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. » Tue Oct 08, 2019 7:45 pm

Thanks Lars, I would really love to the photos you have. I am thinking of either having a repro rear cover made or repairing the original. I am undecided at this time. I'll take that task on in the future.
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. » Tue Oct 08, 2019 7:59 pm

Well Gents, I was a bad boy today. I have everything I need to rebuild the windshield for my G-506 in hand, but I played with the Weasel instead. I have found that the generator turns freely as well as the water pump. I pulled the spark plugs and poured a mixture of Diesel fuel and A.T.F. into the top of the cylinders. I was also able to finally get a socket on the crank pulley nut. It is a 1&3/4" nut with a lock plate. HOWEVER the engine won't turn, yet.


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I am a little cramped for space out in the workshop, so it is sitting in the front room of my house along with a few other goodies for the Chevy... :wink:
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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. » Fri Oct 11, 2019 5:58 pm

I was down in the bilge of my Weasel today. I was assessing the best way to get the engine to turn. It has had lubricants in the cylinders now for a few days and I was hoping to get it to budge a bit. I removed the driveshaft and pulled the dust cover from the transmission. I took a pry bar and attempted to turn the engine via the main shaft of the trans. I didn't put too much pressure on the trans., I didn't want to damage it. No luck it wouldn't turn.

Here is a photo of the gears. It is in remarkable condition. It is the only one I have right now, that's why I didn't force it to turn the engine.
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I am going to pull the head, and look at the condition of the top end. There is oil in the pan, but that doesn't mean it didn't have a catastrophic failure that caused it to be removed from service. The mystery deepens.
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 » Wed Oct 16, 2019 6:54 am

Great project! I would strongly suggest completely disassembleing the engine and rebuilding it rather than trying to break it loose. Rust and other debris turn into a material similar to sand over the years. You’ll be shocked by what’s in the bottom of your part cleaner.

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

Post by D.R.H. » Wed Oct 16, 2019 5:35 pm

Thanks Jessie. Everything has to come out anyway so I can replace the rusted sheet metal. I'm just experimenting with the engine right now. I really enjoy tinkering and fidgeting with my machines. If it doesn't turn just a bit, and soon, the head will come off for a top end inspection. I NEED TO SEE THE INSIDE OF THE CYLINDERS, I JUST GOTTA. After that, the decision will be made as to exactly which steps I'll take with it. All this will make for a better story if photos are provided along with the rest of the work. Right!? :)
I think that I may want to have the head cut to increase the compression ratio, to bring it up to current engine specs so that it will burn today's gasoline more thoroughly. But, all this is just spitballing right now. I really won't really be able to tear into until next spring.
I WANT THAT BILGE SO CLEAN, THAT POOP ON A SHINGLE CAN BE SERVED DIRECTLY FROM THE FLOOR OF IT!! :)
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.

ozm29c
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Re: 1944 M-29 C Weasel Restoration.

Post by ozm29c » Thu Oct 17, 2019 2:04 pm

DRH,
There are a myriad of improvements that can be made to a weasel engine but can I recommend two that should be included;
Fit an Aluminium Camshaft Timing gear and
Include the fitting of hardened valves seats to the cylinder block.
Cheers
JW
Attachments
Weasel engine Resized.jpg
Weasel engine Resized.jpg (126.05 KiB) Viewed 5720 times
Alumimium timin gear.jpg
Alumimium timin gear.jpg (69.27 KiB) Viewed 5720 times
GPW 135997
M29C 7333
M29C 4338

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W. Winget
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Re: 1944 M-29 C Weasel Restoration.

Post by W. Winget » Thu Oct 17, 2019 4:44 pm

For around $3.99 up to $30, you can buy a "endoscope camera" (google it) with 15 foot cable that connects to the Computer (laptop) or a cell phone.
Stick it in, snap a pic or two or a movie, no need for expensive tools...I bought one for $12, have used it several times for many things.
V/R W. Winget
https://www.google.com/search?q=endosco ... uYPcsiC8M:
Looking for 1918 Standard B 'Liberty' truck parts

Weaseler
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Re: 1944 M-29 C Weasel Restoration.

Post by Weaseler » Thu Oct 17, 2019 5:51 pm

Put ur trans in gear have someone pull u and let out the clutch if it don t turn like that it done. U must not have a factory crank pulley bolt because there 1” 1/2

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

Post by D.R.H. » Fri Oct 18, 2019 6:09 pm

Thanks guys for the tips. I wish to be a little less aggressive though with my attempt at breaking the engine free. Besides the port track is broken and rolled up awaiting refurbishment. Also, I don't have a spare transmission and don't want to risk damaging the one I have. The crank pulley bolt has the dogs for the hand crank. I am going to attempt to turn the engine again Saturday. I will take a photo of the pulley bolt so we can see exactly what type it is.

Hey OZM29, if the engine needs to be rebuilt I will do just what you have done with yours. Thanks for the tip on the Alum. Cam Gear. I'll use that one for sure.
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. » Sat Oct 19, 2019 5:57 pm

Okay Men!, my impatience led me to take drastic measures. I pulled the head today, and BOY am I glad I didn't attempt to force the engine to turn !! I pulled the Carb., generator, throttle linkage bracket and oil filter bracket, all the bolts and took a look inside.

So here we are at the start of this exercise. Spark plug #5 was missing upon closer inspection about 10 days ago. But because the engine cover was over the engine and it had an arctic cab on it, it was pretty well protected, somewhat...
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I had poured Evapo-Rust into the cylinder which produced this muddy gunk. There must have been a rodent's nest over the hole, I did clean some poop out of it when it first arrived.
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I scooped most of it out with my fingers. I didn't want to blow it out with the air nozzle and inject this uucky compound into my eyes, nose and mouth. Somehow I think that the flavor would have been far from Peach Ice Cream. :)
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I cleaned #5 very well and discovered that the engine may have inhaled something. The top of the piston has dings in it from whatever was rattling around inside. Funny thing though, the cylinder wall is still in great shape. Mystery, still. I used a thin flat putty knife to lift all the valves in an attempt to move them. They all did with ease. I then tried to turn the engine at the crank pulley but still no success. So I filled the cylinders with straight A.T.F. and replaced the head.

Hey Weaseler, any idea if this crank pulley nut is correct for this engine ? I read where you suggested that it is incorrect. Perhaps the photo can help provide definitive proof.
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What's wrong with this Speedometer ? First one to answer one or both of the correct answers, get's a cookie... :lol:
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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.

DIYJ
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Re: 1944 M-29 C Weasel Restoration.

Post by DIYJ » Sat Oct 19, 2019 6:06 pm

Km/h
1943 T24 Weasel

Weaseler
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Re: 1944 M-29 C Weasel Restoration.

Post by Weaseler » Sat Oct 19, 2019 6:55 pm

That is a t24 hand crank pulley bolt if u see a plug in the front of the rad on the tub it was for a hand crank

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Re: 1944 M-29 C Weasel Restoration.

Post by Weaseler » Sat Oct 19, 2019 6:57 pm

Speedo was replaced with a Europe replacement in kilometer

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

Post by D.R.H. » Sat Oct 19, 2019 7:52 pm

Thanks DIYJ and Weaseler for playing the guess that speedo game. Both of you, send me your address via P.M. and I'll send you both some Walkers Shortbread Chocolate Chip Cookies. :)
Also Weaseler, I thought that the bolt was for a T-24. Thanks for the confirmation. My Weasel is an M29C. I don't know date of Mfgr. or serial number. The data plate is pretty rusty and the "M29 C - " serial number tag is missing.
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 Jan 09, 2020 9:15 pm

Well Boys, I spent some time with an 8 foot section of my type 3 track on Sunday and today. I have found a system that works pretty well for punching them pesky rivets out.

I have an assortment of drill motors and bits, a center drift, a 1/4" drift, a 4lb. sledge, 1 stick of wax, 1 can of WD 40, and 1 pair of very old pliers.
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I found that the head of every rivet has a dimple in it. I used the center drift to clean out the rust.
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I stuck the 3/16" drill bit into the wax, then drilled a pilot hole. I did not drill all the way through the rivet, I wanted to have a small reservoir for the WD 40.
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I drilled about 30 pilot holes then moved onto the 5/16" bit. I sprayed the WD 40 into the pilot holes and made some smoke. You can see in this photo a bit of smoke in the hole.
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I tried using this deburring tool first to cut the head of the rivet off. It worked okay, but a 3/8" drill bit wound up working much better. Stupid camera focussed on everything BUT the DB tool.
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I used the 1/4" drift to punch what is left of the rivet out of the track. They all came out pretty easily with 1 good whack.
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From start to finish, the first 30 or so rivets took about 20 minutes. I had the bands completely off the track in just about an hour. Afterward I spent another 20 minutes twisting the cleats out of the outer rubber band with a pair of pliers. Boy they sure came out easily. I am still kicking thoughts around in my head about which method I will apply to get all the grouzers back together. I'll have some photos of that a little further into the future though. I am also thinking about having the grouzers sandblasted then Rhino Lined, but I don't know yet.
Right now I am concentrating on getting the rest of the track apart. 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.


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