Mike's M38

upsmike · Post by **upsmike** » Sat Aug 30, 2014 1:29 pm

I just found a M38 that had had several modifications and been in a barn for the last 10 years. Took a little work, but she runs! Now to get her to stop

It still has the 24 volt starter, but most other has been converted to 12.
Pics are not great, but let me know what y'all think.

http://s1049.photobucket.com/user/upsmi ... 1951%20M38

Mike, I split you off the other member's project thread. The purpose of this board is for each member to have their own project progress thread for their own jeep. Now you can add each new task you start or finish on your project under this personal Mike's M38 thread.

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Sat Aug 30, 2014 2:07 pm

Another fun project comes home.

Congrats!
It always amazes me what you find that Bubba removed, versus what he left.

Converted to 12 volts you say, but 24 volt gen. Looks like a civvy distributor. Is there a 24 that looks like that with the clip top cover?
Left the cowl battery in place.

One more. How do you steer that thing? Looks like a solid tie rod all the way across. Maybe they changed out the hubs?

The side sheets don't look bad. Look for problems under the roll bar/cage mounts. No one ever mounts them properly and preps and seals the steel underneath. Usually knock a few holes in it for the bolts and off they go.

Looks like fun!
Brian

Post by **wesk** » Sat Aug 30, 2014 2:29 pm

Looks like 12 volt civvy gauge wiring and a 12 volt civvy fuse block.

The spring over and huge tires and wide offset wheels are tough on a stock 9" brake drum.

You should probably start here by establishing what you are planning for the jeep. Some choices are:

Rock crawler
daily driver
Mudder
motor pool class resto
Factory class resto.

For example: If you are talking daily driver then you'll want to get rid of the huge rollbar, and if you keep the tires and wheels then upgrade to 10" or 11" brakes and get rid of the spring over set-up. You would want reliable modern lighting and signals which means keep it 12 volts.

You have other issues there with the steering set-up and civvy gas tank. Engine compartment has some really shoddy wiring and connections.

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Sat Aug 30, 2014 3:43 pm

Heck, Wes,
If it was easy we wouldn't even start on these things!

Hey, looks like he still has the dash light fixtures!

Got a question for you.

What is the difference between factory restoration versus motor pool?

I was just remembering a cover of MV Magazine with the article entitled,"Restore? Its original only once!"

Ok, maybe two questions. Saw another article about converting to 11" brakes. Isn't there a lot more to that than it sounds?

Tks,
Brian

Answers are on technical page. Wes K

upsmike · Post by **upsmike** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 10:46 pm

I'm undecided as to what direction I'm going

I got it to running, now to get it stopping! I'm ripping out the crazy wiring and will go back mostly stock with the exception of turn signals.... It has had some CRAZY stuff done to it

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Wed Sep 03, 2014 7:55 am

Haven't they all.

There is even a special thread for just that subject here...

Worst Bubba Mods..

Grins,
Brian

upsmike · Post by **upsmike** » Wed Sep 03, 2014 9:55 pm

The previous owner ran cattle with it. His son did the mod's I will un mod! I may have bitten off more than I can chew with it, but I'll do my best to get it road worthy. I'm on my 3rd wife, so I don't give up easy

upsmike · Post by **upsmike** » Thu Nov 13, 2014 8:55 pm

I rewired EVERYTHING and had it going, I installed a new carb on it because the old one was flaky. Got it going and thought i was on the right track. Now it won't start again. I took off distributor cap and can wiggle the rotor a little to make the coil spark. I shot a little starting fluid in the carb and still nothing. any suggestions to what I might be missing?

upsmike · Post by **upsmike** » Thu Nov 13, 2014 9:14 pm

Dash is looking a little better without al the spaghetti wiring!

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Fri Nov 14, 2014 1:02 pm

Nice Mike!

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Fri Nov 14, 2014 1:07 pm

Question for you. In a couple of your engine photos there is a round metal fixture just forward of where the oil bath filter should be, and looks to have wires going to it. Almost looks like some sort of fan.

What is that?

Brian

upsmike · Post by **upsmike** » Fri Nov 14, 2014 5:27 pm

Brian, I'm sad to admit it was a heater core/fan assembly the previous owner had installed. It's on my workbench now! The really sad part was he cut a hole on the floorpan and put one of those home dryer vent assemblies to channel the heat in. Engineering 101!

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Sat Nov 15, 2014 10:16 am

Don't feel bad. Bubba removed the cowl battery box in mine, and cut a round hole in the dash and stuck an air hose through from the carb to a 12" chrome air filter bolted to the inside!

Brian

RICKG · Post by **RICKG** » Sat Nov 15, 2014 10:37 am

Both good candidates for this thread

http://willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php? ... =bubba+mod

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Sat Nov 15, 2014 3:23 pm

Rick,
Updated my windshield mod with an installation photo...

I'll see if I can gin up a photo of that air cleaner.

Grins
Brian

Mike's M38

Mike's M38

plans....

previous...

won't start now!

Sad to admit....