Joined: Mar 21, 2017 Posts: 71 Location: Peoria, AZ
Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2017 5:53 pm Post subject: Newbie with a question(s)
Just acquired a 1953 M38A1. Was told the owner did very little changes but am suspicious of engine. Serial # is 42882 (3/53), Ordinance was Marine Corp and body matches the dash plates. Engine number, top of block, is 648830.
Fuel tank was single type, replaced with dual gas/air. Carb is Carter 938SD, rebuilding it now (this carb does not have the right angle throat - is straight up and air cleaner attaches to it. Also have a valve at rear of engine near the temp sensor - looks like a heater valve but cannot find in manuals (came with original manuals). Is this a military engine or civ - what is this valve? I have been assigned a photo album but not had the time to manage it yet.
Appreciate all the valuable info you guys have put here in the forum - you have no idea how helpful it is to a new guy like me - thanks again!
Engine runs if I pour gas down the carb, rebuilding tank and carb, pump and all lines replaced. Anybody needs some varnish? _________________ Lee Long
Peoria, AZ
1953 M38A1 USMC
Lee, Get into the manuals you don't have by downloading them all free in PDF format right here on our downloads page. There is absolutely no excuse for not using the manuals here.
Also don't overlook the wealth of info available in our members photo albums. Mine is the second album. I have over a 1000 technical photos and illustrations in there divided among sub-albums titled by system or system groups.
F134's installed at the Willys/Kaiser factory in a M38A1 will have a serial number with an MD prefix. The factory supplied the Army with extra factory new engines for spares. These have an RMD prefix. These prefixes are often stamped much lighter than the main serial number so look hard for it.
The only things that make a civilian F134 differ from a military F134 are the accessories items bolted to the basic engine and the serial prefix stamped above the water pump.
Your F134 should still have a prefix ahead of the serial you gave us.
Your carb is a civvy carb. The heater return valve is a civvy item. _________________ Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100
Well at least now you have a narrowed field of host choices. That engine was only used from 1950 thru about very early 53 in the Willys pickup, jeepster and the M38A1.
The safe way to check for lightly stamped or etch numbers is to lift off the paint easily with some DOT 3 brake fluid. Let it soak for a couple of hours and wipe it off. _________________ Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100
There are no production records of Willys engines by serial number to chassis model number disposition. The serials were consecutive on the engines and the prefix was stamped when the basic engine was pulled from stock for a specific chassis model. That little prefix is all you get. _________________ Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100
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