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Thread: My 1952 M38CDN Refurb - This will Take Awhile!

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada
    --
    3,001

    My 1952 M38CDN Refurb - This will Take Awhile!

    Well the old Jeep developed a noise in the motor at 32K miles which I wanted to tackle before it threw a rod or destroyed something major. So as most things go, if you start on a project they tend to snowball which this will be on an epic scale. Being 68 years old, the old girl was in need of a thorough going over so I decided I'll do a frame up refurbishment to make it safe, dependable and corrosion free. The good news is that everything worked well up to this point on it and shouldn't need a lot of repairs except for a motor overhaul. Hopefully by end of day today I'll have the tub off and can start on the undercarriage.

    Plans right now are to:
    -replace all seals and gaskets on the transmission, t-case and front and rear differentials
    -have a rad shop go over the radiator
    -re-arch the springs and install new shocks and shackles
    -replace all the brake flex hoses
    -replace the wiring harness with a reproduction one
    -replace the windshield and sealing rubber
    -replace body mount rubber and anti-squeak strips
    -rebuild the master cylinder and go over all brakes
    -fresh paint

    If you're familiar with US models or Canadian models, they had a semi gloss paint on them from factory. Weeeell I'm not doing that, lol. I've found out that Canada trialed a 3 color camouflage in the late 60's that I will replicate. The purists of the hobby will squeal but hey....it's my jeep!
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Paint 1.jpg   jeep 3.1.jpg   Jeep 4.1.jpg   jeep 5.1.jpg   Jeep 6.1.jpg   Paint 2.jpg  

    jeep 2.2.jpg   jeep 1.1.jpg  
    Trikes
    1970/71 US 90 (Aquarius Blue)
    1970/71 US 90 (Future Project)
    1972/73 US 90 Camo Project (110 Big Bore)
    1972/73 US 90 Green
    1977 ATC 90 w/83 110 motor (Fugly)
    1982 ATC 70
    1983 ATC 70 (Ladybug)
    1973 ATC 70

    1965 Marketeer 3 Wheel Golf Cart with 1986 Honda 250 drivetrain

    TF 2015

    Other
    1983 Honda Z50
    1978 Honda XL75

    Feedback http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthr...ck-for-coopool
    http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthr...k-for-coolpool

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    devore,ca
    --
    1,015
    I had a 1952 m38-A1. Sold it a few years back. Kinda miss it now.
    YAMAHA 450 HYBRID
    85 350X- RED
    85 350x -BLACK
    86 350x-WHITE (with Goki)
    85 250r
    83 atc 70
    84 atc 70
    84 atc 110
    09 yfz 450
    2006 Arctic Cat Prowler
    RZR XP 900

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Arkansas
    --
    2,189
    As a teenager, me and a neighbor drove his granddad's '47 CJ-2A all over the place.

    It was a mess and low on power, but we took it through some very rough stuff.

    I know where another flat fender is, just sitting in a shop. I rode in it a few times, then the owner got involved in other things and it's sitting now. I looked at it today.

    There's some YouTube videos with some of these in Moab. It's incredible what they'll go through with a good driver. I know from my teenage years, they're harder to turn over than what most people think.

    They're certainly off road machines though. Modern highway speeds are not achievable/sustainable with them anywhere near stock form.
    Last edited by ATC King; 10-13-2020 at 11:50 PM.
    The story of three wheels and a man...

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada
    --
    3,001
    Got it down to the frame now. Surprisingly I only broke 3 bolts getting this apart, 2 small body bolts behind the rear wheels and one body bolt under the drivers floor board going into the hat channel. Everything else came apart nicely! There was one part of the frame that was pinched from a previous recovery so I borrowed a Enerpac from work and spread the C-channel apart again. None of the springs are broken so they'll go for a re-arch and new clamps and such. Instead a sand blasting the frame, I'm taking it to a shop to have it ultrasonic cleaned for a couple of hundred bucks which I think is cheaper and less invasive as blasting. They have a 12' x 5' tub that will accommodate the frame nicely. The motor will be taken down to the builder in Edmonton on the 30th as well as the springs which will go to a spring shop.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Springs.jpg   jeep frame 3.jpg   jeep frame 2.jpg   Jeep Frame 1.jpg  
    Trikes
    1970/71 US 90 (Aquarius Blue)
    1970/71 US 90 (Future Project)
    1972/73 US 90 Camo Project (110 Big Bore)
    1972/73 US 90 Green
    1977 ATC 90 w/83 110 motor (Fugly)
    1982 ATC 70
    1983 ATC 70 (Ladybug)
    1973 ATC 70

    1965 Marketeer 3 Wheel Golf Cart with 1986 Honda 250 drivetrain

    TF 2015

    Other
    1983 Honda Z50
    1978 Honda XL75

    Feedback http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthr...ck-for-coopool
    http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthr...k-for-coolpool

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada
    --
    3,001
    Time for an update. The motor is at the shop for a rebuild, the frame is back from ultrasonic cleaning and the rad and springs are back from servicing. I've pretty much gathered most of what I need to start piecing the frame back together once painting is complete. Surprisingly the front pinion seal was leather and probably original. There's a picture of the frame before and after ultrasonic cleaning which I think did a pretty good job for $150.00 cash and a box of donuts :-)
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Ultrasonic Tank.jpg   Springs.jpg   Frame.jpg   Frame After Cleaning 1.jpg   Frame After Cleaning.jpg  
    Trikes
    1970/71 US 90 (Aquarius Blue)
    1970/71 US 90 (Future Project)
    1972/73 US 90 Camo Project (110 Big Bore)
    1972/73 US 90 Green
    1977 ATC 90 w/83 110 motor (Fugly)
    1982 ATC 70
    1983 ATC 70 (Ladybug)
    1973 ATC 70

    1965 Marketeer 3 Wheel Golf Cart with 1986 Honda 250 drivetrain

    TF 2015

    Other
    1983 Honda Z50
    1978 Honda XL75

    Feedback http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthr...ck-for-coopool
    http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthr...k-for-coolpool

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Eastern Long Island
    --
    1,688
    Nice job so far. I did the motor on my 48, crazy how long the stroke is compared to the bore. There is a guy 20 minutes from me that specializes in old Jeep stuff. Peter Debella Jeep Parts. Has pretty much everything and is very knowledgeable.

    Lots O Trikes!!!!!
    TRIKEFEST 03, 04, 05, 07, 09 Going the distance

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada
    --
    3,001
    Quote Originally Posted by 200xman View Post
    Nice job so far. I did the motor on my 48, crazy how long the stroke is compared to the bore. There is a guy 20 minutes from me that specializes in old Jeep stuff. Peter Debella Jeep Parts. Has pretty much everything and is very knowledgeable.
    Yes I've seen Peter's ads in the Military magazine I get, lots of great businesses in the US that deal with old iron. I'm out West so I've been going with a company out of Oregon, Ron Fitzpatrick Jeeps, great service and fast shipping. I feel that I might have caused the motor problem trying to go too fast on the highway one day, got 55mph out the old girl. Weirdly it's almost a blessing in disguise as the metal and flex brake lines we're in rough shape and the drivetrain oil leaks were getting bad. This forced my hand to do something about it.
    Trikes
    1970/71 US 90 (Aquarius Blue)
    1970/71 US 90 (Future Project)
    1972/73 US 90 Camo Project (110 Big Bore)
    1972/73 US 90 Green
    1977 ATC 90 w/83 110 motor (Fugly)
    1982 ATC 70
    1983 ATC 70 (Ladybug)
    1973 ATC 70

    1965 Marketeer 3 Wheel Golf Cart with 1986 Honda 250 drivetrain

    TF 2015

    Other
    1983 Honda Z50
    1978 Honda XL75

    Feedback http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthr...ck-for-coopool
    http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthr...k-for-coolpool

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada
    --
    3,001
    I'm finally down to where I can start painting now. The frame has been stripped down to it's farthest point and any remaining rust dealt with. Not sure what this block of wood under the axle snubber is for but quite the bubba mod? Surprisingly I found cracked welds on the front spring hanger which I didn't know existed. The more I dig into this the more I'm glad I'm doing this refurb.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Frame1R.jpg   Frame2.jpg   Frame3.jpg  
    Trikes
    1970/71 US 90 (Aquarius Blue)
    1970/71 US 90 (Future Project)
    1972/73 US 90 Camo Project (110 Big Bore)
    1972/73 US 90 Green
    1977 ATC 90 w/83 110 motor (Fugly)
    1982 ATC 70
    1983 ATC 70 (Ladybug)
    1973 ATC 70

    1965 Marketeer 3 Wheel Golf Cart with 1986 Honda 250 drivetrain

    TF 2015

    Other
    1983 Honda Z50
    1978 Honda XL75

    Feedback http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthr...ck-for-coopool
    http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthr...k-for-coolpool

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    Northeast
    --
    17,433
    Really cool project!

    Why did you choose to ultrasonic clean the frame rather than sandblast?? I thought maybe you wanted it clean before blasting, just curious...
    All our government does is distract us while they steal from us, misspend our tax $ and ruin our country

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Mexico
    --
    9,001
    Interesting piece of wood.

    Is there perhaps a chance that the military at some point determined that something was rubbing, or hitting when the springs bottomed out to the original depth and therefore wanted to limit travel by a 1/2”?

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada
    --
    3,001
    Quote Originally Posted by Dirtcrasher View Post
    Really cool project!

    Why did you choose to ultrasonic clean the frame rather than sandblast?? I thought maybe you wanted it clean before blasting, just curious...
    Good question! I wanted to degrease in every nook and cranny including the boxed part of the frame....and because I'm cheap this was probably 1/3rd of a sand blast price which doesn't remove grease where it doesn't hit. Subsequently I wire wheeled every inch of metal in preparation for paint. It should last another 70 years easy.
    Last edited by coolpool; 11-29-2020 at 10:42 PM.
    Trikes
    1970/71 US 90 (Aquarius Blue)
    1970/71 US 90 (Future Project)
    1972/73 US 90 Camo Project (110 Big Bore)
    1972/73 US 90 Green
    1977 ATC 90 w/83 110 motor (Fugly)
    1982 ATC 70
    1983 ATC 70 (Ladybug)
    1973 ATC 70

    1965 Marketeer 3 Wheel Golf Cart with 1986 Honda 250 drivetrain

    TF 2015

    Other
    1983 Honda Z50
    1978 Honda XL75

    Feedback http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthr...ck-for-coopool
    http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthr...k-for-coolpool

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada
    --
    3,001
    Quote Originally Posted by El Camexican View Post
    Interesting piece of wood.

    Is there perhaps a chance that the military at some point determined that something was rubbing, or hitting when the springs bottomed out to the original depth and therefore wanted to limit travel by a 1/2”?
    No, it's definitely a bubba mod and homemade. The guy I bought it off of told me the previous owner had a mega snowplow on it which he removed as well a bunch of frame strengthening plates. I suspect the springs were hitting the snubber and he put it there? He figures that's what broke the weld too, overloading it.
    Trikes
    1970/71 US 90 (Aquarius Blue)
    1970/71 US 90 (Future Project)
    1972/73 US 90 Camo Project (110 Big Bore)
    1972/73 US 90 Green
    1977 ATC 90 w/83 110 motor (Fugly)
    1982 ATC 70
    1983 ATC 70 (Ladybug)
    1973 ATC 70

    1965 Marketeer 3 Wheel Golf Cart with 1986 Honda 250 drivetrain

    TF 2015

    Other
    1983 Honda Z50
    1978 Honda XL75

    Feedback http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthr...ck-for-coopool
    http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthr...k-for-coolpool

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Arkansas
    --
    2,189
    Those look like slag marks on that weld. I guess the frames were hand welded back then with a stick. The parts that weren't riveted anyway.

    Back when companies employed people instead of robots, and still managed to make a profit somehow.
    The story of three wheels and a man...

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada
    --
    3,001
    Hard to believe another month has gone by since the last update. I switched gears and decided to paint it OEM Canadian Military Dull Drab after all; the purists are rejoicing, lol. It will definitely make it easier to keep clean. Laid down some primer and color on the frame, springs and miscellaneous items. Feels good to start bolting stuff back on for once. This was my first foray in using a paint gun and I'm happy with the results for a beginner. I tore into the front brakes and bearings and got another nasty surprise, questionable bearings and a hand ground spindle of all things. Surprisingly this thing drove straight and didn't show any signs of front end problems at all? Another $450.00 in parts are on there way to redo everything correctly this time; it's just money right?
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails jeep1r.jpg   jeep2r.jpg   jeep3r.jpg   jeep4r.jpg   jeep5r.jpg   jeep6r.jpg  

    Trikes
    1970/71 US 90 (Aquarius Blue)
    1970/71 US 90 (Future Project)
    1972/73 US 90 Camo Project (110 Big Bore)
    1972/73 US 90 Green
    1977 ATC 90 w/83 110 motor (Fugly)
    1982 ATC 70
    1983 ATC 70 (Ladybug)
    1973 ATC 70

    1965 Marketeer 3 Wheel Golf Cart with 1986 Honda 250 drivetrain

    TF 2015

    Other
    1983 Honda Z50
    1978 Honda XL75

    Feedback http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthr...ck-for-coopool
    http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthr...k-for-coolpool

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada
    --
    3,001
    I'm getting more comfortable with the paint gun and am mildly happy with the results........and I'm finally bolting parts back on. I've received everything I needed to re-assemble the brakes including new master cylinder, steel and flexible brake lines, wheel cylinders but re-used the brake shoes as they are good. And I replaced the ground down axle stub with a good used one plus new bearings and seals and inner stub bushing. Got some bad news on the motor from the builder though....seems the front pulley had worked itself loose at some time and destroyed the keyway and wore down the front of the crank. Someone has been into this thing as he also found knurled pistons and none of the internal fasteners seemed to be at the correct torque. I managed to find a re-conditioned crank near me ground .010 under on the mains and throws and ordered .040 over pistons, rings, all bearings, frost plugs, oil pump and complete valve train components. I have a NOS head that I'll throw on for good measure too.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Jeep1r.jpg   jeep2r.jpg   jeep3r.jpg  
    Trikes
    1970/71 US 90 (Aquarius Blue)
    1970/71 US 90 (Future Project)
    1972/73 US 90 Camo Project (110 Big Bore)
    1972/73 US 90 Green
    1977 ATC 90 w/83 110 motor (Fugly)
    1982 ATC 70
    1983 ATC 70 (Ladybug)
    1973 ATC 70

    1965 Marketeer 3 Wheel Golf Cart with 1986 Honda 250 drivetrain

    TF 2015

    Other
    1983 Honda Z50
    1978 Honda XL75

    Feedback http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthr...ck-for-coopool
    http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthr...k-for-coolpool

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