M38 : OK, Boomer

RonD2 · Post by **RonD2** » Fri Mar 18, 2022 4:51 pm

Well....something ain't right.

I'm wondering if there were different canister mounting brackets --- the one bolted to the head?
Maybe the smaller CJ canister used a bracket that didn't hold the canister so high?
Just spit-balling......

Unrelated side note or maybe I missed it: didn't bolt your timing indicator pointer to the timing cover yet?
https://shop.midwestmilitary.com/produc ... r-pointer/

Naugha · Post by **Naugha** » Fri Mar 18, 2022 6:37 pm

“Attach timing indicator pointer to timing cover” .. will look into it.
I have several ‘mystery parts’ on the bench.

Several issues may be resolved at next week’s MVPA rally in North Florida.

“Hi. My name is Don and I’m restoring a M38. I see you have the only M38 here, maybe one other guy. So... are you factory or motorpool and, uh, can I crawl under you jeep and take pictures.”

“Would you like to visit Central Florida? Stay at my nice ‘barn’. Maybe go fishing. Do you drink?”

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Sat Mar 19, 2022 7:54 am

Don,
Your gen is mounted nearly to the minimum belt adjustment on the top bracket.

Sure sounds like the belts or mounts might be an issue.

Naugha · Post by **Naugha** » Sat Mar 19, 2022 9:42 am

“Sure sounds like the belts or mounts might be an issue.”

Thanks Brian. The canister mount and gen adjustment arm look the same as others in my stash. If those belts were a little longer (and if I am thinking right) then the gen would move further out on the adjustment arm giving the extra clearance needed for the canister. I will leave the Bubba Bracket on for now and look into proper belt size and if belts eventually stretch. Just another bump in the road.

Post by **wesk** » Sun Mar 20, 2022 6:51 am

Over a long life most belts will stretch over an inch. If you research belt #'s you'll see various circumferences given from 45 1/2" to 46 1/2".

On another note you should find yourself a copy Dennis Spence's book "Army Vehicle Parts Guide" part of "Military Vehicle Reference Series No. 4" It provides a ton of insight to the peculiarities of military parts and their relationship to civilian parts. My copy is about 30 years old. The oil filter relationship of the Mil Std set illustrations came from that guide. Belts are in there too.

Xamon · Post by **Xamon** » Sun Mar 20, 2022 9:13 am

okay another silly thought from me but if it is the plug on the generator interfering can you not mount the generator other side up? I realise this may not be strictly speaking correct and the length of belt may be the more appropriate change to make.

To explain a little on my previous post, the brackets on the can itself can go down to the bottom where the angle starts, if that angled section is the same height on both types of can then clearance on the bottom should not be an issue just the top clearance.

Naugha · Post by **Naugha** » Sun Mar 20, 2022 10:07 am

All suggestions are appreciated.

You can bet that I will be doing some can/belt/bracket measuring at Green Cove Springs next weekend..... wonder if any Willysmjeeps.com members will be there? Are there street gang jacket colors or a secret handshake I should know about?

RICKG · Post by **RICKG** » Mon Mar 21, 2022 7:25 pm

Hope the MV show answers some questions for you. A full after action report complete with fotos is required.

Naugha · Post by **Naugha** » Tue Mar 22, 2022 7:48 pm

It's a Cluster. At least the beginning of one.

Naugha · Post by **Naugha** » Sat Mar 26, 2022 4:06 pm

The MVPA rally was fun but I only went the fist day and the vendor tables were not full.... maybe more came on day two.
Talked to several participants. Lots of oil filter opinions, like...

* You have a WW2 filter. Sell it and get a Junior.
* Use a cuno. It will fit.
* Never use a cuno.
* Jeeps don't really need a filter. Plug it off...... That last one was from a top vendor with a resto shop.

I may just get longer belts and use the one that came on the jeep. Here is how it looked two years ago.

The one M38 I saw was very nice but even it had several major 'variations'.

Did a little low dollar buy & barter.

Yeah. It's water can.

Good price but the guy didn't have the other parts.

RonD2 · Post by **RonD2** » Sat Mar 26, 2022 6:00 pm

Naugha wrote: Lots of oil filter opinions, like... * You have a WW2 filter.

Hi Don,
You took your oil filter and a ruler with you to the show for comparison and somebody told you that?
Were you able to get a second opinion?

Naugha · Post by **Naugha** » Sat Mar 26, 2022 7:30 pm

Ha! Everyone there had an opinion or three.

After I got back it hit me....
I should have gone over to the MB/GPW guys and popped the hood.

Really. I gotta move on or a case of ‘bad attitude’ may set in. Some of these oddball things that were on the jeep when I got it are actually OK with me. They add flavor to the story, or so I tell myself.

Today I pulled the electrical tape off the old military wrecker wiring harness I bought when the adventure began. Yup. The outside layer is flaking off on half the 30’ run. There is one bend where you can see the inside wire which oddly is still bright. I also have a ‘Greek’ trailer harness in good shape, made for the early two plug light switch with colored wires.

Still have not decided on the turn signal issue.

Need to sit down and have a talk with myself.

RonD2 · Post by **RonD2** » Sat Mar 26, 2022 7:50 pm

You do nice work Don.
Kick the bad attitude in the can.
After all, if this was easy, anybody could do it.
You can always back-track later to those oddball things that bug you.

If it helps, I'm always glad to commiserate with you or offer pithy motivating phrases.....

Post by **jake138** » Sun Mar 27, 2022 8:35 am

Seeing your jerrycan reminded me of an article I read a few days ago about the history of the jerrycan. If you've got a few spare minutes it's a good read. I was most intrigued by the fact that the cans have 3 handles so that the cans could be passed along bucket-brigade style without having to put them down.

https://www.hagerty.com/media/automotiv ... etirement/

Naugha · Post by **Naugha** » Sun Mar 27, 2022 9:47 am

I will take a read. There is also a great youtube video on jerry cans that demonstrates these special features.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwUkbGHFAhs

BTW.
Does anyone know if a 1951 BESCO water can was at times transported in the M38 jerry can carrier?