I suppose the M38 would be more water tight with the added seal and spring. I know when I sloshed through deep water in my 3A last year I saw A LOT of water squeeze out of the bell crank when I regreased it.
I plan on taking the M38 on the same trip next year so I'll be able to compare test results....
Interesting. My seal does not have that spring. Is that the "6. SPRING, TENSION, SEAL" in the M38 Fig. 24 above? Fig. 24 seems to show #6 above the #7 seal but maybe it was meant to wrap around it?
I'm confident I can make my set-up work and I'm pushing this now solely out of curiosity. See what happens when you guys allow this step-child 3A variant to hang with the 3A family?�
Here is an M38 bellcrank bracket. It's difficult to see in the photo but the shoulder is part of the bracket and that's where the seal rides. The seal has a metal "spring" around it to provide more pressure on the sealing surfaces.
There was a change. I'm still not sure if my bracket "sleeve" is correct but there did appear to be that protrusion there - whether sleeved or originally cast. The parts diagram for the M38 also shows a spring washer (which I don't have) and the thicker boot/seal that I do have in my pic. Those are parts #9 and #10 in the M38 diagram. If I can find a suitable spring washer replacement I think it'll be OK.
I am still a big fan of Walck's, but the "Bell crank kit 7/8" CJ2A, CJ3A, CJ3B, CJ5, CJ6, DJ, FC 150, M38, M38A1 Part Number: 920556" is another part that should not be advertised as completely suitable for the M38.
Here is a picture of Bretto's frame.� This tells me it is conclusive that there was a design change for the M38.� Is there some type of shim pack available?
This could have been a design change, but why would everyone sell the same repair kit that is interchangeable between so many different Willys versions?
I think it's odd that Walck's offers the identical kit for 2a's, 3a's, FC150's, M-38, etc etc, yet there is no extra dust seal or washer for that gap....
No worries, it is still easy to get to. You may have to see an M38 frame, but I'm almost thinking you could flush that up and be in good shape...as long as you have enough thread on the shaft.
..and Tim, I almost feel guilty that even after your glorious "first piece" press conference, within a week you felt compelled to remove it to help me out .....
