Heat for an M38. Ever been done?

1950 - 1952, M38, questions, discussions, regarding anything related to the M38.
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Jerseyhawg
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Heat for an M38. Ever been done?

Post by Jerseyhawg » Sun Feb 14, 2021 6:11 am

Has anyone ever done heat in an M38? I was just curious. I read that those old factory kits werent the safest. To bad a Harrison type heater, 24V, of course couldnt be mounted somewhere. Just to take the chill off.
Glenn
1952 M38


mdainsd
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Re: Heat for an M38. Ever been done?

Post by mdainsd » Sun Feb 14, 2021 8:31 am

The gas fired heaters may have some safety issues, but many were installed. Especially with the arctic top.

But there were hot water (conventional) heater kits for the M38. Ever wonder what that removable floor piece in the passenger foot well is for? The heater. Later M38s even have the big round hole punched in the dash for the defroster air flow ducting. Its behind the plate that the data plates are attached to.

here is a link to one of those kits, available on the for sale forum:

viewtopic.php?f=12&t=321040
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: Heat for an M38. Ever been done?

Post by Jerseyhawg » Sun Feb 14, 2021 8:58 am

I saw that heater, first time it was posted. I did not know anything about heat in the M38's. I know nothing about venting or anything? I will be looking into it. Just out of curiosity. Thanks for your reply and giving me some ideas to go by.
Glenn
1952 M38

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Re: Heat for an M38. Ever been done?

Post by Joe Gopan » Sun Feb 14, 2021 10:39 am

M-38 did have a GI issue Hot Water Personnel heater. It required cutting into the tool box and venting thru the side of the tool box.
M38 was an adaptation of the CJ-3A and the battery installations prevented an ideal installation. Gas Heater was a bit warmer.
M-38 gets crowded when wearing 5 Buckle Overshoes, GI Overcoat, etc.
I drove and repaired M-38's, M-38A1's, M-43,s CCKW's and M-35 Trucks with these SW, they did make for comfy driving and defrosting.70 years takes a toll on NOS SW Gas Heaters, have seen hundreds of NOS Surplus and none, if any were dated after 1952. Spare parts for the SW-978 Gas Heater are very scarce. They are delicate to work on, and not made for tinkers.
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Re: Heat for an M38. Ever been done?

Post by dpcd67 » Sun Feb 14, 2021 3:23 pm

I put an M151 heater between the seats; no cutting required; ran the hoses through the PTO hole. No vents required if you just want a little heat and aren't going on long trips in the -11 degree weather we have here today.
I made a custom mount for it; the outlet blows on the passenger; don't care because I am the driver.
Stay away from the old gas heaters; they are death traps and hard to work on all these decades later. And I didn't want to spend $850 on an original water heater.
There are also small civilian heaters you could use. Both water and electric.
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Re: Heat for an M38. Ever been done?

Post by g.keating » Sun Feb 14, 2021 6:02 pm

one trick heater to use was the rear auxiliary heater used in the old toyota land cruisers. Fits between front seats on the rear floor

Jerseyhawg
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Re: Heat for an M38. Ever been done?

Post by Jerseyhawg » Sun Feb 14, 2021 7:49 pm

Thanks, I knew you guys would know of some options. This came up when the "bride" asks. Is there heat in that jeep? I figured I better ask now, and start investigating. Spring will be here soon enough. But theres still a bite in the air.
Glenn
1952 M38

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Re: Heat for an M38. Ever been done?

Post by Joe Gopan » Mon Feb 15, 2021 5:30 am

Mike Sinkovic purchased all the left over small spare parts components for the SW-978 Series heaters from SW back in the 1980's.
Mike is no longer with us. The M-725 Ambulance was pne of the last MV's to leave the factory with the SW-978. Later M-Series ttrucks were Diesel or Multifuel which made the 979 gas burning heater obsolete.
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Re: Heat for an M38. Ever been done?

Post by JMZ421 » Mon Feb 15, 2021 9:03 am

Glen, that M38 is too nice to be driving in the winter. Couple more months you will not need a heater. John

Jerseyhawg
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Re: Heat for an M38. Ever been done?

Post by Jerseyhawg » Mon Feb 15, 2021 4:16 pm

John, it wont see the winter. But it will see cool mornings and evenings. Thanks for the compliment. I am in the midst of arranging shipping. Horseless carrige, nice enclosed trailer ride to NJ. Cant wait to get it.
Glenn
1952 M38

JerryKans
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Re: Heat for an M38. Ever been done?

Post by JerryKans » Thu Feb 25, 2021 4:53 am

For some fall, mountain touring, I have taken the small, floor access panel off and the heat from the exhaust pipe rises up and keeps the feet relatively comfortable. I made some OD canvas half doors and that makes a huge difference. Just my $.02
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Re: Heat for an M38. Ever been done?

Post by dpcd67 » Fri Feb 26, 2021 3:10 pm

My wife used to drive an M38 as a daily driver, in the late 80s. Now she won't go near one; they smell like canvas and gas. Like they are supposed to.
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Re: Heat for an M38. Ever been done?

Post by Joe Gopan » Fri Feb 26, 2021 3:28 pm

Remember, the GI Issue Gas and Hot Water Heaters Kits for M-38, and M-38A1 are not configured the same.
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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