M38 Spark Plugs

Naugha · Post by **Naugha** » Wed Aug 18, 2021 5:43 am

Yes!! Thanks!!
Yesterday I cut up the old nasty civy plug wires that came with one of my engines. Looking at the civy terminal I realized that just replacing the contact portion of the military cable could do it. Here are some remaining issues.

*The shortest plug mod looks best but offers little room above the 295. Using one of the terminals listed above to replace the lower section of the military cables saves space.

*The civy terminal could be covered/insulated with the military plug rubber seal, preserving the waterproof/water resistant feature at the top along with some type of sealant at the bottom.

*Electrical insulation must be considered. Right now I am thinking that the 295 has its own ceramic insulation and only the very top needs to be covered.

*So far I have invested only a little time but cutting my military cables will be crossing the river of expense.... but then they are not really the correct cables and I still need to test their reliability.

BTW: Does anyone have a few dead/burned out/ rusty military plugs they would like to donate to the R&D cause. Any military plug with the upper diameter of these M jeep plugs would maybe do ..... dead 2243 plugs would be very nice.

I have not totally rejected the idea of using adapters but am gun shy about any new purchases without extensive input from folks who have used them.

* Which ones have been bought? How well do the work? Which ones are best? Pro’s & Con’s. Maybe I am not using my Google correctly.

keats · Post by **keats** » Sat Aug 21, 2021 5:54 pm

don, just an fyi.

I remember a post awhile back from someone woh used the adapters that are available now from venders. he stated that two of the adapters left little room and just fit under the radiator hose and the vent line near #2 and #3. I din't know how high your final product would be, so something to keep in mind

RonD2 · Post by **RonD2** » Sat Aug 21, 2021 6:03 pm

And I just happened to notice that MWM is now advertising (on fleabay) new production 2243 spark plugs for $22 each --- while expensive, it makes them cheaper than adapters or NOS plugs.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/274583429816?h ... Swxwdft7ax

I guess he had enough made to get the price down. Good stuff.

OKCM38CDN · Post by **OKCM38CDN** » Sun Aug 22, 2021 6:04 am

MWM just scored a massive inflow of inventory. I follow them on FB and he posted he just bought 5 big rigs worth of materials, lots of it was jeep stuff. Has so much he cannot put it on the website... So he may have came across some NOS plugs in his purchase...

RonD2 · Post by **RonD2** » Sun Aug 22, 2021 9:41 am

Yes, the word is that he bought out Surplus City Jeep Parts going out of business.

The MWM advertisement on fleabay for spark plugs says NEW PRODUCTION.

I'm pretty sure they know the difference between New Old Stock (NOS) and New Production. At least I sure hope they do.

Naugha · Post by **Naugha** » Tue Aug 24, 2021 9:22 am

And I just happened to notice that MWM is now advertising (on fleabay) new production 2243 spark plugs for $22 each --- while expensive, it makes them cheaper than adapters or NOS plugs.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/274583429816?h ... Swxwdft7ax
Ron D.

Sounds good but I see $88/plug in the listing and the one pic does not show the “2243” , only Autolite. (???)
Do you have any more info?

Don

keats · Post by **keats** » Tue Aug 24, 2021 10:05 am

description states sold as a set of 4. $88.oo for 4 plugs

Naugha · Post by **Naugha** » Tue Aug 24, 2021 6:48 pm

Sorry.... yes, the price is for a set of four plugs.
Read this entire thread and you will see why I still have questions.

Look, I would be happy to pay $88 for a set of 2243 plugs.
Is that what this ad is really offering ?

Mike_B · Post by **Mike_B** » Tue Aug 24, 2021 7:09 pm

Don,

Pick the phone up and call John at MWM, he's a great guy and will answer all your questions.

Mike B

Naugha · Post by **Naugha** » Fri Sep 03, 2021 4:17 pm

Here is a shout out to RonD2.

There have recently been some 'new production' / 'reproduction' / M38 / 2243 spark plugs offered on line; around $88 for a set of four. With shipping & tax you end up at over $100. (ArmyJeepParts.com)

Well, Ron, here they are...... MECO 2243.

What do you think? The pic is a closeup taken under good lighting. At first I had to look closely to notice the 'MECO'

My plug adapter project has been shelved for now. It will be some time yet before I can try these out. Maybe some one else can give us a Live Tech Report from their jeep.

RonD2 · Post by **RonD2** » Fri Sep 03, 2021 5:08 pm

They look nice to me Don! Good for you! Looks like you're in business.

Count on you to throw in another variable. We were talking about John at MWM selling for $22 each on fleabay, and asking him where they're made. I didn't realize that George at AJP was also selling "new production" 2243's for $22.75 each sale price --- close enough and maybe save a buck or three on shipping cost?

With careful study of market ads for unique military jeep parts like this, sometimes I wonder if maybe MWM, AJP, QTM, BMJP, RFJP, and DeBella (the Venerable Military Jeep Parts Vendor Club) are collaborating to source hard-to-find, reliable, and correct parts. It wouldn't surprise me to hear that maybe they get together and pool resources ($) to make minimum production quantity buys for things like these spark plugs. Naturally that's business secret stuff that stays behind The Green Curtain, but however they manage to keep it coming, I appreciate the labor of love it takes to do it. And either way, collectively or individually --- it's the stuff that Makes America Great!

Did you happen to ask George where they're made? I googled "MECO" and came up dry.

Naugha · Post by **Naugha** » Fri Sep 03, 2021 7:51 pm

I don’t know ‘the guys’ like you do. I just buy stuff and hope for the best.

Soon I may kidnap a motorpool vet from a nursing home, bring him to the barn and, well, you know.... ribs, beer, WD-40.

BTW.
Your favorite supplier (K-W) has a few M38 Ross Boxes for sale. $1,500.
M38 carbs are selling for more than my first car (not joking $$)
Early starters have no parts available.

My favorite M38 conspiracy theory is that someone in ‘the club’ has scooped up all the goodies. It’s like in my county when a few folks converted their life savings into ammunition ..... so guys known to pop a cap at the range got some reloading stuff.... then someone bought up all the bullet tips... so folks started casting.... then someone bought all the primers & powders.

I have a nice air rifle .... but now there may be a run on pellets &/BB’s.

RonD2 · Post by **RonD2** » Fri Sep 03, 2021 8:05 pm

Don, Don, Don.........
It's not a conspiracy, it's capitalism! Call 'em up and yak! Great folks! Tons of knowledge! Talk and ask questions as long as you want. Make them hang up on you!

My own personal opinion is that brass and lead are always more valuable than gold and silver.

You can trade for primers and powder...

A good sling-shot with a steel ball is a lot better than a BB.

Praise the Lord, and pass the ammunition! (War of 1812 if I recall my history correctly).

Naugha · Post by **Naugha** » Fri Sep 03, 2021 8:36 pm

Confessions of a Southern Liberal.....
44 years ago I sold my Luger to buy my wife’s engagement ring.

Still got the same wife.... Don’t know what happened to the Luger.

RonD2 · Post by **RonD2** » Fri Sep 03, 2021 8:41 pm

You made a good choice. So long as she doesn't banish you to the barn to sleep with "The Green Thing".