RMC serial number

BELLEJEEPS · Post by **BELLEJEEPS** » Mon Oct 15, 2018 9:28 am

Serial Numbers: I just picked up a 1952 M38 with a RMC xxxxx number with a 020 punched into the block above the RMC. This vehicle also has a zenith carb instead of a Carter WO. All of the military items have been removed from the engine and converted. I know it is an M38 based on the frame characteristics and the additional battery box storage.

My question is based on the RMC? Would an RMC engine be used in an M38 as well?

Thanks

Eric

Post by **wesk** » Mon Oct 15, 2018 9:58 am

The RMC is the prefix stamped on all factory provided new spare engines produced on each of the Willys/US Army procurement contracts for the M38 from 1950 thru 1952. The RMCXXXXX engines were installed as replacements in M38's in the field, they were installed brand new in brand new portable power plants/welders, they were surplused out eventually as well. The .020 indicates .020 undersize bearings. These often came with undersized bearings brand new from Willys. With the Zenith carb I would suspect your engine came out of a portable welder or generator set and ended up in your jeep after your jeep was surplussed out.

What are the serial numbers on your dash plate and the Patent plate on the front of the left wheel house? My Bad: Right Wheel House!

BELLEJEEPS · Post by **BELLEJEEPS** » Mon Oct 15, 2018 10:15 am

Wes thanks for the quick reply. The guy I am buying it from has a clean title that he is unable to find at that this time. I looked for the data plate behind the passenger seat but like most of these vehicle everything has been removed. I will look in the left well housing tonight and see if I can locate anything.

Eric

Post by **wesk** » Mon Oct 15, 2018 11:25 am

Right Wheel house. usually has 8 coats of paint hiding it.

dpcd67 · Post by **dpcd67** » Tue Oct 16, 2018 5:15 pm

My M38 23100 has RMC engine 56789 in it. But the engine came with a motor mount for an MB on it and I was told that it came off an MB. And it has provision for a side mounted coil.
I also have RMC 124184; as you can see they made a lot more engines than jeeps.

Post by **wesk** » Tue Oct 16, 2018 8:29 pm

The two stud holes for the civvy coil mounting are present on all the different series M38 641087 L134 blocks.

And on the 804380 series:

dpcd67 · Post by **dpcd67** » Wed Oct 17, 2018 7:44 pm

My RMC 56789 has only two freeze plugs. And the late 124184 one, which is now a lawn ornament due to a burst cylinder, (when I got it), does have the coil studs.

RonD2 · Post by **RonD2** » Wed Oct 17, 2018 8:31 pm

Dang it! I thought about asking if you'd consider selling your second motor --- because lately I've been thinking about having a good core on hand as a spare. (I don't need another lawn ornament.)

I cringe at the thought of good (serviceable) MC and RMC blocks going into scrap piles across these United States........

Somebody ought to clue those "American Pickers" guys into the potential gold mine.......I think I've seen them walk right by stuff like this.

mdainsd · Post by **mdainsd** » Wed Oct 17, 2018 10:00 pm

Those two are nothing more than 21st century con men.

But it would be great to figure out a way to let people know these blocks are with some serious coin.

Post by **wesk** » Wed Oct 17, 2018 10:19 pm

I don't think trying to alert the junkers and Junkees that these old 641087 castings are worth tons of bucks is the wisest move. It will be us paying the tons of bucks. I have never had a tough time finding a 641087 casting when I needed one. There's hardly a car show, truck show or flea market I go to where I cannot stumble on at least one. Probably why I have six laying around with 2 MC's and One RMC one J and 2 T's. Any time I deal with a salvage yard for anything I always mention "Any old jeep parts on hand?".

I even have 3 F-134's and 2 Dauntless 225 V-6's laying around.

RonD2 · Post by **RonD2** » Wed Oct 17, 2018 10:23 pm

All I can say Wes is --- once they're melted down there'll be no getting them back --- at any price. Not enough people doing what you do. And I know there's 5000+ people in this forum, but do you think I'm really alerting anybody who doesn't already know?

Yep, I've thought of the Pickers con jobs myself on occasion. Right before I yell at the TV to tell the sap they're trying to take to the cleaners to "WISE UP!" Sometimes they listen, most times they don't.

But it's all mostly cooked up anyway. Somewhat entertaining at least. Better than 99.9% of the other 542 channels with nothing on anyway.

I think the History Channel ought to do a jeep reality show, kind of like their Mountain Men show. Where they bop back and forth between the goings on at MWM, RFJP, Mullins, Walck's, and a few others........with a few of us schmucks trying to figure stuff out in between. Plenty of Wes a$$ kicking after the commercials would be great!

I know I'd watch it! Heck, I might even enter the 21st century and figure out how to "DVR it" (whatever that means).

I'm anticipating getting some myself for hijacking this thread......

Post by **wesk** » Wed Oct 17, 2018 11:30 pm

No worries Ron!!!!

Brand new blocks from China are already on the market:

NEW 4 CYLINDER ENGINE BARE BLOCK
FITS 41-53 JEEP & WILLYS WITH 4-134 L ENGINE
Item # 641145
Print Product Info Email Product Info Share
New 4 Cylinder Engine Bare Block

Finally the 4-134 L engine has been reproduced!!

All machined surfaces are milled to original design specifications. Block includes: Valve guides; hardened valve seats, NPT threaded oil galley plugs, freeze plugs and camshaft expansion plug.

- Cylinder Bore: 3.1255 +/- .0005
- Valve Guide Bore Diameter (In & Ex): .374 +/- .0005
- Valve Seat Surface Width: .09375? to .125 +/- .0005
- Tappet Bore Diameter: .626 +/- .0005
- Oil Galley Taps/Plugs: NPT 1/8 & NPT 3/8
- Oil Galley Taps - Tapered

The machining operation is using automated CAD CNC machining with tolerances exceeding .0005 inches-far more precise and exceeding the tolerances of American-made '40s Willys engines.

Sample blocks were completely maped on a Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) and created a 3-D drawing in Solid Works to begin the process. The CMM factory used can measure up to 1.5 micrometers in accuracy (0.000059").

In effect, they reverse engineered the 4-134 L engine block and set it up as such. Instead of using a green sand casting as the original blocks were made, they used the investment cast method for more structural integrity and durability, as well as surface finish and machining surfaces, even though it is more expensive. In addition, the new grey iron blocks have a higher content of chromium and copper for added strength and durability over the original design.

About of the 4-134 L Engine Block / Warranty Information

Test Run Operations Log

Each block has an individual serial number.

They are each coated with a rust inhibitor and shipped in a wooden crate and come with a warranty and general prep information and each has an inspection tag with critical specs.

Application
4-134 L engine (GEAR TO GEAR)

Fits:
41-45 MB
41-45 GPW
46-49 CJ-2A
49-53 CJ-3A
50-52 M38
46-49 Truck
46-49 Station Wagon
48-49 Jeepster

NOTE:
SHIPS TRUCK FREIGHT $195.00

Item # Price
641145
$1,699.00

https://www.kaiserwillys.com/new-4-cyli ... 4-l-engine

Claims they'll fit 41-53. Doesn't actually tell us weather chain or gear drive cam. Unless

(gear to gear)

was meant to tell us gear drive cam.

Interesting casting # the Chinese used: 614087!!!!!!

Here's a little back ground! http://www.fourwheeler.com/features/160 ... ne-blocks/

dpcd67 · Post by **dpcd67** » Thu Oct 18, 2018 8:55 am

Those guys on TV started here in LeClaire; don't ever think that anything done on that show is not rehearsed ahead of time. Reality TV, is pretty far removed from actual reality.
But yeah, I don't think we will ever run out out of MC/RMC blocks because by the time all these wear out, the young guys in the year 2084 will already have scrapped our jeeps.

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Thu Oct 18, 2018 10:41 am

Went to see about some jeep parts about a year ago.
Guy was glad someone showed up as he was going to the scrap
Pile with all of it.

Went for a pair of A1’s doors, and ended up with a bunch of stuff I’ll never
use, including a chain drive block.

Sitting on the floor in the shop for now.