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New M38A1 tomorrow (hopefully!)
Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 10:32 pm
by rick25
Tomorrow I'll (hopefully!) be picking up my new 1967 M38A1CDN2. The last owner purchased it surplus from the Canadian Government when the first batch was being surplussed around 1985 and then he moved to various countries for the next 24 years before deciding to sell it to me.
The jeep was driven to its current place and covered with two tarps for the last 25 years. I'm hoping it will be "barn find" quality and not swiss cheese from salt air as it is on a small island.
Keeping my fingers crossed on the condition as I don't actually have a current pic of it, however, here is a pic of what it looked like when it was last parked in 1988:

Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 6:02 am
by donthedickens
WOW !!!! Sounds great !!! Good luck tomorrow.
Keep us posted and keep the pictures coming.
Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 11:14 am
by wilfreeman
Yeah, hopefully the tarps did the trick! It looks (looked) like a nice, complete Jeep. I can't wait - I know you can't. Where are you and it located?
Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 11:29 am
by GIJOE290
Congrats!

here they are...
Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 8:47 pm
by rick25
Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 9:21 pm
by wilfreeman
Man, that looks great for being parked for so long - under a tarp in the woods at that! Have you had a chance to check anything out on it yet - is everything turning free on it?
Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 10:41 pm
by rick25
The drivetrain appears to be free and I was surprised that the brakes were not stuck. We just pumped up the tires, cleared the area around it and then towed the Jeep out.
I need to make some room in my garage first as I have another M38A1CDN2 parts vehicle as well.
My first plan of attack will be to remove the spark plugs and spray some liquid wrench into the bore and let it sit for a week or so. The engine has a rebuild tag (as most CDN's do) that states it was rebuilt in 1976 so it's likely to need an overhaul in any event.
Very happy with regards to how complete the project is, I also have the entire canvas top and doors (stored indoors) that have its previous unit's tac sign stencilled on I'll keep you posted with updates.
Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 1:18 am
by GPA
Congratulations for the new jeep. There is a nice guy, I sold my top to, lives close to you (Burnaby) with the same jeep as yours. He is a member here. User name: "Headcase". You guys can help out each other, if necessary.
Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 7:54 am
by bikemancs
Talk about a score! Congrats!
Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 8:35 am
by wilfreeman
Man, that is sounding better and better! An original top too! Now, if that engine will fire up - you will have a perfect find!
What was the reason it was parked?
Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 9:54 am
by rick25
GPA, Is the fellow in Burnaby named Casey? If so, I bought a M38A1 CDN2 off of him a few months back that will donate a few parts to this new jeep and another friends jeep and then be parted out
Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 9:59 am
by rick25
The jeep was parked as the owner moved overseas in 1988 for work and has now decided to sell the house that the jeep was parked at.
Before parking it he had driven it to a few shows and had some tune up work done on it. It was placed on blocks and covered with 2 tarps since.
It has tac signs on the canvas top from the Canadian 15 field artillery, has mounts for a sterling sub machine gun to the left of the grab bar and fn fal mounts to the right of the bar and holes for a drivers corner antenna mount and 2 radio sets in the rear.
Some careful paint removal will likely give up more info.
Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 11:53 am
by GPA
Hi Rick, Yes that's him.
Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 7:54 pm
by bikemancs
Rick, Look forward to the pics of those mounts
Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2012 4:39 pm
by FrankenJeep
Congrats on your A1! I, too, am excited as my M38 was started for the first time since getting a "new" 24V distributor, wires, and putting things back where they belong. The engine, as I found out, had been set up for 12V and I got the system put back as it belonged on 24V. Someone had removed the PVC valve and it was blowing oil onto the top of the motor and causing leaks due to the improper pressurization of the crankcase. I may still have leaks, but they won't be nearly so bad as before. We are almost done, and "Willy" hums like he's supposed to! Running better than ever.
I know you are excited with your find and hope it turns out to be an easy restore with few issues.
FrankenJeep