Project Salty

[CoastieReid]

To get the jeep out of my yard, I have to drive thru a fence with only 2" to spare total. Made it



Parked out front,





Backyard looks so empty!



Did a quick shake down. Couldn't get into second gear, but maybe I just wasn't going fast enough?

Sprung a oil leak on the fitting I repaired this morning.

Will fix it again.

Tight fit!! And I never noticed, I have a port side list.



I'm out of parking spaces! Need to upgrade this house or take up a different hobby; like marksmanship and maybe nylint toy car refurbishment.

More to come. I'm exhausted- I moved 5 yards of muddy dirt I to the back yard to help repair my messed up yard.

[RonD2]

Hi April,
Back on the road!
Wonderful stuff!

I just looked back at your first post, a little less than 3 years ago.
You may be in the running for the record of a complete M38 restoration (especially considering your day job).

Very motivating, and well done!
Thanks for sharing the journey with us.

[RICKG]

Well done Coastie! Well done! Now you can really start enjoying Ol'Salty.

[4x4M38]

Congratulations! That’s awesome!!
And thank you for documenting!!


Looking at your list. I thought the garage photo showed the list aft of the engine. The front of the hood and bumper look horizontal. Looked at the gate photo again. Have the same impression.

Sure looks like a mount issue or interference between the cowl and frame mount.

How does the rear of the tub look in relation to the rear crossmember. Is it localized to the area of the cowl/windshield?

Unbelievably great job! Again, congrats!

[rgmutchler]

April,
Glad you got it running. Your 2.5 yrs isn't as impressive as my 10 years. You must have too much time on your hands. ")
Ralph

[CoastieReid]

Hahaha seems like forever that I've been building this. It took me 7 years to finish the F100, which I could have finished 3 years ago but I got burned out.

I still can't believe it's in my garage




I spent today working on cleaning my yard- cleaning up the salty work area.



There hasn't been grass in this section for 2 years.

I took my tiller, destroyed the yard into dirt, and leveled it all out with 5 yards of dirt I got a few weeks back. I moved all 5 yards from the front of the house to the back yard yesterday... and shoveled all 5 yards out in the yard today.
I apparently walked 9 miles or 23k steps in the yard alone.

I seeded, put some nurlap down. Our area, the weather will e nice for several more weeks.

Burlap I hopefully going to keep my dogs from trying to eat the dort and seed.





I still have a punch list for the jeep to do.
And I have the M100 too....

More to come.

Oh my back is gonna hate me in the AM.

[whydahdvr]

Looks awesome! Great job! Now you get to enjoy the Jeep beast.....

[CoastieReid]

Working on edits to a maiden voyage YT video. Need to make some adjustments on jeep and try another run.


Stuff with work is getting weird and I decided to make the finish line obtainable, I am requesting retirement upon completion of this tour of duty which is in spring 2024. But with all the leave I have on the books and what I am allowed to keep on the books till 2025, I will retire officially 1oct24 with 25 years, 9 months service. More news on this later on what is causing this decision. But no fear... jeep will be running perfectly soon enough. Lots of weekends till May 2024 when I start terminal leave.

[RonD2]

Hi April,
Looking forward to the YT video, I'm a big fan!

I can appreciate your decision to retire from active duty --- not one taken lightly.
You'll beat me. I had 25 years and 9 days active service U.S. Marine Corps.
Once in awhile somebody will ask me why didn't I do 30?
I tell them it's because I didn't want to be called a "lifer".

It was a great ride, and I'd do it all over again.
But there comes a time to move on and make a hole for the youngsters that follow.

Bravo Zulu!
Mustangs Rule!

[CoastieReid]

My situation with the homeport shift/transfer to Guam is up in air. It would be my last 6 months in the CG before terminal leave. I also can ask for early transfer but it's playing roulette because I could get orders elsewhere- and have no choice, at least this is the devil I know.

Today- lots of house electrical done while dogs are out at the groomer and one in board/train, got all of it replaced finally, been a slow process but it's done. Also got out to the jeep for investigation on a random oil leak.
The oil filter assembly was leaking again. Fixed now




Also took on the road again. Got it into second and third gear- very stiff.have to double clutch and force hard to get it in 2nd but going to third seemed fine.

Tomorrow- will deal with the oil pan leak. The gasket is allowing a nice leak.

Fits nicely in the garage.

[CoastieReid]

Must double clutch right now for every gear.
Will add the next video as soon as I finish. Took it for a spin.

[wesk]

Usually the need to double clutch is caused by a dragging clutch disc, Inadequate clutch pedal travel, uneven pressure plate pressure settings. In some cases even a worn pilot bushing in the flywheel.

Guam is not as bad as it sounds. Agana Naval Base was a very efficient and friendly outfit when I was there. They always were willing to lend a hand when I needed machining and hydraulic equipment we didn't have at Andersen AFB. The town was also quite friendly as were the island's people.

[4x4M38]

Easy check on clutch pedal cross shaft orientation. Long lever goes on bell housing side. Short lever goes towards frame.

[CoastieReid]

Got my parts coming in for the m100. I had been waiting a long time to get to this. I bought the trailer a year ago, and it has sat in the back in the corner since.


Shocks, Gama goats, and some axle nuts.
More to come.

Started cutting body off the frame. Decided to run to hobofreight for a grinder as I burned out the on I had.


Lots of rust throughout.



Got back and found all the cheistmas toys and treats I bought for the pups on the porch- sorta lost steam for today after that.
I took the next two weeks of leave. First time in my 24 year career I've been off from Christmas to new years.
On 3jan, I report to Norfolk navy base for the 8 week damage control assistant training. In war, or in major damage of a ship, the DCA is in charge of damage control efforts. I as an Engineer Officer am overall Damage Control Officer and in charge of the DCA. It is a prerequisite training I should have gotten before being put in this job 2 years ago. No time like the present.
More to come as I am off for another 2 weeks

[CoastieReid]

A squirrel farted....




Don't ask too many questions lol. Let's just say leverage, and that I act like I'm 20 when in fact I'm 42.

I flipped it cause the floor is welded to the frame in every incovienent place.

Had to cut one lug and stud a bit to fit my socket on it and get it loose. It's a left hand thread that just wouldn't bite in the socket, downsized using a cheap Hf one and my trusty ball peen hammer,

I have Christmas with the kids via zoom tonight (my younger sisters kids). Had to call it quits for today for that phone call.


Might buy a new set...