Vehicle manufacture date?

jkftl · Post by **jkftl** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 10:14 pm

Can someone point me to the database of mfr. dates connected to a given engine number? Mine is MC 93841. Restoration just finished after 6 years. 95% original/correct. Bought for $500 as civilianized trash with NO dataplates.

John Kessler
Ft. Lauderdale

Post by **Ryan_Miller** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 8:42 am

It is better to consider the whole jeep when figuring production time/serial number.

I am not saying your engine is not the original engine, it is just that the military swaped out a lot of engines on the M38.

That engine serial number would be for a late 1952 production date.

Can you give us some details about the engine bell housing (how many mounting bolts to the engine block- -probably the late style block with that engine SN).

Are the data plates riveted to a single plate mounted to the dash with a big round hole behind the main plate on the dash?

Early or late steering box?

Frame shackles in the front - where are the mounted - toward the front edge or back just a little on the frame?

Photos would help also.

jkftl · Post by **jkftl** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 7:34 pm

Hi, Ryan:
Pardon the delay responding but I am just figuring how to operate this site.
Yes I have the big hole. The steering box has no fins and has cast numbers TA125323(?). What is a frame shackle? The front mount for the spring shackles are 1/2" aft of the bumper. Tow shackles hang just vertically with placement of their bracket 1/4" aft of the bumper surface. Those 'tie-down' cast loops are just below the grill assy. on the frame sides.

John Kessler

Post by **Ryan_Miller** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 7:42 pm

Steering box: are the numbers cast with letters standing out or like they were stamped in?
Does "no fins" mean that on the top of the box at the oil fill plug to up toward the steering column tube - is there a reinforcement "fin"?

The tub with the large hole in the dash was used after late September 1951
Late steering box was in August/September 1951

Lift shackles (or tow hooks) that are mounted near the bumper and hang vertically over the edge are after aroudn June of 1951

Did your jeep still have the light switch? Those could be changed easily, but a photo of it would be great.

When posting a photo use the Img tab before and after the url of the photo.

jkftl · Post by **jkftl** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 8:54 pm

Steering box numbers are raised. There are 4 cast reinforcing bars that extend outward from the adjustment screw on the cover.

There was no light switch but I got one from the 151 pile. I found taillight pots that say "The Electric Autolite Co."