M38A1 12/1953

costecon · Post by **costecon** » Tue Oct 30, 2018 4:17 am

Hello everybody.
I am in Greece and I have just acquired a M38a1 12/53 from a yard.
It was left untouched since the day it left the Greek army.

Some info :
1. Fenders with diagonal seam (pre 1953)
2. battery cover 8 thumbscrews
3. hinged grill
4. no supports on top of radiator.

I will keep you updated with my progress...

Regards
Kostas

costecon · Post by **costecon** » Mon Nov 19, 2018 9:56 am

Let Me properly introduce my project. I did some hood number "digging" and after 6 or 7 layers of paint I was successful.
S/N :67463 (front of passenger seat and tab behind passenger seat)
Del date:12/53
Hood number 20989745

1. Fenders with diagonal seam (pre 1953)
2. battery cover 8 thumbscrews
3. hinged grill
4. no supports on top of radiator.

Unfortunately, above the number everything was erased by a big "bare metal" --> rust scratch.
I managed to get the U.S. but it is missing. Based on the numbers and what I have read, I understand it should be U.S.A and not U.S.Army, but if any "grown up" can assist is more than welcome.

Post by **wesk** » Mon Nov 19, 2018 10:45 pm

Here are a few photos from our web site's photo gallery that should enlighten you.

U.S.A. was very common up thru th 1952 M38 production but I do not recall seeing a M38A1 with U.S.A..

costecon · Post by **costecon** » Tue Nov 20, 2018 11:50 am

Thank you for your reply. I guess I was completely wrong...
Although I could identify clearly the numbers, I could not see the letters.
This was mainly because of bare metal scratches above the numbers and some sticker. The vehicle was full of reflector stickers under the last greek army camo paint. The coating under the camo was bright yellow. I guess it was used as a follow me airport vehicle at some point of its service life in Greek army. Tomorrow I will post some pics...

costecon · Post by **costecon** » Sun Nov 25, 2018 10:23 am

Hi everyone. I am starting taking things apart in preparation for sandblasting. I am struggling to identify the correct bolt description.
I found in the manual for example the bellow description: "BOLT, ASSEMBLED WASHER, int-teeth lock washer, hex-hd, header-pt, S, cd- or zn-pltd, 1/4- 20NC-2 x 5/8"

Can anyone explain to me especially the 1/4-20NC-2x5/8 part?

costecon · Post by **costecon** » Sun Nov 25, 2018 11:40 am

So let me give it a try :
1/4 bolt thread diameter
20 : threads per inch length
Nc: national coarse
2: strenght grade
5/8: length

So if I am correct I am only missing:
header-pt, S,

Regards

Post by **wesk** » Sun Nov 25, 2018 1:00 pm

Those abbreviations and manufacturer's codes are listed on pages 5, 6 & 7 of your M38A1 parts manual ORD 9 SNL G-758.

Also there are several good web sites that explain the fasteners annotations in great detail:

https://www.boltdepot.com/fastener-info ... ation.aspx

https://www.boltdepot.com/fastener-info ... chart.aspx

http://www.boltscience.com/pages/glossary.htm

https://www.sizes.com/tools/thread_screw.htm

https://www.eaglefastener.net/technical ... tyles.html

In the case of your example: BOLT, ASSEMBLED WASHER, int-teeth lock washer, hex-hd, header-pt, S, cd- or zn-pltd, 1/4- 20NC-2 x 5/8"

BOLT, ASSEMBLED WASHER: Abolt or screw with the washer prefitted and stays in place on it's own.

int-teeth lock washer: the type of washer attached to the bolt/screw

hex-hd: Type of head on the bolt/screw

header-pt: the type of point (header-point)

cd- or zn-pltd: The type of plating used. In this case Cadmium or Zinc.

1/4- 20NC-2 x 5/8" : Dimensional info for bolt/screw.

1/4 = 1/4" diameter

20 = 20 threads per inch.

NC = National Course a thread classification.

-2 = Tolerance standard:

old American National series had four classes of tolerance: Loose-fit (class 1), Free-fit (class 2), Medium-Fit (class 3), and Close-fit (class 4).

x 5/8" = Length

costecon · Post by **costecon** » Sun Nov 25, 2018 1:10 pm

Thanks for you detailed reply. I have some studying to do since I am familiar only with metric.
Regards

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Sun Nov 25, 2018 4:32 pm

I only offer this as there may be a problem with translation if unexplained.

NC stands for National Coarse.

NF stand for National Fine.

The basic difference between the two is coarse threads have less threads per inch than fine threads for threads of the same fastener size/Diameter.

Take care,

costecon · Post by **costecon** » Wed Nov 28, 2018 7:56 am

Thank you for your replies.

Please find bellow my 1st photo from the day I acquired my m38A1

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Wed Nov 28, 2018 2:35 pm

Interesting “goodies” many folks don't get their projects.
You even have the horizontal rods for the bows!

Post by **wesk** » Wed Nov 28, 2018 11:15 pm

Note the two large hole, one at each end of the bumper! I am going to guess the Greek Army put them there for those little flag staff's.

costecon · Post by **costecon** » Thu Nov 29, 2018 12:05 pm

4x4M38 wrote:Interesting “goodies” many folks don't get their projects.
You even have the horizontal rods for the bows!

I actually chose this one after checking more than 20 m38a1's.

It was the most complete I found.

A few things need replacement, but missing items were ONLY:
1. 1 wiper arm
2. Steel pipe between carb and air cleaner
3. 1pc front shackle is m151
4. Hood thumb bolts
5. 5th wheel
6. Emergency brake shoes and level. (Handle and rod are ok)
7. Horn rod and small cover.
8. Jerry can
9. A few bolts.

The main reason I chose this one is the fact that it has : old fender design, battery cover old type hinges and no radiator rods and of course front dataplates mach behind passenger seat dataplate.

And NO MOD'S... only one small door bolt lock to secure the pasenger seat and a couple of holes on front bumper. It was straight from the army.

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Fri Nov 30, 2018 7:25 am

That latch on the tub to keep the passenger seat down was a common Army modification. It is a legitimate Motor Pool restoration detail.

costecon · Post by **costecon** » Fri Nov 30, 2018 7:35 am

4x4M38 wrote:That latch on the tub to keep the passenger seat down was a common Army modification. It is a legitimate Motor Pool restoration detail.

Thank you for the info.
I will try and take some photos over the weekend and post because it looks like an ugly mod....