M38 : OK, Boomer
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“the tank hasn't gotten bowed down at all has it?” Xamon
The tank looks OK. I probably just have the wrong part.
Nothing time and/ or money can’t fix.
Hold on. Second check showed a slight tin canning of the tank. Not much but that could be the problem. I don’t want to go back and mess with the tank (maybe cause a leak) so just do a 1/2” trim mod to the pick up. Should work.
May need to change my name to Bubba.
The tank looks OK. I probably just have the wrong part.
Nothing time and/ or money can’t fix.
Hold on. Second check showed a slight tin canning of the tank. Not much but that could be the problem. I don’t want to go back and mess with the tank (maybe cause a leak) so just do a 1/2” trim mod to the pick up. Should work.
May need to change my name to Bubba.
Don Alvarez
Retired HS Teacher
Central Florida
M38 Project
Retired HS Teacher
Central Florida
M38 Project
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“You Sir are no Bubba.” Brian
Ah, but if only I had taken auto mechanics or hung out at a shop.
Background with the basics would have come in handy.
Bubba had skills to keep her on the road.
BTW.
There were some cool ‘Bubba’ mods on my M38. Need to drop a few pics to the Bubba thread ... including a pic of what happens to a M38 when there is no Bubba .
Ah, but if only I had taken auto mechanics or hung out at a shop.

Background with the basics would have come in handy.
Bubba had skills to keep her on the road.
BTW.
There were some cool ‘Bubba’ mods on my M38. Need to drop a few pics to the Bubba thread ... including a pic of what happens to a M38 when there is no Bubba .

Don Alvarez
Retired HS Teacher
Central Florida
M38 Project
Retired HS Teacher
Central Florida
M38 Project
- JeepDrivingRay
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“Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the pickup tube just a piece of pipe with a flare fitting on the top end?” JDR
Yes. I trimmed 1/2” off the top of the tube where the flared end goes into the top 90 degree fitting and today will shorten the piece of thin box stock that holds the filter etc. Don’t have a line flaring tool so will probably visit my friend Jerry.
This stuff is common to my project where there is no ‘easy’ and little things can slow you down. Sometimes you get lucky.
Here is a small story with a happy ending.
The M38 came minus its glove box lid. My take off/original lid replacement with a mostly good button would not stay shut. The locking bracket inside the box looked rusted off to a nub and I had never got around to messing with it.
As I was thinking about making or buying one ...decided to take another look. Unscrewed the bracket retaining screw on the face of the dash surround and, yep, someone (Bubba ?) had turned the bracket 180, probably to prevent snagging as shotgun shells or whatever cha-cha was stashed and retrieved from the doorless glove box.
With the retaining screw loosened, the bracket rolled back into working position and the glove box door now stays shut. Happy dance.
Yes. I trimmed 1/2” off the top of the tube where the flared end goes into the top 90 degree fitting and today will shorten the piece of thin box stock that holds the filter etc. Don’t have a line flaring tool so will probably visit my friend Jerry.
This stuff is common to my project where there is no ‘easy’ and little things can slow you down. Sometimes you get lucky.
Here is a small story with a happy ending.
The M38 came minus its glove box lid. My take off/original lid replacement with a mostly good button would not stay shut. The locking bracket inside the box looked rusted off to a nub and I had never got around to messing with it.
As I was thinking about making or buying one ...decided to take another look. Unscrewed the bracket retaining screw on the face of the dash surround and, yep, someone (Bubba ?) had turned the bracket 180, probably to prevent snagging as shotgun shells or whatever cha-cha was stashed and retrieved from the doorless glove box.
With the retaining screw loosened, the bracket rolled back into working position and the glove box door now stays shut. Happy dance.

Don Alvarez
Retired HS Teacher
Central Florida
M38 Project
Retired HS Teacher
Central Florida
M38 Project
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I'm confused Don.Naugha wrote:Here is what happened with the fuel tank mod.
Are those photos of the "win" (collect the cigar)?
Maybe show the finished product?
I notice your tank is missing the rear hold down strap bracket.
With the nice paint job, I'm guessing you're going without one?
Ron D.
1951 M38 Unknown Serial Number
1951 M100 Dunbar Kapple 01169903 dod 5-51
“The only good sports car that America ever made was the Jeep."
--- Enzo Ferrari
1951 M38 Unknown Serial Number
1951 M100 Dunbar Kapple 01169903 dod 5-51
“The only good sports car that America ever made was the Jeep."
--- Enzo Ferrari
- Naugha
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“Maybe show the finished product? ” Ron.
Did not take final pics but the pick up unit ended up 1/2” shorter and fits the depth of the tank..... you can see where I shortened the pick up tube and support bracket. I bent the cut out portion of the support bracket back to remake the foot of the bracket. Not going to put the tank in right now. Stuff to do under the dash.
The tank did not have the other bracket. Unless there is an important functional need I may let it pass or attach one with JB weld for cosmetics.
I am a menace with my HF mig welder and don’t want to roll the dice.
Cleaning up the place produced a more pleasant looking work environment but I find myself wanting to sit down and have a beer or three.
Did not take final pics but the pick up unit ended up 1/2” shorter and fits the depth of the tank..... you can see where I shortened the pick up tube and support bracket. I bent the cut out portion of the support bracket back to remake the foot of the bracket. Not going to put the tank in right now. Stuff to do under the dash.
The tank did not have the other bracket. Unless there is an important functional need I may let it pass or attach one with JB weld for cosmetics.
I am a menace with my HF mig welder and don’t want to roll the dice.
Cleaning up the place produced a more pleasant looking work environment but I find myself wanting to sit down and have a beer or three.

Don Alvarez
Retired HS Teacher
Central Florida
M38 Project
Retired HS Teacher
Central Florida
M38 Project