An M38a1 Project thread - Duke gets some loving

Willis · Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2015 7:34 pm Post subject:

The windshield is ready for final body work. I'm not thrilled with how the top ridge came out, but again my hands were tied unless I really wanted to get involved.

I started work on the passenger fender while I wait for a slave recess patch panel to surface.

The fender is in pretty okay shape but I have a couple hurdles to hop over.

Whoever was into the fender before me liked to use braise. I've never delt with it before. I tried heating it with some map gas but it must not be hot enough.

So while I research, I dealt with the bottom corner of the fender.

I'm not sure how this is suppose to look, but given it really won't be seen, I went with what I thought was strongest.

With regard to the corner and the split seam...I think I may buy the overlay panels from Walks and cover up the corner. I suppose to do it right and not cover the seam, I would need to drill out the spot welds, separate the pieces and weld in new metal.

These fenders seem to be a rarity so I don't know which direction I want to go.

4x4M38 · Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2015 6:41 am Post subject:

Be aware that the military tops with rope reinforcements sit
nearly level left and right at the windshield channel. There is a slight
radius in the top of the frame to allow water to run off, but that channel
spot welded to the front should be straight. Yours is rounded.

Not sure about civvy tops, but if you plan on using an M38A1
top you should look at that.
_________________
Brian
1950 M38
MC11481
http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=album372&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

4x4M38 · Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2015 7:01 am Post subject:

Well decided to go and look at some A1 windshields after I posted
the above. Looks like the A1 had a bow in the rope channel
as does yours.

The M38 is straight. Sorry for the confusion.

You are doing an admirable job. I have a similar mess with
my windshield. Son and I decided to refresh/learn how to
MIG on the top snap holes instead of something less obvious.

Have a mess to clean up.

The channel is rusted in a couple of spots, so will probably
replace it. What are your plans for the receptacle cutout?

Thanks for the photos. Helps the rest of us a lot.

Take care,
_________________
Brian
1950 M38
MC11481
http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=album372&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

Willis · Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2015 9:21 am Post subject:

Kendall · Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2015 9:04 am Post subject:

Sorry for the delay in getting photos of my windshield glass. Here is what I believe to be original glass from my M38A1.

Good job on your jeep.
Kendall
_________________
1951 M38
1952 M38
1952 M38A1
1942 Dodge WC-55
1951 M100 trailer
1942 Ben Hur trailer

Willis · Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2015 10:12 am Post subject:

Kendall - You're a kings king. Thank you much sir. I'll let you know how i make out.

I've decided to go ahead and cover up the diagonal seams on the fenders. Parts are on order.

I continued work on the passenger fender last night. Nothing truly interesting, just cutting out bad metal and welding in new.

Sorry for the blurry IMG. There are two area's that I wanted to address here - but again - the braising is tough to deal with. So I ended up leaving the left one alone.

cut out and starting to fit the new piece.

I'm still learning the new welder and I'm blowing through a bit which is casing some frustrations. I'm sure I'll have it figured out when the jeep is done, ha.

Not to bad....I've already got it roughed in with filler. There is a lot less plastic in it now then what there was....so i'm calling it a win.

I'll probably start on the driver fender tonight.

Willis · Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2015 6:19 pm Post subject:

While waiting for the plastic to cure on the passenger fender, I pulled the driver side off. I said earlier that I had decided to cover the corners with the overlay piece from Walcks. This is what the fender looked like before the torch.

I assumed the split seam would be in similar condition to the passenger side. But the drivers side looks really good. I think I may try to save the other side after all.

[/URL]

My wife asked that I not be in the garage all night, so not much progress, but some good news none the less

4x4M38 · Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2015 7:52 pm Post subject:

If you can get behind your sheetmetal go to the hardware store
and get a 1/2" copper pipe tee and beat it flat.

Put it behind where you are welding holes and hold or clamp it.
It will not stick to the mig and will keep you from blowing through.

Found that here and it works.
_________________
Brian
1950 M38
MC11481
http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=album372&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

45auto · Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2015 7:05 pm Post subject:

This vendor has a M38A1 side port for sale. If you need more sheet medal around it, he can most likely cut one out for you from some of the many A1s he has on his yard.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Jeep-Willys-M38A1-M170-Slave-receptical-indention-or-port-hole-original-/301753226534?hash=item4641e4d526:g:hZ0AAOSwKIpWCZ~N&vxp=mtr
_________________
Harold W.
MVPA #6833
1945 GPW
1950 CJV-35/U
1951 M38 1952 M38
1962 USMC Contract M38A1
1953 Strick M100 1967 Johnson M416
1968 CJ5 4-Speed 1969 CJ5 V6

ROBCDN3 · Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2015 6:02 am Post subject:

Hi. Willis. You have the pot part of the recept. just cut the patch out and grind the brass away. Cheers Rob

Willis · Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2015 1:36 pm Post subject:

Willis · Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2015 7:29 am Post subject:

With a little action on the slave receptacle indent on ebay, I went to work on removing the old patch. Getting all the braise out is a bit tedious, but I'm glad it wasn't welded in. I was left with a fairly clean hole.

With that removed, I went back to work on the passenger fender. If you have been following along this thread, you know that I've gone a couple different directions. I've decided to attempt to fix the corner and see how it comes out. If I don't like it, i can always put on the overlay patch from Walkcks.

Here's what it looked like after getting all the braise out:

I started by building cardboard templates so I could get my head wrapped around the shapes I would need to manipulate.

and then cut out the old corner

I then cut and formed the bottom piece of the patch. I need to build some sort of brake - it would have came in handy a couple times now.

And that's where I got to last night. Tonight I hope to have the top piece built

I got something in my eye last night...driving me nuts today.

Xamon · Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2015 7:47 am Post subject:

okay this may sound weird but if it is a piece of metal hold your eye open and put a strong magnet near it, I have some small neodymium magnets and have used them for that once. I usually wear a full face shield but sometimes things ricochet.
_________________
Carievale Saskatchewan Canada
http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=album210&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

4x4M38 · Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2015 7:48 am Post subject:

That's yeoman work right there.

Be careful with those eyes. Metal flakes can get in there
from grinding and cause real damage. Many years ago
had the same problem. Drove me nuts until I drove myself to the
emergency room. They put a liquid in my eyes and used a fluorescent
light to spot the flakes. They managed to get them out and
I didn't do any serious damage.

The doc says,"Who drove you here?"

"I did."

"Well you need to call someone because we are going to bandage
your eyes for three days....."

Managing without eyesight for three days was scary.

Protect your eyes.
_________________
Brian
1950 M38
MC11481
http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=album372&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

Willis · Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2015 9:57 am Post subject:

So, I ended up repeating your story Bryan.

Yesterday I woke up and the eye was no better. I flushed it 2 times to no avail. I made an appointment with my optometrist and drove myself to his office.

The doc took one long look and I had a flake of metal embedded in my left eye. Out comes the drops and what looked like dentist tools. He ended up having to make a small incision to get it out but it had already started rusting. He got a small drill out and drilled out all the rust. Thankfully he didn't use any bondo to smooth out the rust he removed.....

What he did didn't hurt, it just wasn't pleasant and I have to apply a cream for a few days which makes everything fuzzy.

I'm really good about wearing full face protection when I'm grinding. But I know exactly when I got the piece in my eye. It was when i reached for my grinder to make a quick touch up and didn't put the mask on.

dumb move...and it's costing me some progress...not to mention a few death stares from my wife. I'll just make sure she is on my left side for the next couple of days so i don't see her.


Create an account	Home · · Forums · · Articles · · Downloads · · Photo Gallery


PHP-Nuke Copyright © 2005 by Francisco Burzi. This is free software, and you may redistribute it under the GPL. PHP-Nuke comes with absolutely no warranty, for details, see the license.