opinions on rebuild

jonknownothin · Post by **jonknownothin** » Fri May 27, 2011 8:56 am

I have a 1953 m38a1 that I picked up as a project. I got the engine running by rebuilding the carb and adding gas. The jeep had sat parked for at least 10 years prior to this. I did a compression check on it and got 100 110 35 yes 35 and 115. It was not smoking but lacked power. I pulled the head and found the gasket broken by the number 3 with low compression. Good I thought. I scraped away all the carbon, lapped the valves and reinstalled it. Now my compression is even lower then before by about 5 psi per cylinder. The engine will no longer start. I have not had any experience with any engine work beyond the head. I got quoted $15-18 hundred for a rebuild. Do you guys think this is the best option for me with my lack of engine experience, or is there something else I should investigate before going this route. My wife is not onboard with my little project so I cant take the money for the rebuild out of the bank and it will take a while of saving my "allowance" to pay for rebuild. I had to sell my jetskis just so I could get the jeep. Also interested in trading wife for running engine

willym38 · Post by **willym38** » Fri May 27, 2011 12:06 pm

I can't answer your question, but that was funny!

jam51m38cdn · Post by **jam51m38cdn** » Fri May 27, 2011 2:33 pm

Did you seal the new head gasket with the copper spray sealant? And did you properly readjust the tappet clearance to .014". This is where I would start . I don`t think that I would jump on the rebuild wagon just yet. Jim

DJ · Post by DJ » Fri May 27, 2011 8:38 pm

Also interested in trading wife for running engine

Would need pictures and a guarantee with return option.