M38 Jeep Restoration MC21002

wadefreedomvehicles · Post by **wadefreedomvehicles** » Sun Apr 10, 2016 2:08 pm

Ok, thanks wes, I have the distributor from my other engine, but it is really bad, I will look at it some more and decide what to do about that. And thanks on the advice on the tranny, I had Bretto, a fellow member on here, come over and look at my tranny and we decided I will just run it until it gives me problems, because it doesn't look bad right now.

RICKG · Post by **RICKG** » Mon Apr 11, 2016 8:49 am

Wade, PM sent RE: 24V dizzy. Rick.

wadefreedomvehicles · Mon May 23, 2016 10:31 pm

SO I sent my engine, the one I just bought, off with a friend today to have him get it all back to original and looking and running beautifully. In the meantime, I am working on cleaning up the frame and such. I need to also buy some new brake lines, master cylinder, and wheel cylinders, and parts that are applicable to that. Where is the best place to get them for the price? I have been looking around and price varies. How hard is it to make my own lines?

Post by **wesk** » Mon May 23, 2016 11:18 pm

Wade,

This is the juncture where you must decide a couple of things.

1-Is this going to be a factory class restoration or a driver.

2-If a driver is in it's future then now is the time to opt for a dual master cylinder. Herm the Overdrive guy makes a nice kit. http://hermtheoverdriveguy.com/?page_id=828

If you plan on thrashing about them thar hills you may also want to consider 10" or 11" brakes.

https://www.willysjeepparts.com/Brake_Package_Deals.htm

For the classic factory resto you can buy ready made to length brake lines from the primary vendors. If it's a driver than assemble your own using off the shelf prefabricated lengths of brake line. Just choose those a tad longer than you need. Or if you feel comfortable with a double flaring tool then fabricate your own lines.

wadefreedomvehicles · Post by **wadefreedomvehicles** » Tue May 24, 2016 8:22 am

Well I am going to use it has a daily driver to school and such, and probably wont go off reading like crazy with it. Whatever will work for the brakes, and is cheap, and works good, that is what I would like.

Post by **wesk** » Tue May 24, 2016 9:01 am

That leaves you with prefabbed brake lines from the auto store or farm supply store stock 9" brakes but if cheap is the operative word then you will probably ignore drum wear limits and re-use your existing drums and any shoes that don't have bare metal showing.

I suggest not being cheap when it comes to brakes and steering. These are the two systems on your jeep that can get people killed. The cheap, improperly maintained vehicles on the road usually don't kill the cheap owner, but instead take out innocent bystanders.

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Tue May 24, 2016 9:04 am

Wade,
I bought a new master, wheel cylinders, hard and soft lines from John at Midwest Military. The other well known vendors carry these as well.
I bought brake pads from the local NAPA.

I did not at the time have a tubing flare tool, or the know how to make my own lines. I've since learned you can rent or borrow the tool, and the rest is just info.

In my haste to get it stopping, I decided for the extra money I'd just go ahead and buy the lines and shorten my downtime.

Just my two cents,
Take care,

wadefreedomvehicles · Post by **wadefreedomvehicles** » Tue May 24, 2016 9:12 am

Ok thanjs for your input, I will keep looking around. Is the brake lines and system the same as a 3a? Because if so then I might be able to find some lines cheaper.

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Tue May 24, 2016 9:30 am

Hi Wade,
Someone else may chime in with better info. The shoes will fit. I believe the hard lines will fit also, and the master will fit. Just remember the factory M38 had a cap that was threaded in the top for the fodring vent line that went to the air cleaner. The civvy version did not.

Not sure how much you will save buying locally. I figure it this way. What I pay in shipping is offset somewhat by local sales tax. Out of state vendors do't collect state sales tax except in certain states.

'Course depending on what you buy the shipping can be higher.

Call a couple of vendors and get estimates, then go to NAPA or whoever and get their estimate including sale tax.

For just a few dollars in difference in many cases you will be assured you are getting the right part from one of the vendors. Especially if you have a working relationship and they know what vehicle you have and what has been done to it.

Most of the people working in the local parts stores have just started shaving, and when they try and look up a 1950 Willys M38 in their computer their eyes glaze over.

Take care,

wadefreedomvehicles · Post by **wadefreedomvehicles** » Tue May 24, 2016 9:42 am

Ok thanks for the advice. I totally u derstand the "eys glaze over" my dad and I have 13 trucks and whenever we go into the local shop that sometimes happens if you don't have a familiar cashier person. And ok ill check around. Would you reccomend Midwest, Kaiser willys, or develop jeep parts? Or somewhere else?

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Tue May 24, 2016 10:24 am

I have done business with Midwest Military, Army Jeep Parts,
Rapco, RJ Fitzpatrick, Brent Mullins, Quarter Ton Military,
and several others via the web. I have also bought items
from folks on EBay but only after shopping price and assuring
myself what I was looking at was the right part.

It's easy to get a relationship with one or two. They become familiar
with your vehicle and as in the case of John Bizal can then
offer options whether used/take off, new old stock original,
or reproduction all depending on what your ultimate goal is
and your pocketbook.

It would be ideal to work with only one, but unfortunately
due to the nature of the beast one person never has it all,
and in some cases no one has that one part.

Take care,

wadefreedomvehicles · Tue May 24, 2016 10:26 am

Ok thank, everything said here so far has been so informational.

Bretto · Post by **Bretto** » Tue May 24, 2016 1:02 pm

Wade, why don't, you for brake lines, make up your own. AZ sells it by a 25' roll. Its bends easy by hand and its already a green color! They have a couple sizes, this is 5/16" I cant remember the stock size off hand.

http://www.autozone.com/brakes-and-trac ... 814_90083/

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Tue May 24, 2016 2:13 pm

And you do have a couple of knowledgeable buds in the
neighborhood you can lean on!

wadefreedomvehicles · Post by **wadefreedomvehicles** » Tue May 24, 2016 2:15 pm

Yep, I sure do, and they are a big help.