Serial Numbers (engine, Body) Question

Start your project thread here for advice and for others to follow along with your project. This is a long term thread.
Post Reply
User avatar
Hornsgalore
Member
Posts: 22
Joined: Mon Jun 02, 2014 6:00 pm

Serial Numbers (engine, Body) Question

Post by Hornsgalore »

I have a question in regards to serial numbers on the block. I am in the process of doing a frame up restoration on my '53 M38A1 Willy's.... My serial numbers matched on my engine and my body and I couldn't find one on my frame but that's alright. I just recently had my engine fully machined and rebuilt. They had to mill the top of the motor where the head sits and the serial number (stamp) is no longer there.... What is my best option to replacing it with the number? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
User avatar
wesk
Site Administrator
Site Administrator
Posts: 16453
Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2005 6:00 pm
Location: Wisconsin
Contact:

Post by wesk »

MB's and GPW's during WWII came with matching engine and dash plate serials. The post WWII jeeps DID NOT. M38A1 engine serials leaving Willys did not match the body serials. If you have a M38A1 with the same serial on the flat above the water pump and the dash plate then either the dash plate is a replacement with the engine's serial stamped on it or the engine was already decked once and someone stamped the body dash tag serial on it.

At this point you can leave the decked head smooth and you will have lost nothing for it in the M38A1 restoration hobby.

Post photos of the two serial stampings.
Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100

Mjeeps photo album: http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... _album.php
Post Reply