'52 M38

[athawk11]

Ryan,
Regarding the flying tools and frustrating moments...I did laugh a little, but not at your expense.� I'm just happy that� others also reach an anger level that is high enough to cause a tool to become a projectile.�

Sounds like you have a good 'parts upgrade plan'.� I have used the same approach on a couple things.� I picked up a new rear view mirror assembly from Walcks.� It was to be for Whitey, but is too nice.� It will end up on ODie.

Any feature films of the new addition yet?

Tim

[Ryan_M]

Today I took the M38 out for its first real drive beyond the confines of the neighborhood and the first time without the red gas can strapped to the bumper. It is always a little nerve-wracking on these initial drives beyond easy walking distance to the house. I prefer to attempt such voyages only when the wife is home and available to come retreive me from the roadside should trouble arise. She had no idea she was on call but I made sure her phone ringer was on full volume and strategically placed right next to her still sleeping head before I left the house. My on-board tool kit consisted of a couple wrenches and a AAA card. Luckily I didn't use any of it.

Steering is still a wreck but the "new" carb and distributor are just what the doctor ordered. The speedometer is pretty whacky but a handy-dandy speedometer phone app shows that I logged 28.7 miles with a top speed of 44mph. It ran great the whole time. I received a few "thumbs up" and I was photographed at least twice that I'm aware of. Doesn't seem to matter if you're driving a museum quality piece or a total wreck like this one, people just love these old jeeps. I was likely on the receivng end of a few other hand gestures too as I chuffed lazily along in Sunday shopping mall traffic but I really didn't care. Good thing the rearview mirror is long gone and the side mirrors bounce too much to make out that level of detail behind me.

It's a damp 35 degrees here today but I was surprisingly comfortable in the cab, even without a heater. Enough engine heat radiates back towards the interior that with a jacket on I was able to drive with the window open.

This Jeep was last registered in 2005 and I'm pretty sure had been sitting in the spot where I found since that year. So today would be the first time in around 8 years, possibly longer, that it has really been driven for any considerable distance. It's amazing how resilient these little vehicles really are.

Nothing spectacular here but this is a video of part of the drive with a quick walk-around at the end:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MO6TTBGjFGo

[1955CJ-5]

Sounds great!

I love the way the video distorts the windshield....it's like you are in another dimension..!

[Bill]

Looks like it runs great. 

[Ryan_M]

Sounds great!

I love the way the video distorts the windshield....it's like you are in another dimension..!

The youtube "Video Stabilization Feature" sometimes works miracles on shaky videos and other times makes them appear as though they are being viewed as reflected by a funhouse mirror. I have removed the stabilization and updated the link in the my previous post above.

[1955CJ-5]

I watched it again..the distortion is gone.

I'm amazed at how good it sounds...

[Ryan_M]

The Willys Garage is in full swing this winter. The M38 has been the recipient of a near-complete steering upgrade. I pulled and inspected the front axles and all is good. King pin bearings and races have been replaced. Old tie rod ends, bell crank innards, and drag link components were unceremoniously gutted and new stuff installed. The only thing I haven't done is open up the steering box. I'm hoping the death wobble problems have been chased away by the rest of the new parts but since the roads are now heavily encrusted with salt I'll need to wait until spring for another good test drive. If I still have issues I'll go in after the steering box.

Today, I pulled the TC, tranny, and bellhousing. The transmission jumps out of second gear so I know it needs help and I have some good NOS parts on the shelf for it. I'll inspect the TC and replace the seals but hopefully that's all that will need. I have a new clutch ready to go in too - might as well since I'm now staring right at it. The transmission crossmember was so rusted I needed to cut it off the frame with my angle grinder - what a mess. I'm definitely questioning my decision to pick away at these repairs vs. a full frame-off rebuild. If the frame-off hadn't been shot down by the Budget Committee it would be a no-brainer. Since I'm heavy on time and light on money, this method will have to suffice for now. It is a little discouraging putting this much work into a vehicle with a highly questionable frame and completely crumbling body. A rotbox with a rebuilt transmission and new brakes is still a rotbox.

Here's some pics of today's adventures:

Motor supported by blocks, transmission precariously balanced on the wrong kind of jack. I was unable to remove the skidplate which didn't make bottom access any easier.



Thank you again to whoever designed and implemented the M38 removable floor!!



Hello Mr. Clutch





The spoils of war-



I quickly wired brushed the heavy crud off. OD paint on everything which is a slightly encouraging indication that all these components may be the original ones....or they could be replacements from a Bubba overhaul years ago. Not sure if there is any real way to tell. At any rate, I've got enough mini-projects now to last for quite awhile.

[1955CJ-5]

I've got enough mini-projects now to last for quite awhile

I'll say....

For what it's worth I was able to pry out the old steering box seal and replace it with new, without taking the box apart....

But that may be down the road a bit!!

And I've been putting off tearing into the CJ-5 which needs knuckles rebuilt and a T/C rebuild.....

You inspire me....

[athawk11]

The removable floor system in the M38 was a brilliant design upgrade.� I remember following Bretto while he was tracking down a leaky front tranny bearing.� He was popping the tranny in and out as if he were removing a tire.

I am close to this same stage.� Like you, I am hopeful that a full tear down will not be necessary.

It's always fun to watch others battle a similar challenge.
Keep us all in the loop.

Tim�

[bretto]

He was popping the tranny in and out as if he were removing a tire.

No kidding, not something that I really like doing but at least I know it's a fairly quick job. 

Ryan one thing I did was add support from the top as well.  If you have the means to hang a strap from overhead and wrap it around the transmission/tcase and have it stabilize and aid the jack in raising and lowering.  Great video by the way!

Brett

[Ryan_M]

Ryan one thing I did was add support from the top as well.� If you have the means to hang a strap from overhead and wrap it around the transmission/tcase and have it stabilize and aid the jack in raising and lowering.�

I remember one of your pics with you doing this. Good idea. I was thinking a step ladder on either side of the Jeep supporting a beam running right through the cab. From there I could run a strap from the beam down around the tranny. I ended up being able to do it without but it wasn't pretty. Having to cut the crossmember out really added that unwanted element of hassle.

[Ryan_M]

A little bit of progress to report today. I found a shop to resurface the flywheel "while you wait and hang-out and watch" which is always a bonus.



New clutch installed, bolts torqued to the tender 12-14lbs.



Transmission now looks like this. Gotta step back before you move forward....

[Ryan_M]

Today's adventure - endlessly wire wheeling and cleaning greasy parts.

Transmission housing dated 3-27-52.



Here's how the rest of the tranny looks now. Most of the big expensive parts can be re-used which is great. The pile in the upper right on the concrete will be replaced. I like organizing the nuts and bolts on empty boxes with diagrams. No matter how simple an arrangement I never seem to remember how they go if I don't do this...and even then I still sometimes screw it up...


Shift Tower almost ready for primer and paint.


Nice to do something that doesn't involve grease for awhile:


Round 1 of exterior TC clean-up. This'll be opened up and inspected later

[1955CJ-5]

Wow...you are rollin!

I like the bolt organizer....

[Bill]

Looking good Ryan