My M2A1 "Die Hard" Halftrack

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Phil H
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Re: My M2A1 "Die Hard" Halftrack

Post by Phil H » Fri Feb 08, 2013 6:54 pm

Great looking work, good job I wish I could weld like that. Phil H
1940 VC1 Dodge
1941 WC6 Dodge
1941 WC11 Dodge
1941 WC22 Dodge
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1943 WC56 Dodge
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1941 GP Ford 9066
1942 M3A1 Halftrack


67 evil eleanor
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Re: My M2A1 "Die Hard" Halftrack

Post by 67 evil eleanor » Sat Feb 09, 2013 3:19 am

Great work!

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Viking27
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Re: My M2A1 "Die Hard" Halftrack

Post by Viking27 » Sun Feb 10, 2013 10:01 am

Thanks for positive comments guys. Will motivate me to get cracking on restoring it. Here are some minor
updates. Installed oil cooler. Used NOS hoses (good usable condition) One question though, are all the nuts
holding it together suposed to have coper washers (gasgets) ?

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NOS reostat

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Hinrik Steinsson
Ford GP 9519
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Re: My M2A1 "Die Hard" Halftrack

Post by Viking27 » Sun Feb 10, 2013 10:06 am

Front steering knuckle assembled:

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Hinrik Steinsson
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Re: My M2A1 "Die Hard" Halftrack

Post by Viking27 » Sun Feb 10, 2013 10:09 am

NOS brake shoes used. Just left the original paint from the box. But front shoes came painted
black from the box while the rears where OD.

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Both front wheels now fitted. (only right in this photo) I had the combat wheel bolts and lug nuts hot
gun-blued by a local gunsmith. Looks cool but will eventually have to paint over it OD as I dont think
this has enough anti rust properties.

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Hinrik Steinsson
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Spec4Don
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Re: My M2A1 "Die Hard" Halftrack

Post by Spec4Don » Sun Feb 10, 2013 5:14 pm

Hinrik, rock on, pretty soon you'll get to do the fun part, putting the armor back on :D That's the part I'm looking forward to.

Don G.
1942 M3 Halftrack Zelda MVPA # 31688
Clark CA-1 Airborne Dozer
Letorneau Model D-4 Airborne Scraper

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Re: My M2A1 "Die Hard" Halftrack

Post by Viking27 » Tue Feb 12, 2013 2:02 pm

Don, yes, hoping that might happen in the summer. Radiator is now being ultrasonic cleaned. One problem I had
was that I had the front bumber side ends from a scout car and they dont seam to fit. Are the ends on the Halftrack
smaller then on the scoutcar?
Hinrik Steinsson
Ford GP 9519
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Re: My M2A1 "Die Hard" Halftrack

Post by Viking27 » Sun Mar 24, 2013 1:31 pm

Update. Been putting a lot of hours into the truck. Had the radiator ultrasonic cleaned. Came out pretty good.

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Painted and installed:

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Hinrik Steinsson
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Viking27
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Re: My M2A1 "Die Hard" Halftrack

Post by Viking27 » Sun Mar 24, 2013 1:38 pm

Hindsight, maybe I should of put the front radiator armor on first, but might build special tools to
get access to mount it.

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Oil line to gauge sorted out:

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Mainfold cleaned and painted with heat resistant paint and installed.

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Hinrik Steinsson
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Re: My M2A1 "Die Hard" Halftrack

Post by Viking27 » Sun Mar 24, 2013 1:43 pm

Worked on building the front bumper assy. Had a mix of repro and original gussets. Had bumper ends from
a scoutcar wreck sourced by John Bizal. They where in poor shape and did not fit properly, so I have to
plasma cut them in half, then fix all the bends then trim down and weld back together. Came out ok.
We are now making 7/16 inch dies for our airdriven rivet squezzer to do the rivet job the right way.

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Hinrik Steinsson
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Viking27
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Re: My M2A1 "Die Hard" Halftrack

Post by Viking27 » Sun Mar 24, 2013 1:55 pm

Was offered a rusty damaged original bumper in Europe for 200 euros...with added shipping and tax = too much.
Had Valli, my metal guy make one, plasma cut the ends and weld them togehter and straighten out one of the
bent frot tow hooks. Total price: $80 :)

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Got some NOS hook spacers. Funny though, they are made in Germany.

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All back together, painted and ready for rivet job. Painted joints with POR-15, then primer, OD and then
Tectyl anti rust compound.

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Hinrik Steinsson
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Viking27
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Re: My M2A1 "Die Hard" Halftrack

Post by Viking27 » Sun Mar 24, 2013 2:02 pm

Started working on the sparkplug wires. Managed to get a nice NOS set from a G503 member in Belgium.
Had a problem with the resistance check on the wires, all over the place. So need to change the wires.
Luckily I had stored away a small kit with the metal sparkplug wire hardwear. Found it in an antique store
years ago :) Painted the NOS wires with clear laquer to keep them shiny.

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Had a set of original Delco dissy can and top, but it needed to be replated or painted. Used satin chrome
paint, meant for washing machines, but came out ok. Takes long time to ship this overseas for plating.

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Hinrik Steinsson
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Spec4Don
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Re: My M2A1 "Die Hard" Halftrack

Post by Spec4Don » Sun Mar 24, 2013 8:36 pm

Looking really good Hinrik! Your moving right along there.

Don G.
1942 M3 Halftrack Zelda MVPA # 31688
Clark CA-1 Airborne Dozer
Letorneau Model D-4 Airborne Scraper

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Re: My M2A1 "Die Hard" Halftrack

Post by JOHNJRV » Mon Apr 08, 2013 7:50 am

WOW! VERY IMPRESSIVE Halftrack Restoration!!! Very detailed to say the least! She is definately in GREAT hands.
Johnny
Gustine, Ca

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Viking27
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Re: My M2A1 "Die Hard" Halftrack

Post by Viking27 » Tue Sep 03, 2013 2:45 pm

Thanks Johnny.

Update: Carb overhauled with NOS kit:

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Hinrik Steinsson
Ford GP 9519
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