Help Please M38a1 I think

Johnbates · Post by **Johnbates** » Wed May 16, 2012 10:33 am

I bought a i think 1952 army jeep..has the hindged rad. my problem is that there isnt any data tags on it..i found the engine # r4j509108. And the block casting#807895. Not sure what i into since there is no data plates.I do no that I can buy blank ones but it the engine number the same as the data plate number? Im new at this guys so any help would be nice,Thanks

ECVJeeps · Post by **ECVJeeps** » Wed May 16, 2012 12:10 pm

Pictures say a thousand words, if you can post a pic or two. Take note if the front frame is boxed between the grill and bumper, is there tool indents on the side of the jeep. A 4" hole in the dash between the guage cluster and the glove box.
The engine number and the frame number (on Candaian jeeps) is not the serial number of the jeep.

Looking forward to more info.

Pat

Cacti_Ken · Post by **Cacti_Ken** » Wed May 16, 2012 12:14 pm

Take a look at the photo gallery on this site. Photos might help determine what you have.

evanso1975 · Post by **evanso1975** » Wed May 16, 2012 12:18 pm

The block number you quote (807895) is for an F-head, so it could very well be an M38A1. The engine number and data plate number are different.

As for data plates being missing, did you check for the patent plate? It's located on the front of the passenger rear wheel well (directly behind the passenger seat). That plate is often hidden under many layers of paint, and might have been overlooked. Here it is:

http://www.m38a1.com/images/details/patplt1.JPG

That M38A1 site http://www.m38a1.com/ has quite a bit of useful restoration info on it.

P.S. if you edit your WillysMJeeps profile to show other users where you're located, there may be other M38A1 owners local to you that would be willing to cast an eye over your jeep.

Good luck!
Owen.

Johnbates · Post by **Johnbates** » Wed May 16, 2012 12:41 pm

how do i insert a pic?

Johnbates · Post by **Johnbates** » Wed May 16, 2012 1:00 pm

http://s462.photobucket.com/albums/qq344/chevy20002008/

wilfreeman · Post by **wilfreeman** » Wed May 16, 2012 3:50 pm

Definately an early 'a1. Nice find on the hood #'s! Did you find the serial # plate behind the passenger seat?

Johnbates · Post by **Johnbates** » Wed May 16, 2012 3:54 pm

no i didnt ..that one is gone also...just the 4 holes left....i also thought it was suppose to have a split windshield but it doesnt..is this right or not?I no i can get new data plates but lost on what to stamp on them...am i wasting my time with this.I wanna restore it back to specks

wilfreeman · Post by **wilfreeman** » Wed May 16, 2012 4:06 pm

A lot of them were replaced with CJ windshields - easier to do and cheaper/ easier to get rubber. Too bad that plate was gone too. Is there a # stamped on top of the block above the water pump (might say RMD#####). That's the number that was on my title.

The hood # might be 209##### (or maybe even 208##### ? - I don't know if they started with 208 or not, but it looks more like an 8 than a 9). The smaller 54 is probably an earlier (or later) stencil.

Johnbates · Post by **Johnbates** » Wed May 16, 2012 4:18 pm

this is the stamp above the water pump R4J 509108 and if u go back and look at my pics again i added another pic of the hood..i think it says usa above the numbers..not sure...

wilfreeman · Post by **wilfreeman** » Wed May 16, 2012 4:20 pm

Hood # should be 8 #'s - starting with 209.

Your last 4 look like 9355. Make that 93554 (for the two little numbers).

I'm thinking 20993554

Johnbates · Post by **Johnbates** » Wed May 16, 2012 4:23 pm

if u look at the other pic of my hood there looks like a usa also...and is there anyway of tracking this hood number?

wilfreeman · Post by **wilfreeman** » Wed May 16, 2012 4:31 pm

It should say U.S.A. or U.S Army above the #. I don't think they kept track of the hood #'s

Johnbates · Post by **Johnbates** » Wed May 16, 2012 6:14 pm

is this pic of the back of the m38A1 something the army would do or someone else I cut off a piece of tin someone had over it http://s462.photobucket.com/albums/qq34 ... 121928.jpg

wilfreeman · Post by **wilfreeman** » Wed May 16, 2012 6:53 pm

The back panel looks original - except it doesn't have the cutout for the trailer recepticle. That bumper has to go though!