M274 1959 Mule - SC

[Jeeps4Brains]

A couple of weeks ago I picked up this mule a 1959 M274. At some point it was converted to 2 Cyl and then just had a new 2 Cyl installed.

You can see from the photos it has an improvised air cleaner. So I am looking for a 2 Cyl air cleaner assembly.

It is also missing the engine guard. So I am looking to buy a replacement engine guard.

Is anyone making them or has made themselves one and could give pointers as to how to fabricate one?

All my friends love the Frankenstein seat.

[muleman7]

You have a unique machine

With the AO42 engine conversion the correct data plate would be M274-A3 keep your original plate they are the only way to identify a mule mfr serial #, reg # and year made.

Chuck W is keeping a data base on mules and would like to get the info off your plate send him a PM

It appears the hard to find steering access and gun door covers are for the M274 if they have the 9/16 nut instead of the ring clip see pic below. Your engine cover appears to be a M274-A5 and Expanded metal has been added to your foot basket.

The other hard to find item is the steering column and yours is the correct column for a M274 because it uses the band clamp instead of the muffler clamp.

Your engine pulley appears to be from a power plant engine. the standard AO42 pulley is a 3 spoke.

The early mules did not have the Cargo Bar [Guard, Transmission Shift Lever] protecting the shifting assembly.

Air Cleaner and Engine Guards very hard to find.

M274 Engine Cover

[crankshaft45]

Very nice unit.

[Jeeps4Brains]

I am guessing that this M274 did not go through the rebuild program to be transformed into an A3 model. If that happened would they not change the data plate?

I think the owner before the one I purchased it from took out the 4 cyl and put in a 2 cyl. It still has one 4 cyl muffler on it which I have learned is not good for the 2 cyl engine.

The guy I got it from said the 2 cyl engine it had when they started fixing it, when they finally got it started the blow by was so bad oil was dripping out of the muffler. That's when they got the power plant engine.

Thanks for the pointers, keep them coming. My plan is to fix some of the blatantly wrong things and then enjoy it.

[muleman7]

I will need to see Pics from under the mule. You should have spacer blocks between the frame tubes thinner ones forward and thicker ones at the rear. The rear bed support tubes had to be changed since the 2cyl sat higher than the 4cyl. The Transmission starter hole had to be enlarged to accept the external manual starter.

Yes if the military converted it they would have installed the A3 data plate as it was part of the Retrofit Kit. All you needed was the M274 or M274-A1, a 2cy Engine and a Retrofit Kit.

If done without the Retrofit Kit there may be homemade wooden spacers raising the bed.

Please post pics that will help to identify the conversion.