willysmjeeps.com

1953 M38A1
Delivered 1/53
S/N 35801

Engine numbers
Side: 606279-W-12-D-AR- cu/cr

Above water pump I can see "M054192"

Thanks!
Dave in Albuquerque

Military jeep engines serial numbers started with an M, and and early jeeps are know as MA, MB, MC, or MD and have 5 numbers after the letters. Look again very close on the water pump boss and you will see that your serial number is actually MD54192 instead of MO54192. Your jeep engine is for a military M38A1.

Thanks swat!

I wondered because the engine is painted yellow. Whats up with that?

TSgt Dave Schlanger

It was originally OD from Willys. The yellow, red and gray are rebuilds in the field. Civvy F134's were originally black from Willys.

I have a block from a 51 M38 SD908756, is it military or civvy,can,t read all s/n#,s only last 3, 030,any help thanks Al.

That's a late 50's thru the 60's block casting used primarily in DJ3A's thru 1968 and industrial engine applications. During the 60's if anyone ordered an L134 replacement engine from Kaiser that is the engine they would receive. So the answer would be civvy engine.

Thanks wes,Its got all the 24 volt stuff , the numbers didn't jive with what i have seen from other posts. Al

I have a second M38 with a dash plate s/#30823 del date 8-51,yet the engine block 641087 L W 12A N1 OR N12 later block with 10 mounting holes and a D on the drivers side for year of manufacture ? (according to ryans book ?) the s/# has been decked only visible #'s last two 31 would make it a '52 motor , could it be a RMC. Any help determining if it original to assembly. Thanks ,Al Merry Christmas everyone!!

There's evidence the late 10 hole 641087 block was used foir a test run at Willys for 100 or so M38's in December 1951. Then it was officially introduced in February 1952 so your engine would not be original to your jeep.

Thanks for the quick reply, WES. The block is painted blue any idea on branch of service? Is it possible that it is military ? Thanks Al