1944 M-29 C Weasel Restoration.

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D.R.H.
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Re: 1944 M-29 C Weasel Restoration.

Post by D.R.H. » Sun Oct 25, 2020 9:19 am

Well boys, it looks as though I misspoke about the heat on this project as being turned off. The pilot light it seems, was still lit and providing a bit of warmth. A friend lead me to a good 170c.i.d. Champion engine. The price was right at $50.00, but I had to go get it in Oregon. So I prepped my '95 Tahoe for the trip and saddled up. I experienced a mishap on the trip, but over all it was a success. The compression felt too low when I rolled the engine over by hand and after I made it home, I pulled the head to have a look-see at the top end. I cleaned the carbon off and the compression felt very strong after I buttoned it back up. Here are some photos and two video links of what happened and what I found.

Image
Image
Image

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqNpAnyk92A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwwW4uVRxTw

When a good deal comes up, sometimes Ya just can't pass on it. Thanks for looking.
In Loving Memoriam: George R. Hancock. 20 Mar. 1938 - 11 Jan. 2017. U.S.A.F. 1956 - 1962. R.I.P. Dad.
In Loving Memoriam: Ann Hancock, 08 Mar. 1934 - 25 Sept. 2021. R.N. 1960 - 2005. R.I.P. Mom.
Thank You BOTH for always being there.

My YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaMKEv ... M3g/videos.


jesse
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Re: 1944 M-29 C Weasel Restoration.

Post by jesse » Thu Nov 05, 2020 1:37 pm

Hey! What’s with the CCKW parts in the background?!!

D.R.H.
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Re: 1944 M-29 C Weasel Restoration.

Post by D.R.H. » Fri Nov 06, 2020 9:05 am

If you're asking about the wheels, they are for this; viewtopic.php?f=28&t=319605.
In Loving Memoriam: George R. Hancock. 20 Mar. 1938 - 11 Jan. 2017. U.S.A.F. 1956 - 1962. R.I.P. Dad.
In Loving Memoriam: Ann Hancock, 08 Mar. 1934 - 25 Sept. 2021. R.N. 1960 - 2005. R.I.P. Mom.
Thank You BOTH for always being there.

My YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaMKEv ... M3g/videos.

D.R.H.
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Re: 1944 M-29 C Weasel Restoration.

Post by D.R.H. » Thu Feb 25, 2021 4:10 pm

I received a very important box through FedEx today. Just want to say thanks to Rob W. for the hat channel kit for my Weasel. Here is a peek at said kit, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU7Iqi8iOrI.
In Loving Memoriam: George R. Hancock. 20 Mar. 1938 - 11 Jan. 2017. U.S.A.F. 1956 - 1962. R.I.P. Dad.
In Loving Memoriam: Ann Hancock, 08 Mar. 1934 - 25 Sept. 2021. R.N. 1960 - 2005. R.I.P. Mom.
Thank You BOTH for always being there.

My YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaMKEv ... M3g/videos.

prc148
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Re: 1944 M-29 C Weasel Restoration.

Post by prc148 » Sat Mar 06, 2021 3:31 am

D.R.H. wrote:
Thu Feb 25, 2021 4:10 pm
I received a very important box through FedEx today. Just want to say thanks to Rob W. for the hat channel kit for my Weasel. Here is a peek at said kit, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU7Iqi8iOrI.
It’s a great kit and mine is going in right now. I wish Rob could reproduce the two fuel tank channels as part of the package. Oh, my box was also well made.

D.R.H.
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Re: 1944 M-29 C Weasel Restoration.

Post by D.R.H. » Tue Jun 28, 2022 5:01 pm

It has been some time since I posted anything on my Weasel. Well, it is high time that I did. I finally started working on this 78 year old machine. Here are some photos and videos of my progress.

Image
Image
Image
Image

Someone cut a hole here thinking they knew better about how temperature management works than the Slide-Rule and Micrometer Boys do.
Image

You can see two holes up front too. Note the engine swinging from the gantry.
Image
Image

Video of fuel tank removal. The old gas make my lungs hurt which made me cough and gag.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iy3iLRQKR6Q

Engine removal. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GFh6DJc0TQ&t=114s

Thanks for looking.
In Loving Memoriam: George R. Hancock. 20 Mar. 1938 - 11 Jan. 2017. U.S.A.F. 1956 - 1962. R.I.P. Dad.
In Loving Memoriam: Ann Hancock, 08 Mar. 1934 - 25 Sept. 2021. R.N. 1960 - 2005. R.I.P. Mom.
Thank You BOTH for always being there.

My YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaMKEv ... M3g/videos.

prc148
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Re: 1944 M-29 C Weasel Restoration.

Post by prc148 » Sat Oct 01, 2022 2:35 am

York Radiator in York, Pa did a great job on my original tank. Keep up the great work.

Arnold43GPW
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Re: 1944 M-29 C Weasel Restoration.

Post by Arnold43GPW » Mon Mar 20, 2023 12:44 pm

Following this build.. I just got a 45' M29C Weasel that i'll be working on..
1943 Ford GPW #104421 “ The Spirit of 43’ “ My PTO Jeep

1945 Ford GPW #266293 “ Smitty “ My ETO Jeep

70th Division
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Re: 1944 M-29 C Weasel Restoration.

Post by 70th Division » Tue Mar 21, 2023 12:51 pm

D.R.H. wrote:
Tue Jun 28, 2022 5:01 pm
It has been some time since I posted anything on my Weasel. Well, it is high time that I did. I finally started working on this 78 year old machine. Here are some photos and videos of my progress.

Image
Image
Image
Image

Someone cut a hole here thinking they knew better about how temperature management works than the Slide-Rule and Micrometer Boys do.
Image

You can see two holes up front too. Note the engine swinging from the gantry.
Image
Image

Video of fuel tank removal. The old gas make my lungs hurt which made me cough and gag.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iy3iLRQKR6Q

Engine removal. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GFh6DJc0TQ&t=114s

Thanks for looking.

Hello Dave,

Any updates on this great weasel project ?

I have one that needs a total rebuild as well.


Best Regards,
Ray

D.R.H.
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Re: 1944 M-29 C Weasel Restoration.

Post by D.R.H. » Sat Mar 25, 2023 5:44 pm

Hi Ray, thanks for asking about this thread. I have done quite a little bit over the past year, just became a little tired of taking photos and posting them. BUT, here are some that I took today.

The spark plug in cyl. 5 was left out before I bought the machine which led to the engine being stuck.
Image

And here is what happened to the piston before I removed it today. The engine had inhaled something which bounced around onto top of the piston, melted and became a softer layer of metal on the under side of the head. My guess is that some previous owner attempted to remedy the issue and only made it worse by beating on the piston.
Image

I'm not sure how this happened, but here is where I stopped. The engine would roll over smoothly for about 300 degrees, then it would bind and be tight for the remaining 60 degrees. With this piston out the engine spins freely.
Image

Luckily I can get a set of pistons that are .060" oversize and bearings that are .020" undersize. So there is life left in this engine.
Image

Here is a video with more information on the cause of the stuck engine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=we7qFvjDdbE
In Loving Memoriam: George R. Hancock. 20 Mar. 1938 - 11 Jan. 2017. U.S.A.F. 1956 - 1962. R.I.P. Dad.
In Loving Memoriam: Ann Hancock, 08 Mar. 1934 - 25 Sept. 2021. R.N. 1960 - 2005. R.I.P. Mom.
Thank You BOTH for always being there.

My YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaMKEv ... M3g/videos.

70th Division
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Re: 1944 M-29 C Weasel Restoration.

Post by 70th Division » Sun Mar 26, 2023 7:24 am

D.R.H. wrote:
Sat Mar 25, 2023 5:44 pm
Hi Ray, thanks for asking about this thread. I have done quite a little bit over the past year, just became a little tired of taking photos and posting them. BUT, here are some that I took today.

The spark plug in cyl. 5 was left out before I bought the machine which led to the engine being stuck.
Image

And here is what happened to the piston before I removed it today. The engine had inhaled something which bounced around onto top of the piston, melted and became a softer layer of metal on the under side of the head. My guess is that some previous owner attempted to remedy the issue and only made it worse by beating on the piston.
Image

I'm not sure how this happened, but here is where I stopped. The engine would roll over smoothly for about 300 degrees, then it would bind and be tight for the remaining 60 degrees. With this piston out the engine spins freely.
Image

Luckily I can get a set of pistons that are .060" oversize and bearings that are .020" undersize. So there is life left in this engine.
Image

Here is a video with more information on the cause of the stuck engine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=we7qFvjDdbE

Hello Dave,
Great video !

Good luck with the engine rebuild !
I have an ex Norwegian T-24 that needs a total rebuild and track repairs, some day !
The engine was supposedly running great, and the owner filled the pistons with oil, to preserve it in storage.

Keep us posted, and Keep 'em Rolling !

Best Regards,
Ray

D.R.H.
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Location: Evergreen State

Re: 1944 M-29 C Weasel Restoration.

Post by D.R.H. » Sun May 28, 2023 5:58 pm

A bit more forward progress has been made on My Weasel. I found out that the engine I picked up a few years back won't fit. It is from a 1951 Commander, the front of the block is 2" wider than the Champion Engine. So there's that hiccup.
On another note, I successfully cleaned the sludge out of the Tank and soldered up some holes produced by rust. The first tank I repaired using this method was for a G-506, a few years back.

These 4 photos are of the soldering work that I performed.

Image
Image
Image
Image

The little rectangles are small strips of 16ga. steel to help hold the solder from pouring through the hole when it is in liquid form. I am waiting on some 2 part steel epoxy to arrive and I will clean and fill the "cratered" areas.

Here is a video of the work that I did. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32WmVIWg-Pg
In Loving Memoriam: George R. Hancock. 20 Mar. 1938 - 11 Jan. 2017. U.S.A.F. 1956 - 1962. R.I.P. Dad.
In Loving Memoriam: Ann Hancock, 08 Mar. 1934 - 25 Sept. 2021. R.N. 1960 - 2005. R.I.P. Mom.
Thank You BOTH for always being there.

My YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaMKEv ... M3g/videos.


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