L-134 engine ID and Piston removal.

m38a1chuck · Post by **m38a1chuck** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 10:19 am

I have a 1948 L-134 engine that I'd like to take a look at one piston.

Can anyone tell me about removing a single piston?

Is it easy to remove the pan and push the piston out the top? What if there is lip at the top of the cylinder from wear? Could I buy new rings for a single piston? There is some scoring in that piston which covers about 1/2 of one side of the piston for most the stoke which I believe to be a broken ring. Any special tool I may need?

Also the info on the engine is 6-48 800376 x2x9x8. I assume that mean it's from 1948. Any other info any one can provide?

Chuck

Post by **wesk** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 8:38 pm

I assume you have an M38 with an L134 since the head casting number od 800376 is correct for the M38. The block identification is found in two places. The casting number is on the right (pass side) of the engine at the lower edge just above the oil pan. The serial number is on the small flat just above the water pump. If you have the Engine TM 9-1804A for the M38 engine just follow the procedure in it.

m38a1chuck · Post by **m38a1chuck** » Tue Aug 23, 2011 10:28 pm

Wes, Thanks so much for the great info. Sorry for not getting back to you. The jeep projects come and go as time and $$$ allow.

FYI the 1948 L-134 engine mentioned above is in the front of a 1952 M381A-C.

But it smokes and leaks water into the oil. I don't think I have the money to do much at the moment but thought maybe new rings might help it a little. At least I may open it up and again and look around. Last time was a new head gasket.

Thanks again,

Chuck

Post by **wesk** » Tue Aug 23, 2011 10:41 pm

If you are going to pull a piston you may as well remove the engine. Since it's in an M38A1 I would instead look for a F134 engine. The extra 12 HP is definately noticeable.