M3 progress

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Spec4Don
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M3 progress

Post by Spec4Don » Sun Dec 18, 2011 9:15 pm

Well went in to Steve1973's shop Saturday and got phase one done :) Airarced the out side frame rails off. Next phase is to cut out the 4' extenstion. Thanks to Steve (My wife calls him halftrack Steve) for a nice WARM shop to work in. 8)

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Can anyone give me an overall length on an M3 frame? front bumper to rear cross member. I have some measurements from rear flange to parking brake and some bracket measurements, Would really like to get an overall so I can do a cross measurement to check for square.

Thanks Don G.
1942 M3 Halftrack Zelda MVPA # 31688
Clark CA-1 Airborne Dozer
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yd328
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Re: M3 progress

Post by yd328 » Wed Dec 21, 2011 12:31 pm

Don,
It looks like your in deep now, keep the pics coming.

Gary
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Spec4Don
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Re: M3 progress

Post by Spec4Don » Wed Dec 21, 2011 2:42 pm

It's really gonna suck if I can't swim :( I'll be really happy if everything lines up at the end :shock: Look out Katie bar the door here we go!!

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

Hammerhead
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Re: M3 progress

Post by Hammerhead » Wed Dec 21, 2011 3:22 pm

Looking great Don! Can you ask Halftrack Steve if he can come to Missouri after you guys finish yours so he can help me with mine? :D :D
1943 White M-3 Halftrack, 1944 CCKW 353, 1945 MB, 1944 Bantam T3,
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steve1973
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Re: M3 progress

Post by steve1973 » Thu Dec 22, 2011 2:24 pm

Hum, Halftrack Steve, I like the sound of that. :D We are making progress on Don's halftrack. It would sure be neat to drive it out of my shop rather than towing it out, hint. :wink: I Think we will have the frame fixed up by the end of next month right Don? Then we will tackle the transmission and install a new clutch. :D

Steve A. (AKA Halftrack Steve) :lol:
1941 White M2A1 (90% restored)
1945 M10 ammo trailer (restored)

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Re: M3 progress

Post by Beerman » Fri Dec 23, 2011 12:44 pm

Did you get the measurements for your frame,i have a M3, or M15A1.Theres no bed on the back ,just the frame work and i can take any measurements you need.Just send me a PM.
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Spec4Don
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Re: M3 progress

Post by Spec4Don » Fri Dec 30, 2011 11:59 pm

Well we're into phase 2. There is no going back now :shock: Steve and I cut the 4' extension out of the frame. We went over and took some measurements off of his M2. Went back and pushed the frame back together. I had a frame measurement from Steveo of 18'1 3/4" Mine came out at 18'1 11/16"> We had screw jacks and hydraulic jacks under the frame. So we got everything leveled and clamped. :? Steve has a friend who is a body and fender guy who does frame work. He is going to come over Monday and give us an expert eye.

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Like Top said Until it's melted down or blown to smitherines it's restorable 8) My welding skills will get a work out next week. Been along time since I welded overhead :shock: Anyway It went really well today, the soga continues

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

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Re: M3 progress

Post by Viking27 » Sat Dec 31, 2011 3:49 am

Looking good Don :)

Will be fun to see your progress in the comming year.

Reg and happy new year.

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Spec4Don
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Re: M3 progress

Post by Spec4Don » Fri Jan 06, 2012 10:24 pm

Well we're into phase three. I have the out side frame welded up so we took it off the jacks and put it on the ground so I can finish up up welding the inside frame. Since my welding skills are a little rusty it looked like removing the transmission would make more room to get my big a%% in there. So first Steve and I were just going get the trans ready to pull for Monday. Well we just kept sayig we'll just remove a couple more things and Sheezam an hour later we had the trans out.

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We slung it just like the picture in the book. who'd a thunk it

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Out she comes :D

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Ready finish to welding then we detrack

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

yd328
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Re: M3 progress

Post by yd328 » Sat Jan 07, 2012 4:29 am

Don,
I wouldn't worry about the welding skills too much, they'll come back and besides that what they make grinders for :) .

Gary
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Spec4Don
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Re: M3 progress

Post by Spec4Don » Sat Jan 07, 2012 6:17 am

True that Gary, I always have a ready supply of grinding discs. It's just I mostly weld with wire now and going back to stick welding it's almost like staring all over again :( Especially trying to remember how to weld up hill and over head. :) :) :roll: Anyway we on a roll 8)

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

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17thAirborne
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Re: M3 progress

Post by 17thAirborne » Sat Jan 07, 2012 6:31 am

Don,
Its great to see the shop layout, all the work you are doing and the differnet skills you need to do a restoration. Each time I see posts by your guys I am motivated even more to learn new stuff. Can't wait to learn welding soon. I've been reading a bit about it, but nothing beats having someone with the experience to start you off. Anyway...great work on the .5 track!
Oz

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Re: M3 progress

Post by steve1973 » Sat Jan 07, 2012 11:52 am

One interesting thing I found out when Don and I pulled out his transmission is how the pilot bearing is lubed. Just below the clutch arm on the driver's side is a grease zerk. on the inside is a flexible tubing that goes to the pilot bearing but in Don's case this was disconnected for some time. This explains the gobs of grease slung around the inner housing.

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The other thing about the transmission removal was that we encountered no problems as it slid right out with no hang ups. :D We were both surprised. As Don said, Monday he will finish welding the frame and then we pull the engine. If time permits we will start the de-tracking process. :D Should be exciting.

Steve A.
1941 White M2A1 (90% restored)
1945 M10 ammo trailer (restored)

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Spec4Don
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Re: M3 progress

Post by Spec4Don » Tue Jan 10, 2012 4:06 pm

Well finally got all the welding done yesterday. Wow, I forgot how hard it was to weld up side down. I was really having some sticking problems. Fianlly stopped and let the welder cool down for a bit. Had been welding vertical. Evidently I had pushed past it's duty cylce. After she cooled down the over head went pretty smooth. Now I have to go in and redrill a few holes, clean up some areas on the frame.

We'll detrack it and I have a complete rear section and it has one good track and I have one good track on my half track. So we'll take care of the brakes, wheel cylinders need to be rebuilt. Go through the idler arm. Check all the bearings and seals. A little pressure washing and we'll be ready to paint the frame. :mrgreen:

Making progress,

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

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Spec4Don
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Re: M3 progress

Post by Spec4Don » Sun Feb 05, 2012 9:07 am

Thought I'd post some more progress photos, been pretty lucky everything has come apart with out too much persuassion :shock: . Steve and I have been rocking and rolling on this. Get the undercarriage stuff done and fun stuff starts:

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I don't know who the fat guy is pulling idler is. :wink:

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Thank goodness we have a crane and a nice warm shop. I'm getting to be a sissy in my old age, don't like being cold. :mrgreen:

Don G.
Last edited by Spec4Don on Sun Feb 05, 2012 6:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1942 M3 Halftrack Zelda MVPA # 31688
Clark CA-1 Airborne Dozer
Letorneau Model D-4 Airborne Scraper


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