Starting restoration on Michael's ’43 GPW.

Create a thread to track the progress of you MB/GPW restoration progress. Previously a General Discussion board.
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ILikePlanesToo
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Re: Starting restoration on Michael's ’43 GPW.

Post by ILikePlanesToo » Sun Feb 10, 2013 5:45 pm

Thanks for the links and tips on the bushings Zeph. I read through everything you had posted on the Bendix joints and it really helped me put them back together. The bushings turned out great, too. I put them on the lathe and turned the flanges off. They pressed in sweet and fit the shafts really well.

Michael
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Re: Starting restoration on Michael's ’43 GPW.

Post by ILikePlanesToo » Sun Feb 10, 2013 5:56 pm

Check out this progress!!!! :D

I really dove into the reassembly work this last week. Everything has been going together really well and it's super nice to have all the hardware already in little kits with each part. I'm really happy with how it's coming together.

I realized tonight that I had forgotten to get the felt washers for the steering rodends, so the rodends are just hand tight right now. I'm also missing shims for the front drive plates. I guess I'll run into more of these things as I start putting it back together.

Hopefully I can get it rolling soon and then start on the transmission.

Michael
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Re: Starting restoration on Michael's ’43 GPW.

Post by thidisbogus » Sun Feb 10, 2013 6:08 pm

Very nice indeed Michael!

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Re: Starting restoration on Michael's ’43 GPW.

Post by zepher11 » Sun Feb 10, 2013 6:33 pm

Wow...your chassis is looking really good, Michael! 8)
Zeph

'42 Script GPW Restoration Thread: CLICK HERE!

'41 Dodge WC16 Restoration Thread: CLICK HERE!

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Re: Starting restoration on Michael's ’43 GPW.

Post by ILikePlanesToo » Sat Feb 16, 2013 12:20 pm

Thanks, I feel like it is really coming along now.

My awesome wife helped me bleed the brakes for Valentines Day. :) She's an engineer and quite good at turning wrenches when she has a little time to spare.

I used Dot-5. Bleeding the brakes actually went pretty fast. I might need to bleed them again a little after I get the tub back on and can actually sit in the seat and feel them, but for now they feel pretty hard and well bled.

Now it's sitting on it's wheels for the first time. Other than a little alignment work, the steering is finished. The brakes are now done, too. It feels good to have it rolling around.

I started looking at the transmission a little. It's time to start de-greasing parts again....... :(

Michael
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Re: Starting restoration on Michael's ’43 GPW.

Post by thidisbogus » Sat Feb 16, 2013 5:48 pm

Looking good Michael!!

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Re: Starting restoration on Michael's ’43 GPW.

Post by zepher11 » Sat Feb 16, 2013 8:53 pm

Boy, she looks good sitting on all four NDT's. I bought Dot 5 for my brake system as well. I still haven't had anyone around that could help me bleed them yet, however. One of these days... :)
Zeph

'42 Script GPW Restoration Thread: CLICK HERE!

'41 Dodge WC16 Restoration Thread: CLICK HERE!

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Re: Starting restoration on Michael's ’43 GPW.

Post by ILikePlanesToo » Fri Mar 29, 2013 8:21 am

For some reason I haven't been on the G much lately. Work has been busy, and I guess I've been spending my free time in the shop and not on the computer. The good news is that I've been getting a lot done on the GPW drive-train. I finished the transfer case, transmission, and e-brake. It feels so good to see it coming together.

I'm starting on the engine now. At first look, the engine seems pretty good, but it looks like the connecting rod bearings are pretty shot. I need to take a really good look at the crank and check the dimensions. Hopefully it's in tolerance.

Have a great weekend everyone!
Michael
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Re: Starting restoration on Michael's ’43 GPW.

Post by zepher11 » Fri Mar 29, 2013 10:41 am

Looking great, Michael! 8)
Zeph

'42 Script GPW Restoration Thread: CLICK HERE!

'41 Dodge WC16 Restoration Thread: CLICK HERE!

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Re: Starting restoration on Michael's ’43 GPW.

Post by thidisbogus » Sat Mar 30, 2013 5:31 pm

Zeph is right. Things are looking very nice. Thanks for posting the update.

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Re: Starting restoration on Michael's ’43 GPW.

Post by ILikePlanesToo » Sun Apr 07, 2013 7:20 pm

Thanks Zeph and Rodney. Work has been busy, so I haven't been putting in the time I'd like to, but it's coming along pretty well.

I've been making a little progress on the engine lately. I stripped it down and had a good look at it. The connecting rod crank bearings were totally shot, but the crank seems to be in tolerance and in good shape. Probably the worst thing I found was that one of the connecting rods was put in backwards, so the wrist-pin was off center and was rubbing on the cylinder wall. It's a real bummer because it cut two deep grooves in the cylinder wall. It's at a machine shop right now getting that cylinder sleeved, so it should be fine. While it's at the machine shop, I'm having them put in hardened exhaust valve seats, so I can run unleaded in it. I think it'll be nice.

Anyway things are a little slow, but I'm making progress here and there.

Michael
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Re: Starting restoration on Michael's ’43 GPW.

Post by Michael O. » Tue Apr 23, 2013 5:25 pm

Wonderful work! I wish my '43 GPW was coming along as nicely as yours...in fact I think she's turned green with envy! (LOL)
Michael O’Connell

Too many jeeps…and a Dodge.

MVPA 13861

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Re: Starting restoration on Michael's ’43 GPW.

Post by ILikePlanesToo » Tue Apr 23, 2013 8:45 pm

Michael O. wrote:Wonderful work! I wish my '43 GPW was coming along as nicely as yours...in fact I think she's turned green with envy! (LOL)

I think it's ok if she is turning green as long as it's OD green. :)

Michael

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Re: Starting restoration on Michael's ’43 GPW.

Post by ILikePlanesToo » Tue Apr 23, 2013 8:55 pm

I've made a bunch of progress on the engine lately. I got the block back from the machine shop, and the sleeved cylinder looked really good.

I've been having fun putting it all back together. Now it has: new rings, new valves seats, new valve guides, new timing chain, all new bearings, and a new water pump. I hope it runs nice. The rear main rope seal was a little odd to put in, but otherwise the engine build-up went pretty fast. I hope to get it back on the frame in the next week or so. It's really fun to see it coming together.

There are a few things that aren't original GPW. The head is CJ2a and I'm not sure about the main pulley, but I don't think it is supposed to have two grooves. If they bother me later, I can change them out. In the meaning, I'd rather spend the money on new seat covers. :)

Michael
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Re: Starting restoration on Michael's ’43 GPW.

Post by ILikePlanesToo » Tue May 07, 2013 7:10 pm

It's been a good week. I got the engine back on the frame.

Michael
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