Greetings!

colonel_flagg · Post by **colonel_flagg** » Tue Jul 06, 2010 7:52 pm

New owner, new to the group. Just wanted to introduce myself and ask a simple question to get started...

I purchased today, a 1957 m38a1. Runs good, body isn't in too bad of a shape.

However, there's a leak in the brake system. Considering I just got it, I haven't had time to get the manuals, which I will, just haven't done it yet today....

Anyway... I found the master cylinder, but I cannot get the cap off. what's the trick?

/CF

MODIFIED · Post by **MODIFIED** » Tue Jul 06, 2010 9:03 pm

hello, and welcome to the world of willysm!!! nice jeep. though I have to ask if you might post more pics of your jeep from all sides, interior and engine bay... I am suspicious your vehicle is not an M38A1.

The grill looks like a civvy add on perhaps? may be a Mil CJ5 or M606-A2ish? I think others can clarify more so to my limited claim?.

Post by **wesk** » Tue Jul 06, 2010 9:59 pm

Post by **wesk** » Tue Jul 06, 2010 10:10 pm

The brake cylinder cap is usually a hex drive cap and you should only need the appropriate size socket.

You M38A1 does have a few odd parts installed.
Windshield looks odd with one piece glass but may be converted.
Grill is CJ5
Gas Tank is CJ5
Wheels are 15 inch civvy.

The tub appears not to have a tailgate and the cowl battery box lid is the correct one for 1957 so I would guess the tub to be CJ5. Also the tub does not have the civvy top frame sockets like the CJ5.

If the hood has the shovel bracket underneath then it is M38A1.

The chassis is easy enough to figure out. If the front frame rails from the bumper to the firewall are boxed in it's M38A1. If the front spring pivots are forward and shackles are aft it is a M38A1. If there is a machine gun support plate on the cross member just behind the front seats it's a M38A1.

colonel_flagg · Post by **colonel_flagg** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 10:02 am

Here's a pic of the serial plate from the firewall:

That's all of the pics I have for now. Will of course get more this evening.

/CF

Post by **wesk** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 7:14 pm

Serial 57548 51085 is a 1957 CJ5. The 57548 is the model number for the CJ5. That data plate looks like an improvised plate. It is possible the jeep was delivered to someone's military as an M606.

The following illustrations help show some of the main differences.

M38A1 dash. Note glove box is far left and gages are mounted in a small removable cluster set.

M38A1 Grill. Note parking/blackout lamps are behind the grill inside the small opening. Note how deep the headlights are countersunk.

M38A1 right front. Note round indent in side of cowl.

M38A1 rear panel. Note the lack of a tailgate.

M38A1 frame. Note square machine gun mount support plate on the 3rd cross member.

Early M38A1 front frame. Note frame rail is boxed from the bumper back to the firewall. Also note that the spring pivot is forward jere. The shackle is at the rear of the front spring on an M38A1 and the shackle is at the front end of the spring on 56 and up CJ5's.

Late M38A1 front frame. Note frame rails are still boxed and the big oval opening is gone.

Not this support for the voltage regulator on an M38A1 frame.

____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________\

Note some CJ5 illustartions below:

CJ5 frame has no machine gun support plate.

CJ5 dash. Note glove box is far right and gages are built into main panel.

CJ5 Grill. Note parking lights are surface mount. Note headlights are not countersunk deeply like the M38A1.

CJ5 left front firewall serial plate. See the 57548 prefix?

colonel_flagg · Post by **colonel_flagg** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 7:55 pm

K. The dash matches the CJ5, but the boxed in frame matches the m38a1 (CJ3? right?). The hood has a bracket underneath it. From what I can see, the rear frame area also matches the m38a1. There's no rear tailgate.

From what folks have said, the tub matches a m38, less the serial plate on the firewall, which could have been placed on their after-the-fact by someone. The hood matches a m38 due to the bracket underneath for the shovel. the dash could be a replacement, same as the grill.

With the frame matching what's been described to me as a m38 and the tub matching what's been described to me as an m38, i am thinking someone threw some later model parts on it to get it running, etc.

Been working on it all evening, didn't get to take pics. Will take pics tomorrow evening and post more. I did get to take it for a short spin, ran ok, but I think I need to drain the gas tank and put fresh fuel in it.

Question, should I be putting in a lead additive to the fuel?

/CF

Post by **wesk** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 9:00 pm

No lead additive is necessary. Unless these old four bangers are pushed hard on the highway they can handle the gas today. I run both jeeps and Dodge M37 and I add a mix of about 25% aviation gas 100LL. That gives me about 85 to 90 octane and as much lead as auto gas had before 1973.

Looks like someone mixed and match a M38A1 with a CJ5. When you get time to complete the M38A1 survey I emailed you a few days ago we'll be able to narrow down what year and possibly month your A1 was built.

Which front frame boxed design did you have,? Early or Late?

I agree if you have a M38A1 frame and a M38A1 tub then you have a M38A1 with a few CJ5 parts and a CJ5 serial put there by someone trying to register it. I'm looking forward to seeing your photos. I'll open a photo album here on this web site for you to use.

Here's the link to your album:
http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... _album.php

colonel_flagg · Post by **colonel_flagg** » Thu Jul 08, 2010 7:27 pm

ok, thanks. tomorrow is the next chance i'll have to work on it.. thought this evening, but i had lodge meeting.

will post pics tomorrow night i think.

/CF

colonel_flagg · Post by **colonel_flagg** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 10:32 pm

after closer inspection.... the frame doesn't appear to be an m38a1.

i spent the day working on little problems here and there, the majority of which is caused by contaminants in the gas tank.... ideas on how to get bits and pieces of the sending unit's gasket out of there? we tried to take the tank out and flush it with gas, that didn't work... only other idea was to fill it up with water and flush it completely.... thoughts? concerns?

at any rate, i have more pics and will be uploading shortly.

/CF

Post by **wesk** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 10:42 pm

Is the tank a M38A1 tank? If it is the sender and the fuel vent/pickup/filter assembly when both are removed and the slide up screen in the filler pipe is remove you have very good access to the tank interior.

colonel_flagg · Post by **colonel_flagg** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 10:54 pm

ok, the pics are up, give me your best guestimate as to what it really is.

/CF

colonel_flagg · Post by **colonel_flagg** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 11:08 pm

from what this website says, it's an M38A1... I am getting more and more confused as time goes by. on one hand, I am hearing info that isn't matching the other hand... and these guys sell jeep parts... what gives?

http://www.northstarwillys.com/m38a1.htm

/CF

colonel_flagg · Post by **colonel_flagg** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 11:24 pm

wesk wrote:Is the tank a M38A1 tank? If it is the sender and the fuel vent/pickup/filter assembly when both are removed and the slide up screen in the filler pipe is remove you have very good access to the tank interior.

No, it's after-market and there's no access. had it out shaking the crap out of it earlier today... lol.

/CF

Post by **wesk** » Sun Jul 11, 2010 4:47 pm

Frame is CJ5. Note they are not boxed. Note the spring shackles are forward on the front springs.

Firewall is CJ5. Note the cover plate where the CJ5 heater was mounted on the driver's side of the firewall. The firewall battery mount is CJ5.

Carb, air inlet and distributor are CJ5.

The grill is CJ5.

Cowl appears to be CJ5 with the odd strap added to the look alike cowl battery box cover which was welded in place on the CJ5. The round external slave plug receptacle on the center right side of cowl looks like it was grafted onto the CJ5 cowl.

The tub sidewalls are CJ5

The dash is CJ5.

The rear tub panel is clearly fabricated in the field to replace the tailgate the jeep had originally. The top angle is a dead giveaway.

The hand brake is CJ5.

The seats are CJ5

The tranny is CJ5.

Looks like you have a CJ5 that someone decided to doctor it into a wannabe M38A1.