My 1952 M38CDN Refurb - This will Take Awhile!

[coolpool]

Can't believe it's been so long for an update! This has definitely been a marathon thus far with a few u-turns added for good measure
The brakes went together well and I even made a custom adjustment tool to help out. I'm trying to solve some very pesky leaks at the copper crush gaskets even though it's all new components....I've ordered more parts so I'll get it eventually. Let's talk springs.....I had the springs re-arched in Edmonton and have a bit of a dilemma. You can see the device I made to pre-load the springs so I can bolt up the shocks and brake lines. Then I can slowly unload them later on by loosening the nut. I've reached out to a few brethren from a military vehicle forum and am assured this is quite normal until the major components are installed to add weight. It's a bit unnerving is all. I'm in the process of going through the tranny and t-case for serviceability, seal them up and hopefully get them painted soon. The motor is being re-assembled as we speak so I may see it soon too! I have a target of end May to be driving this thing again so the race is on!

[coolpool]

And the saga continues......! Picked up the motor from Edmonton and mated it to the drivetrain.
The rundown on progress:
-checked over the transmission, t-case and pto and sealed everything up nicely. Oil is in and no leaks so far!
-removed the dual seals on the t-case output shaft, re-mounted a metal dust cap and re-installed the proper seal and felt washer.
-the anti-rattle clips were also missing on the shift levers so they're in place now
-dealt with bent the skid plate that someone pointed out to me (I honestly thought it was supposed to look like that), so I removed it, re-blasted and it had a date with a 50 ton press. It's nice and straight now and re-painted.
-managed to get the brake lines to stop leaking after annealing the washers and replacing the tee fitting and master cylinder banjo bolt.
-replaced one bad u-joint and put a new (homemade) slip yoke seal and split washer on the rear driveshaft.

The winch is in progress now and once painted and mounted, I can finally say mechanical is done.

Of course I got a run in the front bumper after painting so it's up for a sand and re-paint. And the good news, the front springs have relaxed enough now that I was able to remove my pre-load tensioners. Check out the cool knurled piston that came out of the motor!

Next step is the body...argh!

[El Camexican]

Looking spectacular! When’s it’s first parade?

[coolpool]

I really hope to have this back on the road by end June....doable if I stop getting distracted by warm weather beers around a fire. I plan to farm out sandblasting the tub and all body components to save me a ton of time with a sander. There's virtually no bodywork to do so this part should go quicker. But then we all know about hidden ghosts once you start into something!

[coolpool]

Got the winch installed now. Found a good facsimile of the original cable clamp to attach the chain to the cable. I had to manufacture my own elongated links on each end of the 5/16" chain links too which was a challenge but turned out OK.

[El Camexican]

Thanks for posting.....



.....a link

[kiser]

Very cool project! I have always liked old military Jeeps/trucks but have never owned one. Keep up the good work!

[coolpool]

Update: Got the electrical in place, she rolls over and has spark. The faux firewall is good enough to hold the dash board in place and allowed me to temporarily install some pedals to run it on jack stands to test everything out. It developed a leak at the drain fitting in the radiator which the rad shop repaired with no hassle. I have a start up date of September 10th at the place where the engine was rebuilt which I'm understandably excited about. I started picking away at the tub and am very happy with the limited corrosion I'm seeing. Good thing these things sling grease and oil around like they tend to do

[ironchop]

Good to see progress on this

Sent from my motorola one 5G ace using Tapatalk

[coolpool]

Good to see progress on this

Sent from my motorola one 5G ace using Tapatalk

True enough Iron! We have had a record breaking summer for heat and we capitalized on camping for a lot of it....over 30 days thus far. Combine that with taking care of the gardens and such plus regular work.....well the hobbies sit a bit. Closing down the campsite this Sunday hobby time here I come. A huge stretch goal is to have it back on the road for Remembrance (Veteran's) Day, Nov 11.

[coolpool]

Started prepping the tub for body and paint by degreasing and power washing the whole thing. Had a little mishap when I was trying to manhandle it up onto the little trailer I use to move it in and out of the garage. It kind of fell and delivered a glancing blow to my right foot. I confirmed that nothing is broken but it's still really swollen and tender. When the wife came in the shop after hearing the noise and seeing my foot she said I should have used an engine lift or something...I said like the one sitting right there. Right now I'm contemplating whether or not to try and strip this thing by hand or send it to the sand blasters. The cons for one is the time it will take and I won't get it down to bare metal in all the little pockets and such...... and the con for the other is the $1000.00 estimate to blast the tub inside and out. One plus is the jeep itself is loaded in my trailer and heading down to Edmonton to the engine builders for a start up next Friday....pumped about that for sure.

[kiser]

Ouch! Hopefully the foot is feeling better!

[coolpool]

Yes the foot is healing nicely without too much trouble. I'm happy to report that the engine start up went well and it purrs along nicely. I did confirm I need to do a full carb rebuild to smooth out a lean idle and rough acceleration. I have 25# of oil pressure at idle and 42# at around 2000 rpm. That's pretty good for these things.

[kiser]

I'm glad to hear all of the above! Hopefully everything keeps going as planned!

[roostin atc]

Local plow shop may be a route to look at for a second opinion. They are always sandblasting this time of year. Maybe a little media change though. ��