It's alive.......

1959 - 1962, Mighty Mite, M422, Wanted, USED PARTS FOR SALE, and Knowledge Base
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takpak
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Location: Hillsboro OR

It's alive.......

Post by takpak » Thu Sep 03, 2020 7:46 pm

After almost two years of restoration, I'm finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. This week, for the first time I started and ran my newly rebuilt MM engine. Granted it was only for around 5 minutes, but I wanted to make sure everything worked, and there were no odd noises nor oil leaks. I still need to adjust the carb and set the timing to specs, but IT RAN!!! First time that engine has run in over 50 years. We won't talk about the expense. Suffice it to say that it has new bearings, new camshaft, new "jugs" as well as pistons and rings. And of course, even though the jugs were "NOS" they still went back east to have the Nikasil coating put on them. Basically the engine is almost "factory new" other than the "core" unit. The rest of the mechanical was gone through while the engine was out. Now to start putting the body back together. Lots of rivets to replace. Strange how aluminum rivets can still have the heads "corrode" off of them. Otherwise, the body is in great shape. The mite was purchased directly from the government surplus auction in the late '60's. Then the owner took it home, parked it (outside, unfortunately), and never touched it again. He died a few years ago. I got it from his family who inherited it. Sometimes I think I should have turned and run away, but it's been interesting and it IS a very unique vehicle. This winter should see the total restoration wrapped up and it will be out next spring (God willing and the Covid is under control) and I'm still alive! Been an interesting project! :roll: :mrgreen:
Terry K.
Vietnam Veteran
U.S. Navy
Current: 1962 M-422A1, 1953 Air Force M-43, 1942 Navy EP GPW Script

Previous: 1954 M-37, 1971 M-35, 1951 M-38


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Bill H.
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Re: It's alive.......

Post by Bill H. » Fri Sep 04, 2020 8:52 pm

Wonderful Terry! Any new pictures to share?
Bill H.

"Each shall seek his own kind, in other words, a bird may love a fish but where would they build a home together?" Tevye, Fiddler on the Roof

1952 Dunbar Kapple M100
1953 Willys M38A1
1962 AMC M422A1
1965 Stevens M416B1 X 2
1967 Kaiser M715

2 Timothy 3:1-5

hndrsonj
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Re: It's alive.......

Post by hndrsonj » Tue Sep 08, 2020 2:18 pm

Who re-coated the jugs and how much was it?
1951 Reo M48 Deuce Tractor
1953 Studebaker M59 Deuce Dump
1962 Dodge M37B1 w/w
1951 Jeep M38
1961 AMC M422A1 Mighty Mite
1961 AMC M422A1 Mighty Mite

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takpak
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Re: It's alive.......

Post by takpak » Tue Oct 06, 2020 8:28 pm

Bill H., no, no pictures yet. Will work on that......too many other projects at the moment.

Hndrsonj, I sent the jugs to Millennium Technologies. They were highly recommended by others. Cost was around $250.00 each to strip and re-coat. The project was more expensive than that though, as I had to buy a set of NOS jugs as well, but got a pretty good deal on them. I still have the old set, which probably would be repairable, but I decided to get the NOS instead.

Onward and upward.
Terry K.
Vietnam Veteran
U.S. Navy
Current: 1962 M-422A1, 1953 Air Force M-43, 1942 Navy EP GPW Script

Previous: 1954 M-37, 1971 M-35, 1951 M-38

jrlatt
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Re: It's alive.......

Post by jrlatt » Thu Nov 05, 2020 4:48 pm

That is awesome.


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