Purchased an M38A1. Can't identify early civilian engine

1945 - 196*, Willys CJ series, questions, discussions, regarding anything related to the post war jeep.®
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MikeM2
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Purchased an M38A1. Can't identify early civilian engine

Post by MikeM2 » Mon Dec 28, 2020 4:42 pm

I am a rookie who purchased my M38A1 in early October. The jeep was titled as a 1962. The F4 engine serial number is: 4J354395. I assume this is a civilian CJ engine but after searching the web I cannot identify the year of the engine. The engine block has the following number in the casting. SD 807895. The Vietnam veteran I purchased the jeep from said the CJ5 front fenders were on the jeep when he bought it. He did not know the history of the jeep. The body tub appears to be correct for an M38A1. Please review the attached photos? What year is the body and what year is the engine?
Attachments
Passenger side.jpg
Passenger side view
Drivers side.jpg
Drivers side view
Radiator secured by large single bolt on the bottom.jpg
Radiator secured by a single large bolt.
Missing Data Plates - ALSO no ID tag on rear passenger inner fender well.jpg
Missing data plates
Engine with two support rods.jpg
Engine has two support rods.
Dash.jpg
M38A1 dash
M38A1 in my driveway.jpg
Side view
F4 Engine Number 4J354395-800x600.jpg
F4 engine serial number
Engine block casting number.jpg
Number cast into engine block


Rus Curtis
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Re: Purchased an M38A1. Can't identify early civilian engine

Post by Rus Curtis » Tue Dec 29, 2020 6:19 am

Mike,
I looked up your engine serial number on the CJ3B Page. Numbers are posted there based on owners submitting what they have. There are gaps and questions simply because replacement engines can happen.

https://cj3b.info/SerialNos/SerialNosEngine.html

What I noticed was several "4J35XXXX" that follow "4J34XXXX" engine numbers that all appear in the 1963-1964 time frame. I would guess 1963. It's a guess. When you scan those years, you'll notice some of the years are mixed. The explanation for this was provided in the text at the top of the page.

There may be other ways to narrow down when the engine was manufactured.

HTH
Rus Curtis
'54 CJ-3B
T3-C

MikeM2
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Re: Purchased an M38A1. Can't identify early civilian engine

Post by MikeM2 » Tue Dec 29, 2020 1:58 pm

Thank you Rus for looking up my engine number on the CJ3B web site. I was unaware of this website. Did the number cast into the block (807895) coincide with your conclusion that my engine is a 1963 civilian F4? My next step is to learn how to date the tub and configuration of my M38A1. I am grateful for your help!

Rus Curtis
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Re: Purchased an M38A1. Can't identify early civilian engine

Post by Rus Curtis » Tue Dec 29, 2020 6:20 pm

Mike,
I'm near the bottom of the knowledge totem pole so I have to reference other stuff. Other's have an extensive library at their fingertips.

That block number is I believe just a casting number. I'll defer to others that may have more information on what it means.

I zeroed in on your serial number. The one just behind your water pump. That fits in the list of known 3Bs with similar engine serial numbers in the 1963-1964 time frame. It's just a guess from the assumption you have a civilian engine.
Rus Curtis
'54 CJ-3B
T3-C

sjalbert
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Re: Purchased an M38A1. Can't identify early civilian engine

Post by sjalbert » Wed Dec 30, 2020 4:51 am

4J would be a civilian 4WD truck possibly a pickup or Forward Cab. 807895 was in production in the early 60's. An M38 would have used that casting, but the serial number would have had a "MD" prefix.
Seth
******
1944 MB 349858, 20620361
1942 MBT 10968 viewtopic.php?f=18&t=149552
1942 MBT 15799, USA 0217497 viewtopic.php?f=18&t=225199
MVPA # 8587
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Collecting Willys Engine Info. Please send me Engine #, Casting Date & Machining Date if known

MikeM2
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Re: Purchased an M38A1. Can't identify early civilian engine

Post by MikeM2 » Thu Dec 31, 2020 9:52 am

Thank you for the comments on the casting number. If 807895 casting date is an M38 from the early 60's but the engine # above the water pump is civilian 4J354395...........that is confusing.

sjalbert
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Re: Purchased an M38A1. Can't identify early civilian engine

Post by sjalbert » Thu Dec 31, 2020 2:09 pm

Meant to say M38A1. All vehicles (military & civilian) used the same casting.
Seth
******
1944 MB 349858, 20620361
1942 MBT 10968 viewtopic.php?f=18&t=149552
1942 MBT 15799, USA 0217497 viewtopic.php?f=18&t=225199
MVPA # 8587
Com / Inst. SMEL
CFII - ASEL
KI5LYB

Collecting Willys Engine Info. Please send me Engine #, Casting Date & Machining Date if known

MikeM2
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Re: Purchased an M38A1. Can't identify early civilian engine

Post by MikeM2 » Fri Jan 01, 2021 3:39 pm

Thank you so much for making me aware of this fact.


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