Hello all. New member here from Corpus Christi, Texas. I brought home a 1952 M38 2 weeks ago and have spent the time reading, joining forums, and looking at the jeep everyday, to get as much information as I could on bringing this jeep back to life. I traded a 2001 Honda elite scooter for this M38 with a title, that had been sitting in the seller's front yard in Houston for 12 years unmoved. He traded with me because as he says I was the only one who actually took the time to go and look at the Jeep before making an offer. It has become an obsession since I brought it home and I have plenty of questions. The wiring indicates it was converted to 12 volts. The man I got it from says it was running at some point but he doesn't remember when, I am going with the 12 years since he put it there. It has the distributor, plug wires, starter, coil, and a voltage regulator that compared to images from Kaiser Willy's appear to be from a CJ3A. The ignition switch is from a CJ3A as well. There is wiring to the generator, but there is no alternator. I understand that the M38 is 24 volts-- so could the jeep turn on with a generator and no alternator? I am taking this slow so I can map out how I want to approach this as a daily driver restoration. First I am cleaning the body and engine compartment and checking out what I need. I will post pics as soon as I can figure out how to get them loaded. Thanks in advance for any and all assistance.
Joined: May 30, 2014 Posts: 3444 Location: Texas Hill Country
Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2015 5:53 am Post subject:
Hello Garcia,
Welcome to the party.
In the older vehicles generators were common. Alternators replaced
them as they were developed and became more popular.
You would need one or the other, but not both.
I believe it would be able to start the vehicle without a generator
or alternator for test purposes with a fresh fully charged
battery. I don't know how long it would run but probably
long enough to tell you some things.
Wes will need to set you up with a photo album. Then you
upload photos to that album. As you post information you'd
link back to your photo album here to include them in your post.
Well I am confused--the dash plate shows 65804 with a manufacture date of 5/52
Engine block shows 3J82114--CJ3a?
The title has it as a 51 with vin of 3J82114.
I know all the paperwork shows a CJ3a.
The body tub has all the components of of the M38, e/brake to the left , removable gauge panel, glovebox, bumperettes--possible that the tub of a m38 put on a CJ3a frame? The tub was painted yellow with some green camo colors mixed in as well.
It has all the components of a 12 volt system, so should i shift and go with a CJ3a restoration? I have seen photos of CJ3a restored to look like a CJ3a but if it is titled as CJ3a--thoughts?
Tell us or show us which frame you have? CJ3A or M38 Frame?? _________________ Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100
Having reviewed all of your photos you have a 5-52 M38 sn 65804. The only thing about your jeep that is CJ3A is the transplanted engine.
Unfortunately, for you, someone titled your M38 using the CJ3A engine serial. I would discus that issue hypothetically first with your local Motor Vehicle Agency office to see how difficult it would be to get it properly ID'd as an M38 with a 3A engine. _________________ Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100
Thanks Wes and Brian--I will work on the hypothetical questions with the DMV--I guess their answers will determine if I will have a CJ3a with a M38 frame or a M38 with a CJ3a engine--either way it wont be until spring before I am ready to work on tub replacements. Got plenty of harness rewiring and frame cleaning to work on for now.
The reason the title has the cj engine number instead of the body number is that older vehicles did not have VIN's they had engine numbers and some body numbers. In Texas vehicles built before the advent of the VIN, some time in the 1960's, had to be titled by the engine number. You can call the Motor Vehicle Division of TXDOT in Waco and they can detail to you what can be done to identify the vehicle on it's title as an M38 but the identifying number will remain the engine number. If you change out the engine the identifying number is supposed to change but if you have ever dealt in old vehicles you know it doesn't always happen.
Again MVD in Waco has always been very helpful in figuring out what can be done. I always try and deal directly with MVD as they tend to know much more that the local county tax offices. MVD has always been good about being willing to call the local tax office and explain what can be done. _________________ R G Mutchler
M274A5
M-38 MC13312
http://willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=rgmutchler&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php
Joined: May 30, 2014 Posts: 3444 Location: Texas Hill Country
Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2015 10:19 am Post subject:
RG,
I have a 1950 M38 with a T title only, no registration or tag.
The title furnished had a six digit number that is now on my
title. The engine is a Pueblo POD base rebuild from 1955 with
no serial number on the water pump boss, and no identifying
number on the rebuild tag.
I have the dash plates but the patent plate was gone, probably
ground off in one of Bubba's many rebuilds.
What are my chances of getting the DMV stamping the block
with the dash plate serial number, then having the title changed?
I'd call them but if this is definitely a no go in your opinion
I won't waste their time.
Brian,
What is the 6 digit number you talk about? Does it appear any place on your M38?
I think that might be the key for you. If the number you talk about appears on your vehicle then you might be able to talk to MVD about changing the number to your MC# from your data plate. But at that point you will probably need to go with a bonded title if you don't have a title with that MC# on it.
One of your other options would be purchasing a non restorable vehicle with the data plates and a title that matches. you could then stamp the block by the water pump with the MC# on the title you purchased and not bother MVD at all. At that point your restored vehicle becomes the one with the numbers and the other your parts vehicle.
A lot of it depends on what you deem appropriate.
I think that in any case if your M38 does not have the 6 digit number that is on your title on it you need to consider how much effort you want to put into the vehicle prior to securing a good title. A conversation with the MVD would determine what your choices are. These vehicles were titled in so may ways when released by the military that getting the titles squared away can be next to impossible. _________________ R G Mutchler
M274A5
M-38 MC13312
http://willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=rgmutchler&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php
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