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I am putting the finishing touches on my Grandfathers 52' M38. I have been looking at the vintage photo's over and over and have a few questions that I hope someone can answer. Many of the hood blocks are notched out in a L shape and some are not, which of these are correct? Next, I ordered the stencils from Rick Larsen and it came with the "do not over fill" stencile that goes below the tank. I have only found two, maybe three jeeps that have something close so I am wondering if this belongs? If someone knows the correct infomation, I would appreciate it. Thanks

The plain hood blocks are stock from Willys. The notched hood blocks were notched in the field per a service bulletin when the heater kits were installed the wipers get moved to the top of the windshield and that requires the notches in the blocks.

The jeep left Willys with hood numbers and that was it. All the rest are either Service Dept directed markings or local Command or Installation required markings. These local markings can differ a great deal from command to command and service to service. To be absolutely correct with regards to these extra markings one needs to study the applicable regulation, IE US Army would be AR850-5 thru 1954 or TB 746-93-1 after 1954, then try to find old copies of unit and command supplements issued and attached to those regulations. No easy task and will devour a lot of a person's time. Therefore the best way is to decide what period, service and unit your jeep represents. Then go to that unit's historical agency and obtain photos from the correct period in that unit's history of vehicles showing their markings and go according to what you find.

Wes,

Thanks for the info. Between what the jeep originally had on it, and what they did in the motor pool, it has been trying to make it what it should be. We do know it was U.S. Army and my Grandfather bought three jeeps off the base at Rough and Ready Island for $800 dollars a piece. Again, thanks for all the help.