M38 rebuild - Idaho

JaceM38 · Post by **JaceM38** » Tue Feb 18, 2014 9:46 pm

So this weekend me and my dad took the top shifter assembly off of the transmission (it was frozen and we wanted to see how bad the damage was)
Turns out everything inside the trany is fine but the gearshift housing cap and spring seat were the only things rusted. We ended up having to cut them off of the assembly. Now to find the replacement parts

RICKG · Post by **RICKG** » Thu Feb 20, 2014 12:31 pm

Early on in your project you might be consider electrolytic rust
removal if you haven't already. Cheap and works great..
From an earlier post (thx Bretto!!)
http://willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php? ... ectrolysis

http://www.rowand.net/shop/Tools/Electrolysis.htm

JaceM38 · Post by **JaceM38** » Thu Feb 20, 2014 1:42 pm

Thanks I will take a look at those links.

JaceM38 · Post by **JaceM38** » Tue Mar 04, 2014 2:12 pm

I finally got both data plates cleaned off enough that I could match the serial numbers. So here they are along with the MFR part number, Contract Number and Ord Stock number

MC58843 - Serial Number
657116 - MFR Part Number
DA 33019 ORD 43 - Contract Number
6795525 - Ordinance Stock Number

Haven't been able to find out much using these numbers but there they are

I am also having trouble finding the engine number so any help on where to look for that would be appreciated

RICKG · Post by **RICKG** » Tue Mar 04, 2014 2:23 pm

JaceM38 wrote:

I am also having trouble finding the engine number so any help on where to look for that would be appreciated

The engine SN will be on the flat surface above the water pump

JaceM38 · Post by **JaceM38** » Tue Mar 04, 2014 2:28 pm

Ah ok thanks that means its probably under 40 years worth of gunk but now that I know where to look it shouldnt be to hard to find

Thanks!

Post by **wesk** » Tue Mar 04, 2014 10:43 pm

MC58843 - Serial Number The Willys serials started with MC10001 so yours is the 48,842nd one built.
657116 - MFR Part Number Just a Willys reference number for the whole jeep. You can't order one with that number.
DA 33019 ORD 43 - Contract Number One of five M38 procurement contracts issued between 1949 and 1952.
6795525 - Ordinance Stock Number The army Ordnance supply reference number for the whole jeep. Again you could not actually order a jeep with that number

JaceM38 · Post by **JaceM38** » Sat Mar 22, 2014 12:29 pm

Anyone know of a good place to get the materials to make a wiring harness? I know I need some new connector pins and grommets for my douglas connectors. Also wheres the best place to get the correct wire?

Thanks Guys for the help

Post by **wesk** » Sat Mar 22, 2014 8:07 pm

14 gauge wire all black is all you need for wire. The vendors carry the trimmings IE number tags, terminals, seals and connectors.

Just copy the part numbers you need below and start shopping the vendors for the best deal. The top 5 for jeeps are Midwest Military, Army Jeep Parts, Ron Fitzpatrick Jeep Parts, DeBella Jeep Parts and Rapco. Don't forget to also shop any local Military Surplus stores you may have nearby.

More illustrations are in my photo album:
http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... _album.php

RICKG · Post by **RICKG** » Sun Mar 23, 2014 8:43 am

A handy tool to have on the bench when building harness:

Used to crimp the terminals to wire.

JaceM38 · Post by **JaceM38** » Sun Mar 23, 2014 2:15 pm

Do you know where I can get my hand on one of those?

Post by **wesk** » Sun Mar 23, 2014 7:14 pm

The same vendors carry them.

JaceM38 · Post by **JaceM38** » Fri May 30, 2014 7:16 pm

So I took the body off the frame this last weekend and discovered that two of the front braces have rusted out. Any ideas on how to fix them? Can I find replacements or will I have to try to manufacture replacements?

Hammerun · Post by **Hammerun** » Sat May 31, 2014 1:05 am

Jace m38
I don't know what braces you are looking for but you might start at Classic Enterprises. They have a lot of repro parts for jeeps. Good stuff too. I just replaced front floor supports in my A1. These things were great. They are a little "cut to fit, paint to match" but good heavy parts. I was surprised.
Www.classicent.com

Post by **wesk** » Sat May 31, 2014 6:38 am

John at Midwest Military also sells the floor hat channels. The damaged toe board gusset will have to be repaired. I do not think anyone is making repop toe board gussets.