M38 RMC Engine

RonD2 · Post by **RonD2** » Sat Jul 20, 2019 7:24 pm

Got lucky (I think) and a nice RMC engine (RMC104057) followed me home from Camp Lejeune NC this Independence Day. Although it was already dismounted and the owner took it out of a CJ that he didn't see running either --- it spins smoothly and generates compression by hand. The owner removed the head in my presence for inspection and everything looks good, especially the no cracks evident part. Took a chance not removing the oil pan for inspection, but the rear main seal looked good (not blown anyway). It has an "Industrial" head on it, military spark plugs, M38 oil filler tube and dipstick, but has a CJ front plate, crank pulley, and water pump on it. With blue paint over OD, and an odd oil pan drain plug (plumbed for a generator drain?). Overall I think it's a nice solid core (only time will tell). I couldn't pass on it for $300.

I'm in the middle of a rebuild on my M38's engine, so I'm going to fog, bag, and push this one into the corner for a project later this year.

mdainsd · Post by **mdainsd** » Sun Jul 21, 2019 8:25 am

Congrats! I would consider 300 dollars for a "spinner" a great deal. Getting harder and harder to find sound cores.

RICKG · Post by **RICKG** » Tue Jul 23, 2019 11:34 am

Nice score Ron. This winter I traded a 225 oddfire to a buddy for RMC114515 with most of the 24 V goodies intact. Pulled the head and std pistons! It's on the stand for future use..

mdainsd · Post by **mdainsd** » Tue Jul 23, 2019 2:11 pm

That's another good deal!

Wish it was that easy for MBs...

The MB im restoring was all original except for the ultimate sin of an F head transplant. Finding an early MB engine proved problematic (VEP). I finally found a Willys "General Replacement", I forget the pad code, but will be as correct as I can manage. That thing set me back a bundle.