willysmjeeps.com

My M38 came with an MB block with a GPW head. The motor serial number is 15?915. It seems to have early features like the open crankcase ventilator system. The motor was professionally rebuilt in 1979 but never put back into the jeep or run.

The motor turns freely. My plan at this point is to remove the head to check for corrosion in the cylinder bores, check the valves for movement and adjustment, and then remove the several coats of paint and repaint. I have considered removing the oil pump, water pump, oil pan, and timing cover, etc. but I'm not sure if that is necessary. The engine was never run so the gaskets have not been subject to the heat/cold cycle that would dry them out and shrink them. I'm not opposed to doing it if I should.

I really don't want to go as far as pulling pistons, cam, etc. I know the person that rebuilt it and I'm sure they did a good job. I'm more concerned with what can go wrong with an engine sitting for thirty years.

Thanks for any advice or opinions.

I'm more concerned with what can go wrong with an engine sitting for thirty years.

Nothing all the way to everything. It depends on quality of the rebuild (opinions of this quality are relative to the opinion poster's technical expertise and experience), the method in which the engine was placed in long term storage (weather it was pickled or not), the site/condition of the engine's storage, and the care used in it's return to service.

The engine was overhauled 32 years ago by someone you know today. What type/level of overhaul was performed. What parts were new then and what parts were used and what parts were reconditioned then. Were you familiar with this professional engine overhauler and his work 32 years ago? Was the engine bench run 32 years ago?

These are just a few questions that need to be answered to offer an informed opinion.

Wes, good questions. My brother actually had the engine rebuilt. I knew the person who did the work back then but not now. After being rebuilt the engine sat in a shed for around ten years and in a garage for around twenty. I know my brother used to turn it over every now and then but it never had any oil in it. The openings were all closed off by having rags placed in them.

I really don't remember what the entire rebuild consisted of. I believe that it was rebored and had new beings and pistons installed but I don't know for sure. My brother passed away in 2006 so I have only my scant memories of the time to go by. I'll be taking the head and valve cover off this weekend and that should give me some indications of what I'm working with. I'll post what I find.