Correct gauges

1952 - 1968, M38A1, M170, questions, discussions, regarding anything related to the M38a1 series.
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AFM38A1
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Correct gauges

Post by AFM38A1 » Wed Dec 08, 2021 8:18 pm

I'm trying to confirm the gauges in my newly acquired 1955 built M38A1 are correct:
Batt-Gen Indicator # 8376377
Temp # 24543-2 (Reads to 24O°)
Fuel # 8376374
Pressure (to 120) #8674895

Thanks...
Last edited by AFM38A1 on Thu Dec 09, 2021 10:17 am, edited 1 time in total.
M38A1 MD 82551. Built 3/1955. Purchased in Nov. 2021.
Former owner/restorer of 1977 Jeep CJ-5 Renegade Levis Edition.
All stock w/factory V-8. Used as a daily driver for 7 years.


JMZ421
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Re: Correct gauges

Post by JMZ421 » Thu Dec 09, 2021 9:10 am

If you google ORD 9 SNL G-758 or Parts Manual M38A1 all those numbers. If you look in section 0607 starting on page 154 you will see the ord part numbers for all those gages. John

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Re: Correct gauges

Post by AFM38A1 » Thu Dec 09, 2021 9:43 am

I checked my parts manual as you suggested.
The Batt-Gen and Fuel gauges check out, but the the numbers for the Temp and Pressure gauges don't.

So, perhaps newer parts than the Sept 1956 date of the manual?

Since they have ORD numbers, (in other words, they are not store bought generic gauges), and look to have been in there a long time...leave them in if they work?
M38A1 MD 82551. Built 3/1955. Purchased in Nov. 2021.
Former owner/restorer of 1977 Jeep CJ-5 Renegade Levis Edition.
All stock w/factory V-8. Used as a daily driver for 7 years.

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Re: Correct gauges

Post by JMZ421 » Thu Dec 09, 2021 10:43 am

My M38 gages are all original AC and I think one is S.W.. My speedo is the original AC and the numbers all match. I think those 2 you mentioned obviously work but for what came on the A1 from the start are not. You can still find those gages with proper ord #'s and some searching.

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Re: Correct gauges

Post by AFM38A1 » Fri Dec 10, 2021 11:08 am

Any help finding the correct gauges would be welcome!

For the Water Temp unit I need ORD#:
7389567
7954511
8376379

For Oil Pressure units I need ORD#:
7728853
7954230
8376380

I want to stay away from later units marked MS-xxxxx.

I have found some at the larger military Jeep Parts suppliers...one wants $279 each for NOS Temp and Oil Pressure units..but other supply suggestions would be helpful.

Also, my Speedo has broken face glass.
Can it be replaced?
No one seems to have the correct replacement 7760396, just MS-39021-2.

Many thanks.
M38A1 MD 82551. Built 3/1955. Purchased in Nov. 2021.
Former owner/restorer of 1977 Jeep CJ-5 Renegade Levis Edition.
All stock w/factory V-8. Used as a daily driver for 7 years.

Ron D
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Re: Correct gauges

Post by Ron D » Fri Dec 10, 2021 5:46 pm

Ron D
1951 M38
1951 M100

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Re: Correct gauges

Post by AFM38A1 » Fri Dec 10, 2021 6:46 pm

Ron D wrote:
Fri Dec 10, 2021 5:46 pm
Hi AFM38A1 <name?>,
Not looking hard enough. Here you go.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/275043630279?h ... SwlblholXu

https://www.ebay.com/itm/173804501937?h ... SwAdhcbhPL

Good luck!
Thanks for the effort.

The first has a correct AC part # but I can't make out its ORD#.
Also, it only goes to 60 PSI, not 120.
The second had a different ORD# than what I'm looking for...per the Army parts manual.

John
M38A1 MD 82551. Built 3/1955. Purchased in Nov. 2021.
Former owner/restorer of 1977 Jeep CJ-5 Renegade Levis Edition.
All stock w/factory V-8. Used as a daily driver for 7 years.

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Re: Correct gauges

Post by Ron D » Fri Dec 10, 2021 7:39 pm

Hi John,
60 psi not 120 psi? How much oil pressure do you suppose that F134 puts out? Pretty sure the 60 psi gauge is correct for the M38A1.
Did you see the part numbers printed on the face of the gauges? They look correct to me. Can't make out the number? Contact the vendor and ask.
Might not get much better than this, especially for NOS gauges, and even though there's no guarantee they work.
If those won't do, good luck with your search.

By the way, gauges marked with a "MS" part number could very well have been used by the Army while the M38A1 was still in service (overlap with the M151 being delivered). I believe the military switched over to the Military Specification ("MS") part numbering scheme sometime in the mid-to-late 1960's.
Ron D
1951 M38
1951 M100

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Re: Correct gauges

Post by AFM38A1 » Sat Dec 11, 2021 7:15 pm

Ron

I'm going by the Parts listed in the G-758 manual.
I took those ORD numbers and found them online, the original Oil gauge in A1s of my vehicle's period came with 120 psi gauges. Likewise, the Temp gauge was originally 260°, not 240° like the MS- series gauge currently fitted.
I have also confirmed those numbers by looking at photos in the Army TM, which is dated the month after my truck was built.

Of course, later parts will fit, but I'd like to fit early gauges if possible.
Why?
I'm painting and putting it in unit markings specific to the mid '50s, so I'd like early gauges to keep it period correct.
Not a huge thing, but in my past projects (admittedly non military) I like to sweat the details. My background is in collector cars, where details mean the difference between correct and just "good enough". If you take too many shortcuts, you might as well take CJ-5 and paint it as an A1.

I appreciate the eBay link, I'm just a bit leery of some of the vendors there..many, if not most, seem to sell parts that "fit" (just look at their listings) but not necessarily the CORRECT ORIGINAL part. In this case, M-151 gauges will work, and with non electrical parts, many/most CJ parts will work, but they won't be correct.
I'll use them if they have the right part at a good price.

Hopefully, the local shop will have the parts I need in their mounds of stuff, likewise, local MV collectors have offered to look in their staches.

Still, I realize there is a great deal I don't know about MVs, which is why I've posted here for advice and comments.
Last edited by AFM38A1 on Sat Dec 11, 2021 8:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.
M38A1 MD 82551. Built 3/1955. Purchased in Nov. 2021.
Former owner/restorer of 1977 Jeep CJ-5 Renegade Levis Edition.
All stock w/factory V-8. Used as a daily driver for 7 years.

Ron D
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Re: Correct gauges

Post by Ron D » Sat Dec 11, 2021 8:37 pm

Suits me John, just trying to be helpful. Some parts are way harder to come by than others. Some are impossible to get, no matter how many dollars you have. Patience is a virtue. Sometimes, compromise might be necessary. Just my 2 cents.

If you weren't aware of it, many of our venerable (reliable, trustworthy, honorable) military vehicle parts vendors sell on fleabay. Eventually you may recognize their names and locations. RFJP, MWM, AJP, BMJP, and QTM to name a few. These folks stand by what they sell. However, there's nothing like a friendly phone call, even for advice on "correctness", and added bonus I believe ordering over the phone saves them from paying the fleabay fees. Many of them have parts too numerous to list on fleabay or even their own web pages. Got to call them to get into the secret stash stuff... :D

Good luck!
Ron D
1951 M38
1951 M100

AFM38A1
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Re: Correct gauges

Post by AFM38A1 » Sat Dec 11, 2021 9:51 pm

Ron
Agree, 100%.
I like to deal with specialists as opposed to those in eBay who may have just procured a part somehow.
I had already bookmarked the vendors you listed (except BM, I haven't heard of them) on my tablet along with this forum.
I did ask the seller the ORD# on the one item.
We'll see what happens.
I would guess if he were a specialist, he would have included that number in the listing. After all, it's printed on the face...so I would figure it might be important.
I know I would have, and as I said, I'm hardly a MV expert.

Again, I would love to give long time vendors....or forum or MVPA members...my money (as opposed to whomever on ebay).
M38A1 MD 82551. Built 3/1955. Purchased in Nov. 2021.
Former owner/restorer of 1977 Jeep CJ-5 Renegade Levis Edition.
All stock w/factory V-8. Used as a daily driver for 7 years.

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Re: Correct gauges

Post by Joe Gopan » Sun Dec 12, 2021 8:30 am

120 PSI Oil Pressure Gauges are correct for the subject M-38A1, it is not a very accurate installation, drivers were reminded not to worry as long as the needles on those 120# gauges moved after the engine started, There were bulletins on installing 60# gauges when these Jeeps were serviced by their support units. The gauges and the senders must match.
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Re: Correct gauges

Post by mdainsd » Tue Dec 14, 2021 7:32 am

The 120 psi gauge is next useless as the Army found out. Correct for a factory new restoration, but 60psi set up is correct for a motor pool class, and is useable.
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: Correct gauges

Post by AFM38A1 » Tue Dec 14, 2021 5:40 pm

Thanks...
I hear what you are saying and appreciate the advice, but I'm going for more of a "new" factory look.
Also, as I recently learned, staying with a 120# unit will allow me to keep the same sending unit.
As far as operational considerations, the unit won't be working for a living, so a less than precise 120# gauge should be sufficient.
Last edited by AFM38A1 on Thu Dec 16, 2021 2:29 pm, edited 2 times in total.
M38A1 MD 82551. Built 3/1955. Purchased in Nov. 2021.
Former owner/restorer of 1977 Jeep CJ-5 Renegade Levis Edition.
All stock w/factory V-8. Used as a daily driver for 7 years.

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Re: Correct gauges

Post by mdainsd » Thu Dec 16, 2021 6:06 am

Great! I will check this weekend, I just may have a 120 lb gauge that I can spare.
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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