Question on engine valves and tie rods.

Larker1 · Post by **Larker1** » Wed Nov 26, 2014 6:33 pm

I'm a new M38 owner and having a lot fun restoring it to as close to original as possible (within reason). It ran great when I bought it and all gears and ranges worked smoothly. I wasn't planning on doing anything with the engine or trans/transfer, but was wondering a few concerns. Should I be concerned that the valves are the older style and could be an issue running unleaded gas? Is it important to take the head off and check?

On another point, I have different size diameter tie rods (smaller on right side- long tube) and larger size on the left side. I have heard the larger size was from the A1's and my M38 was built 2/52 and I think they threw in a A1 tie rod, as the A1's were being built at the same time. Make sense?

Post by **wesk** » Wed Nov 26, 2014 9:18 pm

Unless you work the jeep hard off road at high RPM or run it hard on the highway at high RPMs' the use of hardened valves or seats is not important.

Just consider you M38's front end steering components are adequate on one side and more than adequate on the other.

OKCM38CDN · Post by **OKCM38CDN** » Wed Nov 26, 2014 11:03 pm

It sounds like your tie rods have been replaced on one side in the past... the smaller diameter rod is one from a CJ and the larger one is the correct one for the M-38. The military versions; both M-38 and M-38A1 use the larger diameter tie rods...

John Bizal at Midwest Military had the larger rods; I got a set from him to bring my M-38CDN up to spec...

Hope this helps...

Post by **wesk** » Thu Nov 27, 2014 12:26 am

Early US built M38's used the smaller tie rods.

Larker1 · Post by **Larker1** » Thu Nov 27, 2014 6:53 am

Thank you for the information. This was my first post and it's great having all these M38 Jeep lovers and experts! I will be asking more as I go.

According to what I consider my bible for this restoration (Ryan Miller's Book) the smaller diameter were used on the early production military M38's and the larger diameter did not come in until the M38A1's. I think, since both my tie rods had the same paint layers and tie rod end (metal gaskets and springs), I really think it was installed in the factory that way. I have read that at the time my M38 was built, the A1's were being built at the same time and hence it's possible some parts were being used up as the reproduction of the M38 was winding down. I love this research stuff!

Post by **wesk** » Thu Nov 27, 2014 9:43 am

There was no overlap of M38/M38A1 production. There was only a continuation of the M38A1 production on the same contract as the M38. Your M38 would not have left Willys with one of each. The original rods would have had OD paint on them and the replacements rods would have had OD pint on them. If they were produced in roughly the same period 1952 then they both would have very like looking shades of OD. The jeep is 62 years old and most likely during it's military career been painted at least twice. The large rod could have been installed at anytime during it's career.