My Willys 3A and 3B Community

Rambling, Malarky, Rants, Etc. => Willys photo and story threads... => Topic started by: Ryan_M on January 22, 2013, 02:03:12 PM

Title: '52 M38
Post by: Ryan_M on January 22, 2013, 02:03:12 PM: I've been driving by this old girl for a couple years now as it sits directly across from the University of Maine in Orono. I saw someone out in the yard today so I stopped in. From what I could gather it belonged to the University either as part of some original military program or was acquired as surplus (supposedly along with 19 other M38's). It is not for sale as the professor that owns it now is very much attached to it. It's in pretty rough shape but is really the first M-38 I've seen up close so, of course, I had to climb all over it. ï¿½Thought I would share some pics:

(http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z403/rmurdock2121/1952%20M38/20130122_110410_zps3f990daf.jpg)
(http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z403/rmurdock2121/1952%20M38/20130122_110427_zps2231c2fa.jpg)
(http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z403/rmurdock2121/1952%20M38/20130122_110440_zps1bb19b23.jpg)
(http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z403/rmurdock2121/1952%20M38/20130122_110447_zpsaad79694.jpg)
(http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z403/rmurdock2121/1952%20M38/20130122_110453_zps22d4ebb1.jpg)
(http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z403/rmurdock2121/1952%20M38/20130122_110501_zps29dc8716.jpg)
(http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z403/rmurdock2121/1952%20M38/20130122_110516_zps7f33c3d0.jpg)
(http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z403/rmurdock2121/1952%20M38/20130122_110559_zps8929af62.jpg)
(http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z403/rmurdock2121/1952%20M38/20130122_110604_zps9a1b0ca6.jpg)
(http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z403/rmurdock2121/1952%20M38/20130122_110739_zps8cfe6921.jpg)
(http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z403/rmurdock2121/1952%20M38/20130122_110732_zpsc5bfda9b.jpg)
Title: Re: '52 M38
Post by: 3aJeeper on January 22, 2013, 03:41:41 PM: Nice, great pix! It would be great if the prof who owns it would set about restoring it instead of letting it rust out in the rain/snow... ï¿½:-/
Title: Re: '52 M38
Post by: athawk11 on January 22, 2013, 03:46:35 PM: Very nice M38. Nice photography as well. I understand population density, thus there are more chances to see Willys Jeeps in the east, but I sometimes get the impression that you east coast folks have a Willys hanging out on every corner.

Here in Colorado, the only time I have ever seen another flat fender is during some sort of a Willys gathering. It's incredibly frustrating. :'(
Title: Re: '52 M38
Post by: Ryan_M on January 22, 2013, 04:06:07 PM: It is surprising to me that any still exist up here given the amount of road salt used. I know in my younger CJ-7 phase it was virtually impossible even to find a 15 year old vehicle without a frame that was completely rotted through. ï¿½I remember when I visited Colorado about 12 years ago I was amazed at how many vintage road going CJ's, Broncos,and Landcruisers I saw. They seemed to be everywhere - nice ones, too. I figured there was less road salt in use out that way so they just survived better.

I believe the woman I spoke with today is the professor's wife. She claims to have spent $11k on resto efforts already but I don't see any evidence of where that money went, and she seemed to agree. Sad, really. You could tell she loved the Jeep and it is still her goal to have it restored to its original glory. Just her tone of her voice revealed how attached to it she is. Hmmm..I've got one rehab project under my belt. Does that qualify me to be commissioned to revive another one? Probably not but it'd be nice to do one on someone else's dime - especially an M38.
Title: Re: '52 M38
Post by: Ryan_M on January 22, 2013, 04:09:57 PM: ..and what's everyone's opinion on that motor? I remember a recent post by Bob W about that type of head (without the ridges) being pre-3A. Is that an M-38 motor or something earlier?
Title: Re: '52 M38
Post by: Gunslinger on January 22, 2013, 04:19:07 PM: Quote
..and what's everyone's opinion on that motor? I remember a recent post by Bob W about that type of head (without the ridges) being pre-3A. Is that an M-38 motor or something earlier?

I saw some things under that hood as well, the motor, if its orignal has been converted to 12 volt, single wire alternator. No air cleaner, whcih isn't a big deal but its expensive. It would take some work but its a do-able project. As long as she doesnt need to get her money out of it.

Gun
Title: Re: '52 M38
Post by: Gunslinger on January 22, 2013, 04:20:38 PM: Quote
Quote
..and what's everyone's opinion on that motor? I remember a recent post by Bob W about that type of head (without the ridges) being pre-3A. Is that an M-38 motor or something earlier?

I saw some things under that hood as well, the motor, if its orignal has been converted to 12 volt, single wire alternator. ï¿½No air cleaner, whcih isn't a big deal but its expensive. ï¿½It would take some work but its a do-able project. ï¿½As long as she doesnt need to get her money out of it.

Gun

Also converted to key start, black outlights missing.
Title: Re: '52 M38
Post by: athawk11 on January 22, 2013, 06:16:37 PM: Not sure about the engine block, but I think the head is an MB. ï¿½Can't quite make out the casting #, but there is no plug in the back of the head for a heater connection. ï¿½It may have had a heater at some point. ï¿½It has the same T-fitting I have where you will normally see the thermostat connected. This was a common approach to adding a heater on a WWII engine.

I just don't see $11,000.00 in upgrades/refurbishment. ï¿½There's just too much missing and too much undone. ï¿½Maybe she ment $1,100.00? ï¿½Even then, they spent too much money on a Solex Carb. ;)

Tim