riveted oil pan drain plug and no PCV valve.
Engine Number.JPG (187.97 KiB) Viewed 2759 times
Frame Number.jpg
Frame is estimated to be built mid June of 1942. So am I assuming that the GPW went though a major overhaul.
Frame Number.jpg (143.87 KiB) Viewed 2759 times
Matthew Zackman
Active Duty USCG
1942 Ford GPW 33497
1942 Chevrolet K-51

Flyncoastie
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Re: 42/43 GPW restoration

Post by Flyncoastie » Tue Jun 06, 2017 8:48 am

By early November, I had completely removed the body. I wanted to make sure the engine ran before pulling it so I checked the compression, rebuilt the distributor, installed some new plugs and wires. To my astonishment with a little squirt of gas into the carb, she came to life.
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IMG_1789.JPG (134.63 KiB) Viewed 2756 times
Matthew Zackman
Active Duty USCG
1942 Ford GPW 33497
1942 Chevrolet K-51

Flyncoastie
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Re: 42/43 GPW restoration

Post by Flyncoastie » Tue Jun 06, 2017 9:03 am

I removed the engine and transmission/transfercase over a weekend. Then I completely stripped the frame. The spring pivot brackets were toast, along with the rear cross member and clutch/brake bushing bracket. Fortunately, the front frame horns and bumper gussets were in good shape. I was able to find a really nice guy who did the sandblasting and welding for me. After I brought it home, I applied two coats of POR 15.
Attachments
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IMG_1838.JPG
IMG_1838.JPG (136.57 KiB) Viewed 2755 times
Matthew Zackman
Active Duty USCG
1942 Ford GPW 33497
1942 Chevrolet K-51

Flyncoastie
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Re: 42/43 GPW restoration

Post by Flyncoastie » Tue Jun 06, 2017 9:22 am

By Christmas time, cleaned and primed the differentials, backing plates and brake drums. Another big bummer, the leaf springs were all too far gone to be reused from lack of grease. Santa was kind enough to bring me new springs, however not totally correct ones. I completely disassembled each spring, had a local spring shop make me clips to resemble the Ford style and painted each leaf. This was a long and tedious job but I think it came out nicely.
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IMG_1991.JPG
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Last edited by Flyncoastie on Tue Jun 06, 2017 11:27 am, edited 1 time in total.
Matthew Zackman
Active Duty USCG
1942 Ford GPW 33497
1942 Chevrolet K-51

Flyncoastie
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Re: 42/43 GPW restoration

Post by Flyncoastie » Tue Jun 06, 2017 9:37 am

I am lucky enough to have access to the paint booth at work and got the frame and small parts squared away. I hadn't painted in almost 9 years but it came back to me fairly quickly.
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Matthew Zackman
Active Duty USCG
1942 Ford GPW 33497
1942 Chevrolet K-51

Flyncoastie
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Re: 42/43 GPW restoration

Post by Flyncoastie » Tue Jun 06, 2017 9:55 am

Over the past few months assembly has been slow with work demands along with a recent medical emergency. Thankfully it was just a simple gallbladder surgery but the Doc has ordered me not to do any physical activity for at least 6 weeks. In the mean time, I have been ordering parts and reading just about every post here on the "G." The engine is nearly compete at the machine shop and the transmission/transfercase should be done soon too. I am currently saving up for a body kit as my tub and sheet metal need extensive repairs. I plan on keeping everything in hopes to eventually repair the tub. I still remain undecided as to whether or not I'm going to go with a standard later style GPW body or an early Script body. If you recall from my earlier posts my frame number 33497 would have been a early enough for a Script but I do not have data plates or an exact date. Feel free to provide feedback or opinions. Thanks!
Attachments
IMG_2054.JPG
IMG_2054.JPG (115.37 KiB) Viewed 2750 times
Matthew Zackman
Active Duty USCG
1942 Ford GPW 33497
1942 Chevrolet K-51

Mark Jesic
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Re: 42/43 GPW restoration

Post by Mark Jesic » Tue Jun 06, 2017 10:50 am

Matt, a very worthwhile restoration, its looking good, keep going for a pristine end result. :D

James W
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Re: 42/43 GPW restoration

Post by James W » Tue Jun 06, 2017 1:02 pm

Matt,

My dads GPW is ser no 30258, that has an estimated DOD of 5/15/42. He used to own a GPW WHICH I BELIEVE WAS IN THE HIGH 30's or 40XXX? I would say, from my limited knowledge, that your Jeep would be a mid to late May 1942 and 100% script.

Have you contacted Tom W on here?

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Re: 42/43 GPW restoration

Post by GI. » Tue Jun 06, 2017 1:16 pm

Look's like your doing it right, I would not worry about the engine being an MB, it could have been changed during the war and is a part of it's history, I would paint it gray like the GPW's.
To bad about the body being in such bad shape, I would still try and save it no mater how big of a job, it is also a part of the jeep's history, and it should have a few dent's of honor, not a perfect body.
Now is the time to do it. what ever you do, good luck, and keep the pic's coming, looking forward to seeing your next one's.
67 M-151A1

Flyncoastie
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Re: 42/43 GPW restoration

Post by Flyncoastie » Tue Jun 06, 2017 1:19 pm

James,
I forgot to mention that I did contact Tom W. He was able to verify dates of the engine and frame for me. I'm leaning towards going with a Scipt body. I'm not trying to win any strict completions, just want a nicely restored Jeep I can enjoy.
Matthew Zackman
Active Duty USCG
1942 Ford GPW 33497
1942 Chevrolet K-51

Flyncoastie
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Re: 42/43 GPW restoration

Post by Flyncoastie » Tue Jun 06, 2017 1:36 pm

I wanted to share some more photos. I was able to pressure was most of that ugly green paint off and revealed one of the stars on the left quarter panel. I also found some lettering on the windshield frame that I can't make out.
Attachments
IMG_1742.JPG
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IMG_1752.JPG
Bubba saved the front frame horns but cut huge holes in the grill to add 12v lights. What a shame, it is F marked. Makes a nice wall hanger
IMG_1752.JPG (113.03 KiB) Viewed 2722 times
IMG_1754.JPG
IMG_1754.JPG (103.25 KiB) Viewed 2722 times
Matthew Zackman
Active Duty USCG
1942 Ford GPW 33497
1942 Chevrolet K-51

Fortyeight2A
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Re: 42/43 GPW restoration

Post by Fortyeight2A » Wed Jun 07, 2017 5:30 pm

Looks good so far; I have one question, though: what difference does it make if the engine runs if you're going to rebuild it anyway?
Is it true real Jeeps have flat fenders?
Alone cannot you it resist!

Flyncoastie
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Re: 42/43 GPW restoration

Post by Flyncoastie » Thu Jun 08, 2017 4:41 am

Good question. I guess it was more of a reassurance that there wasn't a major issue with the engine.
Matthew Zackman
Active Duty USCG
1942 Ford GPW 33497
1942 Chevrolet K-51

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twinflyer17
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Re: 42/43 GPW restoration

Post by twinflyer17 » Wed Jun 14, 2017 8:26 am

Awesome job with the springs!
Sean

GPW 108175 viewtopic.php?t=267732
DOD 4/14/43 Louisville, KY USA20371070

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