My new 1954 M38A1

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Maverick1701
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Re: My new 1954 M38A1

Post by Maverick1701 » Thu Oct 16, 2014 7:47 pm

Well I have been spending the last few days working on my data plates.
I read A LOT of articles online. Some guys use electrolysis, some guys painted/sanded, etc.

This is how I did it:

1. clean everything with sponge/wd40
2. remove plates from master plate (after realizing I should have done this first) and clean both sides of plates.
3. soaked willys plate (painted) in brake fluid. soak other plates in vinegar. At this point the willys plate requires no more work. It is complete. (etched aluminum vs brass).

4. give the plates a good scrubbing of brasso.
5. paint using a semi-gloss black. sand using emory board to show the raised stampings/numbers/etc.
6. coat everything with a nice clear coat.
7. celebrate and post pics on FB!

I actually painted/sanded twice. the first attempt did not turn out as well as I had hoped. The 2nd attempt is not perfect but I am happy with how they turned out.


fresh off the Jeep:
Image

after cleaning:
Image

after vinegar soak:
Image

result after first paint/sanding (no clear coat. this attempt was the failure):
Image


2nd attempt was much better. This picture was taken while clear coat was drying:
Image
Chris
1954 M38A1


Maverick1701
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Re: My new 1954 M38A1

Post by Maverick1701 » Fri Oct 17, 2014 5:05 pm

After work today, I removed both fenders, grill, and radiator.
the "coolant" in the radiator was greenish- brown...ugh. I am hoping this was caused by extended sitting in the field vs contamination from somewhere inside the motor.
Chris
1954 M38A1

Joe Gopan
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Re: My new 1954 M38A1

Post by Joe Gopan » Fri Oct 17, 2014 5:28 pm

Permanent antifreeze turns acidic with time, best to flush every 3-4 years, no matter how fresh and green it looks.
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

Maverick1701
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Re: My new 1954 M38A1

Post by Maverick1701 » Fri Oct 17, 2014 5:31 pm

Ben Dover wrote:Permanent antifreeze turns acidic with time, best to flush every 3-4 years, no matter how fresh and green it looks.
agreed X1000
that is the main reason I decided to pull the rad. The Jeep had been sitting since 2002 before I purchased it last month...so Im sure it was long past due for new coolant hahaha. No more choc milk coolant.
Chris
1954 M38A1

Maverick1701
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Re: My new 1954 M38A1

Post by Maverick1701 » Tue Oct 21, 2014 6:27 pm

I have to put progress on hold for a couple of days. I am attending a wedding this weekend so I will be out of pocket from weds-sunday. I have also been working 10hr shifts (sat-tuesday) so I can still get in my 40hrs at the office....so that leaves almost no time to work on the Jeep.
I did however remove both fenders, hood, grill, and radiator.

Once I get back on monday, I will complete a compression test and then continue with the teardown. I am hoping to have the body off here pretty quickly.
Chris
1954 M38A1

Maverick1701
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Re: My new 1954 M38A1

Post by Maverick1701 » Tue Nov 11, 2014 10:44 pm

Unfortunately no updates on my progress. I have three issues that I am working against here.

1. Sunset here is 540pm which totally sucks!!!. I get off at 6p. It sucks working at night in the freezing weather.

2. Usually during the winter months, it is below freezing by the time I get home. I am working under my carport. I do not have a fancy heated/cooled shop or anything fancy.

3. My Sheriff's Office is sending me to an EMT course. The course is also taking up a lot of my spare time.

This weekend we are forecasted for a high of 54. I am actually off of work too. I am planning on doing some more work to the Jeep over the weekend. I would like to get the tub pulled.
Chris
1954 M38A1

Maverick1701
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Re: My new 1954 M38A1

Post by Maverick1701 » Fri Jan 02, 2015 4:24 pm

Ordered a new water pump and driver cushion today.
The temp got up to 36* degrees today... a little too chilly to work on the jeep. I haven't forgotten about the old girl though.
Chris
1954 M38A1

Maverick1701
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Re: My new 1954 M38A1

Post by Maverick1701 » Mon Jan 19, 2015 1:54 pm

finally got around to installing the water pump. It was a BEAUTIFUL day.

The old pump was gross as was the cooling system. Once I get everything back together I am going to have to flush the cooling system several times (based on the way everything looks).

I installed the new pump and the pulley sets about 1/4in too far forward ARGH!!! (apparently it is a fairly common issue) I am going to see if a local machine shop can press the pulley further down on the shaft....we shall see.

Image

Image

Image
Chris
1954 M38A1

Joe Gopan
Jeep Heaven
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Re: My new 1954 M38A1

Post by Joe Gopan » Mon Jan 19, 2015 2:50 pm

Not sure about the pulley location on a new pump being an issue, the pulley hub should be even with the end of the shaft, and the impeller should be flush with the shaft.
Do the pump pulley grooves match those the generator, are they the same spacing?
Is the spacing of the grooves on the generator pulley the same as those on the crankshaft and waterpump?
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

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

Re: My new 1954 M38A1

Post by Joe Gopan » Thu Jan 29, 2015 6:13 pm

How did you make out?
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

Maverick1701
G-Sergeant Major
G-Sergeant Major
Posts: 164
Joined: Thu Jan 20, 2011 4:35 pm
Location: Memphis, Texas

Re: My new 1954 M38A1

Post by Maverick1701 » Thu Jan 29, 2015 6:28 pm

I think I got it all figured out. Crisis averted.
I am waiting on parts. They shipped out today (like a week after I placed my order)

both rad hoses, bypass house are in the mail.
Once they arrive I will finally be able to finish out my water pump swap.
Chris
1954 M38A1

Maverick1701
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Re: My new 1954 M38A1

Post by Maverick1701 » Sat Apr 04, 2015 11:37 am

still going strong on the Jeep. I have flushed my cooling system on and off for about two weeks. The fluid is FINALLY coming out clear-ish vs the green/brown gunk I was seeing at first.

today I put the Jeep up on jack stands and started tearing in to the brake system. I am having a bear of a time getting one two brake drum screws. I am currently soaking in PB blaster and will go at it w/an impact screwdriver once the PB has a chance to soak in. I will report back w/the results.
Chris
1954 M38A1

Maverick1701
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Re: My new 1954 M38A1

Post by Maverick1701 » Sat Apr 04, 2015 3:12 pm

Just pulled the last drum. the impact screwdriver performed flawlessly and made short work of the rusted drum screws (previously attempts at this project had failed due me trying to use a normal screw driver on these screws. Even after soaking in PB blaster)

the rear two drums came off relatively easily.

the two front drums were much much more obstinate. I just finished pulling the last drum about 10min ago.

The whole process (jacking up jeep, removing tires, pulling drums, etc) took right at 5hrs. It was not as bad as I was expecting. I was planning on several days of PB blaster and hammering...the jeep had been sitting for the past 12 years after all. Thank god for PB blaster and big hammers.

The next step is to replace the brakes. I am going to do pads and springs since I do not know how long ago the springs were changed (if ever), new wheel cylinders, and possibly a new master cylinder (depending on how it looks upon inspection).
Chris
1954 M38A1

Maverick1701
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Re: My new 1954 M38A1

Post by Maverick1701 » Sat Apr 04, 2015 5:58 pm

I noticed the sun setting and realized I only had so much daylight remaining. I ran outside and drained the front diff. The fluid was pretty gross but I did not see any water contamination which was good news. Also all of my gear teeth look to be in super good shape.

I had a little trouble getting the old gasket cleaned off. I ended up using a drill wire brush to get the mating surfaces all clean and pretty. After cleaning I installed the new gasket and buttoned everything back up. Tomorrow I will add fluid.
Chris
1954 M38A1

Maverick1701
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Re: My new 1954 M38A1

Post by Maverick1701 » Sun Apr 05, 2015 1:50 pm

So far today I drained the rear diff and x-fer case. I have the motor oil draining now. I already replaced the motor oil from the original oil that came w/the Jeep. This oil I added seafoam to thin out the oil in an attempt to deal w/a sticky valve. This is that oil. After all the oil drains I am going to drain the T90.

I knew my jeep had a PTO but never knew much more than that. I cleaned off enough dirt/gunk to read some info. It's an old Koenig PTO. I wish I could say it was an original Ramsey 105A PTO....I would have been SUPER excited!!! When I bought my jeep it came w/a home-made winch plate which leads me to believe that the PO used the PTO w/a PTO winch. But the output shaft drops out right behind the exhaust pipe...so I have no idea how they ran the PTO shaft from pto -> winch.

Anyway I do not know if I am going to keep the PTO or what. I still have not decided.
Chris
1954 M38A1


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