1951 M38 w/Arctic Top

1950 - 1952, M38, questions, discussions, regarding anything related to the M38.
mdainsd
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Re: 1951 M38 w/Arctic Top

Post by mdainsd » Wed Aug 28, 2019 8:58 am

Getting the wiring right is one time consuming and expensive project, especially if you try to redo all the Douglas connectors. The parts for those have about fallen off the face of the earth. Two years ago you could still do lot buys on the components, but they seem to all be gone now.
52 M38 2X, '52 M37, '44 WC51, '42 WC 56/57, '50 CJ-V35(U), '42 GPW, '44 M3A1 Scout Car, 2010 M-Gator


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Re: 1951 M38 w/Arctic Top

Post by captaincarrier » Wed Sep 04, 2019 6:31 am

Another layer of the onion has been peeled away. Hope to put the little guy on the floor this week after follow up on the brake sending unit wiring, the alternator wiring and a few fuses here and there. Then on to the dash, oh that rat nest of black tape, duct tape and twist lock connectors....


Was able to pull the choke, pump the gas and hit key yesterday and let it run for a few minutes, first time since March.

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Re: 1951 M38 w/Arctic Top

Post by dpcd67 » Wed Sep 04, 2019 6:36 am

I got Douglas connectors from Vintage Power Wagons. And literally made a complete M38 harness from a new M35 one I got on ebay for $50. Not easy.
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Re: 1951 M38 w/Arctic Top

Post by Joe Gopan » Wed Sep 04, 2019 6:38 am

And after a while you will discover that pumping the accelerator on an M-38/M-38A1does not really pump any gas, that is if it has the OEM Carter YS Carb.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
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Re: 1951 M38 w/Arctic Top

Post by mdainsd » Fri Sep 06, 2019 1:01 pm

dpcd67 wrote:
Wed Sep 04, 2019 6:36 am
I got Douglas connectors from Vintage Power Wagons. And literally made a complete M38 harness from a new M35 one I got on ebay for $50. Not easy.
Last time I checked they no longer had the critical two in, one out Douglas components. That and no one I have found has the contacts for the larger gauge wires.
52 M38 2X, '52 M37, '44 WC51, '42 WC 56/57, '50 CJ-V35(U), '42 GPW, '44 M3A1 Scout Car, 2010 M-Gator

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Re: 1951 M38 w/Arctic Top

Post by Joe Gopan » Fri Sep 06, 2019 2:55 pm

I have bought directly from Douglas Connector, it was expensive and they had 100 item minimums. Worth it tho as it allowed me to maintain MV's in stock condition.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
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dpcd67
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Re: 1951 M38 w/Arctic Top

Post by dpcd67 » Fri Sep 06, 2019 3:01 pm

What year was that because they don't list those old connectors, not that I could find.
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Re: 1951 M38 w/Arctic Top

Post by Joe Gopan » Fri Sep 06, 2019 3:11 pm

It's been 20 years. It makes sense as very few existing, if any, of the current tactical vehicles or their support equipment use Doughas metal connectors, it's all Packard now.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

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Re: 1951 M38 w/Arctic Top

Post by captaincarrier » Wed Sep 18, 2019 1:36 pm

Well we can mark this day on a BIG calendar - the little guy is on the ground finally. Now I can test drive it and see what the needs are. Up till now it's been rewiring the entire light system, the dash wiring and the ignition wiring, complete brake job, replace the rusty muffler, replace tail lights add pintel hitch, pulling broken front axle, adding turn signals and rewiring the horn. I am sure I have missed a few items.....

This GREEN FEVER is more serious than folks know.....

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Re: 1951 M38 w/Arctic Top

Post by captaincarrier » Wed Sep 25, 2019 6:46 am

Well the maiden voyage took place yesterday. She starts ok, idles ok, has good pick up, brakes are ok but she wants to pop out of second when you let off the gas. So I know where I go from here.

Currently having a new garage build at home and hope to be moved in by the 1st of December. Then after the first of the year I'll investigate the tranny.

Still have some loose ends in the wiring, but making progress as we peel back the onion.

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Re: 1951 M38 w/Arctic Top

Post by Joe Gopan » Wed Sep 25, 2019 8:00 am

One common cause for the Jeep T-90 to jump out of Second Speed is a worn 2nd Speed Bushing JEEP Part Number 640400. What happens is that the extra clearance allows the 2nd gear to rock on the mainshaft causing the transmission to slip out of 2nd gear. The I.D. Spec for a new 2nd Gear bushing is 1.4925"-1.4935" and the wear limit for the bushing is 1.4955". Check your Jeep Parts dealer to see if Willys -640400 is available. The new bushing will double the life of the second gear. One of the causes of early 2nd Speed bushing wear are excessive use of second speed for compression braking, and high peed downshifts.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

captaincarrier
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Re: 1951 M38 w/Arctic Top

Post by captaincarrier » Wed Sep 25, 2019 10:11 am

That's good to know, thanks for the insight.

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Re: 1951 M38 w/Arctic Top

Post by captaincarrier » Mon Dec 16, 2019 5:32 pm

New issues, after a Christmas Parade and being towed home due to loose fan belt not charging the battery I also found white foam on the dip stick. Pulled the head today and will look more in to it tomorrow. The tranny is in need of rebuilding for sure. So if anyone has an extra T-90 setting collecting dust let me know. Back to the onion.....


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